So, I’ve decided to invent a time warp machine (no time-travelling for me no sir-ee Bob), just a machine that will let me live in winter 07 for all eternity.

The only slight flaw in my plan is the fact that I failed every science exam I’ve ever taken so I’m asking all you science types and time-warp boffins out there in cyber-space, if you’re reading this please help.

READ WEEK 9

We started off week 4 with group instruction on Monday and Tuesday with it dawning on us that it isn’t long until the Level 1 Exam.

For a lucky few Tuesday night was designated for “First Tracks Hut”, (one of the Credit Activities). After lessons, with our back packs full of food, blankets, beers and cards we got the last chair up to the top of Granite Mountain where we found our log home for the night. After sitting by the nice hot fire playing Top Trumps it was time for bed. The following morning we skied down before the lifts open and got fresh tracks all the way!

Wednesday was a day for much needed 1:1 instruction for the 2nd half of the group, it was also the Public Skating evening which was entertaining for both those that had never skated before and those that had! Thursday night Al and Dan did some cross-country skiing under moonlight; out to the Rock Cut Pub where they had “Beer and Wings”.

Skiing on Thursday and Friday was extremely intense, Thursday morning was racing through gates, and Thursday afternoon was time for the “Cliff Dive” (The Cliff being the name of one of Red Mountains double black runs, the name says it all!) along with some other steep and deep double black runs. The next bit of good news was that on our list of runs for Friday was Beer Belly and 3rd Slide (some more double black runs, Whoopee!).

To finish off the week, another Credit Activity; a trip to Nelson. Saturday involved going up to the Whitewater Ski Resort for a ski, and with beautiful sunshine some people finished for a beer earlier than others. Saturday night included food, beer, and rowdy behaviour in the early hours by some in the hostel! Sunday was a much more chilled out day, we travelled to Ainsworth Hot Springs where we soaked in the springs and surrounding caves followed by a late lunch and then a long ride home.

It was a busy week for everyone but it was great fun!

READ WEEK 5

I’m sitting here writing this diary entry in a picturesque log cabin at the top of Granite Mountain. We’re spending a night up here to make “first tracks” in the morning!

Recapping on last weeks event: Throughout the weeks instruction we went through demos of what was expected of us in Level 1 and Level 2, Carving: CSCF Level 1, Snow Park skills, and we also looked at the AMP programme, where we found out the level expected of us for to become AMP certified.

Also, on Wednesday one half of the group took the much talked about Wilderness First Aid course, with the very enthusiastic teacher. The other half of the group had an intense 1:1 session with their instructor, which was well needed!

For most of the week the topic of conversation was “The 110th Rossland Winter Carnival” where all of the Nonstoppers dressed up as Chav’s, Retro Skiers, a Snowman, and a Hockey Player. The night involved a parade through Downtown Rossland, then after a moment to warm our cockles by the fire and quench our thirsts with a few beers from the Rossland Radios Ice Palace Beer Gardens, we all ended up at Red House (One of the NONSTOP houses, just around the corner from the Ice Gardens) for an after Carnival Party!

During the weekend there were all sorts of activities going on around the town such as Bobsleigh races down Spokane Street, a Pie Eating Contest, a Rail Jam on Queen Street, and much more…

READ WEEK 4

After a rather ‘spring like’ March, it started DUMPING snow on Saturday night and didn’t stop until Tuesday morning.

We had 2 awesome powder days for the AMP evaluations and then a bluebird day for our last day with our instructors.

Our fab pros had organised a boarder-x for this momentous occasion and Jack Simpson took home the sink with his mad speed and aggressive skills.

For the final day of the season we had the morning to free ride and then took the NONSTOP bus to a private clearing where we had a huge BBQ and bonfire. Awesome.

Great times, fab friends, superb skiing and a top town. Thanks you Red and thanks NONSTOP. I’ll definitely be back for a holiday next year.

The highlight of the week was Hot Dog Day based on the 70’s and 80’s freestyle movie. Everyone showed up in their best retro gear; one pieces, straight skis, jeans, tight pants, all in neon colours. It was bluebird day, perfect for our picnic lunch at the top of Timber.

There was some great 80’s freestyle skiing, the longest human slalom, synchronised skiing, and some huge air! The ski day ended at the Snow Bar on the hill, Wallaby and then traversed its way to the sun soaked deck of the Griz Bar.

A few brave snow warriors, went winter camping at the weekend. Fortunately it was quite mild and there were some elaborate snow quincys (snow caves) built with stairs and all. Everyone made it through the night and woke up to a foot of snow! What a fantastic way to start the morning!

Many are still taking advantage of ski school shadowing opportunities, instructing and hanging out with the pro patrol. Only one week to go!

READ WEEK 11

I might not be able to take all the awesome activities, well good weekend trips, superb skiing, insightful instructors and cool course co-ordinators with me but the friends I’ve made here, them I’ll have forever.

If the idea of doing a NONSTOP course has even vaguely run though your mind, don’t hesitate, just do it. The experience will stay with you forever.

Everyone came to the hill dressed in their best?!, lots of one-pieces, fleuro colors and skin tight outfits.

After a bluebird day hotdawggin’ as a 35 person posse on the hill, stopping at the Snow Bar and Griz Bar, we headed into town, where the party lasted late into the night. Whoohoo!

At the weekend, a large number of us went winter camping. It started dumping as soon as we loaded the chair and didn’t stop until we woke up in the morning.

Life doesn’t get much sweeter than camping in a snow cave and waking up to a powder day.

READ WEEK 11

Our final week was a cocktail of emotions, looking forward to seeing loved ones at home, sad to say goodbye to so many brilliant new friends, a reluctance to leave our outdoor lifestyle and euphoria at how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved.

Celebrations went on through the week with dinners, awards and lots and lots of drinks. Thank you NONSTOP for all you’ve given me, mainly a new outlook on life.

Only two to weeks to go! Some of us are gearing up for the Level 2 next week so it was fairly intense in lessons.

Wednesday afternoon we competed against each other in teams for the Synchronised Skiing title! There was even half naked synchro!

Chris and Cyril, a couple of the ski instructors even demonstrated their synchro style on a tandem pair of skis.

Thursday night was a bit of a wild one. We loaded up the bus and drove to the Pass Powderkeg, for night skiing.

The group cruised the hill and spent a good chunk of time sessioning the jump and rails.

There was some great laughs as everyone hurled themselves through the air, some with interesting form!

The ride home saw a stop at the Pure Country bar, then it was The Hosmer. The party eventually finished up in The Central back in Fernie!

This week saw the last of the guided backcountry tours and private lessons completed. and a group of us headed to Whitefish, Montana for the weekend.

Whitefish was great. We all had some good turns on a different mountain and found some amazingly cheap, end of the season sales.

Saturday night was entertaining with many local pubs and bars and of course no weekend away trip is complete without hot-tubbing!

READ WEEK 10