February 29, 2004
Lifts/Runs
Lifts Open: 10/10
Runs open: 104/107
Snowfall
24 Hour: 0cm (0in)
48 Hour: 0cm (0in)
7 Day: 14cm (6in)
Year to date: 625cm (246in)
Snow Pack: 253cm (100in)
Photos and text by Gerry George
 I learned something today about the Albertan weekend warrior that I don't see that often in the locals who live here, myself included. They love to ski. Good snow or bad snow, it doesn't matter. They just love to get out and rip around for the entire day. Every weekend they make that 3 hour pilgrimage to ski and you have to drag them off the mountain at the end of the day.
It's cool being around them as their enthusiasm wears off on you and you find yourself having fun in conditions that well, are not supposed to be that much fun. Take this weekend for example.
I putzed around in the morning trying to think up excuses for staying at home but finally threw on the gear and headed up the mountain. Once there, I pondered just splitting as I turned off the ignition to my vehicle. The parking lot was boilerplate ice and I imagined the mountain would be much the same. Fortunately I dragged my sorry ass out of the van and headed up the mountain.
 I quickly ran into Ralph, a friend from town, and Trent, who was down on a boy's only weekend with a bunch of his friends. We all skied and boarded together for the better part of the day in conditions that ranged from rock solid bumps with 10 cm of snow on top to corn snow and very spring like conditions. It was a hoot to say the least.
Later in the afternoon I bumped into another Albertan, Peter, whom I haven't seen in a while. He and his friend Steve, drug Ralph and I over to Snake Ridge where there was some really sweet gloppy powder still.
So next time you are wondering whether or not to go up the mountain, just go and find some Albertans to shred around with. They'll turn ho hum ski conditions into a day worth remembering.
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