Recreation Club hosts Big White get away
by Margaret Straling

Skiers and snowboarders have seen better snow fall in the past, but many will put their troubles aside when they head to Big White ski resort in Kelowna, Canada on behalf of UWT’s Recreation Club.

Dan Cleary, president of the club, has worked hard to provide this opportunity to students.

“I think people are going to have a really good time, enjoy themselves and want to do it again,” said Cleary. “People will be able to experience an adventure and a good time.”

Students will join at least five other colleges for the trip hosted by Destination Snow, Feb. 15-17. Students may hold this trip true to their hearts due to the lack snowfall in Washington.

Skiers and boarders have been let down this year, due to the lack of snow but the trip to Big White will enable students to make up for their losses.

“The snow up in Canada is a lot different, it is much farther north east and the advantage to that is the snow tends to be more drier powder as opposed to ice and slushy as it is down here,” said Cleary.

The snow season has made its appearance rather late compared to previous years. Winter finally arrived in mid-late December, according to the National Weather Services. Snoqualmie Pass recorded its first measurable snow on Dec. 5, which was only two inches.

As of Jan. 15, Snoqualmie had a base of 43 inches compared to 62 inches last year. Temperatures rose from the midupper 40’s and low 50’s in most areas west of the Cascades crest.

“This is one of the worst seasons I remember, last year was great, maybe we will have a good spring season,” said Joe Chynoweth, recreation club’s staff advisor.

Even if there is more snow to come, we will not make up for our big loses, said Northwest Avalanche Center Meteorologist, Kenny Kramer. In 1996 and 1997 we had normal snow pack despite the presence strong El Nino.

No reason to get depressed. Students will have the opportunity to let out their snowfall frustrations at Big White.

As of Jan. 31 Big White has a 64.9 inch base and the temperature is 28.4 Fahrenheit.

“I have heard they have great powder, and some of the best skiing in North America,” said Chynoweth.

The resort’s 13 lifts will be able to transport students rather rapidly upward the mountain. Students will be able to explore all 7,155 acres of the resort that offers a wide variety of terrain and scenery.

Downward the mountain will be a trip of its own and the longest run is 4.5 miles. Perhaps students will come back in better shape.

To take a load off students can ride the express gondola. The resort has a one to eight passenger express gondola that takes visitors from parking right to the lift. The resort is similar to Whistler; it has a ski in/ski out village. The village at the mountain has hotels, restaurants and shopping centers.

“It is really different from anything here, along with the snow,” said Cleary. “I think they are going to have the time of their lives. It’s going to be a blast. It’s going to give people a good break from school and work.”

Students will leave Saturday morning and get back late Monday evening. Destination Snow will provide students with free drinks and food while on the road.

Students can expect to spend an entertaining eight to nine hours on the bus.

“The bus has movies and games,” said, Cleary. “They even have a contest to see who can get tattooed on the strangest spot.”

Students will stay at Kelowna, one half a hour drive from the mountain.

“Kelowna is about the size of Puyallup. It seemed like the whole town was nothing but college people,” said Cleary when asked about last years trip.

Students will most likely spend all off Sunday and Monday snowboarding or skiing. At night they will head back to Kelowna so “then we can party, eat pizza, drink beer, and sit in the hot tub,” said Cleary.

“I am really glad we had such a large turn out,” said Cleary.

There are a total of 25 students going on the trip.

The Recreation Club is making huge footprints in the history and they are the first club to travel out of the country.

Cleary went on the trip last year with Green River and comments “I had a really good time, so I remembered Destination Snow when I came to UWT and decided to take a ski trip up to Canada.”

Destination Snow is a ski and board tour specialist. They take care of all the details and make sure the trip runs smoothly.

“I am excited that it is something that the students are doing that is put on by a student organization that is away from school and campus. It is a great chance to cut loose for a long weekend,” said Chynoweth.