WINTER/SPRING 2007–2008
PREMIER ISSUE
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KICKING LIFE INTO HIGH GEAR: A COLLECTION OF TALES FROM KICKING HORSE COUNTRY, GOLDEN BC THAT’S HOW WE ROLL IN GOLDEN GEARING UP FOR THE 10TH ANNUAL PSYCHOSIS DOWNHILL RICH MARSHALL LOCAL LEGEND VS WEEKEND WARRIOR CHEF SUMMIT GOLDEN GOURMANDS ON THEIR GAME TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH HITS PAYDIRT IN GOLDEN BEHIND THE SCENES WITH TGR HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOUR DARE TO ENTER THE CULTURE ZONE IN KICKING HORSE COUNTRY
A L P I N E S TA R T | L O C A L P R O F I L E S | C U I S I N E S C E N E | H I S T O R Y | V I D E O | M O U N TA I N C U LT U R E | V I S U A L & P E R F O R M I N G A R T S
On a clear day...
McPhee
YO U S T I L L C A N ’ T S E E YO U R B O OT S .
At our mountain playground, we understand sharing and taking turns. Directions are simple: get down. Recess lasts all day. Playing hard is encouraged. There’s fun for every child, and every inner-child. With the longest vertical in the Kootenay Rockies, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort boasts 4,133 vertical feet, 106 runs, 70 inbound chutes, 2750 acres of terrain, ski-in ski-out lodging, seven restaurants and bars, and the best stories on earth.
NEW FOR THE 2007-2008 SEASON More glade skiing on the mountain; powder stashes now more accessible! Check out the new Horse Play Corral — a super cool family fun zone on the lower slopes! There’s a new skating rink in the heart of the Resort Village, an upgraded beginner area, an improved and relocated tube park, and easier access into Bowl Over. And new upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway means you’ll get here faster!
www.KickingHorseResort.com | 1.866.SKI.KICK
From
629
$
B I G M O U N TA I N P OW D E R PAC K AG E Includes: Five days skiing/boarding and four nights on-mountain accommodation. Some restrictions apply. PP/DBL OCC. plus taxes.
Canyon Creek Outfitters High Performance Gear & Apparel.
McPhee
G E A R U P F O R YO U R F R E S H A DV E N T U R E .
Got gear? We do. Canyon Creek Outfitters on the Gondola Plaza offers the best in ski and snowboard rentals and sales, and features brands such as Rossignol, Burton, Volkl and Salomon. Need to tame the horse? Then get riding with High Performance Skis or Boards. Need a fix? Canyon Creek’s Repair Shop has professional technicians to ensure your ride’s relationship with the mountain stays solid. Canyon Creek ensures the adventures don’t stop! For an evening of exploration, rent cross-country skis or snowshoes and tour our trails.
RESORT BRAND WEAR—PROOF TO TAKE HOME! For proof of the extraordinary story, there’s Kicking Horse Resort merchandise. Canyon Creek offers great branded apparel. Wear your adventure today!
www.KickingHorseResort.com | 1.866.SKI.KICK
Save up to
50
%
off
S N OW S H O E & N O R D I C S K I R E N TA L S Rent one and get the second at 50% off! Can not be combined with other offers or discounts. Offer expires April 2008.
COVER PHOTO MIKE MCPHEE In December 2006 Lynsey Dyer, one of the top female freeskiers in the world dropped by the resort with Dan Egan’s “Wild World of Skiing” TV show. After the last day of the shoot, we hiked up to Super Bowl for some turns & photos. I was lucky enough to get this shot of Lyndsey jumping a cliff in the late evening light.
KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE EDITOR IN CHIEF/PUBLISHER Heather Caverhill info@kickinghorsemagazine.com
EDITOR AT LARGE Jason Eastwood jason@kickinghorsemagazine.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Todd Macfie, Colleen Palumbo, Cathy Queen Williams, Cheryl Goodwin
ALPINE START
04-07 MIXED BAG
Get crazy on a wild snow bronco ride; skiing in your shorts: a summer sliding pilgrimage; a gaggle of gliders: adventures in altitude; high-mountain marriages; it takes a whole community to build a fabulous timber frame bridge; climbing mountains actually makes you smarter; the art of the longboard
PROFILES
08-09 THE LOCAL SCENE
Five locals reveal their weapons of choice; Rich Marshall can teach you a lesson (in mountaineering); living the good life with the Hlavay family
FEATURES
12-13 PSYCHOSIS: THAT’S HOW WE ROLL IN GOLDEN Meet the kindly, rational, and ultimately humble organizers behind North America’s most insane mountain bike race ever
15-18 FOOD: KICKING HORSE COUNTRY CHEF SUMMIT
Writer and gastronomically advanced human being, Heather Caverhill investigates food and love with Kicking Horse Country’s finest chefs
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HISTORY: A TALE OF TWO RIVERS
If Todd Macfie is not on a river or a pair of skis, you might find him in your local archives; here he takes a brief journey through 5,000 years of river travel in the Rocky Mountain Trench
24-29 VIDEO: TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH HITS PAYDIRT IN GOLDEN
Writer and photographer Mike McPhee chases the TGR crew from peak to peak, huck to huck, and pub to pub; he may even have done a bit of skiing himself
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BACKCOUNTRY: SWISS GUIDES THEN AND NOW
A brief encounter with the Golden Father of Heli-skiing, Rudi Gertsch
32-34 ARTS AND CULTURE: A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOUR
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Writer, rocker, and wandering flaneur Jason Eastwood contemplates Kicking Horse Culture; his efforts are most certainly worth the rewards
KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE 07/08
DESIGN/ART DIRECTION Platform Design Nina Palmer, Todd Macfie, & Lisa Lehmann service@platformdesign.ca
MARKETING DIRECTOR Heather Caverhill sales@kickinghorsemagazine.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cheryl Goodwin, Mike McPhee, Tim Grey, Todd Macfie, Jason Eastwood and Heather Caverhill
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS/ILLUSTRATORS Michelle Langfeldt, Dave Best, Cheryl Goodwin, Tim Grey, Mike McPhee, Todd Macfie, Jason Eastwood, Heather Caverhill, Jon Walsh, Chris Thompson, Sarah Osadetz, Bryan Caverhill, Dave Tokaruk
DISTRIBUTION Force Distribution forcedelivery@uniserve.com To distribute Kicking Horse Magazine contact Heather Caverhill info@kickinghorsemagazine.com
CONTACT/ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL Kicking Horse Magazine Box 20215, Golden BC V0A 1H0 Tel 250 344 7075 www.kickinghorsemagazine.com info@kickinghorsemagazine.com
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT This magazine is printed on Productolith paper. Productolith is an acid free and archival quality stock. All the pulp used is elemental chlorine free (ECF) or totally chlorine free (TCF), 10% total recovered fibre/all post-consumer fiber, and meets EPA abd FTC guidelines for recycled coated papers. By using this stock we have reduced our environmental footprint by saving: 20 trees, 14 million BTU’s of energy, 2,244lbs of Greenhouse Gases, 7,356 gallons of water and 1,217 lbs of solid waste.
Live the Kicking Horse Country Lifestyle
Authentic • Community • Adventure OPPORTUNITIES IN KICKING HORSE COUNTRY Experience the wonders of our real mountain community lifestyle – as a resident, business operator/owner and contributor to an exceptional quality of life. With a commitment towards balanced growth and environmental sustainability, we are proud to share our enviable lifestyle.
GOLDEN & AREA INITIATIVES (GAI) We are your one stop source for information and support on business and investment opportunities! We also provide “pathfinding” to other government agencies, services and more...
Please visit our website at www.kickinghorsecountry.com for more information.
British Columbia Visitors Centre 111, Golden Donald Upper Road Golden, British Columbia
.....................
WHERE TO FIND US:
BOX 20190, GOLDEN, BC V0A 1H0 PHONE EMAIL WEB
250 344 2420 FAX 250 344 7835 edo@goldenbritishcolumbia.com www.kickinghorsecountry.com
ALPINE START//MIXED BAG
BRONCOS OF THE SNOW THE CRISPNESS OF THE AIR TATTOOS AN EIGHT HUNDRED HORSE POWER SMILE ACROSS THE RIDER’S FACE Confidently straddling this mechanical beast, machine and rider blend effortlessly into their surroundings. Yet no beast can be fully tamed.The bliss felt when a liquid cooled brute is released from its cage becomes the one moment where everything around it stops. It is in this moment when even the pure white calm of a cold winter’s day can’t muffle a triumphant roar from the Broncos of the Snow.
