Hard-Earned Turns: Rolling into Whistler After a Long Road
- Roselyn Ruben
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
After a peaceful night at a viewpoint near Lillooet, we continued our journey toward Whistler—one of the big destinations we’d been looking forward to since we first started planning this adventure.
Earlier in the summer, around July of 2024, we made a big decision: we would not renew our local mountain season passes, knowing we’d be away for much of the 2024-2025 winter season. Instead, we bought Epic Passes in September, giving us access to multiple resorts across North America. At the time, we had our eyes set on big adventures—dreaming of stops in Colorado, Utah, and California.
We knew we needed to stay focused for the rest of 2024—to save both time and money for finishing the conversion of the Pink Sloth and to set aside enough for the road ahead. It meant making hard choices, too—we even had to pass on a few family events we would have normally never missed. Every decision we made that summer and fall was about investing in the dream we’re now living.
So far, we had used our passes in Stowe, VT and Fernie, BC, and now, finally arriving at Whistler felt like another milestone. Even though the bigger plans of chasing snow across the western U.S. wouldn’t happen this trip, there was still a deep satisfaction in being here.
Duffey Lake Road did not disappoint.
The signs read “Steep Winding Road, No Stopping!”—and they weren’t exaggerating. The road lived up to the warning, with sharp curves, dramatic climbs, and stretches that left us clinging to both the steering wheel and the scenery.
Before reaching Whistler, we passed through Pemberton, a small town backed by the impressive silhouette of Mt. Currie. We knew there was a chance we might run into Simon’s friend PO, who happened to be staying at his girlfriend’s place nearby. And then, magically—there he appeared right behind us, as we were stopping on the side of the road to catch our breath and admire the view.
It turned into a spontaneous meetup on the side of the road—a familiar face and a new one, in this little pocket of mountain magic. Seeing PO again—and remembering everything he did to support Simon during one of our hardest moments last fall, after his mountain biking accident and double skull fracture—made this unexpected meeting feel even more special, and filled us with gratitude.
The moment felt both grounding and freeing, like the kind of pause that gently reminds you where you’ve been and how far you’ve come.
Afterward, we treated the girls to a quick McDonald’s breakfast—a small comfort after days of bus breakfasts. They were thrilled, and it gave all of us a soft landing before heading back into the mountains.
From there, we made our way to Whistler, arriving on a warm spring morning, with snow still clinging to the slopes under a bright sky. The energy was high, and so was our excitement.
As we approached Whistler, we rolled in with more than just our skis and gear—we carried all the effort it had taken to get here.
The months of dreaming and planning.
The long days of converting the Pink Sloth, making tough decisions, and holding onto the vision even when everything felt uncertain.
There was a quiet pride in that moment—watching the mountains rise up around us, the girls chattering in the back, the bus humming beneath us. It wasn’t the journey we first mapped out, but standing here now, it somehow felt even better.
Plans change. The magic, thankfully, doesn’t.
We managed to squeeze in one run in the morning and one in the afternoon—taking it slow, finding our rhythm again. The girls were a bit nervous on that first run; everything felt big and a little intimidating. But by the afternoon, something shifted. They were smiling, steady, and even asking for a slightly more challenging run. Watching them gain that little bit of confidence, one run at a time, was pure magic.
One of the things we appreciated most about skiing Whistler with the bus was the ability to head back to the Pink Sloth for lunch. No lineups, no crowded cafés—just us, a warm meal, and a cozy moment to reset before getting back out there. Plus, having our little kitchen on wheels meant we could enjoy fresh fruit and veggies—a simple luxury that felt so good after a morning on the slopes.
We ended the day tired and happy, hearts full. Whistler welcomed us with exactly what we needed—adventure, connection, and a reminder that we’re all braver (and more adaptable) than we think.
That evening, we drove up about an hour north of Whistler to stay with one of our nephews. He’s been living in BC ever since the year Simon and I met—and fun fact: he was living with Simon back then, so he was part of the very beginning of our story.
Even though we’ve stayed connected through the years, this was my first time visiting him here—seeing his world, his quiet corner of the mountains.
He welcomed us with a crackling fire, a warm smile, and the kind of hospitality that feels like coming home. He lives in a big-sized camper, nestled in nature—a creative and resilient response to the steep cost of housing in the area.
It’s a reality many people in BC face, especially in places like Whistler, where the beauty of the mountains often hides just how hard it is to live here comfortably.
As we sat around the fire that night, reflecting on the day, it struck me:
The milestones that matter most aren’t the ones we race toward—they’re the ones we reach slowly, with all the detours, the doubts, and the quiet determination it takes to keep moving forward. It’s not about sticking perfectly to the original plan. It’s about carrying all the effort, the love, and the small victories with us—and letting them shape the journey into something even richer than we first imagined.
From carving turns in snow to eating dinner in sandals by the fire—it's the kind of day that makes you smile at how wildly fun and surprising life can be. Sometimes, it's the little steps we take every day that carry us right into the heart of our biggest dreams.
What’s one dream—big or small—that you're proud you took even one tiny step toward? I'd love to hear about it! 💬✨
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