I’m often asked by my American mates,  “What is ‘shenanigans’?” Shenanigans /ʃɪˈnænɪɡən/ noun (informal) (usually pl) of unknown origin: A social dish enjoyed by Australians. Ingredients: Some old mates, some new mates and a kid who hasn’t seen the snow before. Add 4 ski resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin) Simmer in alcohol daily at 5pm. Garnish with dog sledding, skiing, tubing and snowmobiling. I have been looking … Continue reading The Williams

The weather is getting colder up here but there is nobody about which is awesome.  A few little dustings of snow up high but none in the valleys. It is time to get out and explore some ideas I have for skiing this coming winter….  I’m going to keep adding pics to this post until we start skiing in a few weeks time. First up … Continue reading Winter Prep

I’ve been looking forward to a road trip to Little Squaw and Crested Butte all summer.  I missed out last year because I spent time in California and the day before this trip I was sick as a dog but it was well worth dragging my arse out of bed. For the first part of the trip, Eric had the keys to his new employers lodge … Continue reading Ultimate Road Trip

This is the heart of summer so there should be some shenanigans, “Ow no, liver me alone.”  I think I’ve heard my poor liver scream a few times.  These pics are in reverse order so most recently….. the Demolition Derby was Erin’s idea and it turned out to be a hoot!!!! To the Derby…… I don’t think any patrons, except our crew (pictured above) made … Continue reading Ow no…..

At the start of every season I usually have a list of things to tick off, be it lines to ski, road trips or hikes.  This summer is no different and here are some hikes that I’ve already ticked off the list: Until last week, I hadn’t completed a 14’er (peak above 14,000 feet – 4,267m) although I did have a crack at one with old … Continue reading Colorado Summer

OK part two of this trip. With the trains not running between DC and NYC, Gordy loaned me one of his cars and I’m sure he was using his Pentagon buddies to keep an eye on me….. Gordy might have been following me as well – that looks like him. I didn’t run any stop signs unlike this cop in DC.  I’m trying my best to be sympathetic……  Later … Continue reading 35 Day Road Trip – Part 2

After all these years I finally made it east of the Mississippi!!!! Arriving in DC on a Tuesday night I was super excited about being in the city. At dinner not 2 hours after getting out of the airport I couldn’t believe who was sitting at the table next to me…. former Speaker of the House and Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich and Senator Linsday Graham!!!!! I … Continue reading Road Trip

The photo above looks like a Santa Claus convention – I’m used to it because most of my guests are a touch older than I am but this is getting a bit crazy.  I’ll get to the Santas later. This is the last post for this winter.  Here are some mates that I skied with later this winter…… First up are the Hutch’s from Queenstown.  I got a few turns … Continue reading Last Winter Post

I really like where I get to spend my winters, be it in Colorado or Queenstown.  But occasionally I have to get out and go and stay somewhere shitty…. called a Hut Trip. I was invited on this trip probably because I had all the equipment and a snowmobile.  Funny how you attract friends when you have a house in the mountains and a snowmobile … Continue reading Lost Wonder Hut

A bunch of pics that I thought I should post before the guts of the season really begin. First up…..  it was free day at the zoo and there were some yet to be defined species outside the cages.  We had just come from the Cartier Exhibit at the museum so it was a bit of a culture shock.  No real photos except this one of … Continue reading Before the Storm

I’ve been looking forward to this winter…. since the last one ended!!! Last winter had a great late season with Little Spoon and lots of snowmobiling, the winter before was the BIG one with 97 days in a row of guests at the Chateau Grindlay and this one is shaping up to be a cracker. My scheduled guests don’t arrive until later in the season and what I … Continue reading Now the fun starts

Yesterday I moved back into the Chateau Grindlay and I’m surprised how much I missed the place; the piano, the neighbours, the hottubs. A few highlights for the summer in reverse order: My neighbour Adam didn’t die after his nose job, despite a week in the ICU. Some great exploring missions which will lead to some new ski runs (Montezuma Mile is on the cards). … Continue reading Summer 2014