The Travelling Stevens Crew are off!

Thankfully we didn't have to race around on Friday night in order to check out of our condo for 10am. We had booked our dog sled tours for Saturday afternoon and on checking with the managers of the condo where we could store our luggage until 5pm, the owners advised that they were coming in for the last week of the ski season so feel free to stay on until 5pm!! We were stoked!

We had quite a lot to cram into our last day. The kids had managed to get their skis for an extra day so hadn't returned their gear with Wayne and myself on the Friday. We tentatively let them do the Happy Valley run back from the village on their own while Wayne and I caught the gondola down.

Wayne and Denver were keen to take a snow mobile tour so booked that for 11.30am. The girls and I went off to the village to take a last look in the shops and select a momento of Big White.

Apparently the snow mobile was not quite what Denver had expected and after Wayne saw the gripping fear on his face, he had to curtail his testosterone a little and tone down the speed. I think Wayne will be booking a single tour next time without a passenger.

The resort also had mini snow mobiles which they called Mini z's. Denver and Jaimie both hired these and enjoyed the slower pace - but of course they were TOO slow - never happy!

The girls and I had our dog sled booked for 1pm, we ran over to where the dogs were, so excited. We had booked this back in Perth and managed to get the last 2 bookings for the season. Tim and his 18 dogs live on the resort only on the weekends and during the week he is back home north of Kamloops.

We were introduced to all his dogs, Alaskan racing dogs, and given lots of information about their personalities, what they are fed and what their needs are. We were surprised at how friendly they were and how excited they became once harnessed. They was a very special routine to follow and different dogs worked best in different positions.

Before all the dogs were harnessed, Tim showed us how to get in the sled and what we would need to do if he had to get off the sled for an emergency. We were warned we may come across a " situation" as he had seen 3 dogs run off into the woods with out leads and his team didn't like being "messed with" when they were working!!

Once the last lead dog was harnessed and Tim released the rope that was keeping the sled anchored, the dogs were off in a flash. It was one of the most amazing experiences ever. Whilst anchored, the dogs were barking and carrying on but as soon as the sled was off it became totally silent with only the swish of the sled along the snow. They were so fast and responsive to the different commands.

We didn't end up with any major situations , a couple of dogs on the trail however they were on lead and asked to move off the trail so we could pass. Trying to keep the dogs stopped for any length of time is difficult and any situations need to be fixed quickly because even with a person on the brake, the dogs could move the sled on if they really wanted.

Wayne and Denver did their sled ride after us and found it equally exhilerating.

Our cab arrived at 5pm to take us back to Kelowna for the night. Sadly we loaded our cases into the cab and got one last photo at the entrance to Big White with a promise to each other that we are coming back to do it all again!

There is always something to do here at Big White and we are only a few metres from the Happy Valley Lodge. Every night there are activities either at the Lodge or up in the village. Denver was keen to participate in the Wii night then the following night there was Big White Idol, lots of laughs and not a lot of talent. We tried hard to convince the kids to have a go but by the time Denver had summoned up the courage the list was full so he got out of it!

Carnival night in the Village was a popular event with free "cotton candy" and popcorn, lots of games and a race down the main street between Loose Moose and the Big White Bear. After some rough and tumble Big White Bear came out the winner! Thursdays and Saturdays are also fireworks over the skating rink which were a nice way to finish the day.

Over the Hedge was on for family movie night and once again the free popcorn proved popular.

Most nights we struggled to drag ourselves away from the comfort of the condo and the steaming hot tub but it was fun once we got there.

The kids finished their 2 afternoons of lessons with Ali and were well equipped to handle all the green runs we could throw at them. The mountain is so well designed for the family that there are green, or beginner runs from all the chairlifts with a total of 18% of runs being for the beginner. However, beginner they may be, but definitely challenging enough for us who wish to remain off crutches and out of plaster for the next 9 weeks.

