C O M PA S S FALL / WINTER 201 3
Family Gatherings ‘tis the season
In a few short weeks, my son will turn 10. A milestone that is both wonderful and scary. He’s growing up so fast. Though my wife and I can’t slow down time, we try to make the most of it.
This issue is all about family. Over Canadian Thanksgiving, our Team was up in Whistler documenting Member families and their holiday traditions. It was a perfect fall weekend. See photos above, on page 24 and logon to the Member Web site for the full gallery of images. Last year we introduced “The Intrawest Family” and it was hugely popular with Members. With access to accommodation at five amazing mountain destinations across Canada and the US at great prices, over 500 vacations were booked. These ExtraOrdinary Escapes partners are now called “The Intrawest Collection” and our feature article (page 8) provides information on each resort as well as fun things to do, both on and off the slopes. Family dinners can be taken for granted, but it is those special moments that we remember fondly. This is especially apparent when on vacation. Coming together, laughing and sharing highlights from our day, it’s these occasions that are often the sweetest. With this idea in mind, I’m pleased to introduce acopio, the new restaurant at Club Intrawest — Zihuatanejo. Inspired by Member feedback we created a menu that is not only affordable but will appeal to the whole family. Find out why acopio is the perfect place to gather on page 4. See you at the Club, Robert Robert Reyes Vice-President, Member Experience Member since 2009
CLUB INTRAWEST The Landing #326 – 375 Water Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5C6
2 CLUB VIEW
www.clubintrawest.com Toll Free: 1.800.767.2166 Local: 604.689.5363 Email: members@clubintrawest.com
® Registered Trademark of Intrawest ULC. Unauthorized use prohibited. To read our privacy policy, visit www.intrawest.com. Printed in Canada.
On Cover: Members Rebecca, Jessica and Stephanie Hall. Photo by Valerie Legere.
Average # of Resort Points for a 7-night stay in a studio:
36 MARRIOTT’S ARUBA OCEAN CLUB & MARRIOTT’S ARUBA SURF CLUB Palm Beach, Aruba
Located on the Caribbean’s sparkling Palm Beach, sister resorts Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club and Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club are quickly becoming Member favorites. Palm Beach was voted #9 on TripAdvisor’s 2013 List of World’s Best Beaches. To book your Aruba vacation, launch Interval International from Reservations Online on the Member Web site. Be sure to start a search if you don’t see your preferred dates.
Bienvenida
Come gather at ‘acopio’ – our new restaurant in Zihuatanejo. The same breathtaking view but with a whole new menu. Vacations are a great way to bring together friends and family but we often split up during the day to explore our own interests, making mealtime all the more important. There’s something comforting about eating as a group – the routine, the enjoyment of delicious food and wine and of course the wonderful company and conversation. It’s these little moments that make a vacation unforgettable. Introducing acopio – the new restaurant at Club Intrawest — Zihuatanejo. Listening to Member feedback, we knew it was paramount to create a menu that offered both quality and value. The word acopio is Spanish for ‘gathering’ and was carefully chosen for its multiple meanings. Dinner is a time to come together and celebrate the local culture. Think of acopio as a place where the freshest, local ingredients are gathered to create meals that are approachable and affordable. We want acopio to be your restaurant. Unpretentious, familiar, welcoming – acopio is a place to bring your family for a casual but memorable meal. The layout and design of the space has stayed the same (how could we mess with that view!), but you’ll notice the whole experience has changed. We’re less focused on fine dining and more on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Chef Mario has created a menu that will appeal to everyone. From local delicacies to the tried and true burger, from seafood to steak – the meals are simple, fresh, flavorful and delicious. We look forward to seeing you at acopio and creating an experience you’ll always remember. To learn more about acopio and view the menus visit the Member Web site.
Mario Ramirez (Head Chef, acopio) Born and raised in Zihuatanejo, Chef Mario has studied Culinary Arts in Mexico City, New York and Zihuatanejo. He has worked at Kaukan, Amuleto and was the head chef at Tentaciones for the past seven years. On his days off he can often be found at Playa Blanca, a quiet beach just outside the city.
Yesenia Pimental (General Manager, acopio) You may recognize Yesenia, she worked at Zi Restaurant for a number of years before leaving to go to Casa que Canta next door. We couldn’t be happier to have her back! She is very excited about the new casual concept and the wide variety on the menu. “It’s so fresh. Members will love it.”
