view - spring 2012
DESCRIPTION
Complete Apr. 04, 2012 issue of the The View - Spring 2012 newspaper as it appeared in print. For more online, all the time, see www.revelstoketimesreview.com.TRANSCRIPT
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arts eats outdoors aliveviewviewrevelstokerevelstoke
FREE!FREE!Spring 2012Spring 2012
Inside:Inside:Revelstoke spring season events guideRevelstoke spring season events guide
Photographer feature: Bruno LongPhotographer feature: Bruno Long
Exploring the Columbia River flatsExploring the Columbia River flats
Business Profile: New Welwinds Therapeutic SpaBusiness Profile: New Welwinds Therapeutic Spa
Touring the AsulkanTouring the Asulkan
2 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com
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THURSDAY, APRIL 5DENIS CHANG MANOUCHE QUARTET Heralded jazz guitarist influenced by likes of
Django Reinhardt, Bach, Chopin, George Ben-
son and Michael Jackson. Live at the United
Church. $20.
SOCIETY SHREDFEST FILM FESTIVAL Enter your own locally-produced short snow-
board flik for this show at the River City Pub
to benefit the Columbia Valley Skateboard As-
sociation skate park fund. Fest is from 1 p.m.
to 11:30 p.m. Info at Society Snow & Skate.
FRIDAY, APRIL 6REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL Watch
a collection of the world’s best movies about
kayaking, rafting, stand-up boarding, canoe-
ing and exploring wild water places of the
world. At the Big Eddy Pub. 7 p.m. $15.
SATURDAY, APRIL 7EASTER SWIM Show your Easter Spirit.
Bring a non-perishable food item and swim
for a toonie. All donations go to the food
bank. At the aquatic centre. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE RIDE Dust off
your old snowmobile (at least 15-years-old)
and join the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club
for a ride to the Boulder Mountain cabin. In-
cludes a poker run and show and shine at the
cabin. $30 to enter, includes trail pass and
first hand on poker run. For more information
contact Dusty Dancer at 403-850-5266.
STOKE TO SPOKE RELAY RACE This
three-leg relay race features skiing, biking
and an obstacle course. Followed by live mu-
sic in the plaza. Join as a team of three or go
solo. At Revelstoke Mountain Resort. 12 p.m.
SUNDAY, APRIL 8SEASON PASS HOLDER APPRECIA-TION DAY Pancake breakfast for season
pass holders and $5 lift ticket special for
Revelstoke locals. At Revelstoke Mountain
Resort.
APRIL 10-11RICK HANSEN RELAY 25TH ANNI-VERSARY Cross-Canada relay making the
25th anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man in Mo-
tion World Tour in 1987. The relay will arrive
at Grizzly Plaza for a celebration, including
speeches, presentations, bands and other
entertainment at 5 p.m. The next morning will
begin with a rally at Revelstoke Secondary
School before the relay hits the road towards
Golden.
APRIL 13 TO MAY 4A SENSE OF PLACE Members’ art show
at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre. Show
opens Friday, Apr. 13 at 6 p.m.
SUNDAY, APRIL 15STAND UP FOR THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST Environmental film fest and
speaker night. The films spOIL, Stand Up 4
Great Bear, Oil in Eden, and Cetaceans of the
Great Bear Rainforest will be shown. At the
Royal Canadian Legion Hall. 7-10 p.m. $5 for
children, youth and seniors; $10 for adults.
All proceeds will go to Pacific Wild.
MONDAY, APRIL 16
MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE Live at the
Sangha Bean. $15.
SATURDAY, MAY 5FIRST FARMERS MARKET Revelstoke’s
famous Saturday farmers market kicks off in
May. Featuring all sorts of foods, crafts and
more. Every Saturday until October from 8:30
a.m. to 1 p.m.
MAY 11 TO JUNE 1LIGHT & BEAUTY OF LANDSCAPES Art show by Bryan Stevenson. The side gal-
leries featured Sandra Flood’s Fragments and
the Golden Girls Watercolour Group Recent
Works. At the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.
