2014 valley beat

the

VALLEY BEAT 2014 /2015

F R

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Your guide to events in the Columbia Valley

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www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca Toll Free: 1-888-341-6044 • Fax: 250-341-6046

Bernie Raven 250-342-7415

Scott Wallace 250-342-5309

Daniel Zurgilgen 250-342-1612

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Phone: 250-341-6044

Panorama

2060 Summit Drive

Phone: 250-341-6044

Fairmont

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Phone: 250-345-6080

At the source of the Mighty Columbia River We invite you to take a journey to a place where sense of community, friendship and pride live together in perfect harmony.

Canal Flats is nestled in the heart of the Kootenays halfway between Cranbrook to the south and Invermere to the north. It is a place where one can experience Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and deer roaming the streets.

Canal Flats offers a variety of amenities, such as a public beach, arena and parks.

250.349.5462 • www.canalflats.com valley

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All event listings are printed free of charge Box 70, #8, 1008 – 8th Avenue, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 • www.invermerevalleyecho.com

(250) 341-3777

496 Highway 93/95 Invermere, BC

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor's Introduction............................................................. 6

Summer Events Calendar......................7-9 Pick a Reason to Party with CV Arts.............. 10-11 A Stage that's all the Rage........................................... 12 Gliders Aim for Bull's Eye ................................... 12-13 Trail Race Challenge a Runner's Delight............ 14 Radium Welcomes New Wildlife Festival........... 15 Cinemafiles Rejoice!........................................................... 15

Fall & Winter Events Calendar......16-17 Nordic Ski Event Glides to Greatness..................18 Fire and Ice Lights Up Fairmont Hot Springs....19

Spring Events Calendar....................20-21 World Will be Watching Para-Alpine .... 22-23 Celebrating Coffee in the Columbia .... 24-25

ADVERTISING INDEX Bavin Glassworks............................................................ 23 Bighorn Meadows Resort.......................................... 27 College of the Rockies....................................................... 6 Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce...........19 Dutch Creek Resort........................................................ 25 Eagle Ranch......................................................................... 28 Funtasia Fairmont Fun Park............................................ 11 Mountain bikers cross the start line during the 2013 Kootenay Krusher endurance mountain bike race at Nipika Mountain Resort.

Joe Lucas photo The Valley Beat is published annually by The Invermere Valley Echo Newspaper, Black Press.

Publisher Editor Production and graphic design Sales Associates Editorial content

Photography

Cover art

Rose-Marie Fagerholm Nicole Trigg Silena Ann Ewen Cheryl Williams, Dean Midyette Lindsay McPherson, Dan Walton, Joshua Estabrooks, Lizzie Midyette, Steve Hubrecht, Greg Amos Dan Walton, Kris McCauley, Greg Amos, Joe Lucas, Windermere Valley Historical Society, Jamie Hurschler, Malcolm Carmichael/Alpine Canada, Lizzie Midyette, Erin Knutson, Brad Kitching Silena Ann Ewen

This material, written or artistic, may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions Box 70, #8, 1008 – 8th Avenue, and statements in articles, columns and advertising are not necessarily those Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 of the publisher or staff of The Valley Beat. It is agreed by any display advertiser Phone 250-341-6299 requesting space that the owner's responsibility, if any, for errors or omissions customerservice@invermerevalleyecho.com of any kind, is limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the space as occupied by the incorrect item and there shall be no liability in any www.invermerevalleyecho.com event greater than the amount paid for the advertisement.

Konig Meat & Sausage Company........................ 25 MaxWell Realty......................................................................... 3 Misty River Lodge.................................................................. 6 Pete's Marina..........................................................................10 Rona.................................................................................................4 Scrapper's Cove..................................................................... 6 Setetkwa Golf Course & RV Park......................... 25 The Trails at Windermere Lake................................... 13 Tim Hortons................................................................................4 Village of Canal Flats........................................................... 3 Windermere Valley Golf Course............................. 24 Windwood Homes................................................................. 2

Editor’s

Introduction

By Nicole Trigg The Valley Beat is back and bursting with events information for the second year in a row. After our first-ever issue hit the stands last July — and 10,000 copies were snatched up within five weeks — we knew we had a hit on our hands.

This year’s edition features the same format as last — lively, entertaining stories showcasing a number of diverse Columbia Valley events interspaced between seasonal calendars detailing any and every last community-wide event we’ve been informed about over the last year (and our sincere apologies if we’ve missed any!).

It’s an exciting time for the Columbia Valley Arts Council (otherwise known as CV Arts) and its arts and culture hub, the Pynelogs Art Gallery & Cultural Centre, which is celebrating 100 years of existence in 2014. See page 10 for details on the not-to-be-missed Party of the Century that’s taking place to mark this historic milestone. And you’ll also learn about the InvermereMusicfest Waterfront Music Festival, which is returning for its second year and featuring even bigger bands for a full-day of what could become one of the most sought-after outdoor lakeside festivals of the summer season. The long-standing aerial tradition of the Lakeside Splashdown continues to draw spectators

index

and you’ll find out why on page 12. Radium Hot Springs is passionate about Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, which explains why not one, but two events now bear the “Headbanger” name, which are featured on pages 14 and 15.

Elsewhere, the winter season may be considered a slower time for events, but not here in the Columbia Valley. One prime example is the annual Nipika/Toby Creek Nordic Loppet Weekend that is expanding in 2015 to include, for the first time, competitive Kootenay Cup races. All the details are on page 18. And what’s winter without a little heat?