4 AT YOUR CLUB
Packed With Goodness
Eating healthy and vacations don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Just ask wellness professionals, Joanna Verweel and Kate Hutcheson. They offer tips and superfoods you can use to fuel your next vacation. It’s a pretty safe assumption that we all have friends or family with dietary restrictions. Be it celiac disease or a gluten-sensitivity, vegetarianism, a nut allergy, lactose intolerance – the list goes on. These restrictions can be serious and life altering. Having a routine and planning ahead help in our everyday lives. But traveling on the other hand can throw everything out of whack and present some mealtime challenges. On the following pages, Kate and Joanna provide advice on dietary restrictions and traveling. Their suggestions can be useful to all of us. No one wants to feel lethargic or bloated on a ski vacation (or at the beach!).
About Kate
About Joanna
Kate Hutcheson is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner. She studied at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto and also has an Honours B.A in Health Promotion from McMaster University. She is a Certified Yoga Instructor and has taught in Toronto, Vancouver and Singapore.
Joanna Verweel is the Manager of Health for Special Olympics BC. She completed her Masters of Science at the University of Leuven and has a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Queens University. She is a Certified Personal Trainer and an amazing cook.
Check out Facebook.com/clubintrawest or follow @clubintrawest on Twitter for healthy recipes to make in your Vacation Home. COMPASS 5
First things first, how do you eat healthy at the airport? While most airports are adopting the healthy snack trend, it’s limited and certainly not without a high price tag. Usually you can purchase protein bars, nuts, fruit, salads or whole wheat sandwiches in a pinch. Avoid ‘plane food’ as it is often highly processed and has a high level of sodium. Joanna suggests having a good meal before leaving the house (such as a smoothie, eggs, salad or sandwich). And both Kate and Joanna highly recommend packing snacks ahead of time (see below).
ALMONDS – High in good fats and helps to neutralize your body’s ph balance. DRIED MANGO – The brand Solar Grid is great as it contains no added sugar and is 100% organic. ORGANIC HUMMUS – With brown rice crackers (gluten-free) and pre-cut vegetables. Hummus is filled with Omega 3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants and amino acids. KIWA
VEGETABLE CHIP MIX – Tasty root vegetable chips that are a much better option to regular potato chips. PROTEIN BARS – Kate’s favorite is Metagenics Ultra Meal Rice Bar in Chocolate Fudge and Joanna loves Larabars (the peanut butter chocolate chip is delicious). GOJI BERRIES – If you haven’t tried these tiny antioxidant powerhouses, you might want to grab a bag. They’re a welcome addition to salads, granola and yogurt but also good on their own. GIN GINS – A traveler’s best friend. Ginger is great for upset stomachs, nausea and dizziness. A chewy candy, they’re the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. WATER – This is a must! Bring your own bottle (just remember to empty it before entering security) and use it your whole trip. Both Kate and Joanna can’t emphasize enough just how important it is to hydrate – OFTEN!
6 AT YOUR CLUB
So you’ve arrived at your destination, now what… It’s so easy (and tempting) to eat poorly on vacation. While it’s okay to treat yourself, balance is important. You want to eat foods that will also boost your energy (and avoid any *ahem* digestive disturbances). Jo suggests aiming to eat six small meals per day. She is a fan of trying the local specialty and eating foods that are in season. Kate advises to steer clear of words on the menu such as “fried, battered, buttered and creamed” instead look for “steamed, poached, boiled, roasted and sautéed”. Also try to avoid sugary, salty and processed food. Below are some great examples of superfoods to remember when grocery shopping or dining out.
Healthy eating choices near the Club locations BLUE MOUNTAIN Pure Food Bar (Collingwood) www.purefoodbar.com
Tholos www.tholos.ca
Oliver & Bonacini www.oliverbonacini.com
WHISTLER Ingrids Café www.ingridswhistler.com
Gone Village Eatery www.gonevillageeatery.com
Creek Bread www.creekbread.com
Portobello www.fairmont.com/whistler/dining/ portobellomarketfreshbakery
Ciao Thyme www.ciaothymebistro.com
VANCOUVER
SWEET POTATO/YAMS – An excellent starch, filled with fiber, potassium,
Nuba www.nuba.ca
vitamin A, B6, C and E. Great for your blood
Tractor
pressure and metabolism, they also prevent
www.tractorfoods.com
disease and make your complexion and hair look great.
