Tuesday, January 5, 2016

A steep and deep Duffey New Year's....

 

Once again everything lined up for another epic New Year's trip in the coast mountains. The forecast called for Bluebird skies and the snowpack stability was relatively stable. This year Kurt and Ross were able to join me for a full week and we would later meet the girls to bring in the new year all together. This week is a special one to me. I like to make sure we celebrate the year end and new year in a place where we can truly appreciate what these mountains give us all year. It's my way of thanking the mountains for just being there.                                          


After our journey into the valley we got a glimpse of our new home for a week.

     
We wasted no time and headed upwards to check out what our new ski area had to offer....      



We dropped in to some spectacular north facing slopes where the very last sun rays of 2015 were lighting up the peaks I worship all year....    


The next morning the moon was on display from our front door....  


We headed in a different direction with steeper aspirations for the day....  


It was a cold day at -17degC withe winds pumping at 80 - 100 kms per hour....


We began a steep walk....


And continued on skins occasionally....    


Our slope looked juicy....        









After a few great days of shedding some amazing zones it was time to start the festivities. Many beverages were consumed early in the night while reminiscing about the days face shots.          


Wiener Schnitzel and brussel sprout New Year's dinner!        


Mmmm.... Yellow Snow!


We headed to the grotto for some more drinks and some better acoustics for the sound system....  



After many more drinks we decided to hit a couloir at twelve o'clock midnight Dec 31....    


There was much confusion gearing up....


Zoe looked focussed on the task at hand....  


As did Meredith and Manny....    


Danielle on the other hand was having trouble with the whole drinking and skiing thing....    


Although she was able to keep a full glass of FIREBALL from spilling. From there we dropped into the fabled SHITTER shoot as Jared lit it up with a series of amazing fireworks! Sorry no photos... steep and impaired!      


The next day was hazy for some of the group....  


This was Danielle's attempt at her first run of 2016.... She said the turns made her nauseous?      


Ross felt better and dropped in to 2016....


As did Kurt....



We found a pretty cool mini golf play zone and sessioned it....      




As well as some other shiny slopes....




And once again caught the very last rays of the day....






That evening we played Yukon (racist) Monopoly and enjoyed some more beverages....    





 



The following day we found some spectacular protected pockets of snow and enjoyed some more 2016 face shots....      




Our final evening was spent enjoying the night sky and making sure we came out empty handed....      





Danielle and I needed to take more run for the road so we headed up into the peaks that gave us the best week of 2016 so far!    



After such a perfect New Year's it will be tough to top this one. Happy 2016 and bring on more snow!