Each year, the Fairmont Hot Springs community offers up tasty treats and fiery fun with the Fire & Ice Festival. Read up on the multi-day winter weekend on page 19. Rounding out the valley’s snow-filled season in March 2015 will be the IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, which are coming to Panorama Mountain Village. The world will be watching and the article on page 22 explains why you might want to extend your vacation this winter season to catch this exceptional event. And a new event has cropped up on the valley’s event calendar celebrating everything coffee — the success of the inaugural Invermere Coffee Fest is captured on page 24. Last but not least, two invaluable offerings on the valley’s events scene — the Home Hardware Entertainment Stage and Cinefest — are highlighted on pages 12 and 15.

So don’t miss a beat! Get out that calendar and start marking dates to make the most of what “valley-time” has to offer.

Misty River Lodge

Big Fall Scrapbook Retreat

October 24-26, 2014

The little scrapbook store

Supplies, Crops and Classes

1005 - 7th Avenue, Invermere www.scrapperscoveinvermere.net • 250-342-7238

• Backpacker’s B&B • Small dorms • Private/family rooms with ensuite bathrooms • European breakfast on request • Guest kitchen • Huge deck with amazing view

250-347-9912 www.MistyRiverLodge.ca

We have a course for that! n First Aid n Computer Courses n Kids Summer Camps n Languages n Transportation Safety n Photography

n Cooking Classes n Health & Wellness n Outdoor Recreation n Professional Development n Youth Programs n Arts & Crafts

For full information on upcoming courses or to register:

Phone: 250.342.3210 or Visit: cotr.bc.ca/coned valley

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JUNE June 10th - 22nd REACH: David Thompson Secondary School Art Show at Pynelogs Cultural Centre & Art Gallery. Annual extravaganza featuring art from local high school students. Artist opening on June 13th from 7 to 9 p.m.

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

June 14th Fairmont Lions Club Annual Fun Golf Tournament and Barbecue at “The Barn” Coys Par 3 from noon to 7 p.m. Contact 250-4099516 or mstanguay@gmail.com.

ride around Lake Windermere starting at Panorama Mountain Village. Visit branchoutfoundation.com.

June 21st Shuswap Band National Aboriginal Day Celebration.

Under the Big Top next to Three Voices of Healing Treatment Centre on Capilo Way. Dance performances 1 to 6 p.m.

Drum group Crow Lodge from Lethbridge. Magician “The Amazing Jeremy” at 5:30 p.m.

Indian Tacos for sale. Door prizes, vendors, and more.

June 14th, 28th Attend Legend Nights to hear Ktunaxa legends as told by a First Nation Elder at Lakeshore Resort and Campground. Free, open to the public, traditional food available for purchase. 7 to 9 p.m.

June 19th Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club Windup Barbecue and General Meeting. Visit lwdrodgun.com or call 250341-3254.

June 21st Invermere Farmers’ Market opens for the season. Every Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Invermere.

June 21st 4th Annual Branch Out Bike Tour. One-day 100-km bike

June 21st - 22nd ICAN’s 6th Annual Garage Sale at Deck Properties. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds go to ICAN Rescue and Adoption Facility.

Visit icanbc.com.

June 22nd Giving Back Community Golf Tournament at Windermere Valley Golf Course. Presented by The Valley Echo and The Hospice valley

June 28th - September 1st Guided hikes to the Stanley Glacier Burgess Shale site every Saturday and Monday.

For information visit pc.gc.ca/ kootenay and to reserve visit reservations.pc.gc.ca.

June 23rd Ram into Summer Golf Tournament at Radium Resort golf course. Proceeds to Tourism Radium. Locals and visitors welcome. Contact 250-3472980 or manderson@truekey.ca. June 29th Radium 333 Sporting Clays June 24th - July 6th Tournament at the Lake Featured Artist Show at Pynelogs Windermere District Rod & Gun Art Gallery. John Niddrie, Gerry Club. Visit lwdrodgun.com.

George, Tom Symington and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Kootenay Artist opening on June 25th from Krusher 7 to 9 p.m.

June 27th June 27th Kootenay Krusher at Nipika Mountain Resort. Endurance mountain bike race with recreational, relay and kids’ categories. Register at zone4.ca. Visit nipika.com.

June 21st Summer KickOff Party at the Invermere Community Hall.

Catered dinner, dance, live and silent auction. All proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Advance tickets only available at The Book Bar or from Sheila Tutty at 250-342-9059.

June 28th New work from Balgonie, SK artist Kimberly Kiel on display at Effusion Art Gallery.

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visit effusionartgallery.com.

June 27th Opening day for Panorama Bike Park. Open daily until August 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit panoramaresort.com.

June 27th Maya Eventov Exhibition at the Artym Gallery with Maya in attendance from 5 to 8 p.m.

Runs until July 4th. Visit artymgallery.com.

June 27th - 28th Market and Music on Main summer season begins at Radium Hot Springs Visitor Information Centre. Community market every Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. Live local bands every Friday/Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Ends August 30th. Visit tourismradium.com.

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June 30th Annual Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley Fireworks begin one minute after midnight as Canada Day begins, 12:01 a.m. on July 1st. Best places to watch are beside Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena, Lakeview Road on east side of lake, James Chabot Beach.

JULY July 1st Annual Canada Day Parade in Downtown Invermere. Parade begins at 11 a.m.

July 1st 10th Annual Mountain Mosaic Festival of the Arts. A free Canada Day festival from noon to 3 p.m. for the whole family at Kinsmen Beach following the Canada Day Parade. Live entertainment, art tents, food kiosks and more. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

Summer

June 14th 3rd Annual Beer Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

More that 50 beers to sample, live music by Oak Republic, free souvenir tasting glass.

