Apex Matters
Getting Ready For Epic Powder Days
By Myleen Mallach, Owner/Publisher of Apex Matters
“Use it or lose it”, my Dad always said. “If you want to stay active, then you need to stay active.” I totally agree. Hiking and biking, combined with high intensity interval training, works really well for me to gain and maintain the fitness level I need for skiing. I know those epic powder days are coming, so I want to be ready to go non stop and enjoy lap upon lap of weightless rhythmic muscle burning euphoria. There is nothing worse than stopping early, because your body just can’t keep up due to a lack of pre-season training. Plus, that’s when an injury can happen. So, I plan ahead, train hard, and then enjoy laying those sweet fresh powder tracks. On another note ... A huge thank you once again to our many loyal advertisers. This snow culture grassroots newsletter, for all those who enjoy Apex and recreating outdoors, is made possible by local business support. Join our strong readership and showcase your business in Apex Matters, helping to support the Apex community in the process. Shop local. Buy local. Neighbours helping neighbours.
“Keeping You in the S’know” since 2002!
Published by Myleen Mallach of Okanagan Matters Publications apexmatters@telus.net | 250.490.6951 | ApexMatters.com
Quick Facts: Apex Matters is published monthly from September 2024 through March 2025. Distribution covers Okanagan Falls, Kaleden, Penticton, Summerland and around Apex Mountain. Full advertising options, read past issues online, and link to join our Apex Matters eNews are all at ApexMatters.com. We’re now celebrating our 21st season in print!
Please Note: No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this publication. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement, and retain the right to edit all copy. Every effort has been made to make this publication as accurate as possible. All authors and advertisers are provided with a proof of their submission and their final approval must be received to be published. © 2024 Okanagan Matters Publications.
Specialty coffees, teas, amazing breakfasts, lunches with homemade soups, sandwiches & loads of treats.
“Artisan Take & Bake” Pizzas Made fresh to order with your favourite toppings on a delicious stone-baked crust. Gluten-free & vegan options now available.
To order your favourite pizza, drop by The Edge, scan our QR code, or simply go to ... the-edge-bistro.square.site
Mountain Shop in the Apex Mountain Village
Mountain Views!
Own And Operate The Apex Mountain Lodge!
By Dave Duckworth
Are you and your partner dreaming of a lifestyle change that blends business with breathtaking mountain views? Look no further! The Apex Mountain Lodge, nestled in the heart of the picturesque Apex Mountain Village, offers an affordable and unique opportunity for an eager owner/operator couple to embrace the ultimate mountain lifestyle while running a charming bouquet business.
About the Lodge
The Apex Mountain Lodge is perfectly positioned for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty and excitement of mountain living. This inviting property features 10 Cozy Guest Rooms, Designed for comfort and relaxation, these rooms are the perfect retreat for visitors seeking a mountain escape.
This listing does not include the 4-bedroom suite located on the lower floor.
Why Apex Mountain Lodge?
This property is not just a place to live; it’s a lifestyle. Imagine running your own lodge, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery, all while engaging with guests and enjoying a dynamic, hands-on business. Apex Mountain offers year-round outdoor activities, from skiing and snowboarding in winter to hiking and mountain biking in summer, drawing visitors from near and far.
Affordable and Accessible
One of the standout features of the Apex Mountain Lodge is its affordability. This is a rare chance to own a slice of mountain paradise without breaking the bank. Combined with vendor financing options available, this opportunity makes it easier for you to step into this dream lifestyle sooner rather than later.
Take the Next Step
If you and your partner are ready to take the plunge into a fulfilling and picturesque mountain lifestyle, the Apex Mountain Lodge is waiting for you. For more details on this exciting and affordable opportunity, including pricing and additional information, visit the full listing at realtor.ca
Don’t miss out on this rare chance to own and operate a charming lodge in one of the most beautiful mountain settings around. Your mountain adventure begins here!
Two offerings from Engel & Volkers South Okanagan at Apex Mountain
Apex Mountain Lodge:
- 10 guest suites
- caretaker suite
- 2 common areas
- large shared kitchen
- maintain as a hotel or group lodge, or convert into multiple full apartments
- laundry falilities
- $959,000
Four Bedroom Condo:
- full kitchen
- 2 bathrooms
- washer & dryer
- private parking
- $549,000
Lyndi Ainsworth
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Email: lyndi.ainsworth@evrealestate.com
Cell: 250.809.1260
Website: southokanagan.evrealestate.com
Helping Apex Skiers & Snowboarders
Get Back On The Hill For Over 30 Years!
By Phil Burman
Over the years, Dale Charles Physiotherapy has developed a reputation for excellence, helping members of the community get back to the activities they love, like skiing, boarding, and activity in general. Our clinic group has been part of the South Okanagan and Apex communities for many years. You will no doubt recognize many of our team from the chair lift lines, big smiles on the hill, and articles in Apex Matters over the past decade.
Earlier this year, we refreshed our logo and revised the clinic name to ‘Dale Charles Physiotherapy Group’ to reflect the connection between our two clinic locations; the same name is now used at both the Downtown (Winnipeg St.) and Community Centre locations. Much like getting fresh powder on your favourite run, it’s mostly the same, just a bit better.
The clinic group has strong community roots, supporting many local groups, teams and events, promoting activity, health, sport, participation in active pursuits. As a group and individually, our team has strong ties with the ski, board and snow-sport communities, working with local and national-level athletes and teams, and supporting Apex athletes, recreational weekend warriors, and Apex Ski Patrol.
Margaret ‘Dale’ Charles first opened as a physiotherapy clinic in Penticton in 1982, which grew to become Dale Charles & Associates Physiotherapy in 1989, and has been part of the South Okanagan community ever since. In 2004, the clinic group opened a second location, ‘Sports Clinic Physiotherapy’, which has been in Penticton Community Centre since 2013. Both clinics are now called ‘Dale Charles Physiotherapy Group’ to honour our history of excellence in health care and community support, and to better connect both clinic locations.
Although the logo and name have been refreshed, you can still expect the same great staff, same excellent services and same convenient locations; our excellent team of talented individuals enjoy helping members of the Apex community get back on the snow after injury, illness, or just time away from the snow. Looking forward to seeing you on the hill soon. Let it snow!
