Summer has Officially Started

The title of this post doesn't refer to the state of the weather over here, although it is a really nice day today, but Whistler mountain has now closed for the season for skiing, and the shift has been made to the Horstman Glacier at the top of the Blackcomb Mountain.

The last couple of weeks seem to have pretty much flown by, what with moving house and everything! There was much haggling between various parties, but we managed to get it all sorted out in the end and we have quite a cool place in the Tapley's Farm / Whistler Cay area. It's a bit closer to the lakes, so when Summer really does kick in it should be good for chilling and partying. It's got a super comfortable couch, and many hundred cable channels so I reckon I can see myself spending numerous hours there!

The season has officially ended on Whistler, and the last few weeks have been kinda winding down. The crowd numbers were getting smaller, and work on the lifts quieter. Good times were still to be had. Most of the work that was done was to create small jumps to use rather than actual proper work! I got shifted across to the Peak chair for the last few weeks which meant when the sun actually decided to come out there were some pretty awesome views to be had. I took some photo's so I'll be putting them up on the web at some point soon. The last few days were a little disjointed, being shifted to various different lifts, and being called in on my day off to cover a no show. In the end it all came to a close with little fanfair, and certainly no big party like the last days of the Winter season. A select few did make it out to mark the occasion with the almost mandatory $5 Merlins burger, followed by the just as essential $10 pitchers of Kokanee and Kootenay! This progressed, until later in the evening when we headed to a house party in our street. This was a pretty cool affair. There was a big bonfire roaring in the middle of the front yard, various sleds and mini bikes doing the rounds, and best of all a pretty good rock band playing on the front deck! There was a whole bunch of people there, and it was pretty fun.

Of course, these drinks and the late night didn't make this morning the best start for the start of my liftying career on Blackcomb. Moving mountains means completely different management, people and systems. It also means that there's lots of different things to do as it's predominantly elderly foot passengers that are struggling up the lift. The best thing about this move is that I have been made a lead hand. This means that I get some more money, and get a radio to use! It also means that I start pretty early in the morning, which is a good thing cos I don't have to stay till the lifts close, and I'm pretty much assured a whole bunch of hours. Therefore my future pay checks should look a little healthier!

It's not all rosy though, as the main manager seems to be a lot harder to get on with, and the whole system seems slightly more anal. They seem to be trying to be super organised and officious on every point, without actually achieving any more, and perhaps even less, than the more laid back and fun approach on Whistler. For instance there's four people working on each chair, but despite all these people everyone has to have their breaks in between the upload of ski campers at 730am, and the general public at 10. This means that everyone has to have their break when there isn't anywhere open, and just after they've had their breakfast anyway. Then they have to carry on working non stop till the end of the day, which is pretty much 7 hours later. They seem to be making it harder and less enjoyable when they don't really need to be. We shall see how it progresses, and how I get on with the new manager. I could see myself leaving this job if I can find another one, but we shall see.

Right now though, I really need my couch. I just can't wait to get back there, sit back, grab some food (So far one mars bar since 6am is all I've had!). Plus it's the first game in the Stanley Cup finals, and with a Canadian team (Edmonton) in there I might watch some of that!

Hopefully, on my next day off I should definitely be going biking at long last. Half price rentals and free lifts means that I should be able to do it on the cheap, and hopefully have a great time. My next post will carry a full review of the experience. Just out of interest at the top of the page is the bike I'll be renting: