(Tori Dark and Kevin Nault have embarked on a trip across Canada aboard their newly converted camper van. In doing so they are joining hundreds of other couples who have taken up what is referred to in the culture as “VanLife”. During their trip, the Orléans Star will publish a series of diary pieces from Tori allowing readers to follow the couple’s journey. This is the latest installment in that series.)

As we’ve all come to know, this past winter has been anything but traditional. We had barely any snow until Christmas, warm sunny days in January and February, and now a snowstorm in April. The same can be said for the Rocky Mountains and the west coast.

When Kevin and I arrived in Calgary in latre February, there was barely any snow on the ground and the sun was missing in action. This is quite literally the opposite of what we expected from Western Alberta.

Ski resorts were having trouble with their lower runs on the mountains from the lack of snow and regular season pass holders were opting out of their annual purchases. Ski tourism as a whole was struggling.

What is one woman’s disappointment is another’s rejoicing. Let me tell you this was the perfect year to live in a van! Mild weather and dry roads meant I didn’t have to climb my wobbly retractable ladder up the side of my 13-foot van to scrape ice off my rooftop solar panels. But don’t tell anyone in Canmore I said that, because there is nothing but disappointment in this winter.

Once we arrived in Calgary, Kevin and I met up with some other Navanites to ski at Revelstoke Mountain.

Chris Richmond, Keith Burns and Colleen Flemming were a wonderful reminder of home with their generosity and kindness. We spent the weekend with them as they introduced us to skiing the mountain alpine, searching for fresh powder, and the very important après-ski hot tub and beers.

Although the snow conditions were less than desirable, it was still a great day skiing on such a huge mountain with beautiful views of the Canadian Rockies. I don’t know how everyone else could ski more than one day because by 4 p.m. my legs felt like Jell-O!

It was made very clear that Kevin and I didn’t train enough before this. On the final run, we decided to take “The Last Spike”, which is a 15-km run from the top of Revelstoke down to the bottom. It’s safe to say we didn’t make it and took the lower gondola down. Nothing a cold beverage and a hot tub couldn’t fix.

As nice as it was to climb to the tippity-top of a mountain and ski all day in the snow, it’s not affordable at $180+ per ticket. Locals either win the lottery or buy season passes to be able to afford such luxuries. We saved our money to ski another day at Kicking Horse Resort in Golden, BC.

Overall, our first day out was still breath-taking despite the terrible conditions this winter has brought. But this valley girl couldn’t tell the difference and had the time of her life.

Next stop: Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean.

(You can follow Tori and Kevin at www.instagram.com/vanxiety_life/. Tori and Kevin are both former students at Cairine Wilson Secondary School, Class of 2012.)

Past articles...
Vanxiety_life #14: VanLife couple enjoy life in the Rocky Mountains
Vanxiety_life #13: VanLife couple make mid-winter Prairie crossing
Vanxiety_life #12: VanLife couple make mid-winter Prairie crossing
Vanxiety_life #11: Local VanLife couple travels across the Superior lakehead
Vanxiety_life #10: Local VanLife couple ready to hit the road again
Vanxiety_life #9: Vanlifers decide to spend a few months close to home
Vanxiety_life #8: Vanlifers return home for a short break before heading west
Vanxiety_life #7: It's never too late to start your own vanlife adventure