Show opens May 11 at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 12HEART & STROKE BIG BIKE Come take
a ride on the Heart & Stroke Foundation’s
big bike. The bicycle will be making loops
of Revelstoke from 12-5 p.m. Trips start on
Mackenzie Avenue between First and Second
Streets.
MAY 25 TO 27CHICKADEE NATURE FESTIVAL Activi-
ties for children and adults to learn about
local flora and fauna. At various locations
around Revelstoke. See the Times Review the
week of the event for details.
MAY 28 TO JUNE 3BIKE TO WORK WEEK Celebrate cycling
as a mode of transportation by biking to work.
Details TBA.
JUNE 8-10R/C CLUB SUMMER HUCK-FEST Come watch remote control pilots
from all over fly their planes and helicopters
over the Columbia River Flats. Micro’s to gi-
ants, all skill levels and types of flying with
3D encouraged. At the R/C Club airfield at 6
Mile.
JUNE 6 TO JULY 8COLUMBIA BASIN TRUST COMMU-NITY ART PROJECT Art show at the Rev-
elstoke Visual Arts Centre. The side galleries
feature Coreen Tucker’s Behind the Mask and
Dawn Thrasher’s Upward Bound. The show
opens on Friday, June 6, at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9PONY RIDES at the Selkirk Saddle Club
equestrian grounds. Rides are $5. Trails rides
are also available. Please bring your child’s
bike helmet. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15ENCHANTED FOREST HUMAN SOCI-ETY FUNDRAISER Bring your dog for a
walk at the Enchanted Forest and 20 per cent
of your admission will go to the Revelstoke &
District Humane Society. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 30SUMMER STREET FESTIVAL STARTS Come enjoy live music every night throughout
the summer in Grizzly Plaza. Music starts at
6:30 p.m. (Note: start date is tentative).
This spring in Revelstoke
www.revelstoketimesreview.com | 3
Universal Footwear 7-555 Victoria Road, Revelstoke
250-837-3855
Yggrasil
Wakataua
Cork Oak
Nido Ella
Brereaking in
with
BruBruno Long
By Aaron Orlando
Top: Skiing at Sol Mountain: “The moment when the shutter releases and you didn’t quite see it happen but know that your camera did. That feeling of knowing you got the shot is ecstasy for a photographer.” Top left: Bruno Long. Bottom: Powder at Rogers Pass: “In my opinion, it captures the essence of skiing at the Pass: steep relief, deep snow, skiing right to valley bottom and the trans-Canada Highway and the railway,” says Long. “If you look close at the top of this run, you can see your car at the bottom.” Bruno Long images
Revelstoke-based photographer makes inroads into Revelstoke-based photographer makes inroads into
professional ski and bike photography sceneprofessional ski and bike photography scene
For Revelstoke ski and bike photographer,
quitting the day job actually meant cutting
back on the night job. The full-time groomer
operator at Revelstoke Mountain Resort cut
back to slim part-time hours this season to focus
on photography.
Over the past couple of seasons he’s received
many credits in big name magazines and their
affi liated websites. Current and upcoming
credits include work for Solomon Freeski TV,
Powder, Paved Magazine, Bike, Backcountry
Magazine, Ski Canada, Bike Magazine and
Kootenay Mountain Culture.
Long photographs the ski touring and
mountain biking scene in Revelstoke and is
branching out into storytelling as well.
A day’s work means rising early and keeping
up with some of the world’s top athletes on
ascents – all while lugging a heavy pack of
photo gear. “Just be there,” is the fi rst step, he
explains.
Along the way, Long has developed an
organic style that’s of the mountains and valleys
around Revelstoke. He’s an “opportunistic”
photographer who takes advantage of the angles
and scenes that present themselves through
physical exploration. Revelstoke’s notoriously
cloudy winter season has also shaped Long’s
style, forcing him to be more creative and fl uid
with the lighting that’s available. He explores
composition and contrast to draw images out
of the otherwise challenging grey-on-grey of a
socked-in day.