The popularity of snowmobiling in Kicking Horse Country is rapidly hitting red line levels. The region’s beautiful surroundings support a variety of trails to suit riders of every level. With over ten legendary riding areas and approximately 1165 kilometres of trail containing over 82,300 feet of combined elevation, the adventure seems never-ending.
PILGRIMAGE TO MOUNT 7 FOR GOLDEN LOCALS RIDING THE ”7” IS AN ANNUAL RITE OF PASSAGE Clad in shorts with skis and boards strapped to their backpacks, a small group travels along the ridge. Nearing the top of the summit, boots and bindings are tightened. The first skier lets out a little holler and slides off through the sugary snow. The procession follows one at a time, carving through the narrow patch of snow that cuts across the mountainside in the shape of a perfect seven. The run is brief and the snow is wet, but there is excitement on the mountain. According to local historians, the mountain that looms above Golden BC has been called Mount
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7 since the early explorers and surveyors first noticed its numerical features. Every year in early June a seamless seven appears just below its peak. Though only visible for a little over a week, the seven permeates local culture with a number of businesses, clubs and events named after the landmark. The launch at Mount 7 is the site of internationally renowned hang gliding and paragliding. The mountainside is home to a network of world-class downhill mountain bike trails, including the longest single-track mountain bike racecourse in North America.
From its peak Mount Seven affords a birds-eye-view of Golden and Kicking Horse Country. From its base, the Town of Golden can be reached on foot in minutes.
A GROUP OF PARAGLIDERS IS CALLED A GAGGLE. IT IS QUITE A SIGHT TO SEE A MULTICOLOURED SWARM HOVERING OVER MOUNT 7 IN LATE JULY
GET ON YOUR HIGH HORSE
After a 5 year hiatus, the National Paragliding Championships returned to Kicking Horse Country in the summer of 2007. The competition is similar to a yacht race. Competitors race to a goal via a series of turn-points which they find with a GPS. Points are awarded for time and accuracy. During the week following the Nationals, paragliders and hang gliders participated in the Annual Willi Muller Memorial XC Challenge at Mount 7. The Willi is a semi competitive distance event that takes place in early August. Participants fly each day for a week and compare their top three flights for distance. Mount 7 is one of the top hang/paragliding sites in the world. Eight world records have been set from the launch at Mount 7. Recently the Canadian Tandem Record for distance was set by Scott Watwood and his passenger Sam Rousselle. Scott and Sam flew 128 kms from Mount 7 to Fairmont Hot Springs. Watwood has been flying in Kicking Horse Country for 10 years. He is president of the Golden Flying Club and part owner of Altitude Adventures – offering tandem paragliding flights. When not flying with tandem guests, he says that he flies for the sheer thrill of climbing through the sky without an engine. “Most people don’t understand that you can climb faster than an elevator in an up-draft. A 206 Jet Ranger helicopter climbs at 800 ft per minute – the best climb with a paraglider can get up to 2000 ft per minute or more.”
Get The Bigger Picture At kickinghorsemagazine.com – Visit us online for more information about local clubs and businesses. Featuring additional content, photography and video from the area.
07/08 KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE
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AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH FROM THE LUXURY OF EAGLE’S EYE RESTAURANT AT THE TOP OF KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT TO THE PARAGLIDING LAUNCH HIGH ON MOUNT 7, COUPLES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE ARE SAYING “I DO” IN KICKING HORSE COUNTRY The phenomenon is also bringing nuptials to the local rivers. Vows have been shared while floating down the scenic Columbia River with family and friends. One couple reportedly tied-the-knot in between the class four rapids alongside the mighty Kicking Horse River. Of course not every Kicking Horse Country wedding takes place on a mountaintop or beside a glacier-fed river. Traditional style ceremonies are often held at the spectacular Golden Golf Course. And for couples who want to keep their feet planted on more solid ground, the timber-
GET THE BIGGER PICTURE
KICKING HORSE MAGAZINE .COM kickinghorsemagazine.com features additional content, photography and video from the area. Visit us online for more information about local clubs and businesses.
frame pedestrian bridge overtop the Kicking Horse River is a solid option. Golden’s multitude of diverse five star lodges and restaurants offer couples the opportunity to tailor their wedding day to their own taste.The potential settings in Kicking Horse Country are limited only by one’s imagination. With over half the region’s marriage licenses being awarded to couples from outside British Columbia, Kicking Horse Country is becoming a very popular matrimonial destination.
GOLDEN’S TIMBERFRAME BRIDGE IN 2001, A 156 FOOT TIMBERFRAME BRIDGE WAS BUILT OVERTOP OF THE KICKING HORSE RIVER IN DOWNTOWN GOLDEN This is the longest covered pedestrian bridge in Canada. With the help of over 70 volunteers, the project became a symbol of community spirit. The project attracted the assistance of travelling journeyman. The traditionally clad carpenters are members of an itinerant German craft tradition that dates back to medieval times.
PHOTO MIKE MCPHEE
ALPINE START//MIXED BAG
WANDER THE SPLENDOUR HIKERS IN KICKING HORSE COUNTRY ARE SURROUNDED BY SOARING PEAKS, GLISTENING GLACIERS AND PLUNGING VALLEYS, BUT THAT’S NOT ALL: THEY’RE FOLLOWING IN SOME FAMOUS FOOTSTEPS TOO The intrepid fur trade explorer David Thompson first travelled past Golden just over 200 years ago. He and his men made the trek over Howse Pass and down the Blaeberry River under some very difficult conditions. Many hikers repeat his trip today, but they do have the advantage of a maintained trail. After the fur traders came the railroad surveyors. They hiked up local mountains to get their bearings while working in the Columbia Valley. Walter Moberly used the distinctive peak north of Golden to get a lay of the land; the mountain now bears his name. Major Rogers, of course, discovered Rogers Pass through the Selkirks, which boasts great hiking and mountaineering routes. He didn’t have the benefit of marked trails, but had to get through the notorious Selkirk bush the hard way. Rogers apparently thought fame was better than money, for he never did cash his pay cheque from the railroad company. Then came the scientists. A.O. Wheeler of the Geological Survey of Canada dragged his team up just about every peak around in order to get accurate mapping of the mountains. His pioneering survey unlocked many (but not all) of the secrets of the magnificent mountains around us. Enjoy wandering amongst the splendour of Kicking Horse Country and spare a thought for the hard working adventurers who came before.
FRONTSIDE INTO THE FUTURE “I WAS MAKING LONG BOARDS OUT OF MY KITCHEN FOR FUN AND I STARTED BRINGING THEM TO SCHOOL. EVERYONE WAS STOKED ON MY BOARDS SO I STARTED SELLING THEM.” Sharma Yawrenko went into the Adventure Tourism Business Operations program at College of the Rockies in Golden BC with one business idea, and emerged 18 months later with a fully functioning enterprise that is still growing today. “The original idea for my business plan revolved around a surf camp for women,” recalls Yawrenko. Quickly thereafter, one of her passionate hobbies replaced the surf camp as the focus of her business plan. “I was making Long Boards out of my kitchen for fun and started bringing them to school. Everyone was stoked on them so I started selling them. My instructor said ‘you should do this for your business plan.’ And I changed my business plan to Slow Motion Long Boards.”
Slow Motion Long Boards has since won the Golden Chamber of Commerce’s Most Innovative Business Award and Sharma still operates out of Golden. She is one of the only board designers in the world who custom paints the art on her decks. The designs that customers request always keep her intrigued. “One customer had me paint one of his dreams where he was sitting around a fire shackled to a dragon. Customers ask to paint things I’d never in a million years conceive of painting myself. I love it!”
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PROFILES//MEET & GREET
THE GOLDEN FRAME NAME: AARON BERNASCONI HOME TOWN: GOLDEN BC
LOCAL LEGEND RICH MARSHALL
WEAPON OF CHOICE: 2008 SUMMIT 800 SNOWMOBILE “My most sought after trip is our annual excursion to Chatter Creek in the spring. When you ride into that valley you are awestruck by 360 degree views of enormous summits and deep valleys. The vastness makes you feel miniature.”
NAME: KRISTIN FURTNEY HOME TOWN: GOLDEN BC WEAPON OF CHOICE: SUPER STIFF DIVINE 162” SNOWBOARD “I’ve been snowboarding at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for five years and there’s still so much terrain to be ridden. Every day I discover something new to play off – whether it’s a pillow line or a cliff or a little chute to ride. The local attitude is ‘no attitude’ – no one cares how you dress or what you ride. It’s all for fun!”
