2007/2008 Calgary Area Tour Reports

Banff Tour Report (Dec 12–14)
Thirty of us headed to Banff and  the Aspen Lodge hotel for a great start to the season.  A good time at all the hills so I’m told. Lots of good snow, a little windy above the tree line at Sunshine.
Thank you to Christy Clare and the hotel staff at the Banff Aspen Lodge who accommodated us so well. The hotel provided a great breakfast including their famous specialty muesli mix.  They were also very obliging providing a room for our wine & cheese which everyone enjoyed. Next time I’ll count attendees by sex(!) – more women than men, therefore greater consumption of white wine.  Apologies to those who were forced (didn’t notice lots of arm twisting) to drink red.  Thank you to Suzanne Gill for helping at the wine and cheese.
As always it was fun to see old friends and make new ones, including a few from Edmonton.  It’s always a good time when the club gets together.
In response to those requesting the carrot recipe:
Cut carrots into small sticks; blanch for 3 minutes; strain & cool.
Combine ½ cup sugar, ½ cup white vinegar, and ½ cup water, 1 tbsp mustard seed, 3 whole cloves, 1 broken stick cinnamon.  Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
Cover carrots and refrigerate overnight or 8 hours.  Drain, discard spices and serve.
Judy Creed

Schweitzer Basin Tour Report (Jan 7–11)
Nestled in the southern reaches of the Selkirk mountains in Idaho is a little known ski resort called Schweitzer Basin.  This is no longer an unknown area to those 39 members of the Seniors Alpine Ski Club who ventured there for three days of skiing during the week January 7th to 11th. 
The bus with our familiar Norm White at the wheel departed Canada Olympic Park on the Monday morning with stops in Canmore to pick up five club members followed by a number of other stops for refreshments, stretching, US customs, and purchase of groceries. 
As we made our way up the access road to Schwetizer Basin, the bus couldn’t climb the hill and we had to install tire chains in the dark.  It wasn’t fun. The problem continued resulting in everyone on the bus, excluding Norm, having to move to the rear of the bus in a group hug format--this was fun.  Having finally arrived at the Selkirk Lodge we did a fast check-in followed by a dash over to a local pub for a beer and pizza night.  The beer was cold and the pizza yummy with the evening being dedicated to our driver, Gentleman Norm. 
On the first day of skiing, a number of members of the Prime Timers, a seniors ski group located in Schweitzer, and staff from the Schweitzer Accommodation Group toured us around the hill.  Their enthusiasm and good natured approach was infectious. 
That evening we were treated to a delightful Wine and Cheese gathering with a number from the Schweitzer Accommodation Group attending.  A welcome was extended to new club members who were asked to step forward and introduce themselves to the gathered array.  The two lovely ladies from Edmonton were also requested to take a bow. 
On the second day of skiing, once again a number of  Prime Timers were present to tour our members about the hill.  That evening we attended the group dinner in an annex dining area of the Chimney Rock Grill.  Prior to dining, we had a few moments of reflection to remember those who have skied their last run and await us beyond.  The meal was very tasty and enjoyed by all.
The final day of skiing was left up to individuals as to what and where they wanted to go.   The Prime Timers graciously invited us to attend their Wine and Cheese function at the Day Lodge during the afternoon.  Many of our club members took this opportunity to chat with them and discovered that their problems with ski hills were similar to those that our club encountered.  It was a great way to exchange ideas with each other.
Departure day was somewhat uneventful other than for the removal of the tire chains and the stop at the Duty Free Shop in Eastport prior to our returning to Canada.  To say that club members were making purchases with fervor would be an understatement.  It could best be described as a shopping and buying frenzy. 
The smiles and laughter were a true indication that this somewhat out of the way and rustic ski resort captured our hearts and that the Schweitzer Basin Express will not soon be forgotten. 
Oh, incidentally, the skiing was great!  
Richard Koslowski