AVOCADO – High in fiber and monosaturated fat (which steadies blood sugar) and filled with antioxidants that fight disease and oleic acid which lowers cholesterol.
ORGANIC COCONUT OIL – A great alternative to olive oil. Benefits include healthier skin and hair, lower cholesterol levels, weight loss, proper digestion and increased immunity.
NUT BUTTERS
(cashew, almond, or unsalted natural peanut butter) – Buy travel pack sizes to carry with you wherever you go. They’re much healthier than regular sugar-loaded peanut butter. Spread on an
SMOOTHIES WITH PROTEIN POWDER – A great way to apple for a snack.
start your day. Also a good option for a postworkout or midday snack!
Heirloom www.heirloomrestaurant.ca
Organic Lives www.organiclives.org
Café by Tao (North Vancouver) www.taoorganics.com
PALM DESERT Le Basil www.lebasilrestaurant.com
Harvest Health Foods/ Luscious Lorraines www.lusciouslorraines.com
Native Foods www.nativefoods.com
Palm Greens Café www.palmgreenscafe.com
COMPASS 7
The
I N T R AW E ST Collection
Last year ExtraOrdinary Escapes was thrilled to introduce The Intrawest Collection. Since then, over 500 reservations have been made at Steamboat, Winter Park, Tremblant, Snowshoe and Stratton showing just how much Members love their mountain vacations. We couldn’t be more excited for winter. With availability for the 2013/14 season, you can still sneak in a last-minute ski holiday. Members can easily see what’s available and book using Reservations Online. Wondering where to go? We’ve done the research for you. Check out our mini guide filled with tidbits about the resort, accommodation rates, mountain stats and more. Nothing makes us happier (or more jealous) than hearing about your ski/snowboard trip. Deep powder? Bluebird day? First tracks? Or maybe just the most delicious hot chocolate you’ve ever had. We want to hear about it. Tweet, Facebook or Instagram your favorite vacation moments and tag us in your post @clubintrawest or #clubintrawest.
8 FEATURE
COMPASS 9
S T E A M B OAT “100 years of Western tradition. 50 years of Olympian-producing terrain”
SKIABLE ACRES:
2965 NUMBER OF LIFT S:
16 LEN GT H OF SEAS ON:
November 27 – April 13 Accommodation from 28 Resort Points + $39 USD per night for a 1-bedroom suite. Discount lift tickets available with Reservation.
10 FEATURE
“It’s so convenient, ski rentals, the gondola, restaurants – everything you need is right there. With the shuttle services, you don’t even need a car.” Gayle Koutrouvelis, Member since 2012
Après Ski Activities 1. NIGHT SKIING/RIDING: New for the 2013/14 season, state of the art lighting illuminates 1100 vertical feet of terrain with five trails (Sitz, See Me/See Ya, Vogue, Stampede and Lil’ Rodeo Terrain Park) off the Christie Peak Express chairlift. 2. INSTRUCTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER TRIPS: Learn to shoot like a Pro. Practice and improve your photography skills with a professional photographer. Breathtaking views, meandering rivers, horses, wildlife and classic barns are a few of the opportunities available.
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Also known as Ski Town, USA, Steamboat is famous for it’s heritage, western charm and of course the trademarked Champagne Powder. What makes the snow at Steamboat so fluffy and light? It’s more than just luck. The geography of the resort is at the exact place where many storms hit, forcing moist air up and over the peaks – getting colder and losing its moisture. The average Steamboat snowfall usually has only 6 percent water – making it some of the lightest snow around. The surrounding mountains act like a shield and protect the area from the wind.
3. 101ST STEAMBOAT SPRINGS WINTER CARNIVAL: The oldest continuing Winter Carnival west of the Mississippi. From Feb 5 - 9 the entire town is taken over by racing, ski jumping, a parade, the famous ski jöring events down Lincoln Avenue and the spectacular night show featuring the legendary Lighted Man & fireworks display. 4. HOTSPRINGS: Colorado’s original natural hot springs spa has been operating since the 1880s. Located in downtown Steamboat Springs, visitors relax in one of four 104-degree, springfed pools. Kids of all ages enjoy the new 230ft waterslide and aquatic climbing wall. Also available: zero-depth kiddie pool, lap lanes, childcare, massage, fitness center, fitness classes, snack bar and yoga.
