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IN THE BEAUTIFUL COLUMBIA VALLEY

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Serving Spillimacheen, Brisco, Radium, Edgewater, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

Entertainment and activity guide for the whole family!

Madi Mellis of Invermere shows off her goggles after taking a swim in beautiful Lake Lillian.

Photo by Leah Shoemaker

2 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 1, 2008

Reporter Sally Waddington hangs out at the back of the boat after getting doused by the Kootenay River.

Rafting the river combines scenic beauty and action

By Sally Waddington Pioneer Staff I’d been rafting the Kootenay River for, oh, about 24 seconds before I was dripping wet. It wasn’t like everyone in the raft was soaked, either. Just me.

Boarding the bus at Kootenay River Runners headquarters in Radium Hot Springs, I reassured myself that falling in was unlikely and getting wet would be optional.

I was half right.

Our decommissioned school bus rattled along Highway 93 into Kootenay National Park, then bumped and dipped along Settlers Road to the Kootenay River. On board was our driver, Ken; two guides, Ian and Tabitha; and 18 rafters. Plus a whole bunch of lifejackets, oars, wetsuits and two rafts.

When the bus reached the river, the staff prepared for launch and we intrepid adventurers kitted out for the ride.

Kids wriggled into wetsuits while adults donned rubber booties and “splash pants” – supposedly to keep the water from soaking your clothes. For me, they acted like a magnet. Put them on and it’s a call to the wild for all splashes within a five-mile radius to land on the pants.

After a safety talk and a lesson in rowing, we climbed aboard. I sat at the front right of the boat, where I was responsible for setting the rowing pace.

My guide Tabitha pushed us off the shore and we

swept into the flow of the river, around a small brush island and under a bridge.

This is where I learned that those at the front of the boat get the most wet. As we dipped under the bridge, a roll of water jumped over the inflatable rim and landed in my lap like a bucket of snow.

Everybody laughed. I get it, I do: it’s funny to see an Australian get her first taste of glacial water.

And truthfully, I didn’t mind too much. I was already having enough fun to make the soak worthwhile.

We meandered down the river at a sedate pace for a while, before rounding a corner and coming upon the Boulder Rapids.

Tabitha asked us to paddle into the rapids – which I did, until we took a spectacular dip and a series of waves leapt over my head. I’m not sure whether it was the shock of the cold or the excitement of the ride, but by this stage the adrenalin was kicking in.

Soon after, we pulled ashore for a coffee break and a range of sweet and savoury treats to restore our spirits. Several of us adventurers used the time to soak up some rays and dry out a little.

On the second half of the ride, I wised up and nabbed a spot at the back of the raft. Much more sedate, I only got a little splash here and there.

Instead, I sat back to appreciate the beautiful river with its craggy cliff shores and the Rocky Mountains behind.

Continued on next page . . .

Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer ~ 3

August 1, 2008 . . . Continued from previous page The section of the Kootenay River used by Kootenay River Runners is outside the national park, in crown land.

Occasionally you’ll spot a camper beside the river, the remains of a trapper’s hut, and even a couple of old cable-car lines.

Other than that, you could be deep in the back country for the peace and isolation you’ll find. Tabitha tells me that sometimes canoers who get into strife wait for the rafts to come by, as they are almost the only way out.

The Kootenay run is the most remote and the tamest of the rafting company’s three local rides. Children aged five and above can raft the Kootenay, and owners Linda Irvine and Daryl Bespflug say they will sometimes have four generations of a family on a trip. Wedding anniversaries are popular, too, and riders tend to appreciate the scenery as much as the adventure. The rapids here only rise to Class 3 in high water, which is usually from mid-June

to mid-July. (The grading system reaches Class 6.)

Linda and Daryl started Kootenay River Runners in 1976 with only one raft and one trip available. Thirtytwo years later, they also operate rafts on Toby Creek near Panorama, and Kicking Horse River near Golden. Like the Kootenay, Toby Creek reaches Class 3 in June, but it’s best for kids over eight. Children must be at least 12 for the Kicking Horse, as the rapids reach a high Class 4. The faster river is popular with the 20-40-year-old age group, and it’s more likely to host stag parties than family reunions.