Individual tickets, lodging and camping packages available at fairmonthotsprings.com or call 250-345-6070.

Society of the Columbia Valley.

Four-person scramble, $125/ person or $500/team. Includes golf, dinner, contests and prizes, silent auction, on-course massage. Proceeds go to The Hospice Society. Register at 250-342-3004.

July 1st Annual Canada Day celebration and fireworks display at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Events all day. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com or phone 250-345-6000.

July 1st Village of Canal Flats Canada Day celebration. Fireworks at Tilley Memorial Park at dusk.

Summer

July 1st Free admission to all National Parks on Canada Day. Visit pc.gc.ca/kootenay.

July 2nd, 3rd Adventure Radium. Starts on Wednesday, July 2nd and Thursday, July 3rd then every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday until August 21st. Runs 9:30 a.m. to noon for ages 5-7/8; 1 to 3:30 p.m. for ages 8/9 and up. Register at Village Office or radiumhotsprings.ca.

July 4th 5th Annual Stampede Pancake Breakfast at Fire’d UP in Radium.

9 to 11:30 a.m. All proceeds go to Radium Fire Department. Visit tourismradium.com.

July 4th Wine and appies with jewelry artist Karyn Chopik at Effusion Art Gallery. 6 to 9 p.m. Visit effusionartgallery.com.

July 5th 3rd Annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival. All-genre outdoor music festival in Edgewater with spectacular views of the Columbia River and Canadian Rockies. Visit steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca.

Kinsmen Beach. Categories for four to 15 years. 8 a.m. Visit heartoftherockiestri.ca.

Steamboat Mountain Music Festival July 5th

July 5th Vancouver artist Sharon Quirke at Effusion Art Gallery. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. effusionartgallery.com.

July 6th Canada Cup Downhill Mountain Bike Race at Panorama Mountain Village. Visit panoramaresort.com/events.

July 12th Fairmont Lions Club Annual Garage Sale at Real Storage in Windermere. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact 250-409-9516 or mstanguay@gmail.com.

July 12th Mr. & Mrs. Open Tournament at Spur Valley Golf Resort. Details at spurvalley.com.

Mexican poker starting at 7:15 p.m. followed by a family dance.

Tickets at select locations. Visit invermerepanorama.com.

July 18th Artym Gallery presents Cameron Bird and Sandy Graves Exhibition. 5 to 8 p.m.

Runs until July 25th. Visit artymgallery.com.

July 19th Valley Appreciation Day. Downtown Invermere. Pancake breakfast 9 a.m. to noon. Live music, Gagne Logging Show, children’s activities, Farmers’ Market, RONA cart races. Visit invermerepanorama.com.

July 8th “Music on the Patio” at Eagle Ranch Resort kicks off. Live local musicians every Tuesday night until August 26th starting at 6 p.m. Visit eagleranchresort. com or call 1-877-877-3889.

July 12th, 26th Attend Legend Nights to hear Ktunaxa legends as told by a First Nation Elder at Lakeshore Resort and Campground. Free, open to the public, traditional food available for purchase. 7 to 9 p.m.

July 19th Calgary artist David James Veres at Effusion Art Gallery.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit effusionartgallery.com.

July 8th Lions Charity Golf Day at Copper Point Golf Course. Call 250-3413392 to book your tee time.

July 13th 32nd Annual Heart of the Rockies Triathlon at James Chabot Provincial Park.

Olympic and Sprint distance adult triathlon. 8 a.m. Visit heartoftherockiestri.ca.

& B’Day Party for Pynelogs.

Outdoor summer garden party in and around Pynelogs, dancing to live music, art raffle, cash bar and more. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

July 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th Children’s Summer Program at Windermere Valley Museum.

10:30 a.m. to noon. Details at WindermereValleyMuseum.ca or call 250-342-9769.

July 12th Young Hearts Triathlon at valley

July 18th 15th Annual Bull Riding in the Rockies. Behind the Invermere Curling Rink. Cowboy dinner at 5 p.m. World professional bullriders, mutton busting and

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July 19th Party of the Century: Art show

July 22nd - August 3rd Featured Artist Show at Pynelogs. Maggie Leal-Valais, Patrick Markle, Angelique Gillespie and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Artist Opening on July 23rd from 7 to 9 p.m.

July 25th - 27th Brisco Riding Club 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Brisco Riding Arena. Saturday night dance at Brisco Hall.

Barrel racing, roping, dance, fun day for kids, food, vendors and everyone is welcome to camp.

July 27th Windermere District Farmers’ Institute Centenary Celebration and Summer Fair at the Agri Park. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact 250-346-3227 or brisco@ winkwireless.ca.

July 27th 2nd Annual Swansea Scramble.

A 10-kilometre run or hike to top of Mt. Swansea and back down again. Registration at 8 a.m., race starts at 9 a.m.

Visit Crazy Soles store or email crazysoles@telus.net.

AUGUST August 1st - 7th Artist Min Ma show at Artym Gallery. Opening reception on August 1st from 5 to 8 p.m. Visit artymgallery.com.

August 2nd Ottawa artist Ed Ambros will show new work at Effusion Art Gallery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See effusionartgallery.com.

August 2nd Movie In the Park. Free feature film shown in Pothole Park downtown Invermere. Movie starts at dusk.

August 2nd, 23rd, 30th Attend Legend Nights to hear Ktunaxa legends as told by a

August 3rd Lunch and Crunch. A five-stand sport shooting at the Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club. Visit lwdrodgun.com.

August 3rd Tour of the Arts. Annual art extravaganza. This year at CPR Lodge near Pynelogs. Concludes with the Invermere MusicFest.

