Pete Tong Tour Diary: Hitting the slopes in Whistler

Whistler, British Columbia, 22nd March 2009

Arrived in Whistler at around 6pm on Sunday after the stunning but sometimes hairy scenic drive up from Vancouver. They have been working on the new ‘Olympic’ road for years, I’m not sure they are ever going to finish it.

I love skiing and the mountains so it’s a bit damn inconvenient that I don’t live closer to this part of the world. I learned to ski in Europe and I think I was a bit of a snob when I first came here, but now I appreciate how amazing it really is. I was on the slopes all day Monday and rode the peak-to-peak gondola.

Don’t look down! - Pete to peak

A crazy feat of engineering, the longest unsupported span in the world at 1.88 miles, 2.73 miles in total and 1,427 feet above ground at its highest point, you jump between mountains in just 11 minutes.

Dinner was at Barefoot Bistro, another jewel in Whistler village. Home to the best wine cellar I’ve ever scene and a shrine to the art of sabering champagne. I managed to do it with a glass this time round, and not a sword! The owner Andre and his award winning girlfriend (the chef) Melissa have become friends and now make annual trips to Ibiza with a dance music loving French Canadian crew in tow.

Garfunkles is a small club in the village but always a great place to play (my fourth visit) with a passionate crowd a mix of locals, workers and tourists. They appreciate a tune and I found I could get pretty dirty in terms of techno. Something I hadn’t really done so far on this tour.

Another ski tomorrow, then on to Vancouver.

Snow bombs

1. U2 ‘Magnificent’ (Tong & Rogers Wonderland Dub)

2. Paul Ritch ‘Split The Line’ (Dubfire Mega Remix)

3. Jesus Balza ‘El Diamante’ (Reix Mix)

TONGFACTOR 2 - Don’t forget to bring your tracks to the gigs on CD, memory stick etc.!