The Samesun Hostel in Banff was fantastic, I've met so many awesome people. Themed nights down in the Bar, with $3.50 pints, $11 pitchers, and free breakfast the morning after. The now infamous room 302 had me, and 5 crazy Australians — but the evening group became an insane me and 10 Australians — I've never partied so hard on a Tuesday. Nevertheless, I really only had one rest day — and it was well earnt, despite the previous evenings antics.
Day #1 I made the solo trek up Sulphur Mountain. It was a steep 5.6KM climb on ice, so it took me a good 2 hours. It was a few degrees below -10°C, with the sun not yet over the mountain range, but I was just in a t-shirt, breaking a sweat. The 360° views were incredible — and I picked the best day for it. I opted not to take the gondola up, but was rather delighted to see a sort of congratulatory sign half way up the hike which stated the gondola was free going back down. There was an additional short hike up to the Cosmic Ray Station, which had some awesome infographic boards, and even better views of the surroundings.
I also made it out to Johnstons Ice Canyon, which had an entire boardwalk attached to the cliff face. I went with a tour group wearing solid ice cleats, it was hilarious watching punters attempt the roundtrip in sneakers. There was a frighteningly enclosed climb through to a lookout of the lower frozen falls through a small cave, but despite nearly getting stuck midway, it was worth the short trek. At the top of the falls we demolished a box of Canadian Maple cookies with hot chocolates, which may have been the highlight of the outing.
I tagged along with the #302 crew off boarding to Sunshine Village, and brought along Lesley Gore's eternally wonderful Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows. I gave the knee a rest and avoided the jumps, but absolutely killed it on all the runs. Quite sore by the end of it, knocked the wind out of me at one point, and ended up nursing an arm which I reckon nearly broke dropping a couple metres off the chair lift, but one of the guys wrapped himself around a tree at a considerable pace and got absolutely wrecked — so I wasn't about to complain. I managed some neat shots of the guys, but a week later I still have numb fingers, and it felt like someone was smashing my fingers with a hammer all afternoon — minus 20°C with windchill on top is no cup of tea, and there were grown bearded men weeping as they got off the chairlift because it was so traumatic. My entire beard and moustache was a solid mess, with thick icicles coming out of my face in all sorts of directions... then hair from my upper-lip would freeze with my lower lip, so we'll just say it was an interesting day on the facial hair front. My camera survived however, so I was happy to take the hits on my body, and the handful of brewskies that led into the Superbowl definitely medicated the bruises.
Sad to leave, but there is a half-joke discussion going on about a #302 re-union in Hokkaido, Japan next year for more winter boarding — so there may be that to look forward to.
And almost forgot... Fondue is alive and well at the Grizzly House in Banff. On the last night we all went out and had the best cheese fondue I think I've ever had. A Neuchâtel fondue with tonnes of Gruyere, so I was a happy chappy. Then we had a selection of raw meats brought out, with a handful of piping hot slabs of rock to grill them on. I opted for a selection of Alberta Beef, Buffalo, Caribou, Elk and Venison with a myriad of sauces I had to lick clean. They also had a selection of Shark, Alligator, Rattlesnake, Ostrich, Kangaroo and Frogs Legs among others. I was supposed to be helming $1 soup/ramen night, so this (like the handful of nights before) was a tad bit more extravagant.
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