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

August 3rd Invermere MusicFest Waterfront Music Festival. Outdoor concert at Kinsmen Beach featuring top-notch Canadian bands. Visit invermeremusicfest.com.

Gallery. Opening reception on August 8th from 5 to 8 p.m.

Visit artymgallery.com.

August 9th (or 10th rain day) Annual Lakeside Splashdown.

Hang gliders and paragliders pilots take off from Mount Swansea and land in water targets at James Chabot Beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. See lakesideevent.com.

August 9th 19th Annual Loop the Lake. Running race event for the whole community and an annual Rotary Club of Invermere fundraiser. Visit loopthelake.bc.ca.

August 9th Edmonton artist Vern Busby at Effusion Art Gallery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit effusionartgallery.com.

August 5th -17th Featured Artist Show at Pynelogs. Lynne Grillmair, Pat Bavin, Guy Hobbs, Cat McDiarmid and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Artist Opening on August 6th from 7 to 9 p.m.

August 9th Mud & Sweat - Operation Panorama. A race of trails, mud, and obstacles for people of all abilities. Visit mudandsweatrace.com.

August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th Children’s Summer Program at the Windermere Valley Museum from 10:30 a.m. to noon. See WindermereValleyMuseum.ca or phone 250-342-9769.

August 9th - 10th Columbia Basin Culture Tour. Free, self-guided arts and culture tour throughout Columbia Basin region. Visit basinculture.com.

August 6th Dinner and a Movie. Bring your blankets and enjoy a feature film on a jumbo outdoor screen.

Visit eagleranchresort.com or call 877-877-3889.

August 10th Lake Windermere Open Water Swim at James Chabot Provincial Park at 8 a.m. Visit heartoftherockiestri.ca.

Ktunaxa Legend Nights August 2nd, 23rd 30th

August 8th - 14th Neil Patterson show at Artym valley

August 10th Summer Splash. Free fun for all ages at James Chabot Beach, including pancake breakfast, paddleboard and kayak races, beach volleyball and more. Visit lakeambassadors.ca or call 250-341-6898.

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August 11th - 12th 3rd Annual Kelly Hrudey and Friends Charity Golf Tournament at Copper Point Golf Course.

Opening reception on August 10th. Featuring celebrity players. See copperpointgolf. com or call 250-341-3392.

Loop the Lake August 9th August 15th - 21st Alex Fong show at Artym Gallery. Opening reception on August 15th from 5 to 8 p.m.

Visit artymgallery.com.

August 16th Ontario artist David Grieves will show new work at Effusion Art Gallery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit effusionartgallery.com.

August 19th - 31st Featured Artist Show at Pynelogs. Ted Wallace, Deb Ede, Neal Panton and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Artist Opening on August 20th from 7 to 9 p.m.

August 22nd - 28th Andrew Kiss show at Artym Gallery. Opening receptions on August 22nd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit artymgallery.com.

August 29th - 31st Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club Bugaboo Blast. Visit lwdrodgun.com.

August 29th - September 4th Bayot Heer show at Artym Gallery. Opening reception on August 29th from 5 to 8 p.m.

Visit artymgallery.com.

August 31st Closing day for Panorama Mountain Village Bike Park and Mile 1 Quad Chair. Visit panoramaresort.com.

Summer

July 28th Single Track Six Bike Race at Lake Lillian. Visit radiumhotsprings.com for details.

First Nation Elder at Lakeshore Resort and Campground. Free, open to the public, traditional food available for purchase. 7 to 9 p.m.

Pick a reason to party

JULY

with CV Arts this summer

By Joshua Estabrooks

For the past 38 years, the Columbia Valley Arts Council has been fostering the growth, awareness and appreciation of the arts in the Columbia Valley. Their current home base — the Pynelogs Cultural Centre & Art Gallery — is also celebrating a milestone this year, having stood for exactly 100 years on the shores of Lake Windermere, nestled between the heritage trees and shrubs planted throughout the property, and the soft sandy shoreline of Kinsmen Beach.

Pynelogs, the building itself, was constructed as a labour of love in 1914 by Scottish land developer Robert Randolph Bruce, who built the stunning log building and landscaped the property all for his lovely English wife, Lady Elizabeth Bruce, who died shortly after arriving to the valley.

The building was then used as a hospital and seniors’ residence before becoming the home for Columbia Valley Arts — or CV Arts as it’s affectionally known — and all the good things the organization does for the community.

In recognition of this milestone, CV Arts is planning a Party of the Century this summer that will feature 100 works of art made by 100 local celebrities to be given away

throughout an evening of music, dancing, refreshments and, of course, art! The event itself will cost $20, but to walk home with one of the unique works of art created especially for this event, prospective collectors must purchase a ticket for $100, then wait for their names to be drawn that night. The birthday party takes place at Pynelogs on Saturday, July 19th from 7 p.m. to midnight, and will include food, refreshments and live music for all.

And if a 100-year birthday party isn’t enough to break in your party shoes, then the second annual Invermere MusicFest, planned for Sunday, August 3rd, could very well be the event that wears them out.

Your festival grounds for the day will be the Pynelogs property, which means rolling grassy hills, hot sandy beaches and old growth trees alongside one of the most stunning mountain lakes in the province. If headliners The Boom Booms, from Vancouver, are any indication of the entertainment value this small festival has to offer, it surely is an event not to be missed.

The idea behind the festival is to include a varied menu of musical genres — this year represented by acts like the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, Kelly Lee Evans, The Good Old Goats, The River and the Road, and four other talented performances across two stages. All bands will play full sets of music.

