Eighteen centimeters last night and another 20 forecasted for tomorrow. Does it get any better than this? Driving the Sea to Sky highway the scenery changes from lush green landscape to lush green landscape, at least until you come to Squamish. Then it goes from green to gray to slushy. Right around the Black Tusk turnoff, things start to get downright wintery.

The closer we get to Whistler, the bigger the snowbanks. This picture was taken earlier today in the village. Snowbanks like these can only mean one thing - awesome snow.

After unpacking, we grab the toboggans and head over to Blackcomb. The lower part of the hill is lit, making it an ideal spot to toboggan after the chairs shut down. Under a clear night sky, the mountain comes alive with other sledders from all over the world. We race two boys from Mexico to the bottom. Next to skiing, sledding provides some good cheap thrills.

After a hot tub and a yummy dinner we are ready to call it a day. The chairs open at 8:30 a.m. and I hope to be first in line.

Stay tuned for best lunch spots tomorrow.

Cheers,

Julie

The tree is down; the ornaments adorning it are stowed away for another year, and the decorations are pretty well all put away. Christmas is done for another year. Does that mean the fun is over? Not on your life. In fact, the party is just getting started. It’s time to hit the road and head to Whistler.

Whistler is to Vancouver, what cottaging is to Ontario. Doesn’t matter where you live, it’s all about the escape. Like a child counting down to Christmas, I have been waiting patiently for this today to arrive. The start of ski season. Work and life seem to have gotten in the way lately, preventing me from hitting the slopes sooner, but stand back baby, cause today is the day.

CottageDaily.com is hitting the slopes, and for the next five days I will be treating you to Whistler’s hidden gems. Best happy hour (OK, it’s Dusty’s hands down), best kid friendly restaurant, as well as some other hot spots. Reports from friends are indicating excellent snow conditions, but I can’t wait to find out for myself.

Stay tuned - snow report to follow.

Cheers,

Julie

Oh how I’d wished I’d researched this story before today…. It’s January 1 - the day after New Year’s eve and I am dying. Done in by three or was it four, deliciously sweet-tart Cosmopolitan martinis. It seemed like a fabulous idea at the time, but as I feel the alcohol burning a whole in my stomach today, oh how I wish I’d exercised more restraint.

Upon further examination there are steps I could have taken before retiring last night to prevent the ratty feeling that has descended upon my entire body today, and food that I should have eaten for breakfast upon rising. According to Life in the Fast Lane, here’s what would have worked on my natty hangover:

• Bananas or kiwi - either before I went to bed last night, or for breakfast this morning, they would have replenished my potassium
• Gatorade or fruit juice - to replace my body’s severely depleted electrolytes
• Egg for breakfast -cysteine in eggs breaks down the toxin acetaldeheyde found in the liver
• Lots of water - both last night when I was drinking these deadly martinis and today
• Sleep - nothing worse for a hangover than children who wake up early and want breakfast
• Time - body needs time to repair the damage caused by the alcohol and it’s toxins

If you have hangover cures, please feel free to add them to the list.

I would like to say that next time I drink I will take these things, but sitting here today, I have totally sworn off alcohol, at least for now.
Cheers,

Julie