Beautiful December at Red Mountain

 December is a special time for me at Red Mountain.  It is a peaceful time.  For me it is the quiet time before all of the action of Nonstop and Canadian Ski Quest.

The December tourists at Red Mountain seem to be here with skiing being only a bonus activity to the time they are spending visiting friends and family.  January brings the more focused destination skiers.

The weather and light in December are also consistently unique compared to January-March.  December brings brilliant shades of gray.  The sky, snow, trees, and distant mountains all blend together, they seem to be more connected to each other in the December light.  There is much less color contrast between different elements of the environment except for about the 17 minutes before the sun sets.  Then there is more contrast than at any other time of the year.  The mountains near and distant become clearly defined.  Each day ends with a brief moment of sunlight enhanced glory.

Finally on the Rails

My Yodel Challenge has been a bit of a challenge to get started.  Today was Day 1.  Today was the first time I have been able to actually hit the park.  2015 has been a slow opening for Red Mountain, but we are back on track now with Motherlode and Paradise chairs opening tomorrow.

My only other options were the small home made Jib park kids have made at Rossland Secondary, which I opted out of since it was a sheet of ice.  The Whitewater terrain park was not open the two days I was there.  Red Mountain opened on Saturday December 20 and I Conducted a CSIA Level 1 course for three days.  So today was Day 1 of my challenge.  These boxes were about as far as I dared go, but I did hit them over and over again and did actually develop a level of comfort.

Whitewater is Open

 Whitewater is open!
So today I took the Freeski team up there. 
As you can see from the photos conditions are definitely early season.  There are still a lot of ditches and holes to fill in so it made for careful skiing.  But good on you Whitewater for making it happen.  We had a great day!

My Park Rat challenge is proving somewhat difficult so far.  None of the rails were set up. 

48 Year Old Tomato Head Park Rat

Interested in seeing Mark Impey do something new AND utterly humiliating?  Read on...

I am involved with the Rossland Skatepark Association, our goal is to raise enough funds to develop a Skatepark in Rossland.  We have the land, the design and over $100000.00 raised.  In the month of December the Nelson and District Credit Union and two anonymous contributors have each pledged $10000.00 ($30000.00) total in matching funds to what the community can raise.  So if I can raise $500.00, they will throw in $500.00.

Terrain Parks scare the hell out of me.  Tomato Heads are always so dammed cheerful.

The Challenge I am undertaking for the Rossland Skatepark is to learn a completely new  (to me) aspect of skiing.  The Park!  I pledge in the month of December; 20 sessions of at least 45 minutes duration which will result in the establishment of the most elderly Park Rat at Red Mountain.   If I reach my hopefully unattainable (serious) goal of $1000.00 I will join Finn and Blaise for their jump line session wearing only my tighty whities and a Tomato Head helmet from my sworn enemies-the Red Mountain Tomato Heads.

Game on-oh god!!!

To donate: http://rosslandskatepark.yodel.org/challenge/48-year-old-tomato-head-park-rat

Snowmaking at Red Mountain

Has Red Mountain hit the Big Leagues?   This project has been in the works for Red Mountain for years.  Now thanks to the Legacy Training Center it is really here.  It was one of those projects that I was always mildly interested in and always thought it would be the next big step for Red Mountain, but I filed it in the "I 'll believe it when I see it" file. 

Well today it was cold and even though we were assured that it would be operating when conditions were right, Simon and I had to see it with our own eyes. 

It's really happened.  The snow was piling up, and it was good quality.  

Sand Hill Free Run Contest

We are training on Saturday's at the Sandhill in Trail.  Most of the training actually involves a lot of running up the hill, an amazing workout ideal for skiing.  But after the up workout the highlight is the IFSA style contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijYBpM998c

Unusual Training Method

Paul Egan posted the below photo on Facebook, thanks for the inspiration Paul, but this is how it really should be done.

 

Annual Red Mountain Academy Old Glory Hike

 2014 is the 5th year that I have hike Old Glory Mountain with the skiers from the Red Mountain Ski Academy, some years we have excellent weather, some like this one not so much.  But it is always a great and memorable day.  There is snow on top, skiing soon to come.

