Most of the group flew out of Sacramento on Alaska Air thru Seattle. Half the group had shuttle reservations on the 1:30 shuttle from Vancouver to Whistler but an extensive delay sitting on the tarmac for 40 minutes prevented that connection! Thankfully Marsha’s 6:30 am flight allowed her to reschedule everyone on a 2:30 shuttle. Skylynx arranged a second bus since there were so many of us! Marsha is now the group’s travel agent. The two buses had plenty of room for all. Half took the party bus and the other half took the boring bus. (What happens on the bus stays on the bus). The views are supposedly on the left side so everyone sat on the left side. (the bus did not tip over)

After an hour on the bus sitting in stopped traffic and construction we were still in downtown Vancouver. It was overcast and rainy. The view was crap; then it got dark, still cloudy and wet weather all the way to Whistler village.

After everyone was settled into their rooms, we met in the lobby and heard about the weekly Fire Show in the village. Since it was snowing when we arrived, the multicolored searchlights looked like they were squirting out glitter. (See photos and videos, click here, or on 2026 Photo page). Most then went to the grocery store for the week’s supplies, then a late dinner and to bed ready for an early ski start!

Feb 23: today’s theme word is “longliftlines”

The “first tracks” people were up at dawn to catch the first shuttle. We all gradually trickled out of the hotel and spread out on the mountain. There was supposed to be a hosted mountain tour at 11, followed by lunch at noon. The Whistler side of the resort was closed for avalanche control causing the lines for the 2 other gondolas to be about 45+ minutes. There was a cloud covering a good part of the mountains making visibility a bit scary. But, at the very top of Blackcomb, we were above the clouds and into the sunshine. The Powder Hounds skied all day (no lunch break) finding amazing powder on every run. Some 49ers spent more time standing in lines than skiing. Some had a long lunch, while others went sightseeing and shopping in the village instead of facing the longliftlines. Other creative ways to avoid the longliftlines included coffee with Baileys in the lodge.

The hotel hosted a happy hour for our club with yummy, hearty hors d’vours, enough for dinner although some of the group went out for dinner in the village after.

Feb 24

A BLUEBIRD DAY!! Theme of the day: “longliftlines”. Apparently anyone who lives within 500 miles is here for the powder!

The Powder Hounds left early to get first tracks on the fresh untracked snow on the high peaks that were closed yesterday.

Everyone trickled out of the hotel after that and spread out all over the mountains - some to Blackcomb side, others to Whistler side. Despite the hugeness of this ski area, almost everyone convened at the meeting point at 11 for a free guided tour of the Whistler side. The guides were fantastic as was the snow!! The tours lasted until 2:30 with no break!! So we were quite hangry by the end. Some recharged at the Roundhouse lodge before tackling the 4 mile run downhill to the shuttle. The Powder Hounds never surfaced above the deep stuff until Tiddlies. Tiddlies were spread across the 4th floor - everyone recounted their day’s events. Only a few dishes were broken and an unknown amount of wine was consumed.

Feb 25: today’s theme: “longliftlines”

Snow was forecast for today. The clouds covered the mountain, so visibility was terrible. The Powder Hounds started early and made it to the top of Whistler peak for the 7 mile Peak-to-Creek run down the mountain to Creekside. A few bailed at the double black diamond sign. Due to wind and snow and poor visibility, several people stayed back in the village for a spa day or shopping day. Some took the guided tour of Blackcomb where the guides found the best snow and shortest lines possible. The tour is well worth it for the amount of information and skiing.

Group dinner tonight at High Mountain Brewing Co

Feb 26:

Poor weather forecasted; Marty asked: “The reports I see show rain and wind all day today. Does that stop the 49ers?”

This was the reply: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"

Therefore, the diehard Powder Hounds went out at 8 even though there was no new powder and the visibility was zero!

The wind was chilly enough to deter even the toughest among us. The upper lifts and gondolas were closed for wind and that meant the longestliftlinesever! After a few runs and long lines it was time to meet the mountain host for another tour. The hosts know where to find the best snow and get a lot of skiing in. There was a group of two who had a private tour with two guides and a group of five. The 5 group was tour-bombed by another group of six for a total of eleven. The sun finally came out and it turned into a lovely day.

Happy Hour Tiddlies was at the Spaghetti Factory. The “pillow comp” from the Delta Marriott paid for the appetizers and everyone had more than enough to eat. Though some went on to explore other village restaurants.

The Party Animals went to the Ice Room for a Polar Vodka Expedition (vodka tasting). Who knew there were so many vodkas to get drunk on after high school?! The ice room was -29° and they give you a -40° puffy down coat with fur lined hood for the tasting. After learning all things vodka and freezing nearly to death, the Party Animals proceeded to the next bar - a karaoke bar for singing and dancing on the tables (though not in ski boots this time).

Feb 27:

Sadly this is our last ski day here. It was projected to be another bluebird day, but the clouds and wind obscured the sky. Visibility was variable. Apparently the 49ers have made quite an impression on the tour guides who recognized the “group from Sacramento” by our ski poles as we assembled for the day’s tour despite the wind and inability to see anything. They took the group down the Olympic downhill run named after Olympic skier, Dave Murray. The run is steep and fast until - suddenly engulfed in a cloud - you couldn’t even see the tips of your skis. The guide found some Goldilocks bumps and sunshine before the low clouds returned. Everyone made it safely down the hill for hot tubbing, shopping, happy hour and packing.

Feb 28: bye bye Whistler. Some took the 6:30 am shuttle, but most took the 9:00 am shuttles for our uneventful flights to Sacramento and beyond. Here are excerpts from the kudos to Nancy, James and Lauren:

“ Thank you for everything that you've done Nancy and Lauren! The trip was very well organized. Thanks again to James for the great communications.

Thank you Nancy for a splendid trip... and the 49ers brought the snow to Whistler with us!

Lauren, you are an awesome suis chef...

James, you are my ski pilot!

We did so much and had such a great time. Always stretches my abilities, and I hope makes me a better skier.

What a great group, love the 49ers!

I loved the Whistler trip even with the physical challenges! A great village and a great mountain. Probably my favorite ski village.

Thank you fellow 49ers for making this a wonderful international trip!

Thank you Nancy, Lauren and James for a smooth spectacular trip. A special thanks to Nancy for including gluten free appetizers.

A big shout out to Nancy for taking on this trip and doing such a great job of organizing all the rest of us!

James, your tech skills and patience are always so appreciated!

What a great group of people you all are, and what a fun week! I feel so fortunate to have met everyone.

I agree with what everyone is saying. Great skiing, great trip and great people.

Thanks to Nancy for all the trip organization; things seemed to go so smoothly, but I'm sure you had issues to deal with. I liked the creative approach to tiddlies since we couldn't do our normal thing. Thanks to Lauren for her work with the restaurants.

Isn't it amazing how much fun we can have despite sketchy weather, low visibility, and epic lift lines?

Huge thanks to Nancy for all the work you've done and Lauren for your research and James for being our comms and techno wizard, and for leading so many of us on the trails this week. Nancy, I especially appreciate you getting us together in the evening- - that was so important since we only rarely bumped into each other on the mountain.”

and many dittos

*~jb~*

Members see more photos in the Album Skiing.BC.2026

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