Two Seasons in One
Last week I went skiing (Wednesday, March 30). There had been plenty of fresh powder the previous week. But the weather had changed. The sky was cloudless and the sun was more than warm. The forecast for Vernon that day was a high of 20 degrees C.
Usually for a day of spring skiing, it is best to start a bit later as the snow can have a crunch to it first thing. But last Wednesday was a different story. We took our first run about 0930 hrs. There was good corduroy (aka well-groomed) snow on the back side. Our first few runs were glorious. But, by 1100 hrs, the snow was transformed to the consistency of mush. You would breeze through a shaded section and then hit a sunny patch and be stopped in your tracks. So, we decided to quit for the day and went for an early lunch.
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| Skiing on the back side of Silver Star on March 30 |
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| Skiers and Boarders enjoying lunch on Red Antler's outdoor patio |
The Village was full of skis and snow boards propped up on racks and railings and all the restaurants and cafes with outside seating were full of happy folk soaking up the rays as they tucked into plates of food and jugs of beer. The smell of grilled meat filled the air.
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| Lots of snow left up at the Village |
The Okanagan Valley is known for its early spring weather. The hills turn green by March and the golf courses open. The tennis courts are busy and kayaks and canoes are in the lakes. But the ski hills are still open because, above 1500 metres, the snow keeps falling. It is my absolute favourite time of the year! One day we'll go biking, the next day skiing. Where else in the world can you have such a variety of outdoor activities on the same day and so close to your door?
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| The wharf at Kal Beach March25 |
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| Paddle boarding at Kal Beach March 25 |
It's been an exceptional ski season. The snow at Silver Star/Sovereign Lake has been amazing. Cumulative snow was 778cm. And last Wednesday there was 145cm base in the Village. But the valley was full-on green, with blossoms waiting to burst. There had been more rain than is usual in the early spring and the thermometer was telling us summer temperatures. Where was spring?
We have been bike riding since Easter weekend (March 25-28) and went on the first VOC ramble on March 29 to Goose Lake. This is a popular early season ramble and 40 members showed up to walk through the grass lands and over the hills just west of Swan Lake. The winter grass, softened by recent rains and mixed with the hopeful green of spring, felt springy under our boots.. Delicate bunches of Western Spring Beauty, swayed in the gentle breeze and vibrant mini yellow Buttercups blanketed the sunny slopes. .And to my utter delight the first of the Arrowleaf Balsm Root (aka Okanagan Sunflowers) had stretched their bold yellow faces up towards the spring sun.
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| Western Spring Beauty Suzie Sims picture |
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| First Arrow-leaf Balsam- root blooming Suzie Sims picture |
The Vernon Outdoor Club is well into its season, with weekly rambles, bike rides and hikes. Check out the web site for details: www.vernonoutdoorsclub.org.
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| VOC ramble to Goose Lake March 29 Colin Baxter picture |
Last Friday we drove down Westside Road to West Kelowna in our little Miata. It was a warm day so we put the roof down and cruised along the narrow paved road with its curves and hills that follow along the west side of Okanagan Lake, calm and silent under the noonday sun.
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| A view north from Westside Road |
Then on Sunday, April 3 we headed up to Silver star for the last time this ski season. The draw was our free burger, offered to all season pass holders. The ski runs looked quiet but the Village was full of hungry skiers lined up to have the top brass of Silver Star Mountain Resort flop a burger onto a bun already loaded with the works.
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| Silver Star's Managing Director, Ken Derpak serving bugers |
Picnic tables were set out in the snow beside a "snow bar" serving ice cold beer. The mood was relaxed and festive. What a day and what a season!
Monday we woke to a cool rainy day. The web cams up at Silver Star showed the "champagne bottle" poking out of 38 cm of fresh snow.But it was too late for us. Skiing was over.
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| Monday morning, April 4. 38 cm fresh snow at Silver Star |
The rest of this week we have gone out on bikes rides most days, out to the Coldstream Valley, around Swan Lake and up to the Commonage.
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| Snow covered Terrace Mountain stands behind VOC cyclists on Bench Row Road Colin Baxter picture |
The thermometer has bounced back to plus 20 temperatures. Even though the mountains shine white in the background, the grass is brilliant green and trees wear white and deep pink blossoms, that have literally appeared overnight.
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| Neighbourhood flowers |