Inspired and active youth-it has to be a good thing

Fuel stop at Gibbards Junction 1 hour in

Maeva Canyer on the final summit approach

Maeva almost there

The view from the summit

happy day

Training Time

It's getting cold around Rossland!  Time for me to start training.  Yesterday I had a beautiful solo ride on the Seven Summits Trail.  I rode the trail at a slow and manageable pace, it was nice to have 5 hours in that environment to myself.  To let my thoughts wonder where they would.  As you can see the weather was incredible, warm in the sun yet quite cold in the shade and with Grey, Granite and Paradise right there my wondering thoughts naturally turned to skiing. 

I visualized myself skiing for the first time this season.  I had a couple of Paradise cruisers-felt carving skis propel me from one turn to the next in a rhythmical flow.   At one point in my imaginary day I skied Sara's Chute, constantly focused on where my next turn would start.  I also had an un-tracked line down Golden Chariot-skiers right of Doug's Run, I felt the familiar feeling of being in the snow, part of the snow rather than on the snow.  Exhilarating Peace.

My mind is there, but it is training time now to ensure my body will be able to deliver.

CSIA Level 3 training at Red Mountain

With Nonstop I am going to be running training toward the CSIA Level 3 certification in March 2015:

If anyone has the Level 2 Cert and is interested, please get in touch with me.


2015 Level 3 Nonstop program

The Nonstop CSIA Level 3 training program focuses on the development of your high performance and all mountain skiing skills plus the development of your teaching competency at the advanced level. The goal of this course is to challenge and develop your skiing and teaching skills towards the CSIA Level 3 standard. With the guidance of Nonstops top Professional Trainers work towards improved performance in long and short radius, bumps, and off piste skiing in all snow conditions. A wide range of tactics will be used to develop your skiing and teaching skills including; basic skills development, skill/drill challenges, guided self discovery, video analysis, free skiing tactics, and evening technical sessions.
New for 2015 the CSIA has adopted a modular system for delivering the Level 3 course and exam, Level 3 candidates need 40 educational credits to qualify to take the course and exam. Included in the 3 week Nonstop Level 3 training program are two CSIA advanced level modules: The two day advanced teaching module and one day advanced all terrain module (these will be conducted by the CSIA).  These two modules make up the required 40 credits which will qualify you to then take the CSIA Level 3 course (3 days) followed by the CSIA level 3 exam (2days).  The CSIA course and exam are not included in this course.
The Level 3 CSIA Nonstop training camp will be offered at Red Mountain and Fernie with a maximum group size will be 6. All coaches are active Level 3 CSIA course conductors, certified to conduct and examine the  CSIA Level 3 certification.

Week I: Advanced parallel. Nonstop Coaching Monday -Wednesday. CSIA Advanced teaching module Thursday & Friday.
Week 2: Advanced short radius. Nonstop Coaching Monday-Wednesday. CSIA Advanced all terrain module Friday?
Week 3: Advanced bumps. Nonstop Coaching Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. Friday farewell dinner.
Not as part of the course:
In Red; Schedule CSIA level 3 course module week 4 (Mon,Tue, Wed). Exams Friday, Saturday.
In Fernie; Schedule CSIA level 3 course module week 4 (Sun, Mon,Tue, ). Exams Thursday,Friday.



Arrive:                                    March 7.
Orientation Day:                                March 8.
Level 3 Training by Nonstop (Advanced Parallel):        March 9,10,11.
Free Day:                                    March 12.
CSIA Advanced Teaching Module:                March 13-14.
Free Day:                                    March 15.
Level 3 Training by Nonstop (Adv Short Radius):        March 16,17.
Free Day:                                    March 18.
Level 3 Training by Nonstop (Adv Short/All Terrain):    March 19-20.
Free Day:                                    March 21.
Whitewater/Ainsworth Hot-Springs Trip:            March 22.
Level 3 Training by Nonstop (All Terrain):            March 23,24,25.
Free Day:                                    March 26.
CSIA All Terrain Module (end of training dinner):        March 27.
Completion of Nonstop training:                    March 28.