Steamboat COLORADO
Nearest Airport: Steamboat/Hayden COMPASS 11
W I N T E R PA R K “More than you imagine”
SKIABLE ACRES:
3081 NUMBER OF LIFT S:
25 LENGT H OF SEAS ON:
November 13 – April 20 Accommodation from 28 Resort Points + $39 USD per night for a 1-bedroom suite. Discount lift tickets, gear rentals and ski school available with Reservation.
12 FEATURE
Après Ski Activities
“The Zephyr Lodge is spectacular, slope side and centrally located in the village. Early one morning, while the village was still quiet, my kids spotted a moose strolling down the brick laneway.”
1. CLUB CAR: For a laid-back, feel-good vibe head to the Club Car located at the base of Mary Jane Territory. It’s a local favorite for après ski. 2. MARY JANE ALE: Coors Brewing Company created a custom beer using only the finest ingredients from Colorado. Sold exclusively at the Club Car and Derailer Bar (both on resort), you won’t find it anywhere else!
James and Kelly Dykema, Members since 1998
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3. FREE S’MORES: Meet new friends around the fire and roast marshmallows until they are perfectly golden. First come, first serve, it’s best to get there early. Located in the Private Lesson Center plaza. 4. DISCO SKATE: Get down tonight! Join your friends on the Village Ice Rink and skate to music from the 70’s while the disco ball lights up the ice.
Winter Park COLORADO
1.
Nearest Airport: Denver
It’s the “Season of the Seven”. With two mountains and seven unique areas, there is something for every level of skier/snowboarder. From the family-friendly Winter Park territory to the extreme, double-black diamond, un-groomed terrain of The Cirque Territory, skiers and riders can comfortably choose an area that challenges their abilities. COMPASS 13
TREMBLANT “Four seasons. Infinite reasons.”
SKIABLE ACRES:
654 NUMBER OF LIFT S:
14 LENGT H OF SEAS ON:
November 22 – TBD (weather-dependent) Accommodation from 26 Resort Points + $29 USD per night for a 1-bedroom suite. Discount lift tickets available with Reservation.
14 FEATURE
Après Ski Activities 1. POUTINE: A French Canadian delicacy that originated in rural Quebec, poutine consists of french fries, cheese curds and gravy. It’s a must-try indulgence. Patate Ben-Venue at the bottom of Montée Ryan comes highly recommended. 2. 75TH SKI SEASON: Celebrations in the village throughout the season including special festivities for Opening Day (November 22), New Years Eve, a Birthday Celebration on February 12th and lots more! 3.
“We stayed at Mont Tremblant on Dec 31st, 2012. There was a great New Year’s Eve celebration in the village. Our girls loved it!” Annie Cotnoir (Facebook post), Member since 2002 1.
3. LE SCANDINAVE: Invigorate and cleanse your body and mind in a cycle of hot baths, refreshing rinses and rest stations. Set in the forest you’ll find wooden pavillions, solariums, terraces, outdoor fireplaces and relaxation areas that are beautifully integrated into the surroundings. 4. CASINO MONT TREMBLANT: Add a little excitement to your vacation at the gorgeous Casino Mont Tremblant. Located in Versant Soleil, a shuttle or gondola ride from the village makes it really convenient.
QUEBEC Tremblant 2.
A Member favorite, the Club location in Tremblant fills up quickly. We are ecstatic to offer Members more vacation opportunities at this beloved resort. In its 75th season, there is a lot to celebrate this year. Concerts, special events and festivities in the village create a jovial atmosphere filled with the joie de vivre that Tremblant is known for.
Nearest Airport: Tremblant/Montreal
COMPASS 15
SNOWSHOE “Awe is always on the agenda”
SKIABLE ACRES:
251 NUMBER OF LIFT S:
14 LENGT H OF SEAS ON:
November 27 – TBD (weather-dependent) Accommodation from 29 Resort Points + $189 USD per night for a 1-bedroom suite. Discount lift tickets available with Reservation.
