Condos and Couches: Are you going to Whistler?

October 25, 2007 10:17 PM

Now that Halloween is almost here, and Fall is at its median, I thought it might be an auspicious time to start committing to the Whistler Mefi ski trip proposed in these threads. The tentative date is for the weekend of December 15-16. Are you planning on going? State your plans on the Wiki!

It's getting to be that time where offers of couches should be confirmed and hotel reservations should be made.

posted by blasdelf to MetaFilter Gatherings at 10:17 PM (46 comments total)

I cannot attend, but I will commit to lounging in a hot tub and sipping hot toddies on the night of December 15th, at least until my neighbor rousts me from his hot tub.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:27 PM on October 25, 2007

Where is the list to sign up to be sponsored by a wealthy and philanthropic MeFite? I would like on that list, please.
posted by arcticwoman at 10:37 PM on October 25, 2007

I'd totally go if someone would be willing to teach me how to ski.
posted by Brittanie at 12:07 AM on October 26, 2007

If you flew from Korea I think I'd be obligated to teach you!
posted by blasdelf at 1:01 AM on October 26, 2007

No, by then I will be living back in the States. (One more month to go!)
posted by Brittanie at 1:32 AM on October 26, 2007

I'm going back to the UK for Xmas on the 17th, but, yes, I should be able to make this.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 2:13 AM on October 26, 2007

[holds herself back from rashly promising to be someone's love slave for the duration if they'll pay for her trip by reminding herself that no one will take her up on it]
posted by orange swan at 5:58 AM on October 26, 2007

I'm in.
posted by anthill at 7:00 AM on October 26, 2007

Well, I'll probably be in Vancouver, but I will also probably be poor, so... prospects are low.
posted by blacklite at 9:57 PM on October 26, 2007

Yes, I have been keeping the weekend open.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:44 AM on October 27, 2007

I won't make it. I'm broke. :(
posted by jeffamaphone at 12:53 PM on October 29, 2007

I'll be there on the 16th, not the 15th. I am from Vancouver so it is easier for me to find my own affordable accommodation, so I will not pounce on any offers of couches. I suggest other locals do the same.
posted by randomstriker at 9:45 PM on October 29, 2007

Britannie, I am a qualified instructor and I'll help you (and any other beginners) out, but if you are starting from scratch it won't be worthwhile for either of us unless you are an athletic prodigy.
posted by randomstriker at 9:46 PM on October 29, 2007

From what I've heard the snowbase seems to be building already... psyched! Can't wait to try out my new skis: 97mm waist mid-fats, and some used 2006 Rossi 9x GS.

My plans are to arrive from Ontario on the Thursday, drive up to Whistler the Friday, and stay till Sunday afternoon. If any generous locals have two nights of floor / couch space, I'd be most grateful (I will pack camping mattresses).

If others need the couch space more, I might be able to mooch the folks' VW camper van, it'll be chilly but it'll work. Also there's a hostel, or possibly some students could book us into the UBC lodge?

My girlfriend's an Ontario born-and-raised snowboarder, so she'll want to hang out on the greens with some other beginners - so come along, all you fence-sitters! I don't want to stay on the bunny hill, I've got a date with the Harmony Horseshoes.
posted by anthill at 8:29 PM on November 1, 2007

Shit, I'm sorry I'm late to the party, what with me starting this whole thing and whatnot. I meant to post a thread once the snow started coming in earnest, but It's just been too damn dry! Oh well, it's snowing outside my window as we speak, so not too bad. I was just hoping for a repeat of last season. 4 meters + in November and three in December would be just dandy.

I've offered my couch to anthill, but if he doesn't need it, it's up for grabs for anyone comming from further away than vancouver.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 6:35 PM on November 2, 2007

I think we should reopen the original thread or link one to the other, so that the meetups-sidebar makes sense.
posted by randomstriker at 7:15 PM on November 5, 2007

Alpine Recreation Forecast For The South Coast Mountains Issued By The Pacific Weather Centre Of Environment Canada At 5.00 Am Pst Wednesday 7 November 2007

Thursday..Snow.
Alpine High Plus 1.
Snowfall Accumulation 15 To 25 Cm.
Freezing Level 1800 Metres.
Mountain Top Winds Light And Variable Becoming South 30 Km/H In The Afternoon Then Increasing Late In The Evening To 40 To 60.

5 Day Trend..A Strong Westerly Flow Aloft Will Direct A Series Of Intense Frontal System Towards The Coast Bringing Snow To The Alpine Through The Period.

Friday.. Snow.
Snowfall Accumulation 15 To 25 Cm.
Freezing Level 1800 Metres.
Saturday.. Snow Tapering To Flurries.
Snowfall Accumulation 15 To 25 Cm.
Freezing Level 1000 Metres.
Sunday..Flurries.
Snowfall Accumulation 10 To 15 Cm.
Freezing Level 1000 Metres.

C'mon c'mon c'mon....
posted by anthill at 6:48 AM on November 7, 2007

Oh, I know, I know.

There is actually a fair amount of snow in the alpine already, now we just need some below the treeline. *knocks on wood*
posted by [expletive deleted] at 10:32 AM on November 7, 2007

Well folks, I am gonna be offline for a month. Going backpacking in South America and get back to Vancouver on Dec 15th.

