Skipress - Index

Skipress - SkiPress Canada Vol.22 No.4 - Index

SNOLIFE BY LORI KNOWLES
Ski It… Like a Local
Whistler, BC
Q: Where do you stop fi rst in the village for coffee?
A: Moguls or Behind the Grind.
Q: Where do you ski fi rst on an early spring morning?
A: Nowhere early. Wait until the sun softens the night’s freeze. Then head anywhere mid-mountain
on Whistler — Big Red Express or Emerald chair. On Blackcomb that would be Jersey Cream or Crystal
chair. Basically, you chase the sun.
Q: Where would you stop for a mid-morning break?
A: On Whistler, stop in at the Harmony Tea Hut. It’s small, convenient and in the sun at that time of
day. The Crystal Hut on Blackcomb has awesome waffl es and a cozy feel.
Q: After that?
A: Depends where the sun is. The backside of Whistler sees quite few rays by late morning. Harmony
Bowl and Symphony Amphitheatre should be good.
Q: Where would you head in the afternoon?
A: Anytime past noon on Blackcomb is all about 7th Heaven. It’s so sunny and fun. Plus, the Horstman
Hut has beer and a massive BBQ all fi red up for lunch. Spring afternoons on Whistler are spent on
the Peak Chair and the T-bars. The Saddle is tons of fun in the sun. For lunch on Whistler, the Chick
Pea has a big BBQ and an even bigger patio.
Q: Where can we hook up with you at après?
A: Merlin’s patio at the base of Blackcomb is the best in spring. The nachos are the biggest in Whistler,
and the bar usually has live music. — Whistler Locals
10 THE SPRING SKIING ISSUE 2008
Michelle Rudell
skiing Whistler last spring.
Chances of meeting your neighbour, your boss or the kid you kissed in grade two are pretty good
while vacationing at Whistler. So we asked a mittful of locals where they go to beat the crowds on
a congested spring day. Here they’ve exposed (at least some) of their skiing secrets…
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Who makes the heartiest chunky beef stew in ski country? How about the best blueberry
buttermilk pancakes, baked manicotti or kettle corn? The answer could very
easily be you, thanks to The Ski House Cookbook.
Breezily written and deliciously photographed by Tina Anderson and Sarah Pinneo,
this stash of tasty food ideas is for anyone who’d rather ski than cook.
Clear, simple instructions make it easy to prepare anything from killer breakfasts and
lunches to scrumptious dinners, desserts and après-ski snacks. Recipes are rated with green circles,
blue squares or black diamonds, depending on how many ingredients and steps they require.
For anyone who has ever tried boiling water on Everest, there’s even a section on the dos and
don’ts of high-altitude cooking; plus extensive tips on how to ready your ski-house pantry, fridge
and freezer. — Dave Fonda
Photo: François Marseille
Inn Style
Two continents, two hotels, two totally different
styles. If you’re headed for winter this
summer, here are two hot places to sleep.
THE PAST: THE HOTEL
PORTILLO, PORTILLO, CHILE
The long, classic curve of the Hotel Portillo,
with its weathered wooden rails and deep
blue pool, sits high and remote in the Andes,
South America’s ski Shangri-La.
Handsome men in waistcoats still operate the
elevators, which you’re as likely to share with
big-mountain skiers such as Chris Davenport
or legendary racers like Hermann Maier as you
are to bump into an old ski buddy who you
haven’t seen for 15 years. skiportillo.com
— Peter Kray
THE FUTURE: THE SPIRE HOTEL,
QUEENSTOWN NEW ZEALAND
Queenstown is in the heart of New Zealand’s
Southern Alps: Coronet Peak and the Remarkables
are but a short drive; Treble Cone and
heliskiing just over the hill. The Spire is in the
heart of Queenstown: it leaves foreign visitors
gobsmacked.
Though small and intimate, the Spire is so
futuristic, you’ll need an instructional CD to
operate your room. Yes, the room just might
be smarter than you are. You may need help
operating the phone, turning on the light,
figuring out the giant,
built-in TV/DVD/Monitor/
Sound system/godonlyknowswhatelse.
With aid from the solicitous
staff, you will overcome, but
it will ruin forever your view
of New Zealand as 20 years
behind the rest of the world.
thespirehotels.com
— Jules Older
more news on skipressworld.com