16 FEATURE
Après Ski Activities 1. SUNRISE BACKCOUNTRY HUT: Nestled two miles out on the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail, the Hut offers a unique dining experience prepared by the cabin’s Hutmaster. Maximum 20 people (ages 12 and over).
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2. 40TH ANNIVERSARY: A seasonlong celebration that includes special events, throwback pricing and a 70’s twist to some of the annual events and animation around the village.
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3. SPLIT ROCK POOLS: Open yearround and complimentary for lodging guests. Kids will love the waterslides, geyser, and indoor/outdoor pools while adults can enjoy the view and relax in the sauna and hot tubs. 4. 20 BELOW TEEN CENTER: New this season is a space that offers live music, games, movies, sports, dance parties, a social media center and a generally cool area for guests 20 and younger to hang out with their friends.
WEST VIRGINIA
Snowshoe
Celebrating their 40th anniversary, Snowshoe has changed dramatically over the years. What started as a small single-chair ski resort has become the mountain destination in the southeast, with the most consistent snow in the area and the best snowmaking capabilities. Described as “great snow, long runs, fast quads and spectacular scenery.” COMPASS 17
S T R AT T O N “A place one can truly embrace”
SKIABLE ACRES:
625 NUMBER OF LIFT S:
11 LENGT H OF SEAS ON:
Projected November 27 – April 14 Accommodation from 27 Resort Points + $39 USD per night for a 1-bedroom suite.
18 FEATURE
Après Ski Activities
“The drive from Ottawa to Stratton is absolutely stunning – it is quite beautiful all through upstate New York and Vermont – especially in the fall.”
1. YOGA AT THE LIVING ROOM: Located at the Inn at Stratton Mountain is a beautiful, new, 1800 square ft yoga studio. Natural sunlight, a cozy fireplace, wood floors, warm colors and soft lighting make the space a perfect place to practice.
– Margaret Wood, Member since 1995
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2 . SYD + DUSTY’S SNOWBOARD SHOP: A new location in the Village with a fresh look and cool new brands, this is your one-stop-shop for all your snowboarding needs. 3. FULL MOON SNOWSHOE TOUR: Trek through the snow by the light of the moon. These guided hikes are once a month (Dec 20, Jan 18, Feb 15 and March 15) and fill up fast so reservations are required.
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4. THE MILL HOUSE: The Mill House on the Commons serves the world’s best hot chocolate—Chef Laura Cianci’s secret recipe. Coffee, tea, pastries, salads, sandwiches and waffles can be enjoyed in front of the woodstove as skaters glide by along the Mill Pond.
VERMONT
Stratton This season is shaping up to be a good one. Having just finished $7 million in resort improvements, visitors can look forward to two new trails, one new snowmaking machine, three new snowcats plus new on-mountain and village dining. COMPASS 19
20 FEATURE
First Time Jitters
The idea of Heli-Skiing can be daunting. But there’s no reason to be nervous. Topher Donahue from Canadian Mountain Holidays shares five tips to help first time Heli-Skiers have the most fun. By Topher Donahue, CMH Heli-Skiing
COMPASS 21
“By lunchtime of the first day, my nervousness had disappeared, and was replaced by utter fascination and absurd amounts of fun.�
22 FEATURE
My first time Heli-Skiing I was nervous. Not because of the skiing – I’d been skiing my whole life and knew that once the boards were on my feet it would be the same as it ever was. Not because of the helicopter – I knew CMH Heli-Skiing’s partner, Alpine Helicopters, has one of the most well maintained fleet of helicopters on the planet. Avalanches make me nervous anytime I go skiing, but I knew I was safer with CMH and their world-renowned snow safety system than any other time I’d spent in the backcountry or sidecountry. So why was I nervous? In hindsight, I think I was nervous because Heli-Skiing was something new. Like the first day of school, or learning a new skill, doing anything for the first time is a little scary. By lunchtime of the first day, my nervousness had disappeared, and was replaced by utter fascination and absurd amounts of fun. Looking back on my own maiden voyage, and watching other first timers go through the same transformation from intimidation to fun, there are five things that seem to help the most:
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GET TO KNOW YOUR GUIDE AND FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS. I knew our ski guide was a seasoned veteran, but for some reason after we got to know each other a little, I felt like the seed of friendship had been planted and everything felt more relaxed.
