Why Pano?
They even have seats for snowboarders here
I often get asked why go to Panorama or Pano as it is affectionately know as. Last year when our local season was effectively snuffed out due to Covid. We couldn’t leave town for 4 months. I compiled a list of where we could go to ski at short notice given Covid might still be around over the Northern Hemisphere Winter and we might not be allowed back into NZ. The list looked something like this.
Field had to have snow late in the season maybe as late as April.
Hill needed to be a 20 - 30 min drive from the nearest supermarket + shops. I love to cook and eat. We won’t mention the wine here!
Close to a major airport for accessibility.
Plenty of accommodation choices both on the hill and in the local town. It’s nearly always cheaper to say in town.
Good value rental car options close to the airport. I needed a car for 5 weeks!
Decent terrain for a mix of people. Intermediates and Advanced as well
Good value for the NZ Dollar. This ruled out the USA almost immediately.
Season pass availability even in Jan/Feb. I didn’t want to pay $140-150 per day to ski. Most ski areas have a cut off date for season pass purchase.
So Pano fit the bill pretty well. It probably fly’s under the radar with regard to the big names over here in BC like Whistler, but I reckon it sure makes up for it in uncrowded slopes, value for money and convenience. So with 2 days left has it met expectations HELL YAS. I haven’t yet visited the Real Estate Agent (surprised Grace) but it could definitely be an option down the track. It is wonderful to see so many 60 + people still out and enjoying skiing. Truly a sport for the young at heart.
Yesterday’s skiing was a mixed bag of hard icy patches and soft sticky snow after lunch. I call it my 2 run Tuesday - Mr AJ didn’t even make it out of the car due to the hard pack nature of things. Clear bluebird days and overnight frosts make for hard mornings and slushy afternoons on the hill.
Today with milder overnight temps, and cloudier skies in the morning the skiing was easier on both the body and the mind. We skied the lower Mountain today making for slightly easier and softer conditions for everyone. Snow will hopefully arrive at the hill tonight and provide us with some soft powder tomorrow. Mr AJ has yet to experience a fabulicious BC pow day - fingers crossed my homies.
A Clear Bluebird day yesterday made for firm morning snow and soft afternoon skiing