From Icy Slopes to the Poutine Queen: Our Last Leg of Canada
Let Down at Panorama
After a quick breakfast in Radium, we headed to Panorama. The experience started on a high note with a unique standing open-air gondola, but the mountain itself didn’t quite live up to the hype. Between a confusing layout that made it impossible to lap the good terrain and a lower run that was essentially a vertical sheet of solid ice, we weren’t feeling it. We huddled at the lodge over a few beers and made an executive decision: cut our losses and start the long haul toward Sun Valley, Idaho.
One Last Taste of BC
Before leaving Canada, we made two essential stops in Invermere. First, we hit the Book Cellar, a fantastic shop run by a quirky owner and an even friendlier shop dog. Then, we made a pilgrimage to Poutine Queen. This wasn’t your standard fare; we’re talking craft poutine with a twist. Between the Gyro, Butter Chicken, and Meat Lover’s varieties, it was easily my favorite poutine of the trip.
The Whitefish Surprise
We crossed back into Montana with plans to just drive through, we saw that the Whitefish resort had recently gotten lots of snow, so we decided to pivot.
While Rose stayed back to fight off a growing head cold, the rest of us hit the mountain. What a difference a day makes! The snow was incredible and the layout was exactly the antidote we needed after Panorama. By lunchtime, Josh started feeling under the weather again, but Rose had rallied and wanted to get some turns in. She took over Josh’s pass and we charged through a full afternoon of great runs.
Southbound to Sun Valley
Exhausted and satisfied, we began the trek south through the Flathead Reservation, stopping for some excellent Indian food for dinner. We’re back on American soil and high on the momentum of a great day at Whitefish. Next up: a long drive through the heart of Idaho to see what Sun Valley has in store for us.
