Top Four Reasons to Ski Red Mountain pre Christmas

Red Mountain Academy Racer Una Trivanovic took some time out to cross train with the Freeskiers today.


Aanika Ruutopold in Powderfeilds.







Chazz Jonard on Booty's run: This was last run of the day, snow still incredible.


Red Mountain Freeski Academy Coach Neill Ross-Ross, enjoying the pow on last run.

Soltice Training Day

Training day with the Red Mountain Freeski Academy. We had about 20 cm overnight, just enough to be able to push the limits. We have a bit of an international flavor this year...

Oliver Wrinch from the UK

George Hogarth all the way from Rossland

Gonzallo Barros all the way from Chilie

Vinz Keller from Rossland via Kimberley

Vinz Keller 360

Ski Instruction vs Free Ski Coach

I am coaching the Red Mountain Freeski Academy this year. In this video clip I explain the subtle differences between a ski Instructing approach to skill development vs a coaching approach. It was a bit of a transition for me but I think I'm there.

More snow?!? *sigh* Alright...

Hey everyone, Brent Hahn here. Well, more snow here in Rossland. The works crew has broken out the heavy machinery for snow removal, which I think is a good sign. The caption on the van window reads 'YAY WINTER', but the snow is just too light and fluffy for properly writing in... aww shucks!! More winter fun updates to come.

Early Season Skiing, Lake Louise

I was in Lake Louise earlier this week for CSIA Course Conductor training. Beautifully cold, see photo, it was a one run at a time day. On the plus side, the crowds were down.

Winter in Banff

I am in Banff today for NONSTOP Lead Instructor training. Below is Jens Mende, Lead Instructor from the Fernie Program and Anna Steckle, Lead Instructor from the Banff Program, on Banff avenue. The NONSTOP Lead Instructors meet every year at this time to prepare for the training of the NONSTOP pros, which is happening this week for the Banff crew. The NONSTOP instructional team has a lot of depth to it this winter.

Winter has arrived in Banff, all is white and it was exhilerating to get back into winter driving.

Snow in Rossland-it Counts

We did receive our first snowfall last night, nice to see it but i don't think it will actually stay around at town level anyway.

Snowing!!!

I started snowing about 2 hours ago, and this one looks like it will stick. I will post photos in the morning. YEEEHAW!!!!!

Snow at Cookie Jar Cabin

We went for a walk in the snow on Sunday to the Cookie Jar cabin on the Nancy Greene pass, just out of Rossland. It was pouring rain in Rossland and we hoped to get out of it into more inspirational snow. We did get to the snowline-just. It snowed the entire time we were there, heavy wet stuff. I guess that these photos were taken at the same elevation as mid Granite Mountain.

Welcome Back to the Canadian Ski Quest Blog

My Friend Paul Egan suggested I get back into the blog, so here it is Paul-an update on what is happening in and around Red Mountain and Rossland for the 2011 Season.My main focus this fall has been training for the Red Mountain Freeski Academy. The above photo was taken on Sunday (Oct 31) and is of Jay Maloney, on the first rail of the season. We drove up to the Nancy Greene Summit, with the rail to get in some early season sliding.

We are running 2-3 times per week. This shot was taken last Tuesday, our goal was to run from the High School to the snowline. It was easier than we thought, this was well below the bottom of Sally's Alley. Winter is close!
The Ski Academy, Hiking Old Glory, in September!

NONSTOP Powder

It started snowing at about 6:00 this morning and Red Mountain just got better and better through the day. The last runs of the NONSTOP program turned into a bit of a free for all. A powder induced inspiration.

Adam Gordon, Powder Inspired Jump.

Aiden Powell making like a snow ghost.

Luke Harcus: In un-faultable form.

CANADIAN SKI QUEST BLOG CATCH UP

I have been teaching the NONSTOP program for the past two weeks. This is the final push towards the CSIA level 2 for most of the participants. We are focused on developing teaching skills but at the same time we are definitely taking advantage of the good ski conditions we have had as of late. We have had some new snow, about 10 cm and this has refreshed Red Mountain.

Aiden Powell, had a bit of a chairlift/ski pole incident today.

Adam Gordon staying in his rythm on the steepest, narrowest part of Oil Can.

Jon Mart enjoying the new snow.

NONSTOP Progression

I am back with the NONSTOP Group this week. Great to be back, and great to see the progression of the group over the past three weeks.