BY 15 HE WAS CLIMBING ROCK AND ICE WITH HIS FATHER ROGER MARSHAL, A MOUNTAINEER IN THE HIMALAYAS, AND DOUG SCOTT, THE FIRST BRIT TO CLIMB EVEREST
NAME: TROY JUNGEN HOME TOWN: GOLDEN BC WEAPON OF CHOICE: LIGHT SKIS, TO KEEP UP WITH THE YOUNG GUYS – I’VE GOT TWO OF THE LIGHTEST PAIRS IN THE WORLD “My craziest trip was a ski from Canyon Creek to Rogers Pass. It took 16 hours to travel 45km through the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains. We started this mind- and toe-numbing journey at 2am in the moonlight. We skied powder the entire trip, reaching our destination at 6pm the next day.”
WEEKEND WARRIORS HLAVAY FAMILY
JOE, KATHY, BRADEN, BRITTYNE & COLTON
NAME: JEFF DOLINSKY HOME TOWN: PARSON BC WEAPON OF CHOICE: A PAIR OF FAST YELLOW DARTS “I love to spend a Saturday morning right after the trail is track-set on the Raven Loop at Dawn Mountain at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. It is classic Nordic skiing. Crisp air, no people, just snow, trees and the birds. We have some of the best skiing in the area.”
NAME: LOUIS “MUZZY” GRECO HOME TOWN: GOLDEN BC WEAPON OF CHOICE: CLUBS AND A BALL “For the past 20 years the links at Golden have been my home turf. I’ve played many courses in BC (I play an average of 150 games a year) and the Golden Golf Club is the best in the west. On June 6, 2007 after 60 years in the game I sunk my first hole-in-one. I made the shot on the 16th hole, a par three with a $2500 payout, just 10 days after my 80th birthday.”
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WHENEVER THEY HAVE A CHANCE, THEY PACK UP THE KIDS AND GEAR AND FLEE TO KICKING HORSE COUNTRY, WHERE THEY HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED VACATION PROPERTY
PROFILE
in 1987, completed the program in 1992 • Won the men’s division at the 2001 Festiglace ACCREDITATIONS: INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED Ice Climbing Competition, Port-Rouge, Quebec finished second overall in 2002 MOUNTAIN GUIDE, ALL-AROUND GOOD GUY • Finished third overall at the Ouray, Colorado Ice Climbing Invitational in 2006 and third in the men’s division in 2007 Though Rich has travelled the world and climbed in Argentina (Patagonia), Europe, Australia, and Asia, he continues to live, climb, WHY HE STAYS ski, ride and guide in Golden, B.C. He runs his “I can’t think of a place that’s more ideally own guiding service and continues to be one located than Golden, geographically and also of the most respected educators in the field climate wise. There’s a pretty fine balance. We of mountaineering. Ask any climber what they have a great ski hill with some challenging terlove most about Rich and they’ll sight his rain and access to backcountry skiing. We have ability to challenge them while making them some of the best ice climbing in the world, and feel comfortable at the same time. we can get to Rogers Pass or the Rockies in under an hour. We’re close to the Bugaboos as well, which is the one of the greatest ranges in DOSSIER • Moved to Kicking Horse Country from England the world for granite spire climbing. The town of Golden has changed a lot over the years. It’s a in 1967, at the age of four real town now, with great diversity in the people • Often dragged out of school kicking and who live here.” screaming to go on climbing trips with his
PROFESSION: MOUNTAINEER
family in the Golden area • Started tackling intense climbing terrain and other pursuits such as ice climbing around the age of 15. Cut his teeth, or rather his hands, on trips with his father Roger Marshall, a Himalayan Mountaineer, and Doug Scott, the first Brit to climb Everest • Adventured in the Himalayas for a few years, just out of highschool • Started working towards his guide certification
PROFILE PROFESSION: CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS
WHY THEY COME
“When we come out to Kicking Horse we find ACCREDITATIONS: RECREATIONAL SKIERS, SUB- such a different atmosphere and pace than in the city. It doesn’t feel commercial here like URBAN CALGARIANS, FAMILY OF FUNSEEKERS some of the other ski areas. We love the offseason – it’s tranquil but there are still things to do on the mountain. During the winter the Joe and Kathy Hlavay are the quintessential whole family loves to ski, even our three yearKicking Horse Country weekend warriors. old. Our kids have learned to ski at a young They live in Calgary, Alberta where Joe runs age. We would love to see them grow up and a construction company. Whenever they have choose to go skiing on weekends rather than a chance they pack up the kids and their gear and flee to Kicking Horse Country, where they hang out in the city. The terrain at Kicking Horse is extremely diverse and challenging and there have recently purchased vacation property. are a lot of really great skiers on the mountain.
DOSSIER • Avid skiers, the Hlavay’s have visited ski areas throughout BC, Alberta, Washington, Montana, California, Wyoming and Idaho • On a family ski trip in 1998 they visited Golden and skied an astonishing amount of powder at Whitetooth ski area (now Kicking Horse Mountain Resort) • Revisiting Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in 2004, Joe was blown away by the mountain while stepping off the Gondola, he then com- mitted to return with his family • Joe and Kathy purchased a resort home at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in 2005 • The Hlavays now spend weekends, holidays and school breaks in Kicking Horse Country
We have a two-bedroom condo at the base of the mountain in Gondola Plaza. It is pretty incredible to be able to ski right to our door. We’ve been really fortunate with this investment because when we are not using the condo it can be rented out nightly through the rental pool and it seems to pay for itself. There are plans for further development of the plaza area in coming years. We are looking forward to the Family Fun Zone – featuring a skating rink and more activities for the kids. Our plans for next summer will include more time in Kicking Horse Country. We would like to try downhill biking at the mountain, raft the Kicking Horse River and do some hiking in the area. Golden has such a great vibe. We love to go into town to check out the restaurants and the nightlife. The community has a vibrant personality; we’ve met some great local characters.”
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Play here. Live here Some call it heaven. Others call it home. Call it what you want, it won’t change the fact that this world class resort features some of the best lifestyle and recreational real estate opportunities in the world. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is situated in the Purcell Mountains, and overlooks Golden, British Columbia and the majestic Rocky Mountains. As one of the newest ski resorts in North America, the resort has garnered a reputation for boasting some of the greatest in-bound terrain and epic snow conditions on the continent. With 4,133 vertical feet, 106 runs, 2750 acres and 70 inbound chutes, Kicking Horse offers unparalleled terrain for those who demand the best. To literally top it off, the award-winning Eagle’s Eye Restaurant is perched atop the mountains at 7,700 feet, offering some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, and Canada’s highest luxury dining experience. Truly, this is a resort like no other. The resort’s village core continues to evolve with over 270 residences, along with a selection of restaurants, retail shops, apres ski activities and pubs. Over the next 10 years, the resort anticipates growing to include over 4,000 acres of rugged terrain accessed by nine major lifts and all the amenities of a four-season, world-class mountain getaway. The mountain’s future plans for expansion and growth include additional lodges, condominiums, townhomes, estate homesites and resort homes, as well as an 18-hole championship golf course. As the resort continues to build on their 4-season mountain playground master plan, Kicking Horse is proud to offer its latest phase of developments; including The Aspens, Palliser Lodge and Cedar Creek Estates. The Aspens offer on-mountain townhomes at an affordable price; the luxurious condos at Palliser Lodge are nearly sold out; and the new Cedar Creek Estates offers large exceptional homesites in a private mountain setting. We believe great expectations demand higher standards, and our mountain’s luxury and legacy real estate positioning ensure those with higher tastes are rewarded. Discover your piece of our mountain today.
4,133 vertical feet. 106 runs. 4 incredible seasons. 1 place to call your own. T H E A S P E N S AT K I C K I N G H O R S E Representing mountain living with incredible value, these townhouses, with fi ve homes per building, are designed in one and two bedroom confi gurations, all with underground parking. Full-ownership at The Aspens begins at $264,900, including hot tub. Select from the countless custom fi nishing and furnishing options available, and personalize your piece of the mountain at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
STARTING AT $264,900. Phase 1 & 2 85% sold. Phase 3 & 4 coming in winter 2008! This is not an offering for sale. Such an offering may only be made by disclosure statement only. E.&O.E.
Contact the Real Estate Discovery Centre Email: resecretary@kickinghorseresort.com
1.888.706.1117 | www.KickingHorseResort.com www.AspensAtKickingHorse.ca
FEATURES//THE PSYCHOSIS
Roll
PSYCHOSIS IS THE LONGEST DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE IN NORTH AMERICA.THE TRACK DROPS 4000 VERTICAL FEET THROUGH 40 DEGREE SHALE SLOPES, A SERIES OF ROCK DROPS, AND A 40FT ROAD GAP; IT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS MINDBLOWING, KNUCKLE-WHITENING, RIDICULOUSLY STEEP, AND INSANE.