Carvers Corner
By Lesley Evans
Hello Apex Community! It’s been exciting seeing pictures on social media of the snow up at the hill. Recently, BC Alpine held its annual summit, AGM, and awards at Sun Peaks Resort. Coaches, volunteers, officials, and club executives gathered at the event where the BC Alpine “Goldies” for 2023-24 were handed out. Congratulations to our very own Head Coach, Jorgen Anderson, who was presented with the U16 Coach of the Year. Also, the Apex Ski Club received recognition as one of the Events of the Year for our hosting of the Teck Okanagan Zone race and Neal Raymond was named at the Okanagan Zone’s Official of the Year.
We are incredibly proud that our club was so well represented among the award winners.
Warren Miller Night is happening on Friday, November 15th at the Cleland Theatre. Tickets are $20 and are available at Neighbourhood Brewing, One Boardshop, Freeride Boardshop and IGA Penticton. We always love hosting this event and being able to connect with the Apex community before the season starts. This is the 75th movie and the production is promising to be a big one. This year’s film features 10 new and original segments that include an impressive lineup of athletes like snowboarders Shaun White and 15-year-old phenom LJ Henriquez, as well as skiers Max Hitzig, Lexi duPont, Caite Zeliff, Aaron Blunck, and more. This is our favourite way to kick off the season and is also an important fundraiser for our club. We look forward to seeing everyone and appreciate your support of the Apex Ski Club.
We are all keeping our fingers crossed to be on snow as soon as possible, especially our race team who will see action starting the second weekend in January at an event we are hosting. As previously noted, our club is playing host to two events in January giving us the opportunity to showcase the amazing venue that is Apex Mountain Resort. We would also like to encourage anyone out there with younger skiers to check out our Carvers Program. My own kids are now at the older end of the club, but we continue to have great memories of their time in Carvers. This program really solidified their love of skiing and was an amazing introduction to their ski racing journey. I am always so impressed when I see our Carver coaches out there fostering the joy of the sport and helping their groups learn how to safely and confidently navigate the impressive terrain that our mountain has to offer. The program also offers camps over Christmas and Spring Break, which are a ton of fun. Please check out our website for more details or contact our Carver Connection Coach, Jason Alleyne at jalleyne@gmail. com for more information.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, as well as Myleen Mallach for her support with promoting the Warren Miller Night. The support is always very much appreciated. Let’s hope the remaining weeks before the hill opens fly by and in the meantime, we hope to see you all at the Cleland Theatre on the 15th! 3-Day
Above - Apex Ski Club race athletes with Coach Jorgen Anderson. Below - Apex Carvers enjoying a race at their home mountain last season.
Nancy Greene presenting Jorgen with “U16 Coach of the Year” Award.
Photo by BC Alpine.
Purchase tickets at Neighbourhood Brewing, One Boardshop, Freeride Boardshop or IGA Penticton. Limited tickets at door. Proceeds benefit Apex Ski Club.
Apex Freestyle Club
For The Kids, The Club and The Community Moguls, Terrain Park, Big Air, All Mountain, and NOW Featuring SNOWBOARDING Competitive & Non-Competitive Programs For ages 6 and up www.freestyleapex.com
By The AFC Team
Apex Freestyle Head Coach Alexa Chick ~ Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
If you’re like me - and I’m almost certain you are - you’ve probably been keeping a close eye on Apex’s webcams and have noticed that Mother Nature has treated us with her first blanket of snow! I, myself, could not be more excited to clip into my bindings for the season's first turns.
In anticipation for the winter ahead, we recently hosted a Girlstylerz afternoon of rock climbing at Hoodoo Adventures, which was a HUGE success! We want to thank all the Girlstylerz for coming out to this event, and hope it fuelled their excitement as the season draws near! Stay tuned for more Girlstylerz AND club-wide activities in the coming months!
These next few months are set to be a busy and exciting time for freestyle, as we prepare to host the annual Apex Classic in December. Several AFC veterans and current AFC athletes will be competing at this year’s Classic. So whether you’re a member of the club or a fan of freestyle, we hope you’ll mark your calendars for December 14th and 15th, and come on out to support these amazing local athletes!
In the meantime, the incredible team at AFC is hard at work preparing for a season of freestyle fun, so if you have any questions regarding programming, events, or anything else that you might be curious about, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
See you all soon!
Winter Registration ~ Registration is open! Visit Freestyleapex. com for our ski and snowboard programs. Some of our programs are showing “SOLD OUT”. Please add your child to our Waitlist and if possible we will open more spots.
Skiing Ages 6-18: Fundamentalz Full Day Saturday or Sunday; Fundamentalz Half Day Sunday; Freestylerz Saturday; Freeriderz Sunday; Junior Performance Team Saturday and/or Sunday; Performance Team Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and Weekday High Performance on request. Question to admin@freestyleapex.com.
Snowboard Ages 8-18: Grom Squad Saturday or Sunday; Freeriders Sunday; and Performance Snowboard Saturday and/or Sunday. Questions to josh@freestyleapex.com.
Apex Classic December 12-15, 2024 ~ Our first major event of the season is the Apex Classic. Here’s our annual appeal to the Apex community to support our club through volunteering at this fun event. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/10C0A4EACAD2BA3F8C52-51631685-apex.
Fundamentalz And Freestylerz Director Kata Stohler ~ As Apex is starting to get its first few dumps of snow, we are all anxiously awaiting opening day! I’ve been up many times this pre-season and it’s looking like we’re going to have a good year ahead of us. Speaking of a good year ahead, we are all very excited to welcome aboard Head Coach Alexa Chick! As I step into my new role as Program Director, I am very excited to support Alexa in this position any way I can. She will be a huge asset to the club and I am very much looking forward to working alongside her. See you all on hill soon!
Schedule Of Events ~ Where we’ll be this season!
