Well we are still waiting for any trace of real snow to show up here in Canmore. Luckily Frozen Thunder (the loop at the nordic center) is getting longer by the day, and the snow guns have been going like crazy whenever it's cold enough, so soon we should be able to ski around a loop that takes more than five minutes!
It's a little more lonely these days as most of my teammates have taken off to Scandinavia to battle the darkness and take on the world. If this past weekend is any indication (which I think it is) our team is looking pretty good. They had a great first weekend of racing, and the World Cup starts next weekend, so lookout!

This year I'll be sticking around North America tackling the Nor-Am circuit, starting in Silverstar in a few weeks!

For now, the lack of snow has made some pretty awesome skating conditions! We got a hockey game going yesterday afternoon in Banff.



Chris Butler checking out the ice... it must have been safe enough, no one fell in.



The gang, which later grew substantially to over 20 skiers (skaters I suppose)



And a few canine friends- one of which was Blitz who is quite the hockey fan -or maybe just puck fan.

We have been Yo-Yo-ing again back and forth to Sunshine Village just outside of Banff. The kind folks up on the mountain graciously opened up the hotel for us, and fed and watered us. The staff up at Sunshine were busily trying to get things ready for the season, so we are extra lucky that they were able to accommodate us up there!
Our usual protocol involves a couple long days, and an easier one up at altitude, I was enjoying the scenery up at sunshine while out for a hike (I know we should have been skiing!)...





We ran to Banff from the nordic centre and Chandra found a nice soft place to take a nap!


Small team photo up at Sunshine, it was an awesome afternoon up there!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of some snow here. The snow guns are firing so hopefully it will get colder soon!