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OWN AS N K IS E C A LLY THE R UT YEARS AGO IT A N IO T A N R “INTE CHOTIC, B HING TO DO… ” Y S P Y L E T U ABSOL THE FUN T T S U J S A W STORY BY HEATHER CAVERHILL, PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE BEST
feel shocked when they ride the course for the first time.”
Over a few deserved beers, Trevor Gavura, Dave Best and Aaron Bernasconi swap stories. The word humble pops up again when the discussion turns to local athletes. “I find in Golden, Just a week prior, they were playing indispensin general, people are here to live their sports able roles as 3 of 12 organizers of the “world’s and not talk about them,” Gavura muses. “This most demented downhill mountain bike race” – is a modest town considering that it is home The 9th Annual Mount 7 Psychosis. to some of the best athletes in the world when The trio still seem charged with energy from it comes to adventure sports.” He points out pulling off another successful event although that year-after-year resident riders are able to one would think that they would be exhausted. measure up to the pros. The Psychosis Downhill Throughout the year, and particularly during became a Red Bull Sponsored event in 2005 the months leading up to the race, the Golden attracting the world’s fastest pro-racers – Sam Cycling Club devotes a great amount of time to Hill, Nathan Rennie, Chris Kovarik and Tyler Top: Andy Bostock and four British riders planning the event. Over 1500 volunteer hours Morland. Despite the heavy-weight competition, Bottom: Rider on his way down the Psychosis are spent marketing the race and preparing local rider Alexander Schmidt has ranked in the gone into promoting mountain biking in Kicking the course and facilities. Bernasconi, a Golden top 10 of the pro category every year. Horse Country over the past decade the omniCycling Club director who spent Psychosis Best, who also sits on the Golden Cycling present theme of humility enters the dialogue weekend shuttling riders up the 14 km logging Club Board of Directors, describes the race as again. The first Psychosis event was conroad to the race start, is already thinking about a “level playing field.” Locals who have never ceived of and organized by volunteers; the first the year ahead: “next year will be the biggest competed in a downhill event are able to commountain bike trails were built by volunteers; to date. It will be a celebration of the 10th year pare their riding to world-class racers. “Young signage, trail maintenance, and trail maps – all of the race.” ‘groms’ – the local kids from Golden – have the were managed by volunteers. The foundation of The conversation focuses on the racecourse. opportunity to work out how their biking times mountain bike culture in Kicking Horse Country The 5.9 km stretch of track is quickly gaining rank compared to professional riders and that was built on volunteer contributions of time and a reputation as the steepest and gnarliest ride means a lot to them.“ resources purely for the love of the sport. on the circuit. The trail has been described as Bernasconi equates the atmosphere at the “We all just want to increase the prominence of mind-blowing, knuckle-whitening, ridiculouslyPsychosis finish line to that of a 24-hour race. biking in the area to promote a healthy commusteep, and insane. Yet humble seems to be the “It’s that excitement of just making it through nity,” Best offers. “If you ask our race director word of the moment. Each year, as the race the course, not necessarily winning or anything. why he works so hard to support the Golden director, Gavura asks for feedback from comRiders are just thrilled to make it to the bottom.” Cycling Club and the Psychosis event he’ll tell petitors to find out if the Psychosis event lives The conversation switches gears with mention you that he just wants to make sure that his up to expectation. “I like to ask them if we have of Nate Briggs, a local rider who crossed the 2-year-old daughter will grow up in a community ‘over-marketed’ the product. We tout ourselves finish line this year without pants on. Some where she can have access to mountain as the ‘most demented downhill race.’ We tell bike trails.” riders about the steeps, the rock-drops, the surf- laughter and stories are traded about high jinks from past races. They talk about the early ing, the shale riding and the pro gap. But when years when participants were riding the trail they get here and see the course they still in hockey gear with paper plates on the front can’t believe it - they are humbled.” Get The Bigger Picture of their bikes. Bernasconi points out that the Kicking Horse Country offers world-class mounThe longest single-track downhill racecourse grassroots approach to the event still resonates tain biking for every skill level: from the Mount 7 in North America, Psychosis drops over 4000 today. “Internationally the race is known as Trail System, to the Moonraker Trails, Dawn vertical feet through 40 degree shale surfing, a absolutely psychotic now, but years ago when Mountain and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. series of rock drops and a 40 foot road gap. the event was started it was just the most fun For more information on where to ride in Golden “It has to be beyond whatever else is out there,” thing to do… ” visit kickinghorsemagazine.com Gavura adds. “The pros come here having raced When a question is raised about the huge the steepest stuff in the world and they still amount of volunteer time and energy that has
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Great expectations demand higher standards. A C U L I N A R Y E X P E R I E N C E F O R E V E R Y PA L A T E .
For those with a thirst for inspiration, or a hunger for the extraordinary, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort invites you to discover fine mountain dining. From gourmet mountaintop meals, to simple fare for those on the move, we have a fresh taste adventure for you.
E AG L E ’ S E Y E R E S TAU R A N T ‘Mountain Restaurant of the year’ – Good Ski and Snowboard Guide – 2002-2007. At 7,700 feet above sea level, you’re soaring in a higher class altogether. Drink in epic views as award winning chefs – influenced by classic French technique and inspired by a Rocky Mountain setting – create savoury masterpieces in a mountaintop setting.
Sunset Dinner $49.99 - reservations recommended. H E AV E N ’ S D O O R Y U R T Stop by for a casual lunch in the heart of the mountains. Located mid–mountain at the base of the Stairway to Heaven Chair, the Yurt, a modern adaptation of the ancient shelter used by Central Asian nomads for centuries, offers an experience like no other.
WHITETOOTH GRILL The hot spot for great food and entertainment, located in the Day Lodge on the Gondola Plaza. The Whitetooth Grill is the place for great breakfasts, exceptional lunches and a unique Aprés Ski menu with daily specials.
www.KickingHorseResort.com | 1.866.SKI.KICK
FEATURES//CHEF SUMMIT
E S R O H T I G ev r Y M N ri st E KI TR M U F N C S I U K O EF C H C
E W T E A R H HE E T W IEV T EC BEL L F I RE ND US E A D.” N E E R OO M H F L G A I N THE C LO L I V I N , N VE AT O I O H IP N LL L E T H T G O Y E A TAS SCOU M W ER I“ N VE . CAN US MY L I O U ARC Y HEF M
1 . 0 C
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FEATURES//CHEF SUMMIT organic garden on the property. The immaculately maintained plot yields enough produce to feed family and friends as well as supply a neighboring restaurant with vegetables. Go Organic is also home to a herd of goats that help with golf course maintenance and occasionally end up on the dinner table. On this particular occasion goat meat was not on the menu but the Wizzard’s approach to sustainable living prompted dialogue among the chefs. Sourcing superior fresh produce became a hot topic of conversation. More chefs are inclined to purchase their vegetables directly from local growers and farmers. Certain restaurants even maintain on-site vegetable plots. Restaurateur, Caroline Green, spent the morning before the event assembling a beautiful warm potato salad from her garden at The Cedar House Restaurant. The entire bowl was comprised of organic goodness, right down to the honey in the dressing provided by a local beekeeper.
PHOTO TODD MACFIE
IT WAS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON PICNIC. GASTRONOMES FROM ALL CORNERS OF KICKING HORSE COUNTRY ASSEMBLED FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL KICKING HORSE COUNTRY FOOD SUMMIT.
Top: The Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch is located in the Blaeberry Valley, about 10 minutes from Golden BC. Ranchers, Leo and Karen Downey, moved from California to Kicking Horse Country 9 years ago. Above: Grilled Peach and Brie Croustini and Elk Bourguignon ala Chef Dan Bracko, Heather Mountain Lodge.