- Nov 20, 2024 - "Calm Beneath Castles" 7:30pm - Hwy 97 Brewing
- Dec 1, 2024 - "Beyond" 7 pm - Gunbarrel Saloon
- Dec 12-15, 2024 - Apex Classic - Apex Mountain Resort
- Jan 23-26, 2025 - Canada Cup Moguls - Panorama
- Jan 23-26, 2025 - Timber Tour #1 - Fernie
- Feb 8-9 2025 - Okanagan Freestyle Cup - Apex Mountain Resort
- Feb 20-23, 2025 - NorAm Moguls - Apex Mountain Resort
- Feb 20-23, 2025 - Timber Tour #2 - Sun Peaks
- Mar 13-23, 2025 - Canada Cup Moguls - Beaver Valley, Ont
- Mar 19-23, 2025 - Junior Nationals Moguls - Le Relais, Que
- Apr 3-6, 2025 - Senior Nationals Moguls - Whistler Plus rail jams, socials and more!
Apex Freestyle Snowboard Club Program Director Josh Shulman ~ Absolutely nothing fuels excitement for the snow season ahead like the first snowfall that actually sticks to the mountain! It’s happening!
Our performance group has started strength and fitness training in an effort to be ready to hit the slopes. We’ve got club dates booked to hit the Airhouse in Kelowna, so we can get comfortable in the air. Plus, we have started to plan our event trips. I’m definitely getting excited! Our performance program is bigger than ever and we still have plenty of spots available for your young shredder in our Freeriders and Grom programs on Saturdays OR Sundays. If you’ve got a little ripper keen to stand sideways and shred Apex with a crew that loves to have a good time, drop us a line and let’s get them involved in our club! Club membership brings access to our AIRBAG! Who wouldn’t wanna huck themselves onto a big soft landing?
Interested in supporting our rad little club and you drink coffee? We have an amazing partnership with local coffee roaster “Pink Weasel”, where $5 from every bag of coffee goes to support our club! You can choose from light, medium or dark roast. Use this link to place your order at https://www.pinkweaselcoffeecompany. com/product-page/apex-freestyle-support-blend and pick up your coffee from Freedom Bike Shop or I’ll even deliver it to you up at Apex once the lifts are spinning! Come on! You’re drinking coffee anyway right? Why not drink great coffee AND support a wicked local company AND our ski/snowboard club? It’s a solid win-win scenario!
Keep doing your snow dances and maybe even plan a ULLR burn party! If Mother Nature does her thing, we are sliding sideways in less than a month! Weeeeeeehoooo!!! Catch ya in the lift line!
Our Team For 2024/25 ~ We have assembled an amazing team to lead our club and programs this season!
• Head Coach - Alexa Chick
• Freestylerz and Fundamentalz Director - Kata Stohler
• Snowboard Director - Josh Shulman
• Our Board of Directors: Theresa Sengl, Josh Shulman, Lisa Ante, Jesse Ritchie, Marco Cucnik, Derek McCaughey, and Austin Eaton.
Movie Nights ~ Join us on Wednesday, November 20th for a fun-filled freestyle movie night at Highway 97 Brewing! There are only 100 tickets available, so don’t miss out on this awesome event. Mark your calendars now and support the Apex Freestyle Club. We have some amazing raffle prizes including a new set of skis and bindings, with thanks to a generous donation by the Mountain Shop. Calm Beneath Castles is an awe-inspiring ski movie that delves into the heart, soul, and mind of skiers driven by an insatiable thirst for adventure and discovery. Get your tickets online at www.eventbrite.ca.
On Sunday, December 1st, Apex Freestyle Club is partnering with Slackwater Brewing and the Gunbarrel Saloon for a Head Tyrolia Freeskiing Team Movie - Beyond - featuring local athlete Megan Cummings! Showtime is 7 pm on December 1st at the Gunbarrel and all Slackwater beers will be $1 off for the night. See you there!
Sunday, December 1st ~ 7 pm in the
Photo Credits ~ All photos credited to MK Capture Photography. Check out their Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/
Gunbarrel Save $1 on all Slackwater Beers for the night!
Hello Everyone!
By Grady Parsons, BC Mogul Team Member & AFC Alumni
I hope you’re as excited for the ski season as I am! Apex plans to open on December 7th, and it’s right around the corner! Currently, my team and I are in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, getting some early-season on-snow training before the FIS Open competition. This year, conditions are quite different. Last season, we’d wake up to powder every day, but now there’s no snow, and the course here is the iciest I’ve ever skied on. Despite that, it’s great to be back on snow and getting my tricks back dialed in working on my cork 720s, 1080s, and backfulls.
The FIS Open runs from November 14-17. After that, my team returns to Apex on December 1 in preparation for the Apex Classic from December 12-15. I’m beyond excited to compete back home in Canada again!
Stay at Apex
Great Rates Monday - Thursday For Locals!
Get above the clouds for a few days!
If you’re looking for specific dates & can’t find them, please give us a call. We may have something available for you.
250-328-2186 info@stayatapex.ca http://stayatapex.com
The Artisan Winter Market At Apex
By Ash Dunsford
The Artisan Winter Market returns to Apex Mountain on Saturday, December 21, 2024!
The Market will be hosted again in the Gunbarrel Dining Room from 10 am - 5 pm with a variety of local vendors showcasing their handmade goods, crafts, and skills!
Just in time for the holiday season, this will be a perfect day of hitting the slopes and supporting local! The Artisan Winter Market is a great place to pick up those one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for your loved ones and perhaps even yourself. The Gunbarrel will have libations available for purchase, while you browse ... and you’ll be a short step away to enjoy their menu in the pub!
We are presently looking for more vendors for this year’s market. So if you are interested in vending, please email Ash at dunsford@ gmail.com for more details and information.
We look forward to seeing you here!
Grady Parsons training in Idre Fjäll, Sweden
Winter Driving Tips
By Myleen Mallach, Owner/Publisher of Apex Matters
Snow and ice push our driving skills to the limit. Do you know how to drive properly in winter conditions? Did you know you need driving skills beyond what a good set of winter tires can provide? The following tips could save you from problems when you are out on the road this winter:
• Maintain a safe following distance ~ It takes longer to stop on a slippery road. Look ahead and keep plenty of distance between you and other cars (at least four seconds).
• Drop your speed to match road conditions ~ The posted speed is the maximum speed under ideal conditions. In winter, it is safer to drive below the posted speed. No matter how much experience you have, the way your car will move on snow or ice always has an element of unpredictability. My dad always told me to stick to 60 km/hr in fresh snow for enough momentum to go and enough control to stop.
