For two years in a row our local mountains have suffered. Between temperature inversions and the wrath of El Niño, alpine pass holders are losing faith in the snow gods. As the season progresses with little hope on the horizon, here are a few suggestions for getting the most out of your pass while our mountains are on standby.
As depressing as it sounds, Grouse Mountain is the only mountain currently offering anything in the way of alpine terrain.
Riders can release their snow stress in the Paradise Bowl Jib Park which is open on a day to day basis depending on how much snow Grouse can move around. Mount Seymour is offering season pass holders some options that include reciprocal deals at other mountains and a 100 Day Guarantee. Meanwhile, Cypress Mountain has its Season Pass Assurance Program, and is offering up free skiing at sister resorts, including Crystal Mountain in Washington State.
If the funds to travel are not in your financial forecast why not get creative? Snow or no snow, make it a season you’ll never forget.
Start a social media movement
Invest in a GoPro or an action camera and video document our lack of snowfall. For example, hit the Grouse Jib Park and initiate a friendly competition to see who can capture the best footage from #TheSeasonThatNeverWas. Hint: shoot as much brown terrain as possible and tweet or Instagram the best photos or videos. Try to find enough snow to have a snowball fight and make a game out of it. Capture and share these epic moments while connecting with friends or followers also feeling your pain.
The power of positive thinking
Hike to the peak of your favourite mountain and practice snowga or meditate. Chalk full of great benefits, meditation is the practice of sitting in silence to clear the mind and open channels of universal possibility. Imagine if, as a collective, we surrendered ourselves to the elements and asked for abundance. You never know, we might just get some new snowfall and a second chance.
Get crafty!
Create something funky and fun with your season pass. Pick up some Shrinky Dink ink jet photo paper at your local Michael’s and make a cool necklace out of your 2014/2015 season pass. Mod Podge is another way to keepsake your memories of El Niño. Not only is this a fun activity, but will make a unique fashion piece. Wear it out at your next soirée or sell it on Etsy and save up for a trip to a BC resort that actually has a base and even fresh powder.
Big White Resort veteran snow host Keith Sheppard says, “with global warming, I wonder if Canada will be one of the last spots where we still get snow. We’ll have to see how that goes, but I moved to Big White from Vancouver for the powder, the trees and the wide variety of groomed runs”.
The rest of the ski season is still unwritten. In the meantime, while we wait on standby, robbed by El Niño, have some fun by getting creative.