STORY BY HEATHER CAVERHILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE LANGFELDT Wizzards, goats and organic greens… Set deep in the Columbia Valley, the gourmet event took the shape of a casual garden potluck at the Go Organic Sports Ranch near Parson BC. Informal and festive, the affair was designed to give local chefs and restaurateurs a chance to relax, share a meal and exchange ideas about the trends, practices and flavours that are contributing to Kicking Horse Country’s distinctive culinary identity. The Summit assembled in mid August at the home of Rhonda Smith and Infinity Solstice (AKA The Bright Wizzard (yes two zeds!) of Destiny). The Go Organic Sports Ranch is best known for its disc-golf course and clay tennis courts, yet for almost three decades the Wizzard and his wife have tended to a substantial
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The meeting of the meats Browsing the buffet, it was apparent that the attending chefs had their game faces on. Game meats were presented in what appeared to be a sliding scale of temperatures – from slow cooked elk to buffalo carpaccio. The Elk Bourguignon, lovingly stewed by Chef Dan Bracko of Heather Mountain Lodge, was inspired by a historic recipe that dates back to the mid 1800’s. Dan considers the traditional recipe to be an overview of what people would have been eating in the area 100 years ago. Next to the elk, Konan Mar’s medium-rare lamb skewers were laid out seductively on a bed of bulgur salad. “We like to keep it simple,” Konan revealed about his family’s restaurant, Eleven22 Grill and Liquids. “There are only about 5 ingredients in this dish. The lamb is from Alberta and everything else is from town.” Adding a platter of lightly seared buffalo loin to the feast, Cork’s Restaurant Head Chef, Marcus Myerscough, upped the rareness ante. “The Bison loin is so tender and lean, a gentle searing simply locks in the flavour.” To further illustrate the beauty of rare buffalo meat, Alain Soret prepared one of his signature appetizers from the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant – Buffalo Carpaccio. Carpaccio is served uncooked in delicate, thin slices. Soret’s dish is simply garnished with crushed pepper, olive oil and basil and it seems to melt in the mouth. While gorging on a range of cooked and uncooked meats the Summit guests engaged in earnest conversation about local producers. “It means a lot to know where our food is coming from.” As head Chef at Canada’s most elevated dining experience atop Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Alain Soret takes advantage of local farmers and producers such as the Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch, located in the Blaeberry Valley only minutes from the town of Golden. “Having producers close by allows us to provide guests with dishes that are regional and authentic. We use bison from the Blaeberry, organic honey from Spillamacheen and we serve great cheese and wine from the Okanagan. I think all of the local chefs feel very fortunate to have such great producers close by.”
"The lodges are spacious, luxurious and beautiful, and the surroundings are breathtaking. We couldn't have hoped for more."
250.344.8973 www.mount7lodges.com
FEATURES//CHEF SUMMIT
GOING DUTCH WHAT: CANADIAN CONTEMPORARY CUISINE WHERE: KICKING HORSE GRILL CONTACT: WWW.THEKICKINGHORSEGRILL.CA “You develop a different attitude toward life when you live around here; you live the life that you should be leading.”
Above: Eagle’s Eye Chef Alain Soret defining local cuisine
Colour me fermented Running the gourmet gauntlet of food, attendees were invited to sample a selection of wines provided by Hainle Vineyard. Using all organic grapes in their process, Hainle is quickly becoming a favourite wine in local restaurants. Dan Jenkins, resident wine rep, was on site to offer his advice on pairing with the flavours in the food. Dan takes a playful approach to wine: “It is not so much about tradition as personal taste! Let’s have some fun!” (caution – numerous bottles of afternoon wine can lead to inebriated disc golf…)
Kicking Horse Grill Executive Chef and owner Chris Duijts Cousins Chris and Martijn Duijts left their native Holland and went Canadian in 1999. Investigating a hot tip about a restaurant for sale in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Chris and Martijn decided to put their ideas to the test and make a new home in Golden BC. The cousins opened the Kicking Horse Grill and have quadrupled their business in the last eight years. It is a testament to their quality of service and cuisine that a large percentage of their customers are returning guests.
“The area we’re situated in has a large effect on our menu,” explains Chris. “We offer Canadian Contemporary Cuisine utilizing mostly local ingredients.” The local fair is appropriately served up in a historic log structure built from 95 percent local materials. Chris spent twenty years refining his culinary talents in Belgium, Holland, and France. Though he has had the opportunity to prepare meals in many culinary styles all over the globe, in Kicking Horse Country he has finally found a place to call home. “Martijn and myself have no regrets about moving to Golden. This is the life!”
THOSE WHO LINGERED ATTEMPTED TO DEFINE THE CUISINE OF THE DAY. Love, Love will keep us together As the afternoon dwindled and most of the buffet had been devoured, the epicurean crowd thinned out. A few hangers-on remained to polish off residual bottles of wine and sample Chef Soret’s cheese platter. Those who lingered attempted to define the cuisine of the day. Identifying a common thread between the chefs and restaurateurs in Kicking Horse Country conjured terms like regional, organic and mountain flavour. But Chef Marcus Myerscough was able to sum up local cuisine in one word: Love. “It is all about the love! The chefs are comparable in their passion to serve amazing, unique and nourishing food. It is incredible the quality and variety that is available in this area. We are carving out our own unique identity, not trying to emulate trends, or city cuisine. In my opinion, local menus reflect where we live. We all love living here and I believe that you can taste that in the food.”
IF NEIL YOUNG WERE A PIZZA WHAT: “TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT” THIN CRUST PIZZA WHERE: CORKS RESTAURANT, COPPER HORSE LODGE, KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT CONTACT: WWW.COPPERHORSELODGE.COM If Neil Young were a pizza, he would be the “Our staff will have just left the slopes as well “Tonight’s the Night” thin crust pie at Corks so they will be as jazzed up as our customRestaurant, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. ers,” explains Paul. “We would love for people to come by and cap off their day “Tonight’s the Night” is one of many music with a few drinks and snacks while enjoying themed foodstuffs offered on the Corks our lively atmosphere.” The elegant yet après ski menu created by restaurant owners casual atmosphere combined with a delecta/operators, Paul and Stacey Trudeau and Chef ble bill of faire allow Corks’ guests to partake Marcus Myerscough. in après ski carousing and/or enjoy an evening of exquisite dining. The staff and management at Corks pledge to honour the European après ski tradition by creating a festive ambiance in which to nourish and entertain their visitors.
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FEATURES//LOCAL WATERS
A TALE OF 2 RIVERS
EVERY RIVER HAS A STORY. AS SUCH, KICKING HORSE COUNTRY IS COMPOSED OF THE CEASELESS NARRATION OF TWO POWERFUL RIVERS: THE COLUMBIA, AND THE KICKING HORSE.
STORY & ILLUSTRATION BY TODD MACFIE Big Old River: The Columbia The Kinbaskets and the Kootenai are the original paddlers of the Columbia. The Kootenai legend is of their great ancestor who crept across the countryside naming things, and creating riverbeds. These great rivers were formed by the depressions left in his path. In 1807 David Thompson came over the Rocky Mountains. Although the natives had been paddling canoes for ages, he and his men struggled to build their own canoes at the confluence of the Blaeberry and the Columbia. They did not think the wood was good enough. And they were starving to death. David stalked off to kill swans while his men crudely hasped a rough canoe-shaped vessel together. Later explorers fared far worse. One account describes six men who, while attempting to line a canoe through a constricted section of the Columbia, lost both boat and gear. Only one man emerged from the Columbia River system, having eaten most (but not all) of his companions. After the canoes of the Kootenais, after the canoes of the Kinbaskets, and after David Thompson’s canoes, a large, smoke-belching
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canoe arrived. This was the canoe of Captain Frank Armstrong, and it was a Steamship named The Duchess. Armstrong had hobbled her together from bits of lumber, and a second hand engine that was brought to Golden on the first train to ever cross Canada.
All rivers change ceaselessly. Rapids of one season are flat sections of the next. Gravel bars shift; logs come adrift. The Upper Columbia River was difficult to navigate in a large boat, yet Captain Armstrong and very few other Captains and crew kept their steamers going from 1886 to 1920. But the hazards of navigation overcame many ships, including The Duchess. She broke up on a snag and sank. Captain Armstrong built as many ships as he sank. His last vessel was seized by the Canadian Customs in Golden. Apparently some kind of tax had not been paid. The first and the last Captain on the Upper Columbia, he abandoned his steamship on a mudflat. Today, locals and visitors float the Columbia River wetlands for a much different purpose – to experience a unique and beautiful ecology that supports hundreds of species of migratory birds. The Columbia waterway can be explored by canoe, kayak and other floating vessels. Young, Wild River: The Kicking Horse Mid 19th-Century, the gentleman adventurer and surveyor John Palliser hired a man by the name of James Hector. Hector began searching for a safe passage over the continental divide. He and his party camped along what David Thompson called the Rapid River. This was a rough and silty-blue river and it was not considered navigable. So the men explored the region by horseback. One of Hector’s packhorses got away on him. In rounding up the packhorse, Hector was kicked in the chest, breaking his ribs and rendering him unconscious on the bank of the river.