• Watch for black ice ~ Slow down when approaching possible icy spots, such as shaded areas and bridges, as these sections of road freeze sooner than others in cold weather. Watch for “black ice”, areas of the road with a thin, almost invisible coating of ice, as it can cause your vehicle to suddenly lose traction, braking and cornering control.
• Accelerate and brake slowly ~ When starting from a stop on slick roads, start slowly and accelerate gradually to maintain traction and avoid spinning your wheels. When stopping, plan well in advance, apply the brakes gently and slowly add pressure rather than braking suddenly. Pumping your brakes gently is always a good practice to follow.
• Avoid sudden moves ~ Slow down and steer smoothly and gradually to avoid skidding. Accelerate gently, turn slowly, and brake carefully and early. Avoid unexpected quick movements that could put you in a spin. Anticipate turns, stops, and lane changes well before they occur.
• Know how to handle a skid ~ A skid happens when your wheels slide out of control on a slippery surface and is a result of driving too fast for road conditions. If you start to skid, ease off the brake or accelerator, look and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go. Be careful not to over steer. If you are on ice and skidding in a straight line, step on the clutch or shift to neutral.
• See and be seen ~ It is critical for drivers to see and be seen in low light conditions, and when blowing snow impairs visibility. Always drive with your headlights on.
• Be extremely cautious when approaching highway maintenance vehicles ~ Maintain a safe following distance behind snow plows and salt or sand trucks. These vehicles throw up snow and spray, making it difficult to see.
• Pull over whenever traffic is lined up behind you ~ This is probably the single most important and respectful thing any driver can do, especially in the winter time. If you are traveling at slower speeds for your own peace of mind, but see a number of vehicles on your bumper, simply pull over and let them pass. Many times this may only need to be an indicator light and a slight deceleration. Winter conditions and vehicle performances vary ... respect your fellow drivers.
• Practice ~ Get out and drive in the snow and ice. Know what your vehicle is capable of and what you are comfortable with. The more you drive in winter conditions - the better of the winter driver you’ll be. Young or new drivers should always practice in an empty snowy parking lot or back road.
Do you need to report a road condition or incident? There are three di erent ways to contact us!
1) Call the AIM Roads toll free number 24/7 at 1-866-222-4204
2) Email AIM Roads at aimcommunications.ca@acciona.com
3) Complete a Service Request Form online at www.aim-roads.ca
Blast From The Past
By Myleen Mallach, Owner/Publisher of Apex Matters
Whether you’re new to Apex or have been here since the official opening day in 1961, regardless of your arrival date, we are all making memories to last a lifetime and beyond. So, let’s share some history! Enjoy a historical photo each issue this season. If you have photos to share, email them to apexmatters@telus.net.
Above - Rock Oven Pass with the “Window” ski run visible in the distance. Below - Apex Mountain Road in the 1960s. Photos courtesy of Doug Cox.
Penticton Sno-Trackers Club
We invite you to come & join us!
Email: pentictonsnotrackers@gmail.com
Website: pentictonsnotrackers.ca
Follow Us: Facebook and Instagram
From The Hill
By Richard Cannings, MP South Okanagan-West Kootenay Insured Losses
I’ve written here before about the true cost of climate change, but new information has made it clear that it would be good to revisit this topic. Some of those costs are difficult to put numbers on. We are increasingly feeling the emotional costs of summers full of wildfire evacuations, as the residents of the Slocan Valley dealt with this year. But, the direct economic hit from loss of livelihoods or homes can be quantified to some extent.
As the NDP critic for Emergency Preparedness and Climate Resilience, I often meet with representatives from the insurance industry. The Insurance Bureau of Canada recently released a report that illustrates the broad impact that extreme weather events caused by climate change has on the Canadian economy. While these numbers are for insured losses only, they are still mind-boggling.
The summer of 2024 set all the records for weather-related losses in Canada. The massive flood events in Ontario and Quebec, a huge hailstorm in Calgary, and the destruction of Jasper by wildfire added up to over $7 billion in insured losses. The uninsured losses are likely many times higher. The dollar total is 10 times higher than the annual average from 10 to 20 years ago. These losses came from 228,000 insurance claims, 4 times the annual average over the last 20 years. This year’s losses are about double those of last year, when West Kelowna and the Shuswap suffered massive damage due to wildfires and are also greater than 2016, when a wildfire destroyed Fort McMurray.
These totals don’t include the disastrous freeze that interrupted an unnaturally mild winter in January 2024, essentially wiping out the Okanagan grape and soft fruit crops for the year. That event cost the BC wine industry almost a half billion dollars in direct losses. Not only are the numbers staggering, but the trend is very worrisome. The five worst years for weather related insured losses in Canada have all occurred in the last 12 years, and the last three years have all been in that group.
The insurance industry is obviously worried and is passing on those losses to consumers through rising insurance rates and increasingly restricted coverage. So, those costs spread through the budgets of all Canadians.
What we need to be doing as a country, and the federal government in particular, is investing in adaptation measures that will reduce the direct impacts of climate change. We need to be upping our efforts in wildfire fighting; fire-smarting homes, yards and communities; and reshaping dikes and riverside neighbourhoods to avoid flood damage. As Craig Stewart, Vice-President of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said in a recent statement, “Insurers are now paying out more in claims for a single event than the $1.9 billion that the federal government has allocated to climate adaptation over the past decade. Canada needs to get ready for the next disaster. This is not the time for finger pointing, this is the time for governments and the private sector to work together to better protect Canadians
Richard Cannings
Member of Parliament
South Okanagan - West Kootenay
and our communities. This is a whole-of-society challenge and requires all leaders and stakeholders to come together to develop a national action plan to ensure Canada is better protected. We all have a role to play in helping communities prepare for and recover from severe weather events.”
I’ve been asking the federal government to dramatically increase funding in climate adaptation to make it match the scale of our disaster relief efforts. It doesn’t make sense to be spending billions of dollars in cleaning up destroyed communities, when we could be investing money that would literally save the heartache of lost homes, businesses and livelihoods through preventative measures. I’ve asked for a national wildfire fighting force that could be deployed as needed to areas facing clear wildfire danger before the fires start. Unfortunately, the government has responded with no interest at all or only partial measures that don’t stand up to the task at hand.
And, of course, we have to redouble our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions, so that the pace of climate change doesn’t relentlessly increase each year. But even if we stopped all those emissions tomorrow, we will live with the increased impact of the climate crisis for centuries to come.
