Spring snow, Hockey, Sushi and Frogs

The frog from the front (Fernie, Canada 18 Mar 07)
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Snow has turned spring like with slushy crystals but sunshine and warm winds mean that much fun is still being had. V is perfecting her small jumps and Rob is getting there on his 360s, but our trousers are taking a beating as we land on our bums yet again! There have been some large avalanches as a result of the rain we've been having, and one in Ceder Bowl has been particularly spectacular.

We have been watching the local icehockey team's progress through the playoffs which continued with a gripping game against Kamloops last week. Watching the games is an interesting experience, as this small local team often gets audiences of up to 1,500 due to all us foreigners joining in the supporting. It's quite amusing to hear the chanting led lustily by some Aussie accents, but doesn't seem to impede the teams progress. Go Riders! (for the reason why they are called the Ghostriders, see www.fernie.com/about_fernie/the_ghostrider.html  and their website is http://www.fernieghostriders.com/site/ )

Rob and the frog from the back with the Arts station beyond (Fernie, Canada 18 Mar 07)
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Mat, not content with his talent as a snowboard instructor, spent the other evening teaching us how to make sushi which was great fun. Results were impressive, especially Laura's vegan attempts!

We have found a car to take us to Seattle and then down the west coast. Possibly the ugliest car I've ever seen, looking uncannily like a frog with its strange bulbous lights, but at least he will fit all the stuff in! Will probably test him out on a road trip to Red Mountain later this week.

V in the air! (Luckily the soft spring corn snow makes for a pain-free landing!) (Fernie, Canada 18 Mar 07)
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Plans are being finalised for our Alaska trip and we have booked Rob's heliskiing trip which is pretty exciting. A few weeks left here in Fernie though, and with hotdog day and the big air competition coming up as well as our instructors course we are looking at a pretty busy few weeks.

Enjoy the photos!

V&R