Hector’s men took him for dead, and rather promptly began digging his grave. Hector was likely surprised to wake up next to a hole in the earth intended for his lifeless body. It is from this story, from the kick of an unruly beast, that the Kicking Horse River got its name. These early explorers considered the Kicking Horse, with its 800 meter drop in elevation from the Continental Divide to the Columbia River valley, unnavigable. Much of the elevation drop occurs deep within the Kicking Horse Canyon, where the river forms huge waves and hydraulics, and where the water runs a frothy, turbulent white. It was not until the late 1970’s that people in the region had the equipment, the skills, and – ahem – the balls to enter the Canyon in a boat. Golden local, Chuck Kucera was one of the first to run the Kicking Horse in an inflatable raft. He and another riverrunner, Russ Younger, spent two full days exploring the canyon. Chuck moved to Kicking Horse Country because it was very much the wild west, largely unexplored and with abundant opportunities to experience new and – admittedly – hazardous rivers. “It’s a big water river, and cold,” Chuck explained. “You can’t be macho about it. Some people get their kicks out of golf, bowling. I need more to wind my watch. That’s why I live here, for these privileges and opportunities that no one else would ever, ever get.” Local raft companies now take thousands of guests a year down the Kicking Horse. It’s big water rafting on a style of river rarely found on this continent, paddling deep in a gorge visited only by bighorn sheep and whitewater enthusiasts. Numerous experienced whitewater kayakers also enjoy – and get flogged by – the Kicking Horse. Every river has a story. This is the immersive method of hearing the story of the Kicking Horse River – by getting in a raft or a kayak, and descending into the Canyon. And the river’s voice, deep in this gorge, is utterly and arrestingly thunderous.
McPhee
The New Mountain School at Kicking Horse. S A D D L E U P, A N D G E T R E A DY TO R I D E !
BIG MOUNTAIN CENTRE This is where you learn to tame the horse. Our big mountain centre is for those who want to cross the line. The Big lines. With Big snow. And Big Terrain. This little program will teach you the small ‘hows’ of high riding, so you can rip the BIG part of our mountain with confidence. Kick it up!
Single & multi-day programs starting at $249
KICKING HORSE KIDS KAMP From the ‘never evers’ on the bunny hill for their first time, to the wild child ripping up the mountain, we have a program for every kid. Our Kids Kamp offers a full daycare centre, beginner learning clinics, and advanced programs for kids with a stronger sense of adventure. We’ve got the kids covered. Now, how about that inner child?
Ski Care (ages 3-5) half-day $60. Adventure Club (ages 6-11) full-day $89
www.KickingHorseResort.com 1.866.SKI.KICK ext. 5467
YOUR LEARNING CENTRE Your Learning Centre offers group or private instruction and guiding programs. Kicking Horse Mountain School knows that you come first. From first time skier to budding downhill experts, our programs focus on the individual. Join us on our playground and we’ll help get you in the game.
Adult programs starting at $89
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Trail Map TOTA L V E RT I C A L : 1 2 6 0 M E T R E S TOTA L RU N S : 1 0 6
Terminator Peak
Eagle’s Eye
CPR Ri
dge
Terminator Peak
White wall
dge
ption Ri
Redem
Eagle’s Eye
98 75 77 76
64
78
63 60 55 53
51 49
52
58
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79
62 61
81
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54
Permanant Closure
92
91
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89
50
CPR RUNS
REDEMPTION RUNS
88 87
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Ski Are Bounda
101 102
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Pe
FEATURES//TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH
“NO ROCK STARS HERE, JUST SOME FRIENDS HAVING FUN…MAKING A MOVIE.”
TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH HITS PAYDIRT IN GOLDEN
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Image: Eric Roner and Seth Morrison – Early Morning Landing Zone.
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE MCPHEE The winter of 2006 – 07 starts like all epic seasons should. In late November, the jet stream hammers the BC interior with a series of intense storms. The snow quality is light and incredibly dry. There is energy and optimism in the cold mountain air. Snow riders of all types prepare for battle. The stage is set for what all winter lovers hope, pray and make sacrifices to Ullar for…The Season. By January, the word is out. British Columbia and especially the Golden area have received record amounts of snowfall. Some are saying the best in 30 years, certainly the best I have witnessed. Eric Roner later explains, “While the rest of the world was having a horrific winter, we got word that Golden was having an amazing snow year. We’ve all heard that this is the place we need to check out. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to get a crew together and head to Kicking Horse, which is exactly what we did.” Teton Gravity Research is one of the largest Ski Movie producers on the planet and has decided to make Golden one of their stops. On January 19, Jeremy Jones, Erik Roner, Steve Jones
(cinematographer/producer), Matt (cinematographer), and Greg (photographer) arrive at Kicking Horse for 10 days of filming. Seth Morrison shows up a couple days later after the Powder Magazine awards. A high-pressure system rolls in, producing clear blue skies…big mountain lines are sought out. Various locations around the resort are utilized for the first days of shooting. Terminator Peaks and the Molars provide amazing backdrops and lines. Every untracked feature in the vicinity is scoped out. The athletes do some heli-drops and boot packing, while the film crew scratches around for unique angles. Jeremy states, “Every time I step out of the gondola I can’t believe where I am. One minute you’re in the village, the next stepping into the middle of the backcountry!” After several days of this, sights are turned to the surrounding area and the limitless potential that the Purcell & Rocky Mountains provide. TGR and these particular athletes have reputations for conquering Big Mountain Terrain. They have made careers of first descents in Alaska and will work the area for all its worth. Great Canadian Heli-Skiing offers part of their
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FEATURES//TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH
kybosh the first day out, but the second proves fruitful. Way up in the alpine, with the massive peaks and ice fields of Glacier National Park as backdrops, the team finds inspiration. Huge, aesthetic chutes, thousands of feet long, ring a series of alpine bowls. Long pillow lines and gullies lay in wait lower down. Seth, Jeremy and Eric all slay fast, technical lines, while the 16-mill movie cameras roll. I watch Jeremy standing on a ridge, contemplating a 100 foot long rock wall-ride for about 20 minutes. He pokes, prods and observes it from a few different angles. The feature is very steep, smooth and extremely photogenic. Alas, it is not to be, Jeremy opts for a different, but still tech line. Later he says, “I was 80% on that one. I have survived this long by listening to my gut.” Undeniable wisdom for all parts of life. While contemplating options over dinner one night, Mountain Guide Rich Marshall pipes up: “There is a zone close to here, which is outside of all the local operator’s tenures. It’s high up, full of awesome terrain and because of the difficult access, I don’t think it has ever been skied.” The team looks at Rich in disbelief. Someone asks, “What time is the chopper available?”
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The chopper picks us up north of Golden as the early morning light breaks over the Rockies. The zone in question is everything Rich has promised. Huge spines framed by thousand foot granite cliffs, endless pillow lines, gladed trees and quality snow. The sky is that intense bluebird colour that looks unreal on film stock. After a beautiful day and several “heli hops,” things are winding down. Seth sticks a large front-flip off a terrain feature in the warm, evening light and we head back to town. Another day done… satisfied smiles on all. Evenings are spent enjoying the local food and beverage establishments, reviewing the days DV footage, enjoying some Canadian malt and telling stories. This year’s film name is hotly debated (Lost and Found is later decided on). For being some of the top athletes in the business, I am continually surprised by the mellow and friendly attitudes they each exhibit. Though always ready with a quick one-liner, Seth holds the quiet guy, listening and watching in the corner position that every crew has. Steve Jones tells crazy stories of working on fishing boats in Alaska to earn TGR’s start-up money. Jeremy tells me “The vibe at Kicking Horse is awesome.
Above: Seth Morrison Rips a Big Spine Above Inset: Seth Morrison Large Front Flip in the alpenglow Opposite: Film Crew with Helicopter, Glacier National Park in the background
“THE VIBE AT KICKING HORSE IS AWESOME. THE LOCALS HERE ARE SO STOKED TO SHARE THEIR INSANE BACKYARD WITH YOU.”
The locals here are so stoked to share their insane backyard with you.” It is easy to see why these guys have made it to the top of the game. They not only have talent and fortitude, but also display a level headed, professional demeanor. No rock stars here, just some friends having fun...making a movie. The 10-day shoot eventually comes to an end, the footage is in the can and the crew seems satisfied with their accomplishments. We do a final day at Kicking Horse and the “endless cruiser, roller runs” stoke the boys up. Seth talks about how much he likes the area and says he will be back. After many thanks and farewells, they depart for the next destination. TGR’s latest release, Lost and Found, will air at the Golden Civic Centre November 23, 2007.
