Sunday, April 15, 2018

Ode to Paul

Paul ridge in the lower SW corner of Garibaldi Park, is one of my favourite ski areas. Its proximity to my house, abundant snowfall and mini yet playful terrain enchants and excites, even now having gone there so many times.

 I am often there by myself, typically before work, earphones in and pumping up the uptrack with the help of tupac or talib, the goal to arrive above Red Heather cabin just as the light hits the peaks across the huge Squamish river valley. Another 20 min and the top of the first run is gained. We have names for all of them, as small as they are (150-200m) but also the mini features within them. As the season changes, more of our favourite features can be skied, like some kind of giant terrain dispenser. A typical pre work mission maybe involves 2-3 runs or simply an out and back, depending on conditions and motivations. Its easy to be typing away by 930, still in long underwear, ready for the workday ahead all the while feeling like you got away with something that AM, smiling to yourself like a kid that found the cookie stash in the top cupboard.

 It's the days up at Paul's with friends that really stand out though. Pushing further down an unknown area to see if it goes, setting up for photos and the endless, hilarious banter that ensues when we are out. Each day stands out uniquely for the areas and pitches that we were able to ski. A lot of great memories to be sure, all within 20 min drive from my house. For a few of us, a powder day up at Paul ridge has this kind of deep meaning which is hard to explain. When the snow piles up in October, its the first place I think about skiing, the return to Paul's is simply the return to winter and all of its novelties that I love so much.

 When April comes around its pretty much the end of pow time at Paul's, being lower elevation it can suffer from crusts and rising temperatures. We always try and sneak one last powder day in though if we can, yesterday turned out to be one of the best Paul days of the season with lots of fresh supportive snow, good stability and excellent company - what a nice surprise!

 As the winter winds down and we switch to spring skiing and then summer sports, Paul ridge will gradually lose its snow blanket, usually by mid July. I try and get up there around then on foot or bike to look around, trying to connect with the place in the summer, again often alone. When there I cant help but visualize the meters of snow that are inbound and the stunted wind blasted tree tops that will soon stick out of the 4 m snowpack, the azure light on the Tantalus Range in the early AM, the laughter of friends, the quiet uptrack and the promise of a great day - till next year.