After the victory comes the spoils

The first day of work following any type of vacay feels like the first day of work. It takes awhile to get synchronized into working mode.
We enjoyed five days of splendor in the Kootenays, first at a deluxe condo - complete with a hot tub on the deck - perfect setting for an apres ski dip and drink (make mine a caesar) - followed by a day of skiing on Red Mountain and ample amounts of hoppy and grapey liquids.
The next day, we headed for Nelson, relished in the afternoon sun and spent a couple hours soaking and exploring the caves at Ainsworth Hot Springs. After that, there was dinner, playing pool, cigars and dancing at a pub--the type of place you probably wouldn't visit in your hometown. We even helped two women celebrate their birthdays.
The conditions at Whitewater were better than at Red, and the scenery - picture a pair of older-style skilifts and an alpine chalet and restaurant cradled at the base of three mountain peaks amid the blazing sun searing through the clouds. If you're not jealous yet, you need to delve deeper into your imagination.

As much as I can remember of being a 10-year-old zipping up and down the hills at Manning Park, as "The Rossignol Kid" this might have been the topper in comparing ski vacations.

Both of us feel as though our skiing has improved - I know my wife's has - and it was fun to be enjoying our time in the fresh outdoors with two other couples whose company we enjoyed immensely. Whenever we think of hot tubs, wine, dancing with reckless abandon and the chants of "Bilodeau" boucing off of the crestfallen snow, I'll think of our trip to the Koots in 2010.