Trip Report: Richard Rice Goes Extremely Canadian
When I am in Whistler I will always try to do an Extremely Canadian Steep Skiing Clinic. This two-day camp is suitable for adventurous advanced intermediates and above, but whatever your level it will certainly challenge you and improve your skiing.
I am an experienced off-piste skier, but Whistler is a big mountain and there is some serious terrain - all accessed from the lifts I should say.
During my last couple of clinics I've been working on 'rolling over' and 'dropping' lips or overhangs that develop at the entrance to steep runs...
...tactical approaches to skiing a couloir - being considered here at the top of The Pencil, above the Blackcomb Glacier...
...and controlling speed once into the pitch - nicely demonstrated below by my instructor Steve. I went next, but it didn't look as pretty.
The instructors provide a great mix of instruction and guiding, and there are always plenty of laughs as well.
After a couple of days it is amazing how much you've achieved, and how much more of the mountain has been opened up to you.
The picture above is Steve watching another member of my group come down a run on Chainsaw Ridge, some of the steepest in-bounds terrain anywhere.
But it doesn't have to be scary - the level is always appropriate to the skiers in the group, bearing in mind technique, fitness and experience.
The main thing is to push yourself a little, see more of the mountain and watch your skiing improve.
Experience it yourself
To book an Extremely Canadian Clinic as part of your Whistler holiday, call us on 01273 224060, or visit our Camps & Courses page for advanced tuition in other resorts.
* Note on skiing off-piste - rules and practices for skiing off-piste vary from resort to resort and country to country. Please be informed before you ski off-piste, abide by local regulations, use all necessary safety equipment and ski with a suitably qualified instructor or guide.
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After doing annual one-week ski trips in Europe as a teenager, I discovered Canada in my early 20s. Since then I've skied all over Canada the US and Japan and I'm now enjoying exploring other ski destinations around the world.