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YOU DON’T ALWAYS NEED TO HURRY. There are times when it is important to bundle your skis quickly so the helicopter doesn’t have to wait, but usually you can take your time. The best way to know is to ask your guide if there is a need to hurry. If there isn’t, then don’t. Learn to bundle your skis properly and you’ll be faster at it later. If there is a reason to hurry, ask for help. Your guide or another experienced skier or snowboarder will be happy to give you a hand. LEARN TO PUT YOUR SKIS ON IN DEEP SNOW. With Heli-Skiing, we sometimes step out of the helicopter into waist deep powder with more soft snow underneath the fresh, making it a tricky process to get into your skis or board – until you get used to it. When you first experience this, ask your guide, CMH staff, or other experienced rider to show you how to put on your skis or board in deep powder. If you don’t learn this trick, you’ll fight with your board(s) at every landing, wasting energy and becoming frustrated; not a good way to start each run. Also, if you lose a ski mid-run (where the snow is usually much deeper than on the landings) you’ll
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be able to put it back on much easier. Ask for tips on getting up if you fall down. ASK YOUR TREE BUDDY TO SKI RIGHT BEHIND YOU ON THE FIRST COUPLE OF RUNS. Unless you’ve skied a lot in the backcountry, HeliSkiing often provides the deepest snow you’ve ever ridden. It is pretty intimidating your first time, but with the fat skis we use at CMH, and a friend to help you out if you fall, even intermediate skiers learn quickly how to ride the pow. Regardless of the size of the group you’re skiing with, your guide will have you ski using the buddy system.
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PAY ATTENTION DURING THE SAFETY TRAINING, BUT DON’T STRESS OVER IT. At the beginning of each CMH ski trip, every guest goes through a short training exercise, covering the use of radios, avalanche transceivers, avalanche rescue technique and helicopter safety. It’s hard to learn if you’re stressed out. Instead simply listen to what the guide is telling you. The avalanche equipment is important, but because the goal of the CMH guide team is to keep you out of danger in the first place, the vast majority of CMH guests, even those who’ve ripped millions of vertical feet with CMH, will never have need to use the avalanche equipment. The guides and the rest of the CMH staff are there to keep you safe and help you have the time of your life. Get ready to have the most fun you’ve ever had with your boots on.
*This article originally appeared on The Heli-Ski Blog. Read more at blog.canadianmountainholidays.com.
BOOK A CMH HELI-SKI TRIP AT 25% OFF. MARCH 22 - 29, 2014. CHECK THE MEMBER WEB SITE FOR DETAILS. COMPASS 23
True Colors
Autumn is arguably the underdog of the four seasons. It falls upon us without warning, bringing shorter days and colder temperatures. But we shouldn’t be so quick to judge. All it takes is one beautiful weekend in Whistler to find the beauty of the season. Images by Valerie Legere
Hall family (Members since 1995) on the dock at Lost Lake. (L-R: Rebecca, Jessica, Yolanda, Steve and Stephanie)
The Hall family from Lytton, BC and the Floyd family from North Vancouver are both in on a secret. They have made it a tradition to spend Canadian Thanksgiving at the Club in Whistler and enjoy the great outdoors. Just a short walk from the Club you can lose yourself in Lost Lake. While it’s a local favorite in the summer, the fall is when it truly shines. The water is still, acting like a mirror for the surrounding mountains and trees. The trails are quiet – especially in the morning. It’s the perfect place for a family stroll. “We’ve been coming up here since the girls were little,” says Steve. And though his daughters may have grown up, they still look forward to coming to the Club each year. Rebecca and Jessica are visiting from Alberta where they attend University and the eldest Stephanie is moving to Vancouver.
COMPASS 25
Self-described tea lovers, the three sisters (who are each three years apart in age) have fond memories of Thanksgiving weekends in Whistler – filled with pumpkins and costumes. Yolanda explains the Amazing Race she had organized for that evening. Meeting up with friends, the family will compete in a scavenger hunt complete with obstacles, challenges and costumes of course.
