Not up to much at the moment...

Just a quick post, we've not been up to much really... stopped by the driving range of Whisler Golf course which was fun... I'm hoping to get at least one round of golf in before the snow hits. We're off out tonight with our room-mate Sebastien too, probably shoot some pool.

Moving into our (more) permanent room in the next couple of days, which will be nice... we'll finally be able to unpack.

Jon

Big Ol' Bike Ride

Today we used our connections and blagged bikes for the day - it normally costs about $90 a day to hire bikes around here because mountain biking is such a big thing, but the guy in the bike store owed our boss Ali a favour so we both got bikes for free all day! There are loads of trails from really easy to really hard, and because I'm still feeling very unfit we decided to take the valley trail out to the lakes we haven't been to yet. The trail map is here, and we went all the way round Lost Lake, Green Lake, the golf courses, stopping quite a lot to either look things like the sea planes or die of heat! It was really hot so we took a very quick dip in the very cold Alta Lake, which is probably my favourite lake. Anyway the pictures from today are here.


Nothing else to really report today; we're starting work in Southside Lodge tomorrow properly and we'll be starting in the diner on Sunday. We'll be moving into our new lodgings which is just behind the hostel on Monday. Our room's really small but the house itself is really nice - open plan downstairs with a big stone pillar running through it - quite mountain lodge-y really!

Robyn

P.S. - Yes, Toni, alright, it was just called Cows. We havent had ice cream there yet because we spent all our money in a sweet shop called the Great Glass Elevator, so I dont know if there is any wowie cowie. Love you too x

Exploring Whistler

So, today we spoke to Ali (the hostel host) about prosepective jobs cleaning the hostel and as dishwashers in the diner downstairs. Now, these aren't exactly glamourous jobs, but there are some pretty serious perks.

The cleaning comes with accommodation, which is like gold-dust up here, and requires us to put in about 3 hours a day between us, which we can do pretty much any time before check-in time at 4. It also offers some overtime cleaning houses that are also owned by the same company for a bit of extra cash.

The dishwashing job offers 50% discount on food at the diner, along with free meals on shift, is paid and requires work in the evening.

Combined, the jobs pretty much minimise our living expense, and offer a bit of cash too. We can then volunteer with Whistler Blackcomb to get our season pass for the mountain, which requires 23 days work, at around 1 day per week... Giving us maximal snow time while we're here. We're pretty stoked about the situation... it's also given us chance to go do some tourist exploring, rather than job and house hunting.

The picture above was taken walking around the lakes nearby the hostel (which is located here), and the rest of the pictures are here. There were a couple of arty-type sculpturey things along the trail we took, the chairs represented taking time to reflect, and later on there were some chimes, representing listening to the sounds of the valley. There were some pretty stunning vistas of the mountains too, the runs down Whistler and Blackcomb are grassy at the moment, it's hard to believe they'll be snowbound in a couple of months time.

Probably off to do more exploring tomorrow, and maybe take a swim in the lake... so long as the weather holds up, did we mention it's gorgeous here?

Jon

In Whistler!

So we've been in Whistler for about an hour and we`re already investigating jobs and have bought some ski boots - 2 pairs for $30! Bargain. The hostel here is run by a Bristish guy who`s lived in Dubai and Australia and our roommate is a French-Canadian - one of the first Canadian people we`ve met.

We`re finding out more about how our winter is going to work, but its common to work two jobs or work a job and volunteer to get your lift pass. But we`ll let you know how things are going on that front.

Generally otherwise, things are okay - its very hot here at the moment and we`re still adjusting to various things like having to work out tax and tipping, etc. But its all good :)

Robyn x