As my raft takes its final bend, the two rafts compete against one another to have the loudest call. We raise our paddles in the air, cry, “Yee-ha!” and slap them into the river. I finish the way I started: soggy, but excited.

Kootenay River Runners operates from June till early September each year. Contact them at 1-800-599-4399 or 250-347-9210.

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THE PIONEER The Kootenay River is glacial, so it’s a bit chilly – but its beauty makes up for that.

Photo by Sally Waddington

The valley’s only locally-owned, locally-operated newspaper.

4 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 1, 2008

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SPLASH CLASS – Instructor Craig McGowan, right, teaches the basics of scuba diving to Rafael Chartier, left, and Hélène Forest, right, in the Fairmont pool.

Photo by Alex Cooper

Scuba diving lessons now available in Fairmont

By Alex Cooper Pioneer Staff It was a warm, sunny evening and there I was at the Fairmont Hot Springs, surrounded by couples relaxing in the pool and kids running off the diving board.

And I was strapped into about 500 pounds of scuba-diving gear for the first time ever. I was taking part in the Discover Scuba course offered by Craig McGowan of Red Rock Scuba.

After making sure I didn’t have any crippling ailments and possibly signing my life away, we were given a brief lesson on scuba diving and shown how to use our tentacle-like scuba gear.

The weight of the equipment was a shock and I struggled just to lift it over the pool side into the water. Thank God for buoyancy! In the water the gear was as light as a feather, and fit nice and snug.

Finally, we went under. We were in the shallow end but I struggled mightily to stay down. It seemed like my body just wanted to float back to the surface, no matter how much I willed myself to sink to the bottom. Eventually I figured out the trick and I came to a rest in a comfortable kneeling position at the bottom.

One by one we ran through some exercises on what to do if you lose your breathing apparatus or run out of air. They were fairly painless, though it was admittedly somewhat nerve-wracking to remove your only source of air for a few seconds – even if the surface is only about a foot above your head.

The real fun in the lesson came when we moved to the 14-foot-deep dive pool. Finally, we were allowed to swim around freely and do as we pleased. Sure, there were no fish or coral reefs, but it was a blast to zip around or just allow myself to sink to the bottom and stare up at the sun shining down on the pool.

By the end of the two-hour lesson, I felt completely comfortable underwater.

Discover Scuba is only one of the courses offered

by Craig. He also offers an open-water certification course, which provides all of the training needed to go scuba diving.

The goal of the course, he said, is to provide people with scuba training so that when they go on vacation to Mexico or the Caribbean, they’re ready to have fun swimming about the clear, blue waters right away.

Craig has been scuba diving for 12 years. He first dove at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia when he was 22. He had such a great time doing it that five years later he quit his job at CTV in Lethbridge and decided to become a scuba instructor.

After spending almost four years teaching in the Carribean, he decided he couldn’t spend his entire life living the carefree existence of a dive instructor, so he gave it up to settle down in Invermere and married Laura Kipp, a pharmacist at Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy.

He started giving lessons last summer.

So far the response to his courses has been great.

And, as evidenced by the crowds that gathered around the dive pool to watch us swim like fish in an aquarium, there is a great deal of interest in scuba diving here.

For information, visit www.redrockscuba.com.

Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer ~ 5

August 1 , 2008

Test your skills on three climbing walls

majestic

Herb Weller helps climbers big and small practise at the Laird Climbing Wall.

Photo by Pat Morrow

By Leah Shoemaker Pioneer Staff Rock climbing is fast becoming a popular pastime for any skill level, especially in our valley.

But if you have never climbed before, you can’t just step on a rock face and go on up. The best way to get into climbing is to start with an artificial climbing wall. The valley has three climbing walls, all carefully supervised.

All prices include gear.

Located at the old Radium Elementary School on Columbia Avenue, is the Radium wall, which was built after Russell Krasnuik brought the concept to the Village of Radium.

The wall is open Thursdays from 79 p.m. and costs $5 to climb. For more information call his son Hunter Krasnuik, who supervises the wall at 250-341-7254.

The Invermere climbing wall, located at J. Alfred Laird Elementary School, is open 3-8 p.m. on Fridays and 5-8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The cost to climb is $5.

The Laird wall is operated by volunteer Herb Weller. He will make sure you understand all the safety and skills it takes to climb. For more information

Radium Hot Springs: On Highway #93 • (250) 347-9210

1-800-599-4399 info@raftingtherockies.com • www.raftingtherockies.com

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call Herb at 250-342-9413.

