VE
The Invermere
ALLEY CHO l
7 Januar y 2015
6
th
0
1
V Send us your snow storm photos to win!
i
n
Co
2
BERNIE RAVEN CHRIS RAVEN 1-866-598-7415 TEAMRAVEN.CA Offices in Panorama, Invermere & Fairmont
to B.C.’s liquor 3 Changes laws welcomed in valley
1
$
05 INCLUDES GST
Maxwell Realty Invermere
KUBOTA KID
The Whiteway Winter Festival at Kinsmen Beach on Saturday, January 3rd saw the first public appearance of the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club’s new Kubota L3560 groomer, which Brad Kitching, the Whiteway operator, will be using to maintain the world record-breaking ice skating trail. For more photos from the event, see page 8. PHOTO BY NICOLE TRIGG
PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NO. 7856
Winter brings first snowstorm of the new year to valley STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com Old Man Winter crept into the Kootenay region earlier this week, covering it with the first snowfall of the year. But while the West Kootenay and Roger’s Pass saw heavy snowfall and had storm warnings in effect, the East Kootenay, including the Upper Columbia Valley, got off with a comparatively light dusting and no major incidents. Most parts of the valley received about 10 to 15 centimetres of snow through the night of Sunday, January 4th and into the morning of Monday, January 5th. “It’s been busy since noon yesterday. It’s not really a huge amount of snow, but it’s widespread and managed to hit every corner of the East Kootenay area,” said Mainroads East Kootenay general manager Al Sander, speaking on the afternoon of Monday, January 5th. He added that most of the roads had
already been cleared off by that point, offices said crews were out keeping the and that he had not heard many reports streets clean, and no problems had been of cars driving off the road. reported. “The forecast is calling for more snow“It hasn’t been too bad. We seem to be fall and possibly freezing rain tonight making do,” said Radium Hot Springs (Monday, January 5th), and we hope chief administrative officer Mark Read. they’re wrong since freezing rain is nev- “We have our contractors out there, but er fun for anybody,” said Sander. “It is we haven’t heard of anything major.” winter and we’re “Our crew are ploughinto a winter storm ing and sanding this It’s widespread session so we’d like morning, but really we and managed to haven’t had that much to remind people to slow down a little bit hit every corner of the snow here,” said Canal and allow more time East Kootenay area. Flats chief administraAL SANDER tive officer Brain Woodfor driving than they MAINROADS EAST KOOTENAY normally would.” ward. More snow apNobody from Parks peared to have fallen in the northern Canada was available for comment by parts of the valley, with about 12 to 15 The Valley Echo’s press time on Monday, centimetres outside the Village Office in but Drive B.C.’s status for Highway 93 Radium Hot Springs, roughly 10 centime- through Kootenay National Park to Casters in Invermere and slightly more than tle Junction (which is updated by Parks 7.5 centimetres outside the Village Office Canada) had the road status as normal. in Canal Flats. Staff at all three municipal The website had a similar status for the
rest of Highway 93/95 through the Upper Columbia Valley and other roads in the area. The snowfall did not result in any accidents, according to the Columbia Valley RCMP. “We haven’t had any issues. People here know how to drive in the snow,” said Staff Sergeant Marko Shehovac. While it may make commuters grumble, the snow is a boon for the valley’s winter tourism operators. “It’s been great for us, for our visitors and for local skiers,” said Panorama Mountain Resort marketing manager Scott Morgan on Monday, January 5th. “The whole mountain has really good coverage today.” Panorama Mountain Resort had nine centimetres of snowfall on the summit and 10 centimetres of snowfall in the village on Monday, January 5th. The ski area at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort reported that 10 centimetres of fresh snow has fallen.
Cinefest at pynelogs Tuesday January 13th at 7:00 pm What does ART mean to you?
The Lunchbox (Hindi with English Subtitles) Tickets at the Door Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.
Happy BirtHday to pynelogs!
1914 - 2014
Celebrating 100 years