If I'm in good shape, I'll drive up on the morning of the 16th and meet y'all on the mountain. Please mention which mountain you're skiing and post a meeting time / place in this thread, e.g. at the Lightboard (locals will know what I mean).
posted by randomstriker at 9:32 AM on November 9, 2007

Oh and these are the lightboards. There's only one on Whistler, but there might be two on Blackcomb, in which case I mean the one near the top of the Solar Coaster.
posted by randomstriker at 10:47 PM on November 9, 2007

The lightboard on Whistler also usually has a whiteboard for messages.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 1:17 AM on November 12, 2007

I'm coming up, bringing some friends. We'll probably get a cabin, they usually run around $55-75/night once you split it up if anybody else wants in.
posted by LordSludge at 6:59 AM on November 12, 2007

Also, is there somebody who can put a pointer from the sideblogged thread to link here? I wouldn't have found this thread if it weren't for blasdelf e-mailling me, and if you judge by the original thread, esp the post dates, it looks like this meetup is pretty dead.

Not sure why, but I can't post in that thread -- I was just gonna put this:

I didn't see the new thread linked; here it is for people who found this via the sidebar:
http://mssv.net/wiki/index.php/SkiTrip">http://metatalk.metafilter.com/15137/Condos-and-Couches-Are-you-going-to-Whistler

Also, there's a wiki up:
http://mssv.net/wiki/index.php/SkiTrip
posted by LordSludge at 7:50 AM on November 12, 2007

Sorry, first link should of course be this very thread:
http://metatalk.metafilter.com/15137/Condos-and-Couches-Are-you-going-to-Whistler
posted by LordSludge at 7:51 AM on November 12, 2007

Yes, thanks mathowie for the extended meetup thread expiration dates. One month to go...

Question for the locals: Is it worth buying EDGE cards for the first day skiing? They advertise $12 better than 7-Eleven tickets, and $20 off regular price. How much of a pain in the ass is it to line up to get photographed?

And do you still get the same lanyard as for a season's pass? That was always handy when wandering in from the trees at mid-mountain.
posted by anthill at 8:57 PM on November 12, 2007

Anthill, it's not a pain at all. Takes about 10 minutes from lining up to having your pass in your hand. About as long as it takes to get a daypass really.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 9:02 PM on November 12, 2007

Oh, and everyone will be pleased to know that the snow that was forecast has arrived. Perhaps even more than was forecast. I'm going skiing tomorrow or wed so I'll keep everyone posted regarding conditions.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 9:34 PM on November 12, 2007

definitely worth getting the edge card, especially since you reuse the same card the following year (assuming you don't lose it) -- they just charge your credit card again
posted by randomstriker at 10:52 PM on November 12, 2007

So, I am trying to make plans. From the wiki, it looks like we're actually "meeting up" on Sunday the 16th, amirite?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:10 PM on November 19, 2007

To clarify: I was thinking about coming back to Seattle on Sunday night.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:12 PM on November 19, 2007

I think some people will only be in town for sunday, but others are staying for the weekend.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 11:20 AM on November 20, 2007

i'm the one who will only be there for sunday, don't let me hold you back from meeting earlier!
posted by randomstriker at 7:32 AM on November 21, 2007

I'm planning on driving up Friday, returning Sunday afternoon. Come for the whole weekend, make it worth the drive!
posted by anthill at 8:59 AM on November 21, 2007

I want to point out that Whistler is offering an early season hotel/lift ticket package starting at $99 per person per night. I can't get the site to work so I don't know if there's any availablity. go here.
posted by PercussivePaul at 7:09 PM on November 27, 2007

Environment Canada 5-day forecast for Saturday: Snowfall Accumulation 20 To 30 Cm
posted by anthill at 4:47 PM on December 11, 2007

The skiing was incredible today. Hope to see some mefites up tomorrow, otherwise it's just me and anthill.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 6:53 PM on December 15, 2007

Snow is thigh-deep in places. We'd have pictures, but we were too busy having fun. If you're having second thoughts, pack your bags and leave early tomorrow. Otherwise, go to your room and think about what you've done.
posted by anthill at 8:58 PM on December 15, 2007

it would've been great to meet y'all but I extended my stay in south amer.

[e.d.] and other locals -- we could meet up later on in the season.
posted by randomstriker at 9:40 AM on December 16, 2007

Some pictures taken today. The wind was really howling today, so we stuck to the trees. We've got a few good photos, I'll try to get them posted ASAP.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 8:24 PM on December 16, 2007

Sorry I missed you guys, got going late, got held up at customs, my freind spun out his car at midnight and we had to wait for several tow trucks of increasing size, got here at like 4 am.

We'll be here for three more days if any of ya'll are still around.
posted by blasdelf at 4:44 AM on December 17, 2007

Oh pictures, please. I decided to hang out in Seattle with y2Karl and Tube. I am such a flake. Show me what I missed.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:46 AM on December 17, 2007

Blasdelf, give me a call on my cell and we can get some drinks tomorrow, or something. I close the store (Eco Everything, next to Evolution, Across from Tapley's pub, near the conference centre) around 7.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 9:24 PM on December 18, 2007

Photos are up suckers. Weep.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 9:48 PM on December 18, 2007

I should add that the pics of yours truly are courtesy of Anthill.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 9:50 PM on December 18, 2007

holy shit, the photos are awesome [expletive deleted]!
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:13 PM on December 22, 2007

Not enough pics of [ed]... he's too fast!
posted by anthill at 12:23 PM on January 3, 2008