Long’s images are defi ned by the Revelstoke
ski lifestyle, which is more laid back than the
amped breakneck stunts that command the front
page of the ski press. “You just want to ski as
much as you can, but you don’t want to push
your boundaries too far,” explains Long. “It’s all
about being able to go skiing again tomorrow
and the next day and the next day. There’s a
place and time to do the more serious stuff.”
Along the way, he’s worked with local skiers
and boarders famous here and abroad, as well as
visiting professionals. “It defi nitely helps,” Long
says of working with the likes of Greg Hill and
visiting pro teams. “Your images, not only are
they high quality but they have big-name athletes which defi nitely helps for exposure.”
Long has been instrumental in bringing the gravity biking scene into the sanctioned
cycling fold in Revelstoke. He’s excited to work on trail expansions and renovations. “It’s
going to be world class,” he says.
Find Bruno Long at www.brunolongphotography.com
ArtsArts
4 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com
Welcome BackConnie & Taryn
ConnieStylist/Esthetician
TarynStylist/Esthetician
LauraStylist/Co-Owner
CrystalStylist
KerstinStylistGel Nail Technician
KimStylist/Co-Owner
NaomiStylist/Esthetician 300 First Street East 250.837.2344
· KMS· Crew· Matrix· Hempz· Redken· Morrocanoilphotos by Keri Knapp
Revelstoke Theatre Company presents...
MENDING FENCESWritten by Norm Foster
Directed by Anita Hallewas
April 26, 27, 28 & May 3, 4, 58:00 pm at Powder Springs Inn
Tickets available April 4th at Revelstoke Credit Union,Powder Springs Inn & Talisman Fibre& Trading Co.
Students & Seniors: $12 Adult: $15 Adult Themes & Language
Down on the FlatsWHEN THE SNOW MELTS IN THE VALLEY AND THE WATER LEVELS ARE LOW, REVELSTOKIANS HEAD OUT THE COLUMBIA RIVER FLATS TO PLAY.By Alex Cooper
OutdoorsOutdoors
www.revelstoketimesreview.com | 5
Hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm Fri: 9am - 9pm Sun: 11am - 5pm307 Victoria Road, Revelstoke • 250-837-2028 • www.pharmasaverevelstoke.ca
TWO WAYS TO DO YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOSTWO WAYS TO DO YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS11
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VISIT OUR NEWLY RENOVATED INSTORE PHOTO DEPARTMENTNew Products • New Look • Same Friendly Service
VISIT OUR NEW PHOTO PRODUCTS AND PHOTO FINISHING WEBSITECanvas Prints •Business Cards •Collages •Prints •Posters •Calendars
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Salon Safari & Academy
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202 Campbell Avenue, Revelstoke, B.C. V0N 2S0250.837.2830 • Cell: 250.230.7389
Specialists inMen’s & Women’s Cuts
Walk In’s Welcome!
Spring is a joyous season in Revelstoke. As the
snow melts in town and the sun makes more
frequent appearances, the thoughts of winter
powder turn into dreams of biking down mountains,
scaling rocky faces and venturing down logging
roads in search of that amazing new adventure.
Yet, with snow lingering in the alpine into July
(and sometimes later), those dreams are tempered.
Instead, outdoor experiences are sought in the val-
leys, where the snow goes fi rst.
That’s when Revelstoke fl ocks to the Colum-
bia River Flats – that vast stretch of lowlands that
emerges in the spring when the mix of sun and rain
melts the snow and the low water levels on the Ar-
row Lakes means that all that former farm land is
still accessible.
The Flats are where high schoolers go party
away from the prying eye of parents and the law.
It’s where families go for a picnic, where couples
walk their dogs, where adults go for a bonfi re,
where friends go camping, where riders go dirt bik-
ing and where people fi sh and launch their boats to
wander in and out of the many channels that form
as the river fl uctuates.
Before the Flats became the Flats, they were
farmland. From Revelstoke down to 12 Mile, there
were some 200 family farms. The fi rst farm in the
area was established at the Montana Slough by
Samuel D. Crowle in 1887. In the early 20th cen-
tury, Ukrainian immigrants established a number of
farms along the Flats between 11 and 16 kilometres
south of Revelstoke. The Arrow Lakes region was
once regarded as one of the most fertile areas in
British Columbia, rivalling the Okanagan.
