Banff life: auroras and spring feelings

So, what is happening in Banff?

A few days after I got back from Hawaii, there was an alert for auroras (the Northern Lights) to possibly be seen in the Banff region. After work, we went to Lake Minnewanka and it happened! We saw the Northern Lights! This is just the most amazing thing. It's impossible to fully describe how magical it felt. The pictures just can't represent reality. I've tried my best and, with Konstantin's help, I managed to get half-decent pictures of it, but still, the 'real' memories will stay forever. I really hope to have another possibility to experience this again. Then I'll also take a tripod.

Aurora borealis

Me trying to stand still for 30 seconds...

This was a very cold night. We were all freezing, but we stayed for more than 2 hours anyway and just enjoyed watching. 

Group picture (c) by Konstantin Stahl

Otherwise, spring has arrived in Banff. It felt like all the snow was gone, the river started thawing and it was sunny and warm. Time to go for little walks and enjoy the sun!!!

Going for nice walks and just BE OUTSIDE!

Teegan and Jose testing the ice... Jose testing it a bit more ;)

So, you also can imagine what this means for skiing... not too good. Sunshine is still in a good condition whereas Norquay (the hill I work at) is getting worse and worse... Let's see where that goes. I am giving Norquay 2 or 3 more weeks if they don't get any more snow. But anyway. Spring. We are looking forward to spring!!!

Bow River

Half frozen, half thawed

View of the Bow Falls

Climbing up on things...

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Colin being a tourist ;)

Just casually hanging out on a rock

Can't wait to see this in summer!

But then, last Tuesday, the snow came back!!! And oh yes, I was excited. It was raining a bit in Banff and up in Norquay, but in Sunshine, everything came down as snow! This also meant: Skiing on Wednesday! I had a really awesome day with lots of tree runs and also a little hike (This was not so much fun. The run down then was, so all good. I even saw an igloo on the way!!!)

Last week's powder day in Sunshine Village!

 As I am actually a fan of spring skiing and this was just awesome, I decided to get the spring season pass for Sunshine Village, so there'll be a lot more skiing! I just really, really need this. Furthermore, now that I've decided to stay for a bit longer, it's totally worth it.

AND I also found myself a nice mountain bike. Spring is coming!!! And I have a bike!!! And it's a nice one! Yes. This does mean I am totally going to freak out. Whatever. I have a bike! It doesn't have a name yet, but you know how I am like, it will just take a few weeks and then it's set!

I'll keep you posted on my little adventure trips on my new baby as well as on my spring skiing. In about 2 weeks time, Patrick, my good friend from Germany is visiting as well and I am looking forward to showing him around and take him to the ski hills! Get your sunglasses out!