Subrina Monteith Director of RDOS Area “I”
From The Director For
RDOS Area ‘I’
Welcome to another fantastic year for the Apex Community!
Lots of exciting things are happening at Apex. The Apex Fire Hall construction is underway, along with the opening of Apex Mountain Resort and Nickel Plate Nordic Centre for another great season ahead.
If you enjoyed the large item pick up service or didn’t utilize the service, I would like to talk to you. We have had the service for two years at Apex with very little use of the large item pick up service. The cost to taxpayers and value to the community is being evaluated prior to this year’s budget, which will be finalized in March of 2025. Enjoy the fresh snow accumulating and be sure to reach out to me if and when you need.
Subrina Monteith, Director of RDOS Area ‘I’ Direct: 250.460.0723 | smonteith@rdos.bc.ca | www.rdos.bc.ca
Apex Mountain Resort would like to remind local residents and visitors alike that water conservation is extremely important all year round! It is integral to the well-being of this beautiful mountain that we love so much. We all need to make a conscious effort to conserve water when you can.
1.877.777.2739 | ApexResort.com
South Okanagan Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer Centre Update
By Laura Turnbull, Board Chairperson
Teenagers are active, involved volunteers. Information from Statistics Canada reveals that over 50% of 15-to-24-year old’s in Canada volunteer at least two hours a week. Whether giving time to the SPCA, Adopt a Road, a Care Facility, The Foundry, or one of the Festivals, there is little doubt that a significant number of today’s youth are committed volunteers.
Researcher Kristen Layous studied 400 students and found that preteens who performed acts of kindness were happier than their peers. These happier teens reported that their peers showed a greater interest in hanging out with them. Having more friends are likely to reduce the chance of being bullied, suggests Layous in her study.
Teenagers who volunteer learn the value of civic participation. Many become life-long volunteers. Some give of their time because of a friend being involved, due to school requirements, to gain valuable experience, to enhance a resume, or for more altruistic reasons.
Today’s teenage volunteer brings many important gifts to the volunteer experience. They are flexible and receptive to new ideas. They are the most technologically savvy group of young people ever. Most can respond to innovative online communications and recruitment techniques. They love peer camaraderie and enjoy participating with their friends. Teens are energetic and enthusiastic and bring a high level of vitality to the volunteer experience.
The South Okanagan Similkameen Volunteer Centre is committed to working alongside youth to ensure the optimum volunteer experience. We know that today’s youth are most interested in volunteer opportunities with sports organizations, causes that have an international focus, programs that support environmental issues, and social service organizations. If you are a teenager, please check out the Volunteer Centre for help in finding the right volunteer experience for you. If you are looking for volunteers, please consider recruiting teenagers. Subrina Monteith, the Executive Director would like to meet with you. Call for an appointment at 1-888-576-5661, email info@volunteercentre.info or check out the website at www.volunteercentre.info.
Firehall Updates & Recruitment
By Molly Raine, AVFR Deputy Chief
Last month, we shared that the construction work had progressed close to Greyback’s schedule with the steel building package arriving in early October. That package arrived a little later than expected, so the steel erectors did not start until October 15th. The weather has cooperated so far and the crew has worked without a day off since the 15th to stay ahead. If you drive by on Apex Mountain Road, you can see the frame of the new Firehall is now visible. Please respect the construction site access restrictions and resist a closer look. There is a photo below to show you the progress up close!
Installation of all the building services (sewer, water and power) has been progressing and is nearing completion. We are hopeful everything will be in place before it freezes up; the civil contractor (BTN Construction) is working hard to facilitate this. The next phase of construction will be the roof and wall cladding crew. Hopefully, the weather is kind to them too.
We previously reported that, due to circumstances beyond our control, funding was very limited so the scope of the Firehall was downsized. Besides weekly training, assisting in wildfire work and ongoing equipment maintenance, AVFR has had to reach out for help and has contacted known material suppliers for assistance. Some successes in those efforts have been realized and last month we recognized the Princeton Weyerhaeuser folks for their kind donation. As this is an essential service for the community, we must recognize any assistance we receive. We plan to provide formal recognition of assistance at completion and regular updates on all the individuals and organizations that kindly donate materials or in-kind help toward the project. This month, we are pleased to report that more Apex property owners have advised us that they will donate to the Firehall project. We are pleased to recognize and thank John and Tracy Kelly with True Colours Paint and Window Coverings, who have committed to donating all the paint for the interior of the building. A tax-deductible receipt will be issued for the value of this contribution. Thanks are extended also to our local Cloverdale Paint store who had offered a significant price reduction if we were to purchase the paint, which was a very kind
gesture. Greyback Construction continues to bend over backwards to assist our cause wherever they can. If you or someone you know wants to find out more about how and where you can assist this much-needed community facility, please contact Fire Chief Kelly Johnston at firechief@apexfirerescue.ca.
We’re calling on residents to join the team and help keep our community safe. “Volunteering as a firefighter is a meaningful way to support your community and make a difference when needed most”, says Graeme Lindsay, Deputy Chief with AVFR. Volunteers do much more than put out fires; they contribute in countless ways to community safety. The benefits include personal and leadership development, first aid skills, an on-call stipend, and eligibility for extended benefits.
We are hiring for two positions: Firefighter 1 Exterior and Firefighter 1 Exterior Auxiliary. The exterior position is for fulltime residents of Apex, and the Auxiliary position is for seasonal residents who are present and available for call response within the community seasonally and can also attend off-season training regularly. Responsibilities include operating fire apparatus, attending training, responding to incidents, fire suppression, and other related duties. No experience is required; it just takes the medical and physical fitness to undertake the duties of a firefighter, and a commitment to learning and participation. We are accepting applications until December 8th and training starts on January 8th. If you’re a permanent or seasonal resident, visit our website or email info@apexfirerescue.ca for more information!
If being a firefighter is a little too much of a stretch for you, please consider volunteering with the Apex Fire Brigade Society as a Critical Support Unit member, where we need a wide range of skills, talent and time commitment to help support the safety of Apex residents. Please email apexfirebrigade@apexfirerescue.ca for more information!
Up to $1000 REBATES AVAILABLE for conducting work on your property!