The third wall available is located at Panorama Mountain Village. For the summer, the tall wall is set up outside and open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.. One session costs $6 or three sessions for $13. For information call 250-342-6941.

Before starting to climb, you must learn how to strap into your gear, as well as belaying. The belayer is the person who stays on the ground and keeps the climber from falling if they slip. With proper technique it takes a minimal amount of strength to belay someone.

On an indoor wall, you have the choice of climbing an already-set path of certain difficulty or climbing a “rainbow” route, meaning you can use any rock on the wall to climb.

The walls are open to any age and they are an especially good place to meet other climbers. If you are aching to take your skills to natural rock but don’t have someone to go with, this is the perfect place to meet someone who goes out regularly.

Also, if you are flying solo on the wall, someone at the wall will surely belay you as long as you don’t mind doing the same.

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6 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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August 1, 2008

Every kid’s fantasy: a visit to Candyland

By Sally Waddington Pioneer Staff Step through the doors of Candyland on 7th Avenue in Invermere and you walk into an oldfashioned treasure rarely found in these days of chain stores and vending machines.

Candyland is owned and operated by 26-year Invermere resident Monique Burgoyne. She moved to the valley from Canmore, Alberta, in 1982, having grown up in a town just outside of Montreal.

The candy store holds shelf upon shelf of sweets, treats and taste-tempters. There’s a glass counter that holds bags of rosebuds, nougat and peanut brittle.

A stand holds giant, rainbow coloured lollypops. An enormous Pez display has Tweety Bird, Winnie the Pooh and Snow White dispensors. Tastebuds young and old will salivate.

Monique bought the store six summers ago, but Candyland has been open since 1989. Perhaps the biggest drawcard is the customer service. Monique prides herself on remembering her customers’ favourite items and serving up “the usual” as soon as they open the door. “As soon as I see them, I know what they’re getting,” she said. “I say, ‘One handful or two?’”

This has been useful for candy shoppers several times. One morning, a woman came into the store and told Monique that she was at a loss over what to buy a man for his 50th birthday.

Monique joined the dots and realized that she not only knew the gentleman, she knew his favourite candies, his wife’s favourite candies, and his two children’s favourites candies. She bundled it all together and sent the customer away with a very special, personalized present.

As well as a spectacular range of candy, there are 25 flavours of ice-cream on offer and countless options for frozen yoghurt with fresh fruit combinations. This is possibly the healthiest choice a customer could make, though Monique swears by almonds, licorice and dark chocolate, too.

There are smoothies, milkshakes and iced cappuccinos. Callebaut Belgian chocolate is displayed in a tantalizing glass cabinet, beside chocolate-coated fruit. Cake decorations are set up in the back of the store, as are Canadiana treats like maple syrup and more eccentric choices like Moose Breath Mints and Elk Droppings.

Continued on next page . . .

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Exceptional Golf, Exquisite Dining and Service Beyond™ This 4.5 star, player friendly venue winds its way through spectacular ravine terrain, all the while showcasing some of the Valley’s finest views of the Rockies, Purcells and Lake Windermere. Eagle Ranch is truly elevated, perched high above the Columbia Valley Wetlands, offering pristine fairways and the perfectly manicured greens.

The Clubhouse at Eagle Ranch is open year round with tempting, health conscious fare featured in Saliken Fine Dining and the Trader’s Lounge. A selection of designer resort wear is always on display in the Golf Shop. Add our commitment to Service Beyond™, and you’ll agree Eagle Ranch is a magical place and the ultimate golf experience.

Location: The Clubhouse at Eagle Ranch, 9581 Eagle Ranch Trail (From Hwy 93/95, turn at traffic lights. Entrance is on the right. From Invermere, turn left on Eagle Ranch Trail, off Athalmer Road)

Call 250-342-6560 for restaurant reservations • www.eagleranchresort.com

Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer ~ 7

August 1, 2008

It’s a Great Drive

. . . Continued from previous page Kids usually ask for jawbreakers, awed by the different flavours and sizes. Adults, on the other hand, prefer Dutch licorice or Torani syrup.

