I am caught. Sinking into deep snow, my husband finally pulls me from a leg lock. I cannot see. My vision is reduced by swirls of thick, spinning snowflakes in this wild world of white.
But....this is fun!
We are in the midst of a whiteout in an elevated area around Smithers, northern British Columbia, Canada. Hudson Bay Mountain---height: 1650 m/5413 ft---towers above the town giving its alpine designed Main Street the look of a Swiss Alps village.
But....this is fun!
We are in the midst of a whiteout in an elevated area around Smithers, northern British Columbia, Canada. Hudson Bay Mountain---height: 1650 m/5413 ft---towers above the town giving its alpine designed Main Street the look of a Swiss Alps village.
Until I experienced it again through the eyes of children, I forgot about the magic of winter.
Who has ever tasted and shared the warmth and camaraderie of hot spiced rum atop a craggy peak after a long climb in deep snow? We have. In Smithers. The trek was part of an annual neighbourly tradition during which smudging with smouldering sage detoxified our souls and squares of dark chocolate lingered decadently on our tongues.
Most important task? Flying strings of Tibetan prayer flags, unfurled and attached to nearby tree trunks. Each triangular piece of coloured cloth flapped in the wind carrying silent meditations towards heaven.
Who has ever tasted and shared the warmth and camaraderie of hot spiced rum atop a craggy peak after a long climb in deep snow? We have. In Smithers. The trek was part of an annual neighbourly tradition during which smudging with smouldering sage detoxified our souls and squares of dark chocolate lingered decadently on our tongues.
Most important task? Flying strings of Tibetan prayer flags, unfurled and attached to nearby tree trunks. Each triangular piece of coloured cloth flapped in the wind carrying silent meditations towards heaven.
Then came the fun part for children. Slogging further up the mountain we stood in awe, gazing at the surrounding snow clad mountain tops. Kids tobogganed and slid down the long steep slope. Finally snowed out, they carefully zig-zagged to the bottom. Tired, wet and hungry, like horses making for the home barn, they led their toboggans along a rough path, down a snow-covered road to a welcoming home alive with twinkling lights. There waited a warm hearth and hearty food and drink liberally sprinkled with friends and laughter.
Swirling snow almost obliterated the trails for horse-drawn old-fashioned sleighrides.
Two magnificent 1000 pound draft horses, the Percherons of French origin, pulled each large and loaded sled. Kids took over the first sleigh; adults and toddlers reserved the second---the latter arrangement removed any danger of errant snowballs or loose, icy branches flung with abandon. Suddenly, what to our wondering eyes should appear? A snowsuit clad adult carrying a flask of whiskey which he generously shared among us.
Two magnificent 1000 pound draft horses, the Percherons of French origin, pulled each large and loaded sled. Kids took over the first sleigh; adults and toddlers reserved the second---the latter arrangement removed any danger of errant snowballs or loose, icy branches flung with abandon. Suddenly, what to our wondering eyes should appear? A snowsuit clad adult carrying a flask of whiskey which he generously shared among us.
With jingling bells, the mighty Percherons pulled their human cargo up, down, and around thick woods until a half way stop: a crackling bonfire around which we could thaw frozen fingers and toes, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and sip hot chocolate.
Living in northern B.C., you must downhill/cross country ski or snowboard, otherwise miss more fun and exercise. The Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre, perched amidst a spruce forest on the way to Hudson Bay Mountain, offers 45 km of trails for cross country skiers. Farther up the road, the popular HBM Resort demands you challenge its awesome slopes of powder snow....36 runs, 4 lifts, a base depth of 86 cm....you can even ski off the mountain on a special Trail to Town that leads you all the way down to Smithers below!
On the day we visited the ski hill, a cloud cover kept the valley shrouded in a continuous dull fog. As we drove up, up, nearing the ski resort, our car suddenly broke through the thick screen and we were above the clouds in another land. A bright blue sky and strong sun greeted us along with jubilant skiers. As high as we were, it was still impossible to see Bulkley Valley below because of the misty barrier.
Of course, winter isn’t winter without gliding across the ice on blades or shooting a hockey puck in a net. Skating in a frigid zone (minus 15 degrees C) on an outside rink under a canopy of twinkling stars with a full moon showering dazzling diamonds across the snow provided the perfect combination for a Canadian winter. Skating easily with our grandsons, my husband looked as smooth on the ice as he did during his university hockey days.
While local black bears hibernate and moose wander the land in search of food, Smithers thrives under the cloak of Old Man Winter.
Of course, winter isn’t winter without gliding across the ice on blades or shooting a hockey puck in a net. Skating in a frigid zone (minus 15 degrees C) on an outside rink under a canopy of twinkling stars with a full moon showering dazzling diamonds across the snow provided the perfect combination for a Canadian winter. Skating easily with our grandsons, my husband looked as smooth on the ice as he did during his university hockey days.
While local black bears hibernate and moose wander the land in search of food, Smithers thrives under the cloak of Old Man Winter.
New e-letter: The H Word
You are invited to sign up for my new e-letter, The H Word. I plan a dozen or so e-letters a year. Then you can follow website updates, news of my latest publications, and other tiny tidbits. And you can unsubscribe at any time.
You are invited to sign up for my new e-letter, The H Word. I plan a dozen or so e-letters a year. Then you can follow website updates, news of my latest publications, and other tiny tidbits. And you can unsubscribe at any time.
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