Level 3 course offered at Red:                    March 30-April 1.
Level 3 Exam offered at Red:                    April 4-5.

Costs:

Course only:  $2199.00
Includes:
Orientation day
Ten Days of CSIA Level 3 Specific Training provided by Nonstop
CSIA Advanced Teaching Module
CSIA All Terrain Module
Day trip to Whitewater ski area followed by visit to Ainsworth Hot-springs
Training Completion Dinner Party

Full Package:  $4599.00
Includes:
21 nights (March 7-27) twin share accommodation at the Canadian Ski Quest Guesthouse in Rossland (Single Room supplement is available)
30 day Red Mountain Resort lift pass
Airport transfer on March 7 from either Trail or Castlegar Airports
Orientation day
Ten Days of CSIA Level 3 Specific Training provided by Nonstop
CSIA Advanced Teaching Module
CSIA All Terrain Module
Day trip to Whitewater ski area followed by visit to Ainsworth Hot-springs
Training Completion Dinner Party
Airport transfer on March 28 to either Trail or Castlegar Airports

31 Years Later

I was in Vernon over the weekend.  I challenged myself to attend my 30 year High School reunion.  Very glad I did.  What an interesting experience to go back to another time in my life.

Besides all going to high school together me and my friends in this photo had one other thing in common.  We all worked together at Silver Star in the 1983-84 ski season.  31 years at the ski hill for me and what a great life.

A good looking group 48 year old's I must say, reuniting was a very happy occasion.

The "Slow Tourism" Concept

It is about 35C here in Vernon and I am happily in winter thoughts.  I have the Canadian Ski Quest 2015 dates set and I am coming to terms with a concept I have which I am calling "Slow Tourism".

Slow tourism is what the majority of Canadian Ski Quest skiers currently do, particularly the seasoned ones.  Most of my customers book more than one Canadian Ski Quest Camp during the ski season, and many book the entire Canadian Ski Quest calendar, for which I am very thankful.  Rather than a one week Red Mountain visit, I am promoting the longer stay.

When I started Canadian Ski Quest in 1995, I offered one 5 week tour and had 9 young skiers (18-25 with one old 35 year old) sign up.  The following season I offered again the five week tour, plus a one week camp as well as a Jackson Hole tour.  The skiers who signed up for the shorter tours mostly came back in the following years, repeat customers.  So Canadian Ski Quest went with the short camp (5-7day) schedule.  What I have noticed in the years since is that more and more skiers have been able to take more holiday time and an ever greater number of Canadian Ski Quest skiers are booking multiple camps.  I would like to recognize the value in this trend.  This trend I am calling "slow tourism".

The pace of life is fast these days.  Multitasking (lack of focusing) has become a fact in my own life and it is not a natural fit for me.  I believe this is the case for many professionals around the world.  Excuse me I just took a break from writing this blog to answer and email about a 'qr' code.  Back to focus......Multitasking has become a fact of life because it is now, more than ever before, possible.   And because it is possible it becomes expected and it then becomes necessary if you want to keep up.  I know there is a way to make the technology we have work for me and work for Canadian Ski Quest skiers.  Bear with me.

The pace of holidays has also increased dramatically.  Today a potential ski experience can be booked as instantly as an idea is conceived.  It is a regular occurrence at Red Mountain to see guests arrive from all over North America and  Europe who had little intention of being here the days before.  They book their travel, lift passes, and accommodation, and sometimes Canadian Ski Quest camp when they see that we are expecting snow.  The technology to do this is accessible to all, the costs are reasonable, and so it is booked and a ski experience is had.  I just took care of another email, my writing machine made a "ding" sound which prompted an immediate response. 