We were determined to accomplish as many of the runs as possible and to get to the top of the mountain to see the world famous "snow ghosts". The first time we went up there were blue skies and perfect conditions but we didn't have the camera. The snow ghosts are only found in a few places around the world and are actually the fir trees totally covered and weighted with snow. They form the most amazing shapes and the landscape looks like something from another planet. We wanted a photo of these so under extreme wind and about -9 temperature we battled our better judgement and returned on Friday just to be able to get the evidence.

From the top of the mountain there was an awesome run that took you all the way down to the road into the resort called Gem lake. It was about 4.5 kms from top to bottom and fantastic to spend less time on chairlifts which got rather chilly and boring for the kids. It was great to be able to ski as a family and Mackenzie especially tackled even the steepest slopes with such control and panache that she amazed us all.

After waking to beautiful blue skies on Monday morning we went off to the village on the gondola to pick up our skis.

Our condo is in a fantastic location, less than 100m to the Happy Valley Day Lodge and gondola which is a free ride up to the Village Centre. Means we can get up and down easily to pick up supplies and can still ski down from the village to our door!! Just perfect, easy to let the early risers out without having to wait for everyone, ( which suits Wayne to a T! You all know how he doesn't like to wait!!)

Kids met up with their ski instructor, Ali, who was from Kent in the UK , same place as Wayne was born, and began their first lesson with a short session on the Magic Carpet. Jaimie and Denver remembered the basics from their lesson a couple of years ago so with Mackenzie being a true novice, Ali spent a bit longer getting her upto speed before they all went and did a couple of runs on the Plaza Run and used the Plaza Chair Lift.

Wayne and I took advantage of some freedom and refreshed some of our own basics and took it fairly gently.

Yesterday was perfect blue skies and no new snow. Kids did a few runs with us in the morning then met up with Ali again for the afternoon. Thankfully she took them up the mountain first on the Ridge Rocket Express and they all did one of the green runs down the mountain. If we had suggested it there was no way they would have come with us.

The kids (and me) were all had it by 4.30pm so we all came in for a long well deserved soak in the hot tub and a big pasta for dinner! No one was complaining about being in bed by 8.00pm last night, we weren't too far behind them!

Today we awoke to more snow, this is supposed to be spring but all the locals are saying its more liker winter skiing, however no-one is complaining. Perfect conditions for "snow angels". By this afternoon, the only way to describe the conditions was like skiing in whipped cream, such soft snow it was just amazing. Made my somersault stack a lot softer landing. I definitely took the 10/10 for stack of the day.

After checking the snow report tonight they have recorded 14cm of new snow today and more expected tomorrow. Hopefully we will get to see some more sun before we leave. We have definitely spoiled ourselves coming here first and are already planning our next trip to the snow!

BIG WHITE ... it certainly is! What an absolutely amazing place !! We are all totally overwhelmed at how magnificent this ski resort is. We have it all here , our accommodation is superb in location, comfort, facilites and "style". We all want to move in permanently, or will be looking for investors to share a condo with us!!

The kids big thing about coming up here was to see it snowing, well they were woken up this morning, "Easter Sunday" to fresh snow and beautiful powder snow "flurries" all day. Hence we couldn't find any bunny prints in the snow as they were all covered up!! We did however throw all our gear on and head up on the gondola to the Village Square to be met by the Easter Bunny himself and a bag full of eggs were collected in the Easter Egg hunt around the village.

It has snowed nearly all day today and we have done lots of exploring. After a big breakfast of hot chocolates, washed down with easter eggs up at the village we came back to the condo for an easter cook up and hot cross buns. Kids found a toboggan in the garage so have been playing with that outside our place. The ski in ski out facilities here are awesome. We can watch everyone ski past our place from the magnificent picture windows and the kids can play happily in the snow outside, while we enjoy a glass of red in the warm!

Jaimie was busting to do the horse sleigh ride today so we experienced a true Canadian sleigh ride behind 2 enormous Clydesdales called Tom and Jerry. Fabulous experience and the kids all had a chance to drive. The snow was magic through the trees, just all fluffy and floaty!

A total of 5 cm of new snow has fallen today so tomorrow's skiing is going to be awesome.