Jet plane to Vancouver, boot pack to Mt. Shames!

Last Thursday The North Face Canada hosted a store opening party on Robson and Granville, which I flew down from northern BC to hang out at.  It was a fun event, with a few friends showing up and some team riders as well, including Megan Pischke and skier Dana Flair.  I brought my mom and sister Spencer O’Brien, and long time friend Jamie Drummond.  They were offering some nice wines and beers, and servers were walking the room all night with some delicious hor’Derves for all to be had! 

Not knowing that Mt Baker had opened the day of my arrival, and that Whistler was opening that weekend, I was just kicking myself for not being prepared!  I flew back on the Friday to Prince Rupert in time for a pretty huge storm to set in for the day.  There was still snow on the ground in town, so a group of us drove up to Mt. Shames to do some hiking.  It was well worth the four hour trek boot packing up in thigh deep for a few of the best early season turns I’ve ever had!  Later that day we ran into a group of local riders who had brought a pack of dogs up with them, it was a riot and for sure the most fun day of the year so far…

New North Face store on Granville and Robson.

North Face Canada marketing guy Cory Stecker, myself (wearing my merino wool summit series thermals, btw!), Spencer, and Jamie. 

The hike up was gorgeous!  Alpine with snow covered trees and deep powder. 

All smiles while getting some powder.

Blower pow, going to make another turn and still in the air from the last on

Bottom of the lines in North Bowl.

Another view of our lines in North Bowl on the hike out.

Group of local Mt. Shames riders with their pack of dogs.

SO rad, dogs running down the mtn having just as much fun as people.  Only they don’t have to buy any gear, boots, jackest, gloves.  Lucky animals!