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Silver Star Tour Report (Jan 21–25)
A total of 64 people made their way to Silver Star including 7 self drivers and 2 members from Edmonton. Norm White was again assigned the task of safely guiding the bus to the ski hill and back to Calgary. He gave the bus riders an excellent guided tour over the new Kicking Horse River Bridge.
During the trip to Silver Star, most people on the bus participated in a wine tasting demonstration during which they were introduced to Two Buck Chuck - A California wine that sells for $1.98 US per bottle.
Shortly after the bus arrived at Silver Star; everyone wandered down to The Den Bar and Bistro to show off their new wine drinking skills.   The table arrangements at The Den Bar and Bistro were not that suitable for a typical wine/cheese social however all participants still made a point of having fun.
The sunny weather that was ordered for this event showed up on schedule; however the fresh snow that was also ordered did not arrive due to a communication foul-up. Most of the groomed trails were in very good shape; however the black runs had a lot of exposed rocks and twigs.
64 people took in the excellent buffet dinner on Jan 23 at the Silver Lode Inn.  (If you are ever at Silver Star it would be a good idea to check out the buffet at the Silver Lode Inn, which is put on every Thursday.)
Even though everyone had a great time it appeared that they were anxious to get home since the bus was fully loaded for the return trip and ready to go at least 15 minutes ahead of schedule. The movie during the return trip was “On Golden Pond”.  This movie still seems to make people a little emotional even though they have seen it several times.
Many thanks to all of the volunteers who have gladly helped during the trip, and even more thanks to everyone in the group for being so easy to host.
Bill Hogg

Utah Ski Tour Report (Feb 3–9)
We arrived in Park City in a snowstorm and were told that they had not seen the sun for over a week. Gary took a large group to “Main Street” to show people how the bus system worked and where the restaurants and pubs were located. We had to pick our way through trails cut between snow banks 3 to 4 feet high. When we returned it was still snowing and we were wondering what the next day would hold.
Well, the next day the sun was shining and most people headed out to the Park City resort and the locals told us we had encountered the best snow conditions they had seen in ten years. Two feet of fresh powder was a challenge, but many considered it to be one of the best days skiing they ever had.
Day # 2 found most of our group at Deer Valley. The standards here are very high. Great food facilities, washroom facilities with granite counter tops and every kind of skiing you could ask for AND no snowboarders. The ladies liked the fact there were staff to carry their skis to the buses.
On Day # 3 many of us needed a rest after all that powder. However, several hardy souls were up bright and early to take a bus over to Snowbird. They reported that they had a great time.
Day # 4 most of the group went to The Canyons. The weather was not very cooperative. It snowed much of the day and the wind was blowing pretty hard which resulted in one chair being shut down and several others having to stop during strong gust. However I did not hear any complaints about the snow and again there was lots of great skiing for everyone.
On Day # 5 most of us returned to Park City. Once again there was fresh powder and sunshine—not quite as good as on Monday because it was quite windy, but once again no complaints about the skiing.
Even those with the minor hurts reported having had a great ski week. Attempting to play the game “match names with minimal clues” and having to try to create and sing a song about skiing at the “Presidents Dinner” added to the week’s fun.
Figuring out the Park City Shuttle Bus Service enabled everyone to develop their map reading and schedule interpretation skills during the week. By going to Snowbird on the Wednesday, 11 skiers skied all five days. Some of those that rested on Wednesday toured the 2002 Olympic Museum in Park City. And all the people who didn’t ski Wednesday did an expanded tour of Park City’s “Main Street”
On the Thursday evening over half of the group took advantage of a tour package arranged by the hotel to drive into Salt Lake City and attend the rehearsal of the famous Mormon Choir at the “Tabernacle.”
Saturday morning we boarded the bus to go home and it seemed to be the general sentiment that we should do this again next year. There was some confusion at the Salt Lake City Airport when 30 seniors tried to work out how to use the machines which issue boarding passes. One member of our group, who accidentally threw away her ticket found them quite useful. She was able to swipe her passport in the machine which then pulled up her file and issued a boarding pass. Modern technology does have it’s advantages!
We were back in Calgary in time for a late lunch and were horrified to learn that the temperature was –25 ºC, but even with that it was nice to be home.
Please give this photo good coverage, preferably every face can be identifiedGary Davidge & Peter Morgan

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