ACA November Update
By Ash Dunsford
Winter has arrived and we are so excited for it! Everything is coated in snow and looks like the winter wonderland again. Bring on the ski season!
This past month, the ACA put on our annual Halloween event in the Apex Village. Pumpkin carving was a hit and everyone did such a great job. The costumes were all great and prizes were awarded to Alexa who dressed as Wednesday from The Addams Family complete with her pet “It”, and also to a family of dinosaurs. Thanks to our very own Yeti, Neil, who lead the costume parade. Thanks to everyone who showed up and to Apex Mountain Resort for lending us the space in the bag lunch room.
This year, we were awarded another grant from the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, of which we purchased more tools for our Trail Building Tool Library. With these funds, we purchased a new hand saw, a second McLeod Rake, and a water backpack for firming up those dusty trail builds in the summer. While many of our tools are ideal for summer trails, we do have some for winter trail building as well. If you are interested in borrowing anything from our library, please reach out through email to apexcommunityassociation@gmail.com.
Our Annual General Meeting is coming up this month on Saturday, November 16th at 2 pm in the Edge Bistro. We invite the public to attend to learn about this year’s accomplishments, future projects, and a chance to explore volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved. There will be light refreshments provided, along with coffee and tea. We hope to see you there! Stay tuned for upcoming winter events and follow us on Facebook for more information on all of our projects and contact information. Until next time, LET IT SNOW!
Seasons Change
By Fred Albrechtson, Nickel Plate Junior Racer Alumni
What a crazy month October has been! It has certainly flown by. The last few months, I’ve just worked. I’ve poured my heart and soul into Nordic Tree Care, and loved every moment of it. I honestly cannot say that I spent much time thinking about cross country skiing and training. I do not have a bad relationship with it now, but I do believe that it was the right time to move on from it. At the end of September, our bid on a large FireSmart contract was awarded, which was very exciting. It has prompted a whole new industry for the business. Prior to starting the contract, we helped for a week or so with the Grizzly Mountain Ultra Marathon. Held at the Canmore Nordic Centre during the Thanksgiving weekend, it is an event that attracts nearly two thousand runners from the west. I became well acquainted with the owner, Tony, last year when he saw my truck and approached me about helping for the event. Since then, him and I have become great friends. In the spring, my truck spent nearly three months in the shop, waiting for a new engine to arrive. During that period, Tony brought his truck and trailer to help, so that I could still earn a wage for the business. He has brought on Nordic Tree Care as a major sponsor and helped me tremendously in advertising. This year’s event went off, virtually flawlessly, and was the most successful event that he has held to date! It was very rewarding to be apart of such a large event.
Apart from the tree work and the Grizzly Ultra, I have been able to get out running and biking a little bit, although not as much as I would have hoped. I recently moved to another part of the valley, which has opened a brand-new network of trails.
Getting into FireSmart, we were uncertain about everything ... from budgeting, efficiency, the scope of work, equipment, vehicles ... the whole lot. Fortunately, now almost three weeks in, everything is going extremely well. We have a solid team of four guys put together - two arborists (myself and one other), and two wildland firefighters. Together, we make an extremely efficient team. We projected that this contract would take us until Christmas; however, we believe now that it will take less time than first anticipated. We are already looking for our next big thing for the new year, hopefully something else in the valley. Anyway, the final piece we need for the contract is a little more snow, so we can get burning underway, but it will come. Here’s to a heavy winter!
Volunteer Patrol Update
By Brad Nunes, CSP SO Boundary Zone
Hello Everyone! This is our last snowless update! We are extremely excited to see everyone out on the slopes. Be sure to say ‘Hi’! We are also great at taking your group shots at the top of the mountain.
We are cautiously optimistic with fluff already dusting the hill. With that in mind, we want to remind you to be prepared for winter driving conditions. By February, we get a good feel for things and any doughnuts tend to be on purpose, but always use caution when winter driving. Good tires go a very long way in snow safety. With the shorter daylight hours in the early season, travel to and from the hill is often in the dark. Be sure your headlights work well and don’t blast your high beams at any of us, because we haven’t opened a run yet. We promise, if it was worth skiing it would be open and we would be right beside you! Can’t wait to get out there with everyone! Be safe and pray for snow!
Nordic Tree Care sponsoring the Grizzly Mountain Ultra Marathon in Canmore.
Staying on top of the work pile in my outdoor office.
How To Prevent Knee Injuries On The Slopes
By Dr. Deirdre O’Neill, ND
Ski season excitement is undeniable - ski movies, patrol training, gearing up, and watching that snow line drop are all part of the buzz. But with the anticipation comes the need to prep your body to ski strong, and that means putting extra focus on your knees.
From my time on ski patrol, I’ve seen firsthand how many injuries revolve around the knees. And among friends, it’s often knee strength and resiliency that dictate how long we stay amongst the moguls. Building strong knees isn’t just about avoiding injury; it’s about maximizing your time on the slopes and enjoying each run with confidence and power.
Knee strength relies on a robust lower-body chain. Think calf raises, quad exercises, glute bridges, balance training, and wall sits. The key? Keep it varied. Include aerobic workouts to build endurance - like pool laps, cycling, or running valley trails. These activities increase your stamina, ensuring you stay energized all day. Mix in weights, from lunges to gym equipment, to develop power, and incorporate simple yet effective balance exercises to improve stability and reaction times.
Make warming up a ritual. Morning stretches or yoga sessions can make a huge difference. Dynamic warm-ups activate muscles and prepare joints for action. And don’t underestimate the importance of well-maintained gear. Double-check your bindings to ensure they’re adjusted for your ability and release properly. Good gear and strong quads are a winning combo that can make or break your season.
If you’re still nursing an injury from last season or another sport, now is the time to get it checked out and treated. I’ve seen minor injuries turn into major setbacks when seemingly small issues are left unaddressed.
Consider getting an expert opinion on whether supportive bracing could benefit you. There are a variety of braces available - from compression sleeves and Stoko leggings to custom orthopedic braces. Each has its specific application, so it’s crucial to make sure they fit correctly and that you’re using the right one for your knee condition.
Looking to get serious about knee health? Download my Arthritis Guidebook. This guidebook could be your secret weapon, geared toward helping you relieve pain and get moving again. You can access this guidebook by scanning the QR code in my advertisement on this page.