The early days of Pynelogs.

Photo courtesy of Windermere Valley Historical Society

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Canadian indie soul band The Boom Booms from Vancouver are headlining this year’s Invermere Music Fest on August 3rd.

Photo courtesy of theboombooms.com

Forest Mini Golf

FAIRMONT

Animal Pet Park

FUN PARK On Hwy 93/95,

Fairmont Hot Springs 250-345-4511

Gardens & Labyrinth

fairmontfuntasia.com

Spin 'n' Bump Cars

Where nature, animals and people come together in harmony and joy • RAW • NATURAL • ORGANIC valley

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august

The gates to the festival open at 12:30 p.m. and the albeit with a slightly different presentation this year than music will run from 1 to 11 p.m. Your gate pass will last. Tour of the Arts will be kicking off on August 3rd as get you much more than just music, however, as there well, but will take place in and around just one venue will be an international food and artist village on the — the historic CPR Lodge, which, conveniently, is located grounds, as well as liquid refreshments sponsored by adjacent to the music festival grounds, so why not take in Tinhorn Creek Vineyards and the valley’s own Arrowhead both incredible events in one huge day of art appreciation Brewing Company to be and entertainment?

An idyllic lakeside concert venue: the Pynelogs Greenspace. enjoyed throughout the It’s overwhelmingly apDan Walton photo grounds this year. parent that CV Arts is In spite of inclemdoing a lot to make the ent weather, last year’s Columbia Valley a great first-ever festival drew place to live and visit, but 400 people down to the the non-profit can always waterfront. This year, the use assistance. Anyone fest is expected to grow interested in helping out even more. For more inin a volunteer capacity or formation on the event, engaging in sponsorship please check out inverof any of these events is meremusicfest.com. asked to please contact Coinciding once again CV Arts at 250-342-4423 with the music festival or info@columbiavalleywill be Tour of the Arts, arts.com.

A stage

Gliders aim for bull’s eye in the

AUGUST

that’s all the rage

Lakeside Event

By Dan Walton

By Dan Walton

Countless locations in the Columbia Valley can easily be transformed into concert venues — and when the Home Hardware Entertainment Stage pulls up, it’s showtime.

For around ten years, Home Hardware in Invermere has been putting one of its service trucks to use as a platform for live music, arriving wherever the party is all year round.

And as it’s been used for up to 20 shows each year, there’s no telling how many musicians have rocked the truck.

The Lakeside Event takes off from the top of Mount Swansea every August, peppering the skies of the Columbia Valley with a mass of gliders.

“It’s something completely different,” said last year’s paragliding winner Max Fanderl, who is also one of the organizers of the event.

The annual competition — also known as the Lakeside Fly-In and the Lakeside Splash — takes place the second weekend of August and is an extremely easy sport to spectate. This year’s instalment is happening on Saturday, August 9th (or, in the case of rain, Sunday, August 10th).

Dan Walton photo

“Any local talent from the valley has been on it,” said Invermere Home Hardware owner Al Miller.

The stage was created to fill an obvious need — that of a community with a thirst for the arts with limited options for outdoor live music.

“It’s rustic and hometown; it’s not fancy, but it serves a great purpose,” Al said. “We’re certainly proud to be able to help out in that fashion.”

In the Home Hardware Entertainment Stage’s early days, bands were performing on a simple flatbed truck. As the flatbed became more popular, the need to shelter musicians and their equipment from the elements became more apparent.

Dan Walton photo

Hang gliders and paragliders will fill the valley to compete in what’s considered one of North America’s oldest hang gliding events, having been started in 1975.

After gliders are driven up the bumpy road atop Mount Swansea and launch into the sky, the winner is determined by measuring which flyer lands closest to a bull’s-eye on the northern shore of Lake Windermere at the James Chabot Provincial Park beach.

There are different targets for the two methods of flight: hang gliders aim to land in an inner tube about 30 metres from the shore. The water is about waste deep at that point to allow for a soft landing that won’t soak the equipment; for the paragliders, an above-ground swimming pool is set up with an inner tube at its centre.

“The reason we have it that way is so the wing can land on the grass, get packed up and get used again,” Max said. “Hang gliders, at Lake Windermere’s depth, won’t get their gear wet.”

Both methods of flight may seem risky, but Max said the Lakeside Event demonstrates the legitimacy of the sports.

“We don’t just jump off a cliff; it’s very civilized what we do,” he said. “We’re walking into the air.”

There’s no cost to seek a close-up look at the takeoffs — the top of Swansea is as welcoming as the beach at James Chabot, and can be accessed by vehicle, bike or foot.

“A lot of people enjoy watching us go airborne,” said Max. And from James Chabot, “it’s about lying on the beach, going for a swim, and just watching the splashdown.”

The pilots begin to launch around 9:30 a.m. and, depending on the weather, the action normally lasts until 4 p.m. Because it’s not a race to the targets, many gliders will take their time and demonstrate a few aerial stunts before the audience.

The chief reason why competitors enter the fly-in is for the valley

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bragging rights that come with winning the trophy though there are also small cash prizes for the top three winners.

Flying in tandem with his young daughter Katia, she and Max were the winners of last year’s paragliding competition.

“She told me what to do,” he said with a laugh.

After the pilots soar down to James Chabot, spectators — who can watch the action within a stone’s throw of the landing site — will have the opportunity to meet the pilots and learn about aviation.

“We’re not crazy cliff jumpers, we’re regular people,” said Max. “It’s a fun, family sport.”