Then the dams came and the land was fl ooded.
Hundreds of farms were submerged and small com-
munities were uprooted. South of Revelstoke, evi-
dence of that farm land is evident by the network of
dirt roads that show up in the spring when the water
is at its lowest.
According to Adam Croxall of BC Hydro, fol-
lowing the fl ooding the Flats were a big dust bowl
into the early 90s. “It used to be really inhospitable,”
he told me. A re-vegetation program along most of
the area has brought dust storms to an end.
The Flats are mostly BC Hydro land but 35
per cent is Crown Land, two per cent private
and the rest run by others such as the city
and regional district. The vast majority is open for
public use. A code of conduct has been developed
and posted at each main access point.
The Flats are accessible by taking Airport Way
south from Revelstoke past the airport. The main
spots are known by their distance from Revel-
stoke – they are 6 Mile, 9 Mile and 12 Mile. It was
just announced that access to the area near the air-
port would be restricted for security reasons.
The fi rst stop is 6 Mile. Drive south until you
see a small white sign for the R/C Club. A small
turnoff provides access to the Flats below. 6 Mile is
where the Revelstoke R/C Club have a landing strip
where they can launch their remote control planes
and helicopters. If you come out on a nice day, you
can see them manoeuvre their aircraft high in the
sky, with the Monashees as a spectacular back-
drop. Beyond the landing strip, the land stretches
seemingly forever. This is probably the fl attest of
the Flats, almost Prairie-like in its barrenness. The
Columbia River snakes through the area far across
the valley and Mt. Begbie soars above. Walking out
to the river gives you a view from the middle of
the valley of the Monashees on one side and the
Selkirks on the other.
9 Mile is the next access point to the Flats. The
turnoff is to the right, just past the small bridge that
crosses over Kokanee Creek. On the way there,
you’ll pass Cartier Road and the remnants of the
Ukrainian farming community. There is a small
parking lot at the 9 Mile turnoff. After that, you
can follow one of the old roads further out, water
level permitting. The terrain at 9 Mile is undulating,
perfect for dirt biking or fi nding that hidden nook.
Thick grasslands and scattered trees provide habitat
for birds and other animals.
12 Mile is the most distant and most expansive
of the Flats. To get there, keep going along Air-
port Way past the end of the pavement. Stay on the
dirt road, making sure to take the right fork when
necessary, until you come to the end of the road.
With long, sandy beaches, expansive grass lands
and rolling terrain, there is lots to explore at 12
Mile. Boaters can drive right down to the water to
launch their vessels and dirt bikers zip about. This
is where high schoolers go to celebrate graduation
and fi shers come in hopes of luring a Kokanee or
other catch.
Of course, everything about the Flats depends
on the level of the Arrow Lakes reservoir.
At high water in summer, they are almost
completely submerged. However, in the spring, be-
fore the snow melts and the runoff from the moun-
tains descends to the valley, the Flats are accessible.
The changing nature of the landscape also means
a change in activities. What was once grassland
might make for great boating. It also means that
if you venture too far out, you might fi nd yourself
stranded should the water level rise. That said, the
water level doesn’t fl uctuate so rapidly as to make it
so that if you go camping, you run the risk of wak-
ing up underwater.
The Flats are important wildlife habitat. Deer
are frequently sited and for birds, the area marks
an important stopping point on their migration
from south to north. A number of species nest on
the Flats in the spring, hatching their young before
continuing north. For birders, this presents a tre-
mendous opportunity for bird watching, with hun-
dreds of thousands of birds making use of the area
during the spring.
There are some concerns about the fl ats – mud
bogging can damage wildlife habitat, fi res can burn
rapidly on the dry grassland and illegal dumping is
also an issue, said Croxall. Camping isn’t allowed
in the code of conduct, but the code is voluntary
and enforcement is diffi cult, he said. BC Hydro’s
main goal, he said, is to get the idea across that the
Flats are along a working reservoir.
Still, as Croxall put it, as one of the few low-
lying, fl at areas in the area, “There’s not a better
place to go sometime.”
