Meeting Down Under Up on Top

I was chatting with Teri,  who works at the Eatery in the Town Hall at Silver Star Village, when I came off the slopes for my "flat white". Her Aussie accent blends in with the rest of the Australians working on the mountain.  " I reckon over 80% of the employees are Australian" she tells me.  But there are less down-under accents now that January has ended. 

The longest annual school leave in Australia occurs from just before Christmas until the end of January and a significant number of skiers at Silver Star are Australian families with many of them staying on the mountain for several weeks.  The connection between the mountain and Australia runs deep.  The owner of the resort is Australian.  The resort was purchased by Desmond Robert Schumann and family in 2001. They  also had purchased Big White Ski Resort in 1985 and owned both properties until last year. With the death of Mr Schumann, Silver Star is now separately owned and operated by his daughter Jane Cann. The two ski resorts had shared marketing and some aspects of operation but are now functioning  independently.

Silver Star launched a new marketing campaign this year: 'One Pass-Endless Fun', becoming the first resort in Canada to offer an all-inclusive day or season pass.  This means, for the same price as last year's downhill ski pass, I can downhill  ski, cross-country ski, snowshoe, skate or use the tube park at no extra cost.  This has proven to be a great deal for us.  I have done more cross country skiing this year than ever before but have still gotten in a decent amount of downhill skiing.  When conditions are cloudy or foggy, we tend to cross country; but if there is new snow or sunshine I usually downhill.   And we can make up our mind when we get up to the mountain.  J cross country skis most days.  If I chose to downhill, we can still meet up somewhere on the mountain for coffee or lunch.

World's Biggest Snowball at Silver Star, home of Canada's only all inclusive pass

Most days we end up having our coffee at the Eatery, in Town Hall, which is owned by the mountain.  As season pass holders, we get discounts on food and beverage.  So for $3.25 (less 15%) I order my favourite coffee beverage, a "flat white".

I first experienced this type of coffee in Australia in 2006.  I have never been a coffee connoisseur, actually I never really enjoyed coffee but with that first flat white at Circular Quay in Sydney, my relationship with coffee was transformed.  I went from using the caffeinated beverage as a media for ingesting cream and sugar to lusting after that smooth rich mixture of medium roasted beans and just the right amount of micro-foamed milk.  On our return to Canada, I could never find that same exquisite flavour and texture.  A latte or cappuccino just did not make the mark.

So this year when we walked into the Eatery, a cafeteria-style fast food joint, I was surprised and thrilled to discover "flat white"on their new cafe menu.  Teri, who is from Perth and an experienced Australian barista puts together a very decent flat white as does at least one of her co-workers.  I have noticed a difference in quality depending on who is behind the counter.  After reading the attached website, I understand how special my favourite beverage is:    www.coffeehunter.org/what-is-a-flat-white

a decent flat white at the Eatery

We have had many good days of skiing recently but down in town, the days are getting longer and warmer and sunnier.  I love my days up on the mountain but it is often a pleasure to stay down in the valley.  J has started some early year work.  And today I discovered the first flowers blooming in the garden.  

First blooms of spring Feb 17th

I find it absolutely incredible to be enjoying winter and spring at the same time.  Life is good!