Whistler Day 6

12 January

Too cold to ski 

We had very clear safety plans in place today to manage the cold. Both the kids had instructions and expectations for how we would manage the skiing this morning. However, when Steve got back from collecting our coffee and breakfast this morning, his new insider information was that the lifts were all closed and we should take our time and watch the situation.

Apparently in the cold, the chairlift lines all freeze and they cant open. At around 10 when there had been no changes in the lift status, Steve and I ventured out to see if there would be any status updates and if we could get a refund. I walked outside as if ready to ski and I could still feel the chill through my layers. By the time we got back I could feel my nose burning and my nose hairs were stiff. 

The last time we were in Whistler the coldest it got was -18 at the top of the mountain. Today at the Whistler base it was high of -24 and a low of -26C and -32C with 44km winds at Alpine level (I think that is a -40C with wind chill - shall we just reverse todays Perth temperature of +40C).

Joshua wanted to go out and feel it so he popped on his trackies and a single thermal before heading out to the village walk. I think the first sense is invigorating. We wernt out there for much more than a couple of minutes I dont think, but it wasnt until we were inside that he started to shiver.

We have spent the morning chilling around in the hotel room watching the mountain. It is a beatiful clear day. Its lunch time now so we will adventure out and grab some lunch and see what comes next.

Of course, when it is too cold to ski, you have a pie - so back to our favourite pie place. To get there we had to walk past the snow play zone that was making snow to fill the play area - with a brisk wind picking up the snow being made it was wipped across our faces - not so fun. A brief shop, particularly to look at more rocks.

An early night to brace ourselves for the skiing tomorrow.