Whistler Day 6 – Snow, Sun, and the Hemloft

by jc

Today was a good day.  We had a bit of everything: snow, sun, and an adventure through the woods.

The Hemloft.

We got up early to take advantage of the 10+ cm of fresh snow that had fallen the night before.  We headed up the Blackcomb gondola and did some laps in the Jersey Cream and Glacier Creek areas.  The snow was a bit heavy but still very fun in spots.  We also did a few laps on 7th Heaven before taking the Peak 2 Peak over to Whistler for some lunch and to await the opening of the Peak chair.

Snow storm in April.

SNOW!

A morning of powder skiing on park skis and we’re zonked.

Blue skies peeking through!

This thing again.

Pete’s small lunch.

After we came out from lunch in the Roundhouse Lodge we went up to the peak to enjoy some of the alpine bowls.  We were a bit late getting there and missed getting first tracks.  We still had quite a few fun runs and even got to see a crazy dude contemplating Air Jordan forever… but we didn’t see him drop.

The sun came out in the afternoon on Peak Chair!

Bowls after bowls after bowels after…

A lot of the best spots were closed for the day (Spanky’s on Blackcomb, Symphony on Whistler) but we still checked out Harmony in the afternoon to see if we could find any remaining powder stashes.  We got lucky and found some awesome snow in Horseshoe 4.  It was a bit sketchy dropping in through a cornice, but once we figured it out the first time it was easy-peasy and we lapped it three times, scoring some fresh turns every time!  I guess that’s one of the perks of coming out here in April and getting lucky with the precipitation – there just aren’t as many powder hounds around to compete with!

After skiing we set out on a mission to find The Hemloft.  We had an idea of the general area that it was located in on Whistler mountain from a friend’s hints.  We found what we thought to be the trail and headed up it eagerly.  I started screaming when we first spotted it through the trees.  It’s only a five minute hike from the closest road and is located beneath some of the most luxurious homes in Whistler – a funny spot for a tree house to be built without anyone’s permission.  I wonder if the millionaires who own the places on the hill above have any clue?

“I think we found the way.”

The Hemloft.

I was too scared to pose on the steps…

Pete was more brave.

Water below.

View from the deck.

Inside the Hemloft.

View from the deck.

Deck door.

Coming up.

Inside the Hemloft.

View down from the top of the Hemloft.

So happy we found it.

No, no… thank you!

At the moment the future of The Hemloft remains uncertain as the creator does not own the land on which it exists.  A recent article in the Pique News suggested that he may be selling off the structure and its components on Craigslist, an appropriate end to a structure that was made in large part with salvaged materials found through the same website.  We felt extremely lucky to have visited it while it still stood in its original home.

After the adventure through the forest we took a drive around Alta Lake to visit Rainbow Park.  Like Lost Lake the other day, the park was pretty much deserted, except for a very Vancouver-looking couple having their [engagement] photo professionally taken with the mountains in the background.

Come on in y’all.

View of Whistler from Rainbow Park.

Contemplative.

After the park we came home and made some dinner. On the menu was spaghetti with some Granville Island beers and the cheapest red wine I could find at the liquor store (hey, it was actually good!).  Oh ya, I indulged in a few treats after dinner too… they may need to book a second seat for me on the airplane after this trip!

Whole wheat spaghetti + tomato basil sauce + mushrooms + green pepper + turkey sausage + parm

A few of my favourite after dinner treats… don’t forget the Kiehl’s hand cream.