Dave Murray Camp Reports

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Alright, here are the straight goods. This season has been the PR Department's dream – snow, more snow, a bit of sunshine and some more snow. Life's a bowl of cherries, right? Wrong!

What we endured last Tuesday was nothing short of savage. High winds that closed the top of the mountain and driving rain that deposited in the form of 'Wet Coast Cement' did not make for pleasant ski conditions. But you've got take the bad with the good, crack a smile and go skiing. What else is there to do? If you go to the bar too early, you will suffer too much the next day and it will be a write off. So we braved the elements, skied the bottom of the mountain and made a day of it. Thank God (Cindy Menzies) for my DNA/Descente gear that kept me dry.

The next day broke out in sunshine and life was good again. We consolidated the groups, as we experienced some attrition, and headed for Harmony. It was all about finding where the snow was good, because there were pockets of some leg breaking crap out there. But there was also primo, tasty pow out there as well. You just had to know where it was hiding. My group was intermediate, so we kept it mellow for the first run and stepped it up with each run. In the end I had my team following me into Double Black chutes without a whimper. Just like sheep heading to slaughter, and loving it!

It's all about gaining the trust of your students and after that you can do no wrong. I think that sometime people just need someone to lead them into places that are unknown to them and they realize that some of these places are not as intimidating as they look. In the end, Tim, from England, told me that this was the best ski experience he ever had. Tim has been coming to Whistler/Blackcomb for six years and has plans to come back again. That warms my heart, as I believe that this is the best place on the face of the earth.

By the third day the snow got much better and we even got some new. We kept pushing the envelope and everyone reached new heights in their skiing prowess. The conditions were too soft to set any courses so we spent most of the time skiing off piste. Par for the course! I think that we only set two courses this year – too much snow. I'm sure that Dave Murray would approve, as long as we're skiing and everyone is having fun.

The beer at The Brewhouse tasted real good after skiing, as it always does. We had some good laughs reliving some tense moments. Like Duncan being stuck in the snow for some time with his group heckling him and threatening to leave him to the vultures. I recall digging a few people out of the snow on a few occasions, it was that deep. Duncan and Viv got the 'Scott - Most Improved Skier of the Camp" awards. Few more beers were drunk, few more stories told and some DNA goodies given out.

We have gained another 40 cm of beautiful soft snow since that evening and are ready for another Camp. Join us and become experienced!

Tom Pro