The conditions at the moment are a bit challenging, we have had some warm weather and this has caused the runs on the Paradise side to become icy. We made our way over to Red Mountain today, much better conditions there. Aside from the BC High School Skiing Championships that are going on this week there is hardly anyone skiing.

This is Denis Van Kampen. I told him before lunch to imagine he was skiing while holding two glasses of water. After the lunch break he took it upon himself to take the real challenge. He sure showed me-he actually skied all the way to Paradise Chair, including taking a jump, without spilling a drop.
Charlie Elwell ripping up Jumbo
Tom Rigby demonstrating turning of the lower body.

49 Degrees North

Canadian Ski Quest traveled to 49 Degrees North on Friday. It was nice to have a change of scenery.

Canadian Ski Quest Day 3

We had 2-3 centimeters overnight, not much, but it did soften Red Mountain up considerably. It was nice to have a change in skiing conditions.

This is the stealth camera catching Shizu Yamaguchi on Oil Can.

My guess of the amount of snowfall was confirmed mid afternoon by Rachel Lee, who was able to get a closer look.

Alan Waterson tearing up Doug's Run.

Canadian Ski Quest Day 2

Day Two of the camp, the progress continues. We try to find a challenge everyday.

This is Anne Gourley (in fine balance)

Paul Egan getting the sponsor shot.

Canadian Ski Quest Day 1

Today was Day One of Canadian Ski Quest Camp 3. The snow is firm, still good on north facing slopes and the grooming is superb. Paradise Chair is going again, so happy times are back.

Rachel Lee showing excellent form after a successful Beer Belly run.

Kate Trimble getting her monies worth , also on Beer Belly.

Former Silver Star Ski Instructor Shizu Yamaguchi putting together some nice short turns on the face of Red Mountain.

Paradise Down

Unfortunately the Paradise Chair had some problems today, which led to an evacuation of the lift. These things happen! How they are dealt with is the important thing. For the Red Mountain Ski Patrol this was an opportunity to to put their training to use. Seeing them in action today confirms to me the patrols standard of professionalism. The evacuation was very efficient. Instructions were clear and everything went smoothly.

Aside from the breakdown, the skiing day was great. Hopefully everything will be up and running soon.

Red Mountain Sunshine

I had a day on the mountain with Isabelle and Simon. Beautiful spring weather. It is a bit early but I am sure it will return to winter soon. It was actually quite cold on anything North facing and that snow is not going though the freeze/thaw cycle that the south facing slopes are.

Sally's Alley, it seems as though you are skiing into Rossland. One of the best underused runs on Red Mountain.

Isabelle chasing down her little brother.

Isabelle on the Cliff.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Day 4

We are home in Rossland now. What a great trip! I was skiing at Red today with Simon and Isabelle; in Paradise Lodge people were telling me they heard we had a fantastic experience. Word travels fast.

This is Tomi Supenin, from the Revelstoke Snowsports School. Tomi was our guide/instructor for the four days we spent there. A great guy to ski and spend time with. His charming personality and extensive local knowledge really added value to the tour. Thanks Tomi!

The Canadian Ski Quest group with the Monashee Mountains in the background. Photo thanks to Bill Derksen.

Brad Tatnell in the North Bowl. Photos by Paul Egan.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Day Three

What do Red Mountain and Revelstoke have in common? Both challenge you to come back and ski them again! The more you get to know them the more you realise there is to know! After today's experience I know I have to come back here, that I have a lot more to learn. The first thing I did when I got back to the Courthouse Inn today was to book next years Canadian Ski Quest dates. They are Feb 6-10 2011 if anyone is interested.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Day Two

Revelstoke Mountain Resort seems to be taking off. We thought it was busy on Monday because it was part of a holiday weekend, but Tuesday was the same. Don't get me wrong, there are still no lift lines, but the parking lot was full and there is an excitement around the place. Revelstoke is setting a high standard, the lifts are first rate, the Ski School is well organised, and the dining in town has been outstanding. The only concern amongst some of the Canadian Ski Quest group is that there is no Rafters like place where the more ski bum like types would be comfortable spilling beer. But given who is skiing here, that addition will likely be accommodated at some point in the future (see second photo).

The Canadian Ski Quest Group at Rockford's Restaurant.
Not the Canadian Ski Quest Group.
Alan Waterson in the trees.