Choir Concert:
Hitmen gun down hurting Rebels
Vancouver’s internationally renowned vocal ensemble
musica intima Sunday, January 19 at 7:00 pm in College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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BLAZING A TRAIL IN JASPER
Travel columnist Debbie Olsen — Page B1
Five Rebels injured in 5-1 loss before record crowd on ’80s night SPORTS — PAGE B4
Red Deer Advocate WEEKEND EDITION SATURDAY, JAN. 18, 2014
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The Central Alberta skiing community has never had it so good BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow. While that chorus may not be on the lips of legions of exasperated snow shovellers, its sweet music to those who like their winters white. Central Alberta ski areas — both downhill and cross-country — haven’t had it so good in years. “Amazing. Best ever,” is how Brian Johnson describes cross-country trails around Red Deer. “I’ve been skiing for over 20 years and we’ve never had a winter like this, for having so much snow and so early. It’s our earliest start we’ve ever had,” said Johnson, a Hunting Hills High School teacher, who also coaches dozens of local cross-country skiers and competitive racers. Typically, the new year is considered the start of the training season for many skiers but Johnson was able to take his racers out by mid-November.
ENVY OF ALBERTA ‘I’ve been skiing for over 20 years and we’ve never had a winter like this.’
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Top: Enjoying the soft groomed slopes a skier makes his way down the Powder Horn run at Canyon Ski Resort on Friday morning. Above: A group of young snowboarders begin a lesson on the beginner slope.
They not only got an earlier start but they were able to ski areas — such as the hills at River Bend Golf and Recreation Area — that usually don’t get enough ski-able snow until mid-January. “We are the envy of Alberta. I’ve talked to all the skiers, and go to the races around the province, and nobody can believe we’ve had four feet of snow in Red Dee They are just amazed.” Deer. E Even cross-country ski areas in Kanan nanaskis and Canmore can’t match Red De Deer’s conditions. This week’s chinook shouldn’t pose an problems, he said. any “We have so much cold in that snow pa pack, a couple of days of warm isn’t goin to affect it.” ing Local competitive skiers will get an op opportunity to showcase local conditi tions at the Alberta Cup at River Bend, w which is expected to attract up to 300 p participants from across the province o Jan. 25 and 26. on At Canyon Ski Resort, powder lovers a enjoying ideal conditions with 120 are cm of snowfall recorded this winter. “These are probably the best conditions that Canyon has seen out here since the hill first opened in 1965,” said co-owner David Martel. Martel said he was talking to the Martinek family, who owned the hill until June 2010, and “they said they waited for this for 43 years,” he said with a laugh. It’s tough to get a handle on visitor numbers yet, but he’s noticed a shift in clientele. “One thing we can determine is we are getting more of the avid skier out here that might typically go to the mountains to catch a powder day. We are now capturing them out here and they’re enjoying great conditions minutes from home.” The recent warm temperatures won’t hurt conditions.
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WEATHER Sunny. High 3. Low -5.
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Taliban attack popular Kabul eatery A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Kabul restaurant while two gunmen snuck in through the back door.
Two Stylish Floor Plans to Choose From 1261 - 1348 sq. ft. Choice Lots Still Available +40 Community
Story on PAGE A5
Attached Double Garage Driveway with Each Home Yard Maintenance Provided
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