MOUNTAIN LIFE - Coast Mountains | Fall Winter 2018

FALL/WINTER 2018 MLCM 119 VISIT WHISTLER HELI-SKIING AT THE CARLETON LODGE IN WHISTLER VILLAGE N EXCLUSIVE TERRAIN. Proudly operating on 432,000 acres and 173 glaciers, the most exclusive glacial terrain in the region. N PACKAGE VARIETY. Day heli- skiing packages, utilizing 5 and 10 passenger helicopters. N RIGHT IN WHISTLER. Conveniently located in Whistler’s vibrant village. 604.905.DEEP (3337) whistlerheliskiing.com CLASSIC CANADIAN HELI-SKIING P: Paul Morrison soaking. Pizza, GT snow-racing and sushi also chart high. Pay attention to what she likes and throw in some creativity. New gear is always an acceptable gift, especially if it replaces something worn out. Maybe she rocks a purple helmet, or prefers all black. Her base layers may be tight and tempting or baggy and saggy. She can pull off both (literally) so be observant. Want to compliment her? Instead of clichés like “you ride like a dude” say, “nice air off that second wind roll.” It shows you were watching and appreciate skill. 4. CHUCK GENDER ROLES. Maybe you’re a killer chef and she knows how to fix sleds. This is 2018! It’s okay if she checks the motor oil and you check the olive oil. Pull your weight in the kitchen and the garage. And don’t expect her to do all the soggy ski laundry, because she won’t wait for you to help load her skis on the roof. 5. DITCH THE INSECURITY. Most of her riding/powder day partners are dudes. Remember, the only feelings she has for them are kinship. She thinks of them as brothers, so you should too. There is no room for a self-conscious, jealous boy in her world. If you both communicate well, trust will follow. 6. CELEBRATE EMOTIONS. If emotional capacities were measured in colours, it’s fair to say that boys deal in black and white (maybe sepia) while girls work with every imaginable hue in the rainbow. This can translate into hard-nosed frustration during a technical ice climb, or tears of joy after nailing her first nose-slide. It’s not a ‘time of month’ thing (and don’t ever ask). It’s a hard-wired, passionate, expressive gift- from-Mother-Nature thing. 7. DROP THE “SWEETIE”. Wild women have adapted. They use brains over brawn and make modifications to many tried and true techniques. Tips, hints and pointers are welcome when delivered properly. Using a condescending tone or dropping a “sweetie” “honey” or “babe” will earn you a searing glare or even a night outside the hut. Expect that some advice will be heeded, while some may be immediately dismissed. The way you “just send it!” will be completely different from how she does due to weight-to-body ratio, limb length and brain power. Women do things differently. And that’s okay. And that, fellas, is a good foundation for success. The lady we are taking about likely has high standards—she’s not going to settle. She’s looking for the right fit, not some predetermined calf size or genetic makeup. She doesn’t need to be rescued. She wants a partner. Someone to share the fresh pow of dawn patrol and to get freaky with at the end of a long day in the backcountry. Just a real guy. “It’s okay if she checks the motor oil and you check the olive oil.”