Road Trip to Red

The beautiful view from the top of the mountain (Kimberly BC, Canada 21 March 07)
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Just returned from a few days exploring nearby (well, "nearby" in Canadian terms meaning 6 hours drive!) hills. Having been based in Fernie for nearly 2 months, it was great to find some new scenery.

We had a great day in Kimberley with blue skies and hard packed snow, and had the pleasure of watching the Canadian ParaOlympic Skiers competing in the slalom. They were hurtling down the mountain at amazing speeds that I could never reach on my snowboard - watching from 10 feet away as opposed to on the telly is a real experience.

Rob was here! (Kimberly BC, Canada 21 March 07)
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Headed up to Rossland at the end of the day, via the Crowsnest highway, which was a stunning if slightly scary drive up through a mountain pass with many caribou and big horn sheep on the roadside. Arrived in Rossland to a thick cloak of fog, which persisted for the 2 days we were there! However managed to fit in a great day at Red Mountain, the hill 10 mins drive away. Bumping into Rich and Rupert who had spent the past 5 seasons at Red turned a gloomy grey day into a brilliant one, as they showed us all the best tree routes.

Caribou at the side of the road on Crowsnest Pass (Kimberly BC, Canada 21 March 07)
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After a random fancy dress party in Red (we cheated a bit on our outfits, masquerading as "skibums"!) we had a good drive via the lovely town of Nelson up to Ainsworth Hot Springs, which are inside a slightly claustrophobic set of tunnels and caves. I preferred the outside pools, which had a great view of the Kootenay Lake.

We crossed the lake on the 40 minute ferry "Osprey 2000" which is the world's longest free ferry ride - generous Canadians! There followed a long trip home, made longer by fog, rain and mudslides. We were glad to get back to Fernie late on the Sunday night in one piece, to have a day free to practise before our snowboard instructor exams.

The fog on Red Mountain cleared for 5 mins at the top, allowing me to take this lovely "cloud blanket" picture (Red Mountain, Rossland BC, Canada 22 March 07)
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Spring has come properly to Fernie now , with bluebird skies, summer "corn" snow (with huge wet crystals), and green appearing everywhere after a white covering for so long. I am told that the Grizzlys are waking up - but no sightings so far!

V&R