BLACK LIGHT TEAM MEMBER GRAHAM AUSTICK. PEAKPERFORMANCE.COM/BLACKLIGHT
PROUD SUPPORTER Peak Performance is proud to support the Kicking Horse Mountain School.
AVAILABLE IN KHC Peak Performance clothes are available at Canyon Creek Outfitters on the gondola plaza.
FEATURES//BACKCOUNTRY
CHATTER CREEK WHAT: CAT SKI OPERATION RATING: INTERMEDIATE TO EXPERT The Cat is out of the bag. Floating down run after run of deep, untracked snow through vast and varied terrain may sound like a dream to many skiers and snowboarders. In Kicking Horse Country, an area that has become a veritable Mecca for mechanized back-country skiing, ski dreams become reality. Local Helicopter and Cat ski operations play host to a growing number of powder-hungry down-hillers who flock to the area to enjoy boundless access to untouched terrain. The newer and lesser-known mechanized backcountry experience, cat skiing uses snow-cats that have been modified to carry passengers. The powerful machines are able to give guests access to pristine ski territory. Chatter Creek, located 100km north of Golden, is one of Western Canada’s largest and most spectacular destinations. Each year more skiers and snowboarders discover cat skiing and the Chatter experience. Since its humble beginnings a decade ago, Chatter Creek has grown to include a 20 000 square foot lodge and three snow cats that deliver skiers to some of the most astounding ski terrain in the world.
ESPLANADE TRAVERSE
Above: Pro skier Chad Sayers at Chatter Creek, photographed by Brian Goldstone of Arcteryx Below: Maria Bell and her son on the Esplanade Traverse
WHAT: SKI TOURING ADVENTURE RATING: EASIER THAN YOU THINK “I was really nervous before the trip started and I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to keep up,” says an elated Maria Bell after a successful ski-traverse of the Esplanades, a sub-range of the Selkirk Mountains. Sitting on the patio of Sentry Mountain Lodge, the satisfied mother of three admits that this has been her first real ski touring experience – 7 days on a 45km traverse that links 4 beautiful and remote backcountry huts. “It’s an accomplishment I’m proud of and to have my 2 youngest boys along on the trip made it even more special.” That’s right, the Bells toured the sub-zero, snow-bound mountains as a family. What did the kids think of this increasingly renowned ski traverse? “It was hard,” 13-year-old Rob says. “But I’m glad I did it. We did a lot of skiing.” 16-year-old Scott looks up the mountain, admiring his big fat freeride tracks in the snow. “It wasn’t that bad,” he says. “It’s easier than you think.”
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FEATURES//SWISS GUIDES
LODGE-ISTICS In 1908 the Queen’s Hotel was considered a 1st class establishment in Golden, known for its modern conveniences – flowing hot and cold water and in-suite bathrooms. The hotel received many renowned visitors, including Sir Wilfred Laurier who arrived with a train-load of dignitaries and stayed at the hotel just long enough to meet with the local MLA and perform a speech from the Queen’s balcony. Not every visitor to Golden at that time could afford the luxuries of the Queen’s Hotel. Visitors were able to choose from more affordable options such as the reasonable and nicely maintained Kootenay House Hostelry or the more rough and tumble Columbia House which housed the rustic saloon – The Miner’s Home. 100 years later Golden continues to have options when it comes to accommodation, but the options are far more plentiful and diverse. In a survey completed in 2006, over 1800 rooms were counted in Kicking Horse Country. The type of accommodation available to visitors varies – from hostels in town to luxury vacation homes at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Entering Golden on the Trans Canada one is met immediately by a plethora of hotels and motels directly off of the highway that range in price and amenities. In and around the town of Golden there are close to 40 B&B and Cabin accommodations to choose from. The area also boasts 20 front country lodges and guesthouses – these are unique accommodations located in country settings yet close to town and amenities. Luxury vacation homes can also be booked, providing larger groups and families the opportunity to live in an exquisite home at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or another mountain location during their stay. For those visitors who want to experience a more remote form of mountain lodging, Kicking Horse Country boasts the highest density of backcountry lodges (accessible by helicopter and CAT for non-mechanized skiing and hiking) in North America. Clockwise from top left: Kitchen at Selkirk Lodge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort; Chalet at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort; Mount 7 Lodges, south of Golden BC; Luxury vacation home at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
THE SWISS GUIDES WHAT: HISTORIC MOUNTAINEERS WHERE: FROM SWITZERLAND In 1899 the first Swiss Guides were commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway to take guests safely into the mountains in Banff and Glacier National Parks. With the Swiss Guides came the earliest appearance of adventure tourism in the area. The professional mountaineers scouted routes and climbed some of the highest mountains in the Canadian Rockies. They are credited with the first ascents of many peaks. Guides were also called upon to perform rescue operations for inexperienced or injured climbers.
Left to right: Rudi Gertsch with Canadian born Swiss Guide Sid Feuz
A MODERN DAY SWISS GUIDE WHAT: “THE GOLDEN FATHER OF HELI-SKIING” WHERE: GOLDEN’S FIRST HELI-SKI OPERATION In Kicking Horse Country the name Rudi Gertsch is synonymous with heli-skiing. Purcell Helicopter Skiing, founded by Gertsch in 1974, was the first of its kind to operate out of Golden. The business is often credited as the earliest ski tourism in the area. Rudi came to Canada from Switzerland in 1966 after achieving his Mountain Guide and Ski Instructor certification. Although he originally planned to travel through Canada for just a year, he ended up staying for over 40. Since 1974 Rudi has made his home in Golden BC operating Purcell Helicopter Skiing. He chose the community due to its accessibility to alpine powder skiing in both the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges.
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Until 1911, the Swiss Guides would work through the summer and return to Switzerland in the fall. Homes were built for the guides at Swiss Village Edelweiss, about a mile from Golden, allowing guides and their families to live in Golden year round. Kicking Horse Country is still home to descendents of the Swiss Guides. Their heritage is a treasured element of local history.
In the early years Rudi would drive guests from Banff to Golden for day ski trips. 32 years later the business has grown to offer multiple trips per day out of an impressive Day Lodge based in Kicking Horse Country, just minutes from Golden. Locally, Rudi is often hailed as the “Father of Heli-skiing,” a modern day Swiss Guide who uses helicopters instead of the railway to take people safely into the adventures that the surrounding peaks afford. At 62 years old, Rudi continues to guide over a hundred days during the ski season. “It is as exciting now as it has always been to ski alpine powder snow. The area here is big enough that even in years to come there will always be room to find slopes with no tracks.”
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FEATURES//KICKING CULTURE
“THERE ARE A TON OF THINGS TO TAKE IN HERE: ARTISTICALLY, CULTURALLY, AND VISUALLY. BUT FIND IS THE OPERATIVE WORD. IT’S NOT JUST LAID OUT FOR YOU IN THE FORM OF ‘HERE’S THE HANDBOOK FOR GOLDEN CULTURE THIS WEEK.’”
Arts
CALEB MOSS, WRITER, OWNER BACCHUS BOOKS
Clockwise from top: Laurie Dalzell caresses her viola, DisasterMan rocks out, Nelli Tobler’s painting enchants Visit www.kickinghorsemagazine.com for more information on arts & culture in Kicking Horse Country. For upcoming events go to www.kickinghorseculture.ca or www.theforcegazette.com
A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOUR: KICKING CULTURE STORY BY JASON EASTWOOD
Walking through downtown Golden, British Columbia on a gloomy, overcast Sunday afternoon in late August, I’m reminded of the first ever episode of the classic television show The Twilight Zone titled “Where is everybody.” The episode features an air force pilot walking through a seemingly deserted small town searching for any signs of life. “Hello! Hello!” Nothing. It’s an atypically silent morning in Kicking Horse Country. Perhaps it was an excessively wild Saturday night in the mountains… I’m still feeling the effects of a celebratory jam session the night before with a group of timber framers and a musician turned rancher from Los Angeles. Some years ago he traded the chaotic pace of the California music scene for a serene ranch in the Blaeberry Valley. The timber framers built a beautiful timber frame roof over
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his outdoor stage in return for a pig roast dinner and a night of musical entertainment. It’s hard to leave a good party when everyone is singing along. It will take more than some fresh mountain air and a splash of glacial river water to get my neurons firing at optimum level.
things: artistically, culturally, and visually. But find is the operative word. It’s not just laid out for you in the form of ‘here’s the handbook for Golden Culture this week.’”
