Null season, Whistler pics, R32

As mottie suggests everyone's laying low these days. There's no fresh snow, the weather is bleak and work is busy. But all is not lost...

Today VW announced the release of more R32's in America. For $500 you can put down a deposit on 1 of the only 5000 vehicles to be released here. The car comes in 1 of 4 colours and the only option is to get nav for $1800. Some of the most interesting specs are that "The R32 features a narrow-angle 3.2L V6 producing 250 horsepower mated to a six speed dual clutch DSG transmission, with steering wheel mounted shift controls." Yes you read that correctly, paddle shifters with a dual clutch. I've never driven a DSG transmission before but I plan on test-driving a VW equipped with it this Sunday. My roomie has one of the few R32s in the US (released in 2004) and it's proven to be great for snowboarding expeditions, commuting, lookin hawt, and resale value. Maybe I'll throw down a refundable deposit Sunday. I'm going to research some other options like the WRX and EvoMR. Either way, I won't buying a new car until this summer.

While we're waiting for the next dump of snow I decided to put up pics from the last Whistler trip. George/Cam/Gil/Gil's cousin Susan and I hit Whistler in force 2-3 weeks ago. Hamilton, Eric and crew were there too and I stayed in style with Cam's folks who fed us immensely (fondue!) and kept us entertained with stories of Cam's youth. At one point Eric's brother smashed his face into some ice and got his first bloody nose ever but was okay. We enjoyed some sunshine and beer at the top of 7th heaven in the pub at the end of the day then I rode the couloir (no fall zone!) on Blackcomb for the first time ever. Overall, one of my best days ever even though the snow wasn't great. Here's a video (26MB) of Hamilton and I boosting over a knoll and getting a few seconds of hangtime.