For personalized care, book a discovery call to learn how regenerative medicine can get your knees in top shape before the lifts start turning.
Invest in your knees - they’ll keep you carving longer and stronger. Remember, prevention is the best approach, and it starts before you even hit the snow.
Dr. Deirdre O’Neill, Naturopathic Physician, has an expertise in Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma using Ultrasound Guidance. She practices in Penticton at Alpine Natural Health. You can also find her on the hill as part of the volunteer Canadian Ski Patrol.
Blood Donor Clinics November 18, 19 & 20
1:30-5:30pm - Penticton Seniors Drop-in Centre, 2965 South Main St Call 1-888-2DONATE or www.blood.ca It’s in you to give!
Lifeskills
By Jim Ongena, Life Coach in Summerland
Full and Satisfying Life ... or Not!
How many people do you know that are living a great life? Happy, successful, healthy people out there doing lots of cool things. I know a few, see others, and expect there are more around. I also think there should be many more.
There are skills that enable a great life and things that rob us of a great life. Once you become aware of these “thieves”, you have a better chance at a quality life.
1. Health Neglect ~ Don’t eat too much crap, exercise often and aerobically, care for your injuries and sore parts, rest enough, and don’t let things stress you out.
2. Excuses ~ Use them sparingly as ALL of the active people I know have a bad knee, lower back, ankle, blah, blah, blah. Work the parts that still work.
3. Mental Neglect ~ Thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes have EVERYTHING to do with how your life is going and most of us have never learned to manage these.
The more troublesome problem with these “thieves” is they can become unconscious. Now they are habits, and are even more destructive. Ask yourself if any of these habits apply to you. Be honest with yourself, because once they’ve become habits you might not see them anymore.
“Most of our actions and decisions are based on habit, not on choice.”
To contact the author directly, email jimongena1@gmail.com.
Featuring a cozy, licensed café, work by Local Artists, an Active Pottery Studio, and Guest Artist Sessions.
Located off the patio of the old Apex Mountain Inn.
Hello From The Artisan’s Den!
By Jane Ono
By the time you read this, our season should be very close to being underway and then the holidays will be upon us. The Artisan’s Den at Apex is back again for the 2024-2025 season. But don’t let our name fool you ... we are more than an art studio. The Den is a cozy, licensed café where you can stop for a warm lunch and a cold beer. Relax, refresh, and maybe shop a little while you are here.
A few things to get underway for the season ...
• If you are an artist with items you wish to sell, pop in and talk to Jane.
• We will be doing our “Everyone is an Artist” series again this season! So if you think you have an artsy craft to offer, please step up and talk to Jane. It’s easy, it’s fun and our community loves a good night out to craft.
• While you are checking out the Artisan Winter Market at Apex held in the Gunbarrel Dining Room on December 21st, don’t forget to come by The Artisan’s Den to continue your shopping. Many of our 25+ artists in the Den will not be represented at the Market, so come on over to continue your Christmas shopping. Happy Holidays!
Slushy Thoughts From The Snow Bank
By Brad Nunes
Hello all you beautiful people. This is our last issue in what I like to call ‘dryland practice’ season. You know, the season when you slap on your boots and stomp around the house just to make sure they still fit. I like to make it authentic, so I also complain about my sore legs, fog my googles up so I have a hard time seeing while moving quickly, and sticking my head in the freezer so I can crunch on some beard-cicles. My wife had to rescue me from my ski jacket and base layer after I overheated. For the record, everything fits! I even treated myself to a new pair of skis this year. Found a stellar bargain at the ski swap. Well, I didn’t find them, my friend Jeff found them, but he is a very tall fellow and these skis were more gnome sized. So with a tear, Jeff handed them over to me. I then promptly stowed them in his truck, so he had to listen to them rattle in the back seat for a week before I was able to collect them. I could have got them the day of, but I sometimes like to salt the wound. Yes ... yes, I am evil like that sometimes. So yeah, don’t cross me, or I’ll find a way to make you a little uncomfortable for a short period of time.
See that? That elephant in the room dressed in Stars and Stripes? Yeah ... I’m not even touching that one right now. Just love each other, okay everyone.
Around this time of year, I typically like to dedicate some of my very humble space to thanking those who stood up and helped defend our country. And, that is what they did. They stood up and went to face the greatest unknown. And, it wasn’t just risking their own lives. They knew they would have to be there when their friends and comrades fell. They were asked to take down other humans, just as scared as they were. The most uncomfortable situation I find myself in most of the time is having to ask for a discount on
a dented can of soup. Knowingly putting yourself in the midst of the worst situations humanity can create, takes a level of courage that I’m not sure I would be able to muster should I be called. I am eternally grateful that they answered the call, ushering in the kind of peace and freedoms we now enjoy. Sadly, even today there are ongoing conflicts. Despite the ravages of war, there are still those who hope to oppress and those who are called to or forced to defend against it. It is my constant prayer that we may some day wake up and recognize the reality of the needless suffering we create and learn to live in harmony. Until then, the very least I can do is extend my gratitude with a plastic flower and a little silence. Thank you for your service. Those with us and those who have already left. God Bless.
Reach those who love all things ‘Apex’ and recreating outdoors.
Shop Local. Buy Local. Neighbours Helping Neighbours.
Full details at ApexMatters.com.
Promote Your Business Here!
“Pow Day” ~ Photo by Johnny Smoke
A Glance At Our Night Sky
Do you look up at the night sky and question more than the snow conditions the next day? In this issue, we share a thought provoking article by Ken Tapping, an astronomer with NRC’s Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Kaleden.
Hubble Trouble
There are lots of astronomers who are a little weird. However, Edwin Hubble was unique. Although born in Missouri, in the USA, he affected a stilted English upper-class accent, and was a master of self-promotion. In his pictures, he is always decked out in suit and tie, and striking an epic pose, usually with a pipe firmly between his teeth. However, he was also a meticulous and determined scientist who helped change our view of the universe. In the early years of the twentieth century, Vesto Slipher, an American astronomer, discovered that distant galaxies are receding from us, that the universe was expanding. Edwin Hubble was determined to extend his work. Using the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson, he took detailed images of distant galaxies. These images were recorded on glass plates and required exposures of many hours. This involved staying up night after night making sure the telescope remained pointed accurately at the target galaxy, because a moment’s inattention could have destroyed many nights’ work. Modern imagers are far more sensitive and today we can record a huge number of short exposures, throw away the bad ones and combine all the others to obtain high-quality, sensitive images. Along with making his images, he recorded the spectra of the light from the galaxy being observed. From this, he could determine how fast that galaxy is moving away from us. Then, he looked at the myriads of star images on the plate to find any cepheid variable stars in that galaxy. They cycle in brightness over a time related to how much light the star is radiating. Then, by measuring
how bright the star looks to us, we can calculate how far away that star, and the galaxy it lives in, happens to be.
