Silverstars on the Horizon

Gotta start this one with a big shout out to Surface homie Neil from Alberta. We met Neil while shredding around Apex. He then trekked right along to Big White on our coattails and hooked it up with power tools and saw horses, key to any demo. Now we’re at Silverstar and Neil might as well be part of the crew. In the parking lot with us as soon as we get there and ready to shred around for the day.

Neil, loving life and rocking out with Surface

No demo today so the shred was on and shred we did, in fact so much shred that just about zero photos or frames of footy were taken. Low light, snow coming from the skies, and cold cold weather. Soul shred is damn good, love it, live it, do it.

So much stoke on the New Life, get on it

All you really need to know about Silverstar is that the park is immaculate, the trees are pow filled, and the houses resemble gingerbread houses.

Mild sampling of the crazy colours of Silverstar

This was also the first stop we actually decided to assemble our BBQ grill. Some parts went unused and other were broken in the assembly process, but everything seems to work and nothing has blown up yet so I’m calling it a success.

Assembly required, this may be trouble

Leftover pieces, NBD

Final product, very worth it

Unfortunately Neil will be leaving us today due to a wallet and cell phone lots to Ullr. I have no doubt he’ll be back and ripping in no time, send it buddy.

Finished off the night with a visit to Attridge Ski and Board in Vernon (fun shop with shred sticks of both the single and double variety), a hot tub at Andrew Strains parents place (Shayne got his backpack stolen out of the truck, bummer), and finally a warm nights sleep in non other that one of my favorite places to ever be touched by snow, Revelstoke.

Big and White

Off through Kelowna in the dark once again, destination, Big White. Bluebird morning was complimented all too well by the harmonica rendition of Piano Man by Andrew Strain with Shayne Metos playing a backup snoring machine.

Sing us a song, you're the piano man

Big White is defiantly something else, just as you think you’re on the mountain, the hill becomes a city in itself. We found a nice spot between all the shops, stops, and props to finally nestle down in for the day.

Nestled in tight but still looking fresh

Dark figures about to drop in off the ridge behind cliff chair

More stoke, more demos, and more shred were to be had by all. Took a couple laps with Mr. Strain and after a lap through the banger park we found ourselves on possibly the windiest ridge of our entire lives. Boards had to be tied down, shred sticks were flying through the air, and I’m pretty sure I saw at least one small child soaring through the sky.

Windy much?

Yup, definitely still blowing

Once we dropped off though we managed to find some real fun snow and cliffy-poppy zones to mess around in for the afternoon. Amped on the freshies two days after a storm, always a sign of a chill resort.

Sunny pow slashes, always the best

Once again we packed up late as our new homies rode their skis to the bitter end of the day, and then we were back to Kelowna.

Moustaches for all!

Shop of the day definitely goes to Venture Sports in Kelowna. Any shop can sell touring gear and skis but Venture has Alyn, the head honcho heading out for 6am tours before coming into work for the day. Also got some good knowledge on backcountry access in the area for future reference, those guys know their ISHT.

Last night in Kelowna and stocking full of candy and junk food are on the menu. I’m too excited for words right now.

Very excited, yes. Very tired, also yes

Apex is Spelled E-P-I-C

Up early once again and the boys are already feeling exhausted with the schedule. Driving through the sunrise in the Okanogan always has a great vibe about it. Maybe it’s the massive lake, sprawling hills, or maybe just the fact that the towns have epic names like Peachland (delicious) and Summerland (kind of boring in winter).

Looking to be a very familiar scene

After a quick stop at Cambodian tire for some BBQ supplies, delicious brats, and some random thievery we were off to the winding road of Apex Mountain. The always knowledgeable Andrew Strain told us all about the Natives creating road blocks around the reserves as a silent protests, and we immediately became convinced that we going to be trapped in the mountains for weeks.

Looking too good, these needed to be shredded and shredded they were

Gettin' pumped for a day at Apex. SPORTS!

Luckily this never happened and we soon found ourselves in the bluebird pow that was Apex mountain.

Pulling right up to the hill, very literally

Quick laps to the ridge with sun and beauty on all sides

The riding was great, yes, the snow was awesome, true, but the people here are something else. Everyone was so excited that we were there and just stoked to get out and ride on something new and fun. By the end of the day I’m pretty sure everyone on the hill had ridden every ski at least once and all of our arms were just about as sore as our legs.

Everyone stoked to shred and our forearms getting sore

Looking back down the majestic mountain

Poppin' pillows

Made a quick stop by Pentagon Board Shop in Penticton, and aside from finding some coffee to keep us alive for the drive home we also ran into some awesome Ontario folk running the spot. Not to mention a sneaker wall that can’t be beat.

By the time we hit the road we had given out more bandanas, stickers, and stoke than we thought was possible and thankfully a hot dinner was waiting to meet our exhaustion back in Kelowna. In fact I’m off to eat that right now. See you in Big White.

Strain is hilariously tired

Big thanks to Jonathan and everyone at Apex, Neil from Alberta for just being awesome, the Orage boys for some new threads, and the entire Pottinger family for putting us up and putting up with our shred stank.