The event that didn't happen, but we enjoyed anyway.

 


The first weekend in March is the White Pass Winter Carnival.  Every year for 38+ish years, except this year.  UGH!  Covid!  

It is interesting to reflect back on Winter Carnival 2020.  There was a lot of chat about Coronavirus, but let's face it, we were all only kinda paying attention.  Why?  Well, every year, and especially when elections are coming up, a new virus is going to get us.  Zika, Ebolla, Sars, and there is always so much shock factor in every news report, so hey, let's just keep doing what we are doing.  So, almost to the day, we saw the world change within a month.  At last year's carnival, we were wiped of hand sanitizer by mid day the 1st day...what is up with that?  Stop at Costco on the way home, it was extra busy....Next day, can't find toilet paper anywhere, by the end of the week, some schools were closing, by the first part of the next week, all the schools are closed, shortly thereafter the entire state is on a stay at home order, by April 1, a short 30 days later, business are shuttered and half the state is on some kind of work from home or furlough.  Things changed around the world on the daily, and it was hard to keep up.  Time was weird.

Now, a year later......A lot has changed.  

So White Pass ski area has been open a majority of the season, with modifications of course.  You must have a mask on when at any of the camp areas, at the base or whenever there are others near you.  The lodge is closed, but don't worry, you can still use the facilities, the gear shop is open and you can still rent gear, but you have to make an appointment.  All day lift ticket folks must reserve one of the limited spaces in advance, and they are often sold out weeks in advance.  So, things are still happening, they just look a little different. 

Well, it is that time of year for Winter Carnival - but Covid - what do you do?  You cancel.  Yes, the official event, that is Winter Carnival, did not happen.  But....we went anyway!  

We were often asked why we came.  Why did we come knowing that the throngs of people that flock to the mountain this 1st weekend every March wouldn't be there.  Why, would we go through the effort, the expense, when there would be at least 75% less people there.  Well, Winter Carnival isn't just an event, it is.....an idea, an attitude, an anniversary, a celebration of the mountain, it is just so much more than an event that happens every year.  So yes, we were there, just like the castle builders, we showed up.

Ahhhh, the WP Castle Builders.  So many kudos, so many props, when they heard that carnival was cancelled, the first thing asked is "what about the castle".  Well, there is no need to have a castle, if we aren't having the event, we can't have tubing, and lines, and ...etc.  Nope, castle builders weren't having it.  We will build the castle!  If for no other reason than to honor the King of the Castle; Dave Ruby, who passed away this Summer.  


                                     Dave Ruby - (Photo Courtesy of White Pass Ski Area)

Well, make it they did.  A labor of love for a man who inspired many.  It wasn't as tall (no tubing this year) but it was just as magnificent.


White Pass Castle March 2020  (Photo by Austin Dobbins)


So White Pass Winter Carnival went on, if not in reality, in spirit for sure.  While we handed out our traditional beanies and neck gators, this year's commemorative item was masks (can we just brag a bit? really really nice masks).  Yes, we still put Winter Carnival and the year on them (the masks), because we wanted this time to be marked in some way and what better way than a mask?.  One year later, through a world wide pandemic, and we were here, that was the message for everyone.  

The weather was beautiful, lots of beautiful falling snow, and sunshine, and smiles and wind (this we could do without).  So, while there were no fireworks, or live music, no sledding in the castle, and no (or very few) day trippers coming to play in the snow, no snow carving, no poker run, no...lots of things.   



But why dwell on what wasn't, because there was a lot of what was. There was fresh air, great skiing, there were old pros and new to the sport. There were little ones getting their first taste of snow, ski lessons, and friends, and laughter, and life and instead of racing there was practice, and instead of eating in the over crowded packed lodge, there was outside dining, and more laughter, and more smiles (behind the masks), and cute puppies in warm jackets, and camaraderie, and life on the mountain.  There were memories, and talks of next year, and there was hope.  I don't think you will find a resort location that has a sense of family, even among strangers, like you do at White Pass Ski Area.  So, yes, we were there, and we hope we get to be there for many years to come.

So mark your calendars for years going forward, Winter Carnival, is ALWAYS the first weekend in March, even if it's not. 😉












 


















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