Powder Videos from Cerise Creek Trip

Thought that some of you might like to check out some footage from our Sunday's ski tour out to Cerise Creek. Matt put these together and has uploaded to his BLOG. Also, have a look at this U-Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCnYViQSWxI but caution, you might be super jealous of just how good the snow is here in Sea to Sky Country. It's always time to play so never forget that - Enjoy!

Showing Off Where I LiveFriday night my Seattle team mate Matt from DART-nuun drove up to Squamish in search of some friendly Canadian hospitality and a new scene to train in. It wasn't too hard to put together an itinerary to please. However, let me back up a second.

Last week I managed a great 20+ hour week. Awsome snow shoe running up to Elfin Lakes, a skate ski race that kicked my ass (remind me not to do 2.5hrs of intense training before I decide to participate in a nordic race, no matter how much fun it is) and a fun Friday night basketball game against the women's team! Another note to self - don't talk trash to the coach about how much we are going to beat them by when you never have even practiced with your team before!

Back to a good weekend. Matt and I set out early to avoid the congestion on the trail up to Red Heather Hut in Garibaldi Provincial Park. A good steady climb to the top of Paul Ridge and then enjoyed the undulating snowy terrain out to Elfin Hut. It was fun to show Matt my everyday stomping grounds. He then went on to play with the Squamish All Stars Mens basketball team that night back at Quest University.

Sunday morning, the "tour de coffee" started as we grabbed a java in Brackendale and then headed north to Pemberton (coffee stop #2) on our way out to Cerise. It was ski touring time as Norm and I showed Matt some of the best terrain around. The skies turned blue and the snow conditions were unreal. I think we were all down to 1 layer as we made our way up (coffee stop #3 out of a thermos). 2 good runs (much sweeter when you work hard for them) and we were back to the car before dark. Coffee stop #4 (again back in Pemberton) and home.

The play week continues. This is "the week of the bike" for me. Sunday I am off to France for a week to meet with Salomon designers and some of their Euro athletes. Greatly looking forward to it and to be apart of some product research & development. Will be exciting to train in some new terrain over there.

Remember - our house is always open to anyone who wants to come play in beautiful Squamish, BC and the surrounding area - if you don't come, you are missing out!

The past while....

Here is a recap of how 2008 has started off for me. Let's just say that life has been one big adventure filled with good friends, lots of coffees and a nice break from regimented training. I feel ready to tackle a new season.

Dec 31st - Jan 2nd - 3 days of winter surfing in Tofino! I was able to mix it up with some stormy beach runs (about 2 a day) just because I wanted to be running in the most beautiful place in the world. Not a bad way to welcome in the new year.

Jan 3rd - Skate Ski up at the new Olmpic Nordic Venue in the Callaghan Valley. Unreal! Great times and a killer workout. I finished the day off with a good long spin on my bike and a strength workout.

Jan 4th - 1hr30min bike session & then an evening cruisy classic nordic ski at Manning Park, BC

Jan 5th - Epic powder day on the slopes of Manning - stopped at 1:30pm because my legs were so worked from the powder. Afternoon skate ski all around the Manning Park area. Who knew the nordic trails were so good there. I slept good that night.

Jan 6th - travel day onto Rossland, BC but manged to get a night ski tour in - sweeeeet!

Jan 7th - Ski tour in the Rossland area. Hut to hut travel in the alpine where I thoroughly enjoyed only a few moments of glorious fresh tracks. Sunny skies - a day to remember!

Jan 8th - Best day of skiing ever for me as I took on the steep narly terrain of Revelstoke! This place is definately one of BC's hot spots. Too bad the cat is out of the bag and real estate prices are soaring (ya, worse than Squamish.) Anyway, 5 hours of this terrain was just awsome. A full strength training day for sure.

Jan 9th - evening tempo run back home in Squamish!

So there ya have it - a quick recap of the past while. The snow continues to fall and so I will continue on with my skate skiing, backcountry touring and of course winter running & riding. The Baja Travesia expedition race is only a few months away now so I gotta get ready!