A Summit Experience

On Paet's real Birthday we went in search of the snow. After a picnic lunch at Alta Lake, we headed to Whistler Village and purchased the tickets that would take us on a 20 minute gondola ride, followed by an open chair lift to Whistler's peak and then the breathtaking ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. It was a splurge, but well worth it!

(click once and then again to enlarge)

The first Gondola ride begins at Whistler Village and takes you to a beautiful Alpine meadow. The trip would have been worth it just for the view from here already!
We took a little hike to catch the open chair lift. I cannot even describe the breathtaking feeling it was to float upward . . . to around 6000 feet . . . where the air grew strangely still and quiet . . . and still be warm in a Tshirt!

From the summit we had an absolutely amazing 360 degree view and

Paet got to play in the snow . . . in sandals.

Chris and Jules . . . on top of the world!

The hoody off by now . . . Paeton looks like he's up to no good . . .

but he missed his best chance!

We came down the open lift and got on board the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. This is the longest and highest gondola in the world, spanning a distance of 4.4 km (2.7 mi), connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. It is a very smooth 11 minute ride above miles of rainforest with views of the surrounding glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. On our return ride we had a glass window on the floor . . . as you can see on the photo.

We got back on the old model gondola that returned us to the the Village . . .

had dinner and a long ride home with some very content, but tired kids . . . and adults.