BSSC March Snojob - Balboa Ski and Sports Club

An article written by Trip Leader, Christy Walchli
Once again FWSA put on a wonderful ski and party week. This year it was
at Whistler-Blackcomb Mountain in British Columbia, Canada. The week
started with several people from various clubs including BSSC spending
Saturday night at the Vancouver Hyatt & exploring the city. The rest of the
week we stayed at two of the nicest four and five star hotels in Whistler.
The Fairmount Chateau Whistler and the brand new Four Seasons that offer
valet ski service and drinks served to your outstretched hand in the Jacuzzi.
The favorite apre’ ski spot was the Fairmount piano bar and fireplace
lounge. Sunday skiing gave us our first taste of Canadian cold and wind.
The rest of the week was sunny and cold, but no wind, which made for
excellent skiing conditions with good snow coverage. Sunday night’s welcome
party was well attended with most people dancing until after 11pm.
Michael Gagliano gave all the eligible women lessons and Doug Siener and
Susan Neumeyer danced up a storm to 70’s D.J. music.
Tuesday found a group of adventurers, including Mary Ann Russo, Peter
Jones, Red Lipper, Mike Gagliano and Rick Koenig hiking up Spankie’s
ladder and walking (some said crawling) the narrow ledge to reach the
backside of the Blackholm glacier and look into the “volcano.” After regaining
our breath we skied back to the front side of the mountain. It
was a little scary getting there but once you were on the glacier it was
absolutely gorgeous! Tuesday night’s Council party was a success with five
birthdays celebrated (Monica McCarthy, Eric Walthers, Doug Siemer, Carol
Escapite & Christy Walchli) & we each blew out a candle on our birthday
(cup) cake. The food was Spanish tapas and Judy Chapel passed out goodies
to wear at the Mardi Gras themed Friday night dinner dance.
Monday through Thursday there were racing events. The Orange Council
Team of eight included BSSC members Mike Gagliano, Monica McCarthy
(a first race for Monica & she “liked it”) & Mary Ann Russo & they
placed 8th out of 13 teams so the Council could give the “Anchor Award”
to another Council. Our lone snowboarder, Tom Kipp, came home with
metals. He delaminated his snowboard on the first day out and he had to
buy a new one — maybe that helped! Other BSSC medalists included Alan
Lawrence, Michael Gagliano, Dave Watkins, Art Pressel, Betty Donellan &
me. Together we won racing points; way to go BSSC!!
Wednesday was also the day some members chose to do the “peak to peak”
run which is planned to be one of the 2010 Olympic race courses. Top
to bottom it is over four miles long, a real test of endurance. Lunch was
enjoyed at Dusty’s Bar at the bottom of the run by Ernie Minney, Karen
Stuber, Becky Schuler, Wayne Tebbutt, Dick Ableser and Red Lipper.
Luba Dmytryk had an interesting adventure. She met the producer of the
X-Files and she was invited to observe a day of the closed set filming that
was taking place in Pemberton. She said it was brutally cold but maybe she
knows what happens next?
The farewell dinner in the Village Convention Center had a Mardi Gras
theme and everyone went all out on costumes —masks and lots of
feathers!!! Joanne Seebach was costumed from head to toe, as was
Pennie Jones. Thanks to Bob Michaels & Mary Ann Russo, who went early
to “mark our tables,” we all had seats together. Cathy Houldin was seen
wearing out her dancing shoes & other revelers were Eric Walthers, Annette
Thompson, Bowie & Jan Houghton, Terri Burns, Joe DeCarlo, Brian
Donovan, Mike Easton & Linda Luther. Vince Noel was still
“nursing the flu”and Hiqui Aghajanian was looking for fashion ideas among
the costumes. Kathy Wilmes was reminded of her days of living in Vancouver
& Danielle Marie was looking her relaxed, smiling self. The week was
another fun and sucessful trip and we look forward to seing you all next
year at Big Sky, Montana!