Opposite: The grasslands of 12 Mile.; Top right: A dirt biker goes for a ride along the fl ats.; Bottom right: A long, sandy beach at 12 Mile. Alex Cooper Photography
6 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com
Cheer on the people who are makinga difference in your community
Arriving inRevelstoke at
3.00pm onTuesday
April 10th.
The relay willbe moving from
McDonalds toGrizzly Plaza
where the medalcelebration will
take place.
The medal willthen leave
Grizzly Plazaat 9.30am on
WednesdayApril 11th.R
ick H
ansen R
ela
y
visit RickHansenRelay.com for information
arts council concert series
Denis ChangManouche QuartetBrazilian music, dance and capoeira
Greatly infl uenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, guitarist Denis Chang, the “Godfather of the Montréal Gypsy jazz scene”brings his highly regarded and unique style to Revelstoke for a one-off concert.
Tickets: $20 or $40 for Families
Thursday April 5th, 7:30pm at the United Church
arts council concert seriesA Celebration Concert
Axé CapoeiraBrazilian music, dance and capoeira
Featuring traditional Brazilian music with upbeat vocals and instrumentals, Axe Capoeira showcases professional capoeiristas and dancers at the height of their skill. The group has enthralled audiences of all ages and sizes across the globe for more than 20 years.
Sunday April 29th, Venue to be announced
We can represent you to purchase anyMLS Property Listing in Revelstoke or
British Columbia, or to list a local property
Stoke Realty Ltd.“Your Real Estate Brokerage Alternative”Suite H, Enter at 200 Campbell Avenue.Offi ce: 250-837-6300 Mobile: 250-837-8987 [email protected]
Joe VerbalisManaging Broker
www.stokerealty.ca
> PRINTING, FAXING SERVICES > INTERNET KIOSK > HARTLEY & MARKS JOURNALS
309 First Street West • 250.837.3070www.yourofficeandart.com
Also a great selection ofArt Supplies
including Golden products!
WELWINDS SPA CREATES WELLNESS HUBBusinessBusinessWelwinds is a fusion of tea bar, yoga studio, massage therapy clinic and acupuncture clinic. Owner Diane Mahoney hopes her new Fourth Street East establishment will serve as a new community hub for wellness practitioners
The dates on the newspapers that lined the cedar chip insulation pro-vide the best evidence of a construction date of the building: 1926.
Since then, 506 Fourth Street East was Vince’s Italian Grocery, and Bocci’s Groceteria -- another Italian grocery serving the Southside neigh-bourhood amongst a small, nearly-extinct cluster of retail shops. When current owner Diane Mahoney bought the building about fi ve years ago, it was in need of serious repair. Faulty sealing of the old coal chutes on the sidewalk had fl ooded the basement. There were structural issues. The building bowed like a saddle. The back end wasn’t far from falling over. It was a mess.
After fi ve years of work the bright, newly-renovated building is completely transformed into Welwinds Therapeutic Spa. Other than exposed brick chim-neys that bring warmth to the treatment rooms, there’s little to indicate its past use. “It’s a historic building that belongs to Revelstoke,” says Mahoney as she tours me through the yoga studio and three treatment rooms in the back.
Wood features prominently in the makeover. Locally-milled tongue and groove cedar planks line the walls; fi r, hemlock and other local varieties form everything from structural post and beams to trim on the windows. A barn door suspends from the ceiling to separate the tea bar from the yoga studio.
The colour patterns are concrete greys, light creams and muted environmen-tally-friendly stains that bring out white and blue hues from the grain. Cream-coloured leather chairs line the concrete-slab tea bar. Clear glass and exposed metal fi xtures add to the neutral tones.
The theme, says Mahoney, was unisex. A majority of massage clients are male skiers looking to get their legs rejuvenated to fi nish off their ski vacation. Lots of men go to yoga classes these days. Mahoney wanted a neutral look so everyone can feel at home.
Mahoney developed the design and worked with Simon Duval of Mack Dog Construction to complete the renovation.
