Kidd stuff learning to ski with Billy
Billy Kidd is holding court at the top of Sunshine Peak. The sun is shining and the mountain at Steamboat Springs has unveiled itself to us for the first time in two days. Billy points out where Vail is. He looks back over his shoulder …
Downhill disaster at Winter Park Colorado
I’m poised, standing in the gates at Winter Park Colorado rocking forwards, sliding backwards. Below me as I look down the mountain slope are nine sets of slalom poles and a finish line. Beside me is Handsome Rob. The enemy. The starter counts down. Three, …
Walking a fine line through Maligne Canyon
THERE’S a feeling of terror when you are walking through Maligne Canyon and hear the ice shudder beneath your weight. You can see a thin line, much like a crack in the windscreen, that just keeps getting longer and longer. Wider and wider. Below me …
I’m dreaming of a Megeve White Christmas
In Australia, we can only dream of a white Christmas. In Megeve, anything other than a white Christmas would be a nightmare. IT was being hailed as the best start to a ski season in almost a decade. The snow is deep and even. The …
Taking the Polaris snow mobile for a wild ride
The Polaris snow mobile grunts and leaps into action. It is capable of reaching a top speed of 120 miles (190kmh). “Does it really go that fast?” I ask. “We are not going to find out because we are restricted to 40 up here,” our …
Trapped in Matakauri Lodge … and loving it
The weather gods forced Brian Crisp to spend yet another luxurious night or two at Matakauri Lodge Monday, August 15. Memo to boss Dear John, I can’t make it to work today as Queenstown is snowed in. No flights until Wednesday. Maybe Friday. The good …
Whistler turns my world upside down
Brian Crisp returns to Whistler to investigate how the mountain has changed post-Olympics lIT IS 10 days before Christmas and my world has turned upside down. My shorts, T-shirt and thongs traditional Australian summer couture to cope with the 35C heat have been replaced by …