And for little people with a little pocket money, Monique makes dollar bags. The dollar includes taxes, so the kids aren’t disappointed.

What is Monique’s personal favourite? “Dark, almond-bark chocolate,” she says with glee.

During the summer, Candyland is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tee Times: (877) 427-7077 or BootlegGapGolf.com

Monique Burgoyne runs the good shop Lollypop.

Photo by Sally Waddington

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8~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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INDERMERE ALLEY (PMG $PVSTF

August 1, 2008

Lace up your hiking boots for a valley view

By Pioneer Staff

Player Friendly, Walkable & Affordable 18 HOLES - $2950 MONDAY - NINE & DINE $2600 9 Holes of Golf with a Sirloin Steak Sandwich

KARI’S KITCHEN is open for your convenience

Tee Times • (250) 342-3004

THE PIONEER

The valley’s only locally owned, locally operated newspaper

There’s no better way to witness the spectacular Columbia Wetlands than by strolling, or rolling, the Old Coach Trail.

One of the last intact wetlands in North America and home to hundreds of thousands of birds, water creatures and large mammals, the Columbia Wetlands are a sight to behold.

Something like Westside Road between Wilmer and Radium, the Old Coach Trail, now just two wheel tracks in the sand, zigzags along the ridges that tower above the wetlands on the east side of the valley.

Just over six kilometres in length and with virtually no elevation gain or loss — save for one dip down to the water’s edge at the north end of the trail — it’s an easy hike for young and old alike.

Although centrally located and easily accessible, the Old Coach Trail might be hard for you to find due to the absence of signage. The Columbia River Greenways Alliance is currently seeking official status for the trail from the Regional District of East Kootenay as part of its greenways project that will stretch from

Radium to Golden. However, the trail roughly parallels Highway 93/95 from Dry Gulch to Radium Hot Springs.

At Dry Gulch, pull off the west side of the highway across from Eacrett Road and immediately turn left (south) down the frontage road along the highway.

Park in the corral at the end of the road and look for the turnstile through the fence at the back.

Follow the path west over a small hill, past a mess of highway department concrete barricades until you meet the dirt road heading north(ish), just a few metres beyond.

Along the way, you will find plenty of grassy meadows leading off to the west perfect for a picnic overlooking the Columbia Wetlands. Bring a pair of binoculars for spotting wildlife and the long lens for your camera.

The north end of the trail empties out onto Highway 93/95 just south of Radium’s welcome sign at the bottom of the mile-long hill. Park a car a each end to keep from having to double back, or walk into Radium and catch a southbound Columbia Valley Transit bus back to Dry Gulch.

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Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer ~ 9

August 1, 2008

OLD COACH TRAIL—Don’t worry about the difficulty of the hike – the views are so spectacular that you’ll want to stop often. Pictured at left is a view of the wetlands looking south from the Old Coach Trail. Above, the trail as it zigzags along the cliffs that tower above the wetlands on the east side of the valley.

Make Copper Point Your Golf Club Enjoy the unique privileges of our exclusive Legacy Membership.

Copper Point is one of the leading golf destinations in the country and our Legacy Memberships provide you the opportunity to make it your golf club and truly experience it all.

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A limited number of Legacy Memberships are available.

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Our equity memberships allow you to join our exciting golf club and take advantage of the many special features, benefits and privileges that are only available to members: s Unlimited golf at the Copper Point course and The Ridge at Copper Point s Booking privileges s Annual driving ranges pass s Power carts s Discounts in the golf shop and View Restaurant s Club storage & locker room Plus enjoy use of all amenities at Copper Point Resort including fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, kids splash park, basketball cart and access to the spa and business center.

Call Brian Schaal for more information.

250-341-3392 Ext. 5

10 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 1, 2008

Discover Lake Windermere • Wakeboard & Waterski Lessons, All ages and abilities • Boat charters - driver, instruction & equipment included • New boats & equipment • Professional instruction

Windermere’s Boating Professionals 342-8799

COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER SPECIAL PUBLICATION

To find your way around the valley, pick up the 1

or visit: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com 2008 Colum

bia Valley Map

Book

N E W S PA P E R

CO LUM B I A VA L L E Y P I O N E E R S P E C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N

Looking for a great place to eat?