Welwinds Therapeutic Spa is a combination tea bar, yoga studio, massage therapy clinic and acupuncture clinic. Mahoney describes herself as a long-time skier who’s spent much of her life working and playing around skiing. The registered massage therapists spent seasons working in Whistler, Crescent Val-ley, Nelson, Vernon and Rossland. She’s spent much of her career working as a massage therapist in heli-ski lodges. When came to Revelstoke and bought the building she saw an opportunity to settle down and found a business that would allow her to indulge her love of skiing.
Welwinds Therapeutic Spa is open for business, but Mahoney explains many facets are still in development. Her website (www.welwinds.com) is up but she’s still working on it. Yoga classes have started, but she’s looking to offer specialized classes and also develop the space into a yoga teaching centre.
The tea bar is also open for business. It features a wide variety of loose teas. She hopes to develop the afternoon trade and also make the tea shop a focus of summer Saturday market outings, including a summer patio space. She’s also exploring buying the raw products in bulk and mixing her own locally-made brand; she’s off to a tea convention in Las Vegas to explore the idea.
Mahoney hopes to make the combined tea bar/yoga room space available for non-alcoholic social gatherings.
Massage therapy is at the core of Mahoney’s business, as is acupuncture. “People don’t get better unless they move,” she explains of her core philoso-phy. Local clients with extended medical will also form a core component of the business.
Much of the business, she explains, follow the rhythms of the ski market. Massage therapists work through the ski season and tend to be mobile. Mahon-ey hopes that Welwinds can evolve into a centre for practitioners in Revelstoke for the season.
Welwinds Therapeutic Spa is located at 509 Fourth Street East. Find them at www.welwinds.com or call 250-837-6084.
By Aaron Orlando
The yoga studio at the newly opened Welwinds Therapeutic Spa features a ‘unisex’ colour scheme featuring lots of exposed wood treated with environ-mentally-friendly fi nishes.
Aaron Orlando photo
www.revelstoketimesreview.com | 7
201 Mackenzie AvenueIn beautiful downtown Revelstoke
250-837-4141
A must see...
... with must haves!
revelstoke arts councilwill once again be holding their annual
Street Festfrom june 29th - august 31st
Watch your local newspaper and revelstoketimesreview.comfor more information.
FIVE GREAT REASONS TO PLAY IN REVELSTOKEFIVE GREAT REASONS TO PLAY IN REVELSTOKE
Beer, Wine & Liquordelivery available from
the Big Eddy Liquor Store.
Call for delivery250.814.0096
COMPLIMENTARYshuttle
We’ll pick you up andbring you home safe
250.814.3333
TO 3 GREAT LOCATIONSThe Big Eddy PubThe Village Idiot
The Great White NorthFull Pub MenuOpen 7 Days a Week!Large Summer Patio
2108 Big Eddy Road250.814.0095
306 Mackenzie Avenue250.837.6240
3251 Weird Wood Frontage250.837.3495
Great food.Relaxed atmosphere.
Great Patio all Summer long.
Great food.Casual Ambience.
Open Mon - Sat: 4-10pm Sun: 10am - 10pm
Golf Revelstoke• 18 Hole • Par 72 • 6,537 yards• Eatery on the Green/ Restaurant & Patio• Driving Range/Practice Facility• Cart & Club Rentals
250.837.4276www.revelstokegolfclub.com171 Columbia Park Drive, Revelstoke, B.C.
Top left: Welwinds owner Diane Mahoney in one of three treatment rooms.
Top left: Loose tea served in tea sleeves with foamed milk at the Welwinds tea bar.
Centre: Welwinds Therapuetic Spa is located at 509 Fourth Street East.
Bottom: Cream leather chairs line the concrete bar at Welwinds. The space can be combined with the yoga studio for events.
Aaron Orlando photos
8 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com
Downtown Revelstoke’s FinestDowntown Revelstoke’s Finest
112 East First Street, Revelstoke, B.C. • 250-837-2107 • regenthotel.ca
3 days at the Asulkan3 days at the Asulkan AliveAlive
DAY 1 – FRIDAYI get up early, ready to hit the road to Rogers Pass for an
early start. The route to the Asulkan Hut follows the creek
bed for several kilometres before it passes through the Mouse
Trap – a treacherous terrain trap with avalanche paths com-
ing into from both side and no easy escape.