Although not all families will take up gliding together, the Lakeside Event specifically caters to a family-based audience. Mount Swansea is a popular launch for gliders, but because they often ride the wind to Golden or Cranbrook, locals rarely enjoy their presence in the sky.

Another tradition of the Lakeside Event is the after-party at the Lions’ Hall. Live music will begin around 9 p.m. and everyone is welcome — even those who miss the competition — to enjoy the banquet, barbecue and tunes.

For more details and history, visit the event’s revamped website at lakesideevent.com.

A pilot gets in some hang time during the 2013 Lakeside Event (left); A paraglider hits the bull’s-eye at James Chabot Provincial Park Beach (top); and another comes in for his landing as spectators from both land and water look on (above). Dan Walton photos valley

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Trail race challenge a

Runner’s Delight

SEPTEMBER

By Lindsay McPherson

The popularity of trail running in the Columbia Valley should come as no surprise considering the abundance of single track and backcountry roads that meander through the mountains and grasslands, offering up breathtaking views all around. The 7th Annual Headbanger Trail Challenge on Saturday, September 27th promises that, and much more.

“People love to get outside, and there’s nothing comparable to getting out in nature and seeing the views we have to offer here,” said race founder and organizer Ron Verboom. “We have the natural beauty here in the valley to accommodate that amazing trail running.”

For the past two years, the 12-kilometre course has started in the Village of Radium Hot Springs park, then led runners through a loop on the Old Coach Trail and along the Deja View trail before heading back into town.

The Old Coach Road was the old roadway connecting Radium to Invermere before construction of the highway in the 1920s.

In addition to the 12-kilometre competitive course, there’s a family-friendly three-kilometre run through the Sinclair Creek Trail. This year, for the first time, a half marathon component is also planned.

A great race for competitors of all skill levels, the Headbanger combines rolling terrain and short, steep hills. The course through the Old Coach offers up stunning views of the Columbia Wetlands with the Purcell Mountains in the

distance. Each year, close to 100 competitors sign up, although Mr. Verboom anticipates more will be on board with the addition of a half marathon category.

In addition to their bib, entrants into the 12-kilometre event receive a high quality race shirt and ticket for the barbecue to follow.

“And we always have great door prizes,” Mr. Verboom said. “We have tremendous support from the business community in Radium and area.”

The Headbanger Trail Challenge is also the final run in the 2014 TREK (Trail Run East Kootenay) Series.

TREK, which started in 2012 in response to the overwhelming popularity of races in the East Kootenay area, consists of five races throughout the summer season in the region’s scenic mountain destinations, starting and concluding in

valley

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The scenic Headbanger Trail Challenge course is a hit with all ages.

Greg Amos photos

the Columbia Valley.

First in the series is the Crazy Soles Nipika Trail Run each May at Nipika Mountain Resort, followed by Round the Mountain on June 21st in Kimberley. Next up is Swansea Scramble on July 23rd at Mount Swansea, then Tears and Gears on September 6th in Fernie, with the series wrapping up with the Headbanger on September 27th. Trail running enthusiasts who make all race events are rewarded with a TREK belt buckle. For more information on the series and registration go to trekseries.com.

Looking to get trail savvy and meet your race day goals? Training is key and one way to reach your goal and discover the amazing trails in the valley is through Crazy Soles group runs every Saturday morning. The free drop-in group meets at the Crazy Soles store in Invermere at 8:15 a.m. then heads out to a trail in the area.

And if you consider running more of a spectator sport, Mr. Verboom is always looking for volunteers to help on race day.

For all race details and to register for the Headbanger, visit headbangertrailchallenge.ca and if you’re lucky you may spot the event’s namesake — Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep — on the trail!

Radium welcomes new wildlife festival

By Lindsay McPherson

Cinemafiles

Rejoice!

By Joshua Estabrooks Thanks to a world-class showing of independent film festival flicks, residents and visitors alike can enjoy top class silver screen entertainment in the Columbia Valley throughout the fall,

range — the Radium-Stoddart herd is estimated to be at 150 sheep.

A major distinction this year from the previous Headbanger Tours for catching the sheep headbanging in action, will be the use of social media and networking to notify the public about where sheep activity is occurring in the village. Participants can call in sheep locations to the village office or send details via social media to allow for self-guided sheep watching.

Details of the Headbanger Festival will be finalized over the summer months and posted on the village’s website at radiumhotsprings.com. To get involved as a presenter, sponsor or volunteer with the event, please contact Melanie at 250-347-6455.

winter and spring months.

Each year, the Columbia Valley Arts Council and the Toronto International Film Circuit put on the independent film series Cinefest.

The films run from October to April on the second Tuesday of each month, and each screening is chosen from a wide selection of Canadian and international documentaries and films.

The films are shown at the Pynelogs valley

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Kris McCauley photo

S o what is the headbanging all about? Late fall and early winter is when the bighorn sheep are in rut (mating season). Herds of breeding age rams will follow the ewes, scenting for eligible mates. The males engage in full horn to horn combat to establish dominance and breeding rights with the females, resulting in a fantastic spectator sport. In years past, “headbanger” tours were offered during the month of October, where small groups of participants drove throughout the village in search of the sheep. The new Headbanger Festival will take place over one weekend, October 24th to 26th, with various activities to suit all ages.

“The events will be focused on the sheep and being outdoors, as well as things to do like visiting the hot

springs. Basically, it will highlight what Radium has to offer,” Melanie said.