Back to my focus: I say the experience described above is intense and shallow, that the skier on that holiday does not relax or get a chance to retreat from their work life, that this "holiday" actually builds on their home life intensity, in fact they often need a rest once they get home.  A common experience for me with short stay skiers is that on day two they start asking me what the chances of their flight getting out of Castlegar are.  They have no real chance to develop a meaningful relationship with Red Mountain or the Red Mountain Community, and I would wager that 5 years hence they will retain little value from the short time they have spent here. 

Compare: The skiers who comes to Red Mountain and Canadian Ski Quest for the winter.  My excellent customers who book into all the Canadian Ski Quest Camps (thank you).  By default these skiers will definitely be around Red Mountain for the best conditions of the year (without intensely scouring the net for weather forecasts and travel deals), they develop an intimate relationship with the mountain environment, they develop meaningful relationships with others doing the same thing and with locals alike, they spend proportionally less money, they become much better skiers, but most importantly they have the opportunity to use Red Mountain to truly relax - and they take it.  This is the 'slow tourism' experience.

Ironically for many of these skiers it is precisely the technology that I abhor that allows them to experience slow tourism.  Sure some are retired, but others continue to run businesses and maintain professional roles though the technology we all have access to.  I know that not everyone has a job where access to the slow tourism concept is possible but I thought I would do what I can as a tour operator to promote the concept.

To promote slow tourism and to say thank you to the Canadian Ski Quest regulars here it is:

Skiers who usually book all of the Canadian Ski Quest Red Mountain Camps (not including Ignition, Revelstoke or Jackson Hole, but I will discount those too) will receive a $300.00 total discount PLUS will get three add on trips FREE of charge ($400.00 value), the Whitewater day trip (Feb 6) the overnight 49 North Trip (Feb 12-13) and the Ainsworth Hot-Springs trip (Feb 20).

Treat yourself to the real Red Mountain life, book the season.

Mark

Mountain Bike to Granite Mountain Summit

On Friday night I rode up South-side Road to the top of Granite.  I had the idea that Sarah's chute might still be skiable.  It wasn't, about 8 days too late.  It was not a completely far out idea, I did ski up there one year on June 27.  I thought I would share a few photos of Red Mountain in summer for those skiers who are only here in the winter months.

Indian Flats

Paradise Chair and Mt. Roberts

Silence at Paradise Lodge

Dr. Charlene Thorogood at Paradise Lodge

Southern Belle

Link's Line

Year One at Seven Summits Learning Centre

 Yesterday the first ever graduation ceremony for the Seven Summits Learning Center took place.  This marks the one year anniversary of this initiative in Rossland.  We have gone from saying "it's happening" to "it's happened" (and continues).

I feel a solid sense of accomplishment for the Board of the Seven Summits.  At this time last year this concept was just an idea.  Well year one has been a tremendous success, the Center is established and there is a waiting list for students to enroll next year and the Red Mountain Academy continues.  Congratulations to everyone involved.

Seven Summits first Graduates Patrick Cometti and Cameo Gow

Mentors and Graduates Sue McBride, Jonny Coleshill, Patrick, Cameo, Melanie Boothe and D'Arcy Ziprick

May 27 Kootenay Pass

 Thanks Greg Cambourn for for asking how my project is going.  I guess I have been distracted with other activities, I have been training with the Red Mountain Academy athletes, riding my bike quite a bit and have been spending a lot of time with the kids.  But the skiing continues.  Today was day 20.  There is still about 2 meters at the Kootenay pass, based on checking out snow melt around the trees.  I left very early this morning, the whole adventure took about four hours.

This would have been a nice line, since I was on my snowboard I kept hiking and got a wider and longer one

In the shade the snow was hard as concrete which made for easy hiking

The end of my run, decent vertical on sun softened snow.

I lifted this photo off the Kootenay Pass web cam, that's me getting back into my car, check out the time, I had an early start

17/21 and Onwards

Powder-hound Betsy. This was April 18, still winter

This was the cut-block I hiked.  Great winter conditions, about 10 cm of good quality powder

On April 22 I skied into Sunspot Cabin.  It was a dull rain day in Rossland but a winter paradise at Nancy Greene Pass

There is still about a 1.5 meter base at the pass

Simon Rora hiking up Red Mountain with Betsy and I.