We leave in three groups, the eager ones up at the crack
of dawn, Chris and I in the middle, and three more pulling
up the rear. The skin up isn’t too bad, even with the extra
food and clothing. I feel bad for Chris, who overpacked and
suffers the whole way. Fortunately for us, the fi rst group set
a nice skin track, so we didn’t have to break trail.
We arrive at the cozy cabin before noon. The stove isn’t
working but a bit of tinkering gets it going. With two picnic
tables and a small kitchen downstairs, and 12 beds upstairs,
its cozy but not cramped. The fi rst group to arrive goes out
for a ski while we recover.
When the last of the group shows up, a few of us head out
up the Seven Steps of Paradise for a quick run. We only ski
three or four of them – soft snow, and gentle, rolling terrain
back to the hut. It’s a short but satisfying run and a good
way to kick off trip. There’s no sense killing ourselves on
the fi rst day.
Back at the hut we fall into a routine of melting snow for
drinking water, cooking dinner, and playing cards. As night
falls, a storm moves in.
DAY 2 – SATURDAYWe wake up early to a foot of fresh, fl uffy powder. And
its still snowing. With white-out conditions in the alpine, we
descend below the hut to the protection of the Tree Triangle.
For our fi rst run we head to the left, shredding around the
trees, the turns effortless and the face-shots numerous. The
snow continues to fall and the wind blows to the point our
tracks are fi lling in as we hike back up for another lap.
This time we spot a nice pillow in one of the openings.
Time for some jumps! One at a time we take off, soaring
one-by-one, old school style It doesn’t matter if we crash,
the snow is so deep you don’t feel a thing. We ski off to the
right of the triangle. The snow continues to fall. For our third
lap, we go right down the middle. There’s no day-trippers in
the area today; not once do we cross tracks and the snow is
blinding as it fl ies up in our faces.
After three laps in the trees, we skin back up the hut for
lunch. During lunch, the skies clear and we look at the Seven
Steps of Paradise – a sparkling white tapestry of snow. After
some rest we go for another lap and some more powder.
That evening the sky stays clear and we enjoy the mes-
merizing sunset from the shelter of the hut. It’s a full moon
and as it rises in the sky we can make out our tracks on the
Steps above the hut. The stars dazzle in the night sky.
Who needs television when you’ve got this?
DAY 3 – SUNDAYIt’s another bluebird day and a few of us have our sights
set on one goal – 2,850 metre high Young’s Peak. We set out
early and make our way to the steep, foreboding headwall.
With all that new snow we’re wary of the avalanche hazard
so we dig a pit to get a measure of the snowpack. A few of
us are confi dent, others not. I’m torn but the risk-taker in me
wins out and I follow three others up the headwall while the
rest turn back.
At the summit, we’re treated to 3,100-metre-plus peaks
of the Dawson Range, shrouded in clouds beyond. The sun
produces a rainbow-coloured halo as it shines through the
thin veil of clouds.
The skin down is what we hoped – steep and deep – and,
most importantly, the snowpack holds and we get to enjoy
the long ski back to the hut.
There’s still time to do some more skiing but the general
consensus is to call it a weekend and head back to town. We
ski down through the Tree Triangle, past the Mouse Trap and
along the creek to our cars. It’s a slog, but thoughts of the
skiing we enjoyed make it fast.
The Asulkan Hut is located in Glacier National Park. Bookings can be made through the Alpine Club of Canada. You must be an ACC member to make a reservation. For more information visit www.alpineclubofcanada.ca.
Words and pictures by Alex Cooper
WHEN YOU ENVISION A PERFECT SKI TRIP WHAT DO YOU PICTURE? OVERNIGHT STORMS, BLUEBIRD DAYS AND NO CROWDS? FOR THREE DAYS LAST APRIL AT THE ASULKAN HUT IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, TEN OF US WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO ENJOY ALMOST JUST THAT.