Floyd family on the Fitzsimmons Bridge
Chances are if you’ve stayed in Whistler you have crossed the Fitzsimmons Bridge on your way to the village. It’s hard not to stop and peer over the edge at the rushing water below. The Floyd family knows this bridge well. Like the Hall family, they have been celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving at Club Intrawest — Whistler for over five years. Members since 1996, they also come up for the GranFondo every summer as Dad, Brian has been a participant since it began in 2010. The infamous Turkey Sale is always a great excuse to get new gear for the upcoming ski season and it’s the perfect time of year to escape the city.
COMPASS 27
Fitzsimmons Creek
The Floyd family is very active. From soccer and field hockey to skiing and snowboarding, it’s a busy household. When at the Club, you can find Mini Member Connor playing in the Out of Boundz area (it’s his favorite) while his sisters make their way to Mountain Beach. The courtyard at the Club couldn’t be prettier with the deciduous trees radiating various shades of red, orange and yellow and the fallen leaves are just asking to be played in. Get in on the secret – consider a Whistler vacation next fall. Check the Member Web site for rates and availability.
28 MEMBER’S CORNER
From Club to Club
How long does it take to cycle from Blue Mountain to Tremblant? Member Chris Jeffrey shares his most recent road biking adventure – travelling 1100 kms in nine days – and all for a very important cause. Submitted by Chris Jeffrey
On September 7th, fellow Member Greg Cailes and I along with friends Yves Grenier and Tony Smith depart Club Intrawest — Blue Mountain. Nine days later, we reached our destination at the Club in Tremblant. Our cycling tour between two provinces was not just a physical challenge, but a fund raiser for the Diabetes Hope Foundation. THE CHARITY The Diabetes Hope Foundation is a charity which assists families with insulin dependant children. Programs at DHF help to provide assistance, encouragement and support at crucial points of transition for children with juvenile diabetes. I have been fundraising through various cycling events for DHF since 2006 and to date over $58,000 has been raised to help children in the Prince Edward County/Hastings area. THE IDEA Both Greg and I have been Members since 1995. Every year, my family vacations at Blue Mountain in June and Tremblant in September. Last year I had this crazy idea to cycle from Club to Club. This was my most ambitious ride adding three days in the bike saddle. My first two trips were from my home in Prince Edward County. Funny enough, it seems the older I get the further distance I want to go. As diabetes runs in my family, my older brother being the closest, I decided that while enjoying my time on a bicycle I would raise money to help other families by putting money back into our community. I would like to thank Melissa Quinn at Blue Mountain, Andrée Morrissette at Mont Tremblant and their exceptional teams for all their assistance. It was a trip we’ll never forget.
We awoke Saturday morning to the sound of rain, not the best start to our nine day journey. We decided to wait for the rain to subside and two hours later we were on the road, ready to complete the first 90km of the trek. We had a short but steady rain through Angus but by the time we reached Barrie it had stopped and our clothes were dry.
Club Intrawest — Blue Mountain
NEWMARKET
Day two was the most difficult. We traveled 136 km from Newmarket to Cobourg and it was nothing but hills, some fairly steep ones at that!
30 MEMBER’S CORNER
Our last three days were spent on the Le P’tit Train du Nord. It is a beautiful 200 km ride from St. Jerome to Mont Laurier. If you ever have the opportunity I suggest you try it. There are no motorized vehicles allowed. We stayed in Tremblant Friday night, and then MONT LAURIER
traveled north to Mont Laurier. On Sunday we finished our wonderful trip arriving at the Club in Mont Tremblant to welcome cheers from family, friends and the team at the Club. We couldn’t
Club Intrawest — Tremblant
have been more proud.
ST. JEROME
After a night at home with our families we CORNWALL
were off to Gananoque (a quaint town on the St. Lawrence River).
Days 5 and 6 were long. We tackled 150km each day, riding from Gananoque GANANOQUE COBOURG
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
to Cornwall and then from Cornwall we crossed into Quebec and stopped at St. Jerome.
Day 3 to Brighton felt like a breeze. As I have driven between Cobourg and Grafton I thought we were going to have problems on those hills but before we knew it we were in Colborne and all three of us were wondering where the hills were.
COMPASS 31
D I S C O V E R more vacations with
5
Y E A R S F O R $649 That’s a whole year free!
Renew your Membership today. www.clubintrawest.com
1.800.767.2166
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