This year again saw us back at our favourite ski resort of Whistler Blackcomb. We've been going there since 1991 and have seen a lot of changes as the resort and facilities have grown and developed.

It was back to our favourite haunt, the Fireplace Inn (now renamed the Executive Inn) - a few short steps from the gondola station. Graham (from Bishop Stortford) and Robert always make us welcome but this year we learnt that Graham was retiring and moving with his family to Vancouver Island during our stay.

This year, although it was reckoned to be the thinnest base layer for twenty years we had some of the best skiing we've had there. Of the 14 days, 12 were clear blue skies and the other two fresh snow but the biggest bonus was top to bottom skiing every day. Often if the temperature rises the bottom section can get very heavy and wet but not this year. Hopping the odd rock was nothing compared to how bad European skiing can get when the snow is poor.

On one of the two days we took off we drove down to Vancouver for the mandatory visit to see the whales at the Aquarium and the other the girls tried a new sport of wall climbing at The Great Wall - a climbing wall built in the basement of one of the hotels. Kathy and Gemma fairly romped up the walls and a second visit became unavoidable.

In summer Whistler is also a mountain biking resort..........