In the works are a kick-off event on the Friday night, a Tourism Radium-led sheep talk and an informative Parks Canada tour of the restoration areas adjacent to the village. Using prescribed fire, Parks Canada has been restoring areas adjacent to Sinclair Canyon and Redstreak Campground to open forest and grasslands, providing transitional habitat for bighorn sheep between the Village of Radium and their traditional summer lambing

Cultural Centre in Invermere, and tickets are available at the door for $10. Season’s passes are also available that cover admission to five different films, a cash bar and refreshments are served throughout the evening, and all ages are welcome.

To find out which films are being shown, contact CV Arts at 250-3424423 or visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

OCTOBER

Walking through the crisp fall air in the Village of Radium Hot Springs, the peace and quiet is suddenly broken by an unmistakable thud and echo of two heads hitting with full force. It can only mean one thing – Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep mating season. To highlight this remarkable occurrence, the village is hosting the inaugural Headbanger Festival with Tourism Radium this fall.

“We will have a variety of events,” said Melanie Kamphuis, Events Co-ordinator with the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

“We’re definitely going to have educational talks about the sheep, and hopefully hikes, presentations, and a kickoff.”

SEPTEMBER September Windermere Valley Museum fall hours begin. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit windermerevalleymuseum.ca.

fall

September 2nd - 14th Featured Artist Show at Pynelogs Art Gallery. Silena Ann Ewen, Ingrid Vincent, Japhy Hunt and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Artist Opening on September 3rd from 7 to 9 p.m.

September 5th - 6th Columbia Valley Twirlers Square Dance Weekend at the Radium Community Hall. 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday. 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Call 250-347-6573 or email acrobideau@telus.net.

September 6th Annual Family Movie in the Park drive-in movie at Radium Central Park. Starts at 8:30 p.m. or dark. Free admission with food bank donation. Visit radiumhotsprings.com.

Shine at The Springs. Back again the door. Door opens at 6:30 p.m., film at 7 p.m. Visit www. for its 25th anniversary! Visit columbiavalleyarts.com. radiumcarshow.com.

September 21st 15th Annual Windermere Fall Fair & Scarecrow Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Windermere Community Hall and elementary school field. A jam-packed day of good times with a scarecrow parade, kids’ zone, contests, market vendors and more. Email info@ windermerecommunity.ca.

October 3rd - 5th Golden Larch Artists’ Retreat.

For photographers and painters.

Workshops, tours and a relaxing soak in the hot springs! Call 250-347-6455 or email events@ radiumhotsprings.ca.

October 4th Fairmont & District Lions Club Semi-Annual Highway CleanUp in Fairmont Hot Springs. 10 September 21st Movie at the Museum at 7 p.m. a.m. Contact 250-409-9516 or Visit WindermereValleyMuseum. mstanguay@gmail.com. ca or phone 250-342-9769.

October 4th 2nd Annual Butterfly Barn Dance September 27th and Fall Fair at the Historic K2 7th Annual Headbanger Trail Challenge in Radium Hot Springs. Ranch. Fundraiser for the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley.

Part of the Trail Races East Visit hospicesocietycv.com.

Kootenay (TREK) Series. Visit headbangertrailchallenge.ca.

October 4th Oktoberfest in Downtown September TBA Invermere. Live music, German Annual Columbia food court, bouncy castle, local Salmon Festival. Visit vendors. Fun for the whole columbiasalmonfest.ca. family starts at 10 a.m. Events@ invermere.net for details.

OCTOBER

September 13th Invermere Garden Tour. A chance October to see what local gardeners Windermere Valley Museum are growing. Contact events@ winter hours begin. Noon invermere.net for details. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. Visit windermerevalleymuseum.ca.

September 14th Fall Equinox Mini Sporting October - December Clays at the Lake Windermere Fresh Fridays Open Mic Night.

District Rod & Gun Club. Visit Local musicians bring their lwdrodgun.com. music to Pynelogs the first Friday of the month. Doors September 16th - 28th Featured Artist Show at Pynelogs open at 6:30 p.m. Music at 7 p.m. $2 cover at the door. Visit Art Gallery. Claire Dibble, Anne Aitken Anderson, Kathleen Stead columbiavalleyarts.com. and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Art Opening on September October - April Cinefest at Pynelogs.

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Independant film series 2nd Tuesday of each month except September 19th - 20th October when it’s held the 1st Columbia Valley Classics 25th Tuesday (7th). Tickets $10 at Annual Autumn Car Show and

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October 11th Annual Ski Swap presented by the Windermere Valley Ski Club at Invermere Community Hall.

Register gear to sell at 9 a.m.

Doors open at noon. Call 250342-3819 for details.

October 11th - 13th Bavin Glassworks Annual Thanksgiving Show. Visit bavinglass.com and or Bavinglass on Facebook.

October 11th - 17th Roger Arndt, Denise Lemaster & Branko Marjanovic Exhibition at the Artym Gallery. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visit artymgallery.com.

October 12th Turkey Shoot, Mini Sporting

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Clays at the Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club. Visit lwdrodgun.com.

October 19th Movie at the Museum at 7 p.m.

Visit WindermereValleyMuseum. ca or phone 250-342-9769.

October 24th - 26th 1st Annual Headbanger Festival in Radium Hot Springs. See nature in action as bighorn sheep ram heads in the streets.

Visit radiumhotsprings.ca.

October 25th Monster Mash Dash. A costumed 5 and 10-kilometre family walk/ run with barbecue lunch and downtown trick or treating. Visit monstermashdash.ca.

October 31st Rocky Mountain Car Rally returns to Invermere. Some of the best on and off-road drivers in North America. Visit rockymountainrally.com.

NOVEMBER November 8th - 9th 13th Annual East Kootenay Wine Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Individual tickets and lodging packages available at fairmonthotsprings.com.