Payment for turns to come

New snow on Red Mountain but yes it was very sticky

My challenge is continuing but I am not going to reach 30 days in 30 days.  I am now going for 30 days after Red Mountain's closing date.  I have 17 of the last 21 days in so far.  Missed one day with a family trip to Vernon, and other with just too much else going on.  Yet I carry on.

Blackjack Biathalon Trails

 Well I had no trouble finding a parking spot today.  Plus I got an extra workout by skiing through the 2 cm of wet new snow covering the trails.  So a lot (2) of good things effected my ski today which made up for the fact that it rained the entire time.  I was also comforted by the fact that I was not the only nutcase who skied today, I was following one other set of solitary tracks.

Day 9-10 by Twilight

 I am getting the job done on my 30 day challenge but only just.  Both yesterday and today I started hiking at 7:30 PM.  But both days got in a worthwhile run.

Yesterday was the Nonstop Lead Instructor meeting in Fernie, we spent the day discussing the operational aspects of the Nonstop program.  My plan was to balance the indoor duration of my day with a hike at Fernie resort when we were done.

To my surprise the Fernie had put up warning signs about not hiking the Resort runs, quite a different attitude from Red Mountain.  Since I am in the business I think I made a good judgement call to not blow off the Fernie policy, although I disagree with it.

Plan B was another stop at the Kootenay Pass.  It was a late departure, I started snowshoeing at 7:30 PM, the sun had already set.  I gave myself 30 minutes to get as high as I could. 

The light was bad on the way down, the hike was hard, and the 1 cm breakable (not supportive) crust was a significant challenge, and it was an excellent experience.

Today I undertook another twilight hike up the T-Bar and about 1/3 the way up Back Trail on Red Mountain.  Much better conditions on Red, my hike was rewarded with silky smooth turns on 1-2 cm of corn snow on a firm base.

Nonstop Wrap Up

I am in Fernie for the host wrap up.  We are meeting all day talking about the highs and lows of the past season, trying to learn and implement improvements for season 2015.

Pictured here during a rare breath of fresh air from left are Operations Director and Canadian Boss Man Dave Richards, Banff Host Manuela Olibera-Dorn, Fernie Host Goff Abbott, Sales and Marketing Manager Christy Sutherland, Myself, Course Administrator Dana Erickson, and Fernie Host Mark Hatch.

My ski adventure today was extreme.  I drove up to the resort early this morning (6:30) with a plan to skin up to the top of Bear Chair, unfortunately for me it was staff day so the groomers were on the runs in force and I just did not feel up to a possible confrontation.  Plan B quickly took shape, off I went to the Cross Country Trails.  It was terrifying, the slush from yesterday had frozen into solid blocks and holes of various sizes,  compounding the challenge was the fact that the trails at Fernie more closely resemble down hill skiing to cross country.  My skiing was not graceful and I am sure would have been quite entertaining to watch.  But I got the job done.

Kootenay Pass Tour

 I traveled to Fernie today and of course went over the Kootenay Pass, a perfect opportunity to stop for a two hour ski tour. 

What I really appreciated today was the solitude of being in the mountains skiing on my own, it was so peaceful.  This is quite a change compared to my typical ski day as skiing in the winter typically involves the responsibility of me leading a group.  I do love skiing with people but the changed was nice.  I got back into my car inspired.

This is the Ripple Ridge cabin.  I might have to re-visit it sometime this spring on an overnight venture.

Free Ski Day at 49 North

 I had a day with the Red Mountain Freeski Team at 49 North today.  Thanks 49 for the Free Lift Passes.  This was not special for the team but 49 does this for the last week of skiing every season.

Simon Hillis, Erin Flood, and Simon Impey got into the last day spirit with their skiing and with their fashion sense (see bottom photo).

Blackjack Ski Club

 I had an incredible 2 hour cross country ski at the blackjack ski club just across the highway from Red Mountain Resort.  

The club is still operating, the trails were groomed and track set this morning.