Hubble did this for a good number of galaxies, and when he plotted a graph with the speed of recession plotted against distance, he found one is proportional to the other. If you find a galaxy with double the recession speed compared with another galaxy, then it lies at twice the distance. This suggests the universe is expanding by some percentage every billion years. The relationship between distance and recession velocity became known as Hubble’s Constant. It meant that if we measure the recession velocity of a galaxy, which is relatively easy to do, we can estimate the distance. Another implication is that the expanding universe has a beginning, when it started out much smaller than it is now, around 14 billion years ago. Since Hubble’s time telescopes and other astronomical instruments have improved hugely, enabling us to see further out, and because the light from distant objects takes a long time to get to us, further back in time. We were surprised to see that long ago the universe was expanding slower than it is now, suggesting the expansion is speeding up. This was not what we might have expected. If you throw a stone in the air it ascends slower and slower, then accelerates back downwards. It does not go up faster and faster unless something is pushing. We call this mysterious force accelerating the universe’s expansion “dark energy”. However, giving it a name does not mean we know what it is.
Now things are becoming more complicated. In the youth of the universe, the relationship between recession velocity and distance seems to be different. Moreover, new methods to determine this relationship are giving answers that don’t agree with one another. This means we have a lot to learn about the younger days of the universe. Fortunately, we have instruments such as the James Web Space Telescope to help us.
Full Moon ~ November 15. New Moon ~ November 30.
Great Cabin Recipes
Dee’s Delicious Homemade Pretzels
By Dee Milton
I always thought that pretzels were going to be an impossibly difficult feat; however, with this recipe - I was more than pleased with both taste and timing. During this frightening health scare that we are currently encountering globally, I thought that this simpleyet-fun recipe might be the perfect addition to your home-life.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. This recipe begins how all bread-related recipes do: begin by adding 1 1/2 cups of warm water to a large sized bowl (aim for baby bottle temperature) and add 2 ¼ Tbsp. of dry yeast (one packet), 1 tsp. of salt and 1 Tbsp. of granulated sugar before mixing with a spoon for 1 minute, until frothy. Slowly add 3 cups of flour (1 cup at a time) after the previous cup is incorporated. Mix with a wooden spoon, adding ¾ cup of flour at a time until the dough is no longer tacky (on average, I use 4 ¼ cups of flour). A good trick to check if it is ready for kneading is to poke your finger into the dough, the dough should be relatively smooth, and it should bounce back against your finger. Empty your dough out onto a floured surface, kneading the dough for about 5 minutes. To knead the dough, simply fold the dough in half, flip over and then push dough down with the palms of your hands, continuing to add flour to your surface (when needed) to avoid sticking. Once soft and rounded, cut the ball of dough into 10 equal sections (to do this, I cut my ball in half and rolled two loose logs before cutting), this measurement does not need to be precise - you can section out smaller sized pieces for smaller pretzels (or pretzel-bites) - the size is completely up to you. Roll the dough out into a rope with relatively even diameter. My ropes ended up being 14 inches long. Once you have your long ropes, you can choose to either twist, fold or cut your pretzel for your preferred eating experience. I quite enjoy slicing these pretzels into small bites and cooking them on a baking tray, or folding the ends together into a ‘classic’ pretzel shape.
Whisk 9 cups of water and ½ a cup of baking soda together in a large pot and bring to a boil. Place a pretzel onto a slotted spatula and dip into the boiling water for approximately 20 seconds (your pretzels should float). Lift the pretzel out of the water and set on a cookie cooling rack to allow excess water to drip off. Once all Pretzels have had the baking soda bath, place pretzel onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a small shallow bowl (I used a pie plate), beat 2 egg yolks with 1 Tbsp. of water until frothy. Dunk your pretzels into the mixture on both sides (if you are making bites, use a marinade brush to apply your egg wash). Place on baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 10 minutes before turning the oven to broil for 3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. Serve warm with your favourite cheese sauce!
The sauce depicted was made using 2 Tbsp of butter, 2 cups of shredded cheese, 1/3 cup of flour and 1 cup of milk. Beat the milk and flour. Melt the butter, add the cheese before milk mixture. Sir until desired thickness before adding 1 Tbsp. mustard of your choice.
CatMatch
Looking For Adoption Heros!
AlleyCATS currently has several adult cats that have special needs in one way or another. Some just cannot take the stress of being in an adoption centre and some have special medical needs. Each cat is special and needs a special person. Are you that person? We would love for these cats to nd their forever home by Christmas. Shown above is a photo of Chrissy. www.alleycatsalliance.org
the Elegance of the Past 5221 Hwy 97 Okanagan Falls 250.497.6733 www.jardinantiques.com
Jay’s Tunes To Turn To
Artist ~ Pink Mario | Song ~ “Another Point of Time”
Music has always been a big part of my life and now with my family as well. My daughter Zoe and I share music all the time. Usually, I’ll find the latest new grooves, while she discovers older tunes. However, Zoe sent me this latest new tune and it reminds me of some 80s music that I listened to back in the day.
“Another Point of Time” by Pink Mario is a fun tune that can make you dance and carve down the slopes. It also reminds me of listening to tunes on my good old Walkman in the mid 80s ripping down the Headwalls on Todd Mtn (sorry, Sun Peaks now). All music can remind us of ‘another point of time’ in our lives. So, whether you connect with others through music tomorrow or reflect back to some great memories from yesterday, enjoy your point of time today. Bring on the snow Ullr! Ski you later on the hill.
Jay is a life-long skier, who has skied this great country from coast to coast. Join him this season in “Jay’s Tune To Turn To” with whatever he finds to share. YouTube his tunes and join in the fun.