Pick up your new

Dining Guide

at valley businesses or call our office at…

N E W S PA P E R

(250)

341-6299

Museum summer assistant Grace Glowicki will conduct tours for visitors.

Photo by Leah Shoemaker

Ten best things to see at the Museum

By Leah Shoemaker Pioneer Staff Located on the top of the hill near Sobeys and the Invermere Public Library, the Windermere Valley Museum has a several historic buildings to explore.

From the main building, a former train station, to the old Brisco oneroomed school, follow the self-guided tours or ask staff to give you a tour.

The museum is governed by the Windermere District Historical Society. Funding is received through memberships, fee for service from the District of Invermere, donations and a grant from the Regional District of East Kootenay.

Don't forget to sign the guest book and leave a donation for your admission fee.

Whether you're a local or from afar, there are many interesting things to learn about our beautiful valley's history. Here are some highlights:

1. Train-station display

Enter through the museum’s main building, which used to be a train station located at the bottom of the hill beside the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in Athalmer. In 1975, a coal train derailed and smashed into the building, rendering it useless. The Historical Society bought the building for $1 and that was the start of the museum. Here you’ll see pictures of the wreck, along with an original coal stove from the train station.

2. Edison phonograph

This still-working device is on loan from the Watkins family for the summer. The 100-year-old device uses wax cylinders to play music. It’s in working condition and you can listen to music that was in style 100 years ago.

The phonograph was once used in the Brisco school house.

Continued on next page . . .

Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer ~ 11

August 1, 2008 . . . Continued from previous page

3. Berlin Organ

This organ was shipped by the Canadian Pacific Railway from Ontario to Golden. It was then brought into the valley aboard the paddlewheeler, Nowitka. The boat came on shore at Steamboat Landing south of Brisco for the Stanley R. Harrison family. The gorgeous organ is still in working condition.

4. Dugout canoe

This canoe is believed to have belonged to Chief Kinbasket of the Shuswap band. The canoe was made by burning a tree, scooping out the ashes and chiseling the rest.

Unlike canoes today, people would have sat on their knees because of the narrow shape of the boat.

5. Photo archives

Hundreds of photos are stored in the basement. All archived with great detail, photos can be found of early landscapes and wildlife, pioneers, mining and agriculture.

If your family has been in the valley for longer than 50 years, chances are the museum will have photos of your relatives! The Pioneer also publishes one of the museum’s marvellous old photos almost every week on the Editorial page.

6. Old cameras

7. Clothing collection

Families often come in to dress up in the old clothing stored downstairs. From army hats to leather jackets to beautiful moccasins, you can take your pick of any genre or era. There are also boxes of clothing that are just for display, like a beautiful antique wedding dress. Bring a camera and your family can do your own oldfashioned photo shoot!

8. Guns

Gun fanatic or not, you can’t help but be impressed by the Blunderbuss gun made by Wilson.

Likely used to defend a fort, it is more than 200 years old. The gun is so huge and powerful that it can’t and be held against your shoulder.

Instead it had to be mounted so as not to cause damage to the body.

And the bullets? Anything can go into this weapon, forks being a common ammo!

Although this is not an actual display, in the storage room are a dozen old cameras. For the die-hard photographer, it is so interesting to see how much technology has changed the process of photography.

The Blunderbuss was believed to have defended a trading post.

Photo by Leah Shoemaker

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9. Iron box

Believed to be owned by the famous explorer David Thompson, the museum now has possession of this black metal box. The box would have been used to keep notes and maps dry, as well as keep tools safe.

10. Lord’s cabin

This new building was constructed in Radium in the 1950s and owned by the Lord family. Last year the cabin was donated by Alex and Maude Wattle. It was first used as a recreational cabin and contained plenty of old sporting gear. Now you can view old skis, skates and fishing rods.

Family picnics will be held at the museum at 1 p.m on August 3rd, 16th and 29th.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Call 250-3429769 for information.

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12 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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MORE THAN WORLD CLASS GOLF Escape to the Newest Premier Meeting and Conference Facility in the Columbia Valley

Take advantage of our pre-opening offer Book your next meeting and accommodation with Copper Point Resort before October 31st, 2008 and receive a complimentary conference room rental. For details, contact our Conference and Special Events Manager at 250.341.6241 Opening late fall 2008 in Windermere. www.copperpoint.ca

August 1, 2008