Defining culture is not a black and white affair. Does the word simply connote the world of the Entering the local book store/cafe to grab a arts? Or does it apply to overall lifestyles in gencoffee (and some inspiration for the article you eral? Luckily, blurred lines are more acceptable are currently reading), I finally encounter a soul. when discussing the scope of the word culture Caleb Moss, writer, bookstore owner, and life than a topic such as corporate accounting. long Kicking Horse Country resident assures me “I see culture as people coming together to that the entire population of Golden hasn’t been express their creativity and enjoy other people’s abducted by aliens and taken deep into the creativity,” explains Kicking Horse Culture mountains for questioning. I ask him where one Director Bill Usher. Kicking Horse Culture is the would find culture in Golden. “The first thing organization responsible for spearheading artsthat I tell people who get out of their car and based ventures in Golden. “Our job is to engage, want to be immediately entertained is that you energize and enrich the cultural life in Kicking have to find your entertainment here. There are Horse Country. That is our mandate.” Usher has a ton of things to take in here, very interesting been very successful in bringing in some high
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DJ’S
Left: Mat the Alien at the Eagle’s Eye on New Year’s Eve
quality acts such as Xavier Rudd, Michael Kaeshammer, the Kelowna Ballet, Colin Linden and Kiran Ahluwalia. “Being located on the Trans Canada Highway between two major Canadian cities (Calgary and Vancouver) gives us a huge advantage when it comes to booking major touring acts.” Local downtown nightclubs looking for hot talent also reap the benefits of bands touring through Golden on their way to bigger, more prestigious gigs in Cowtown or Vancity. On any given night you could find major label acts such as The Sadies, Wild T and the Spirit or Serena Ryder stopping for the night to put on a show that lucky locals and timely tourists will never forget.
THE MOST SURPRISING ELEMENT OF KICKING HORSE COUNTRY’S MUSIC COMMUNITY IS THE QUALITY AND DEPTH OF THE LOCAL DJ SCENE. FROM HIP HOP TO HOUSE, DRUM ‘N BASS TO ELECTRO, PURE FUNK TO OLD SOUL, GOLDEN DANCE PARTIES HAVE BECOME LEGENDARY FOR THEIR VIBE.
geny, and the music scene is no exception. There’s the bearded folk-rock musician who picked up bluegrass out of necessity when he moved to the mountains and now hosts the legendary Thursday Night Jam at the Golden Taps. Some of the most interesting interplay at Jam Night starts around 11 o’clock when the area’s musical veterans trade riffs with the youngbloods, creating a melting pot of musical genres. The vets are part of a free thinking group that settled in area in the early 70’s and continue to be a strong guiding force. At one point the three foremost rock bands in town lived on the same street. DisasterMan, Tarbender, and Hemp Dog all rehearsed within the same half kilometre radius in Habart – a hamlet just south of Golden that for a brief period became the Haight Ashbury district of Kicking Horse Country. The arrival of a concert violinist with a passion for the symphony brought on The Purcell Mountain Orchestra, featuring young and old amateur musicians performing everything from Mozart to Santana. Some of the twenty-five or so members hadn’t dusted off their instruments for many years. Golden’s Community Choir is unique in that it performs elaborate and beautiful pieces composed by its director who works as a barrister by day.
Local artists have a large presence in Golden and area though you might not immediately know it. There is a certain humility that lingers among the talented in Kicking Horse Country. “A lot of the artists are self directed. Most of the artists around here work from home or their own studio,” comments Moss. “Our artisans are independent spirits, yet they are very supportive and inclusive at the same time.”
The most surprising element of Kicking Horse Country’s music community is the quality and depth of the local dj scene. From Hip Hop to House, Drum ‘n Bass to Electro, pure funk to old soul, Golden dance parties have become legendary for their vibe. The pinnacle event went down on New Year’s Eve 2006 at Kicking Horse Resort when Golden Delicious Productions put on a bash featuring four venues, dj’s and bands, including an all-night top of the mountain extravaganza at the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, elevation 8000 feet. Annual events such as the Polyester Party, Halloween and St.Paddy’s Day bashes have been gaining momentum for ten years. There is also a contingent of underground turntablists/producers – the ‘Ill-Eagle’ crew – making their own music and scratching their way into the future. And of course there’s the life long ski-bum with one of the best jazz record collections in the country.
For the most part, Golden’s artistic community gravitates more towards diversity than homo-
Visual artists have a strong presence in the community as well, although they are ironically
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less seen. There are talented sculptors and potters, some who go off to school and come back, some who have remained in the Columbia Valley for many years. There’s the reclusive painter who works from inspiration she finds way off the grid in a cabin located deep in the heart of the Blaeberry Valley. There’s the potter whose stoneware could rival any in the world. And the photographer whose combination of beautiful landscapes and precision photoshopping creates stunning images that don’t really exist, or do they? There is the visual artist whose restaurant doubles as an art gallery for her ethereal landscapes; the woodworker who specializes in furniture made from local trees and vegetation; and the Golden Players theatre troupe that puts on fringe-festival-style variety productions at least a couple of times a year. And don’t forget the writers diligently creating tales of mystical journeys and poems about passed-on heroes, turning the isolation of the mountains into a literary contrivance. The local independent infotainment magazine The Force Gazette: A Bent Take on the Straight Truth inspires humour and enlightenment for the community on a monthly basis. The lifestyles in Golden are as varied as the art. The town has a rich history even though it was only incorporated fifty years ago. It’s the site of the first Sikh temple built in North America. A Swiss village built by Swiss guides that were hired by the Canadian Pacific Railroad around 1900 still overlooks the town. And the first organized game of hockey in British Columbia was played in Golden in 1895. Although it remains driven by the forest industry, adventure tourism is Kicking Horse Country’s fastest growing business. Golden’s newest wave of inhabitants has a penchant for the extreme. “In Golden, you have people coming to ski, snowboard, climb, snowmobile, hang glide, mountain bike and kayak,” explains Miro Micovsky, director of Tourism Golden. “The concentration of extreme sports enthusiasts is very unique for a town of this size. The topography provides a lot.” The town is surrounded by an unparalleled six national parks. Although the extreme dudes and dudettes are everywhere in the little mountain town, unless you venture up to the launch at Mount 7, go ski touring in the big powder, or shred the gnar on some double black diamond runs at the resort, you’d never know who these hardcore athletes are. They’re a modest and nurturing bunch. Humility in Golden is as prevalent as the extreme activities. Culture in Kicking Horse Country is diverse, intricate, and enticing. Just as you have to hike a trail to find a pristine lake…or canoe down the river to find the beautiful birds…or traverse across the mountain to find the fresh powder, you have to stay open and aware to find culture in Kicking Horse Country. When discovered, one is reminded of another Twilight Zone episode – the show about a six-year old boy who controls the entire town of Peaksville with his mind. Episode 73: “It’s a Good Life.”
Summer time? Down time! D I S COV E R T H E N E W H E I G H T S O F S U M M E R .
Get your head in our clouds. Summer at Kicking Horse Resort offers spectacular ridge walking, downhill mountain biking, heli hiking, and interpretive tours of the Grizzly Bear Refuge – a conservation, education and research centre. Let us outfit you with a summer adventure including golfing, horseback riding, white water rafting, jet boat tours, or paragliding. Or simply enjoy a gondola ride to the top of the world and escape to the grandeur of our Rocky Mountain views. The question of summer isn’t ‘What to do?’, it’s ‘What to do first?’ Your fresh adventure awaits!
www.KickingHorseResort.com | 1.866.SKI.KICK
C E DA R C R E E K E S TATE S
FOR MANY, A VACATION. FOR SOME, A HOMECOMING. One of the most beautiful residential areas, a luxurious crown jewel at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Cedar Creek Estates offers large estate homesites for the chance to design and build the mountain home of your dreams. With some of the mountain’s best views, slopeside access within a beautiful private and quiet setting and on the doorstep of the Nordic trail system, Cedar Creek Estates are distinctly reďŹ ned. With only a total of 19 homesites, ranging from 1/3 to 1/2 acres in size, Cedar Creek Estates is a place to indulge your taste for luxury and thirst for adventure. Visit us on-line or call today to reserve your piece of the mountain.
ONLY A FEW CUSTOM ESTATE HOMESITES STILL AVAILABLE. STARTING AT $320,000
Contact the Real Estate Discovery Centre 1.888.706.1117 Email: resecretary@ KickingHorseResort.com www.KickingHorseResort.com/CedarCreekEstates This is not an offering for sale. Such an offering may only be made by disclosure statement only. E.&O.E.