Nelson, BC: Back in the Kootenay again, thankfully. At our annual Freq Week anti-corporate retreat with our executive staff enjoying the gazillon gnarimeters that have dumped both prior to and during our arrival at Baldface Lodge. Although the heli ride in was a shut down, the reason for the cancellation in the form of dreamy pow turns is well worth it. As usual warm staff, amazing vittles, and a flowing bar in the setting for an alpine travel poster.
Actually, I'd like to back up and share a little story about Sr. Editor John Laing and our travel to Nelson from B-ham. Since he is busy schralping the terra and I am geeking out, I am happy to guest blog without permission from Laing Bang: So, we are rolling through Abbotsford, BC en route to highway 3 and the long drive here and decide to eat before the haul. Being in Canada, Tim Horton's sent out the siren call and we heeded. Only to find that they took Mastercard, no Visa. And we, being Loonieless and possessing only Visa, we're screwed. Not Laing. For whatever reason, the clerk swiped his Visa, and handed him his sandwich. He sits down and starts to mow through it. We negotiate currency values, hand back coffees and cookies in piecemeal negotiations before the manager spies Laing feasting. With a solid line of Canadian passive aggression building behind us, said manager bolts over to John and... asks for half his sandwich back. And she takes the donut he'd half eaten. He said he was stoked because he didn't want the rest of it anyways. Thanks Tim. Cheers, eh?
The transfer in was filled with beers and shakas, greeting old friends at Burton: Chief, JG, Danielle and the esteemed Mr. Evan Rose. A short boat ride, and a long cat ride, a mellow evening at the lodge, a solid breakfast in the morning followed by incredible turns through the trees, pillow drops, and quadruple overhead sprays. Cat One Allstars include Ryan Davis and Maxx von Marbod from Spacecraft, Mary Fenton and Dave Finger from espn.com, subscribers Stian and Chrisitina from Norway, Dave Wray from SIA, as well as friends Martin, Ian, and a host of others. Guide Demian took all to the goods all day. Powder howls all around.
Day two continues with St. Paddy's day party damage clearly showing potential. More to come...

Photos: Jessie Carlson