November 8th - 14th Artym Gallery Group Exhibition

by Gallery Artists. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visit artymgallery.com.

November 11th Remembrance Day service in Canal Flats at the Civic Centre.

Service begins at 10 a.m.

November 11th Remembrance Day service in Invermere. Formal march to Invermere’s Cenotaph Park at 10:30 a.m.

November 11th Remembrance Day service in Edgewater. Formal march to the Edgewater Cenotaph at 4 p.m.

November 21st ICAN’s 3rd Annual Raise the Woof! Comedy Show and Dinner at Invermere Community Hall.

6 p.m. $50 per ticket. Silent/ live auctions. All proceeds go to campaign for a new rescue and adoption centre. icanbc.com.

November 23rd Movie at the Museum at 7 p.m.

Visit windermerevalleymuseum. ca or phone 250-342-9769.

November 23rd Charity Shoot/5-Stand at the Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club. Visit lwdrodgun.com.

DECEMBER December 5th 1st Butterfly Tree of Lights.

The Windermere Valley District Lions and the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley have come together for a fundraising event like no other. At the Lions’ Hall on Hwy 93/95. Visit hospicesocietycv.com.

December 5th - 6th 21st Annual Big Christmas Craft Sale at Invermere Community

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December 7th 10th Annual Feed the Town. Free holiday feast at Copper Point Golf Club from noon to 6 p.m. Food bank donations accepted.

December 7th Super Sunday in downtown Invermere.

Shopping deals, entertainment and Santa.

Visit invermerepanorama.com.

January 31st 15th Annual Fishing Derby on Lake Windermere. Presented by Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley. Contact Station Pub at 250-342-5557 for details.

Super Sunday December 7th

December 12th Panorama Mountain Resort winter season opens. Visit panoramaresort.com.

January 31st - February 1st Nipika/Toby Creek Nordic Loppet Weekend. At Nipika Mountain Resort. Classic event on Saturday. Skate on Sunday.

Features Kootenay Cup races for first time. Visit nipika.com.

December 24th Annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display at Fairmont Hot Springs Family Ski Area.

Visit fairmonthotsprings.com.

January 31st - February 3rd 4th Annual B.C. Eastern Regional Pond Hockey Championships on Lake Windermere at Kinsmen Beach.

Visit bcpondhockey.com.

December 29th Bavin Glassworks Christmas show. Visit bavinglass.com and or Bavinglass on Facebook.

December 31st Radium Hot Springs New Year’s Eve & 24th Birthday Celebration. Visit radiumhotsprings.ca.

JANUARY January 16th Snowflake Festival at Kinsmen Beach in Invermere. Taste of the Valley, fireworks, kick-off to Bonspiel on the Lake and more.

Visit invermerepanorama.com.

January 16th - 18th Curling Bonspiel on the Lake at Kinsmen Beach. Email invermerecurlingclub@shaw.ca.

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FEBRUARY February 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th 32nd Annual Starlight Challenge at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ski Area. A family-friendly fun ski race series. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com.

February 7th 14th Annual Snow Golf Tournament on Lake Windermere. Presented by Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley. Contact Station Pub at 250-342-5557 for details.

February – June Fresh Fridays Open Mic Night at Pynelogs. Local musicians bring their music to Pynelogs the first Friday of the month.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Music at 7 p.m. $2 cover at the door.

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

WINTER

November 22nd Light Up Festival in downtown Invermere. Celebrating the start of Christmas season. Parade at 6 p.m., Santa, live local entertainment and more. Visit invermerepanorama.com.

November TBA “All Signs Point to Christmas” shopping night in Fairmont Hot Springs. An evening of special deals and features. Christmas Light Up at 4 p.m.

Hall. $2 entry fee goes to Columbia Valley Food Bank and Windermere Childcare Society.

Nordic ski event glides to greatness

By Steve Hubrecht One of the standout winter events in the Columbia Valley, the Nipika Toby Creek Nordic Loppet Weekend, is set to get even bigger and better in 2015.

The long-standing cross-country ski race weekend at Nipika Mountain Resort has been a favourite event for locals and visitors alike for almost a quarter-century.

Rapidly gaining popularity in recent years due to the cross-country skiing scene in the Columbia Valley exploding, the loppet weekend is expanding to host two Kootenay Cup races this winter.

“It’s going to be quite an event.

Normally these Kootenay Cup races bring in 200 or 250 people. Add that to the ever-growing loppet crowd and it should be a massive turnout, probably at least 500 people if not more,” said organizer and Nipika Mountain Resort general manager Lyle Wilson. “It’ll be one of — if not the — premiere sporting event of the winter.”

The Kootenay Cup races will be the first sanctioned BC Cup Nordic events ever held in the area; the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club has been working on bringing them here for several years.

The skyrocketing interest in Nordic skiing here is no surprise, given the wealth of cross-country ski tracks in valley. With the Lake Windermere Whiteway, Lake Lillian and the Nipika trail systems all beckoning, the expanded loppet weekend is the icing on the cake.

“With the volunteer base and enthusiasm the Nordic club has, it’s really on fire now,” said Mr. Wilson, adding that the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club membership has leapt from 35 in 2008 to 314 in the 2013/2014 season.

“Getting those Cup events really moves the club into a different level. It’s a landmark,” he said.

The weekend has traditionally included the 30-kilometre Nipika Classic Loppet on the first day and the 20-kilometre Toby Creek Skate Ski Race the next, along with several shorter kids’ races. The Kootenay Cup races will run at the same time as the recreational races, with a classic Cup race on the Saturday and a skate Cup race on the Sunday.

“There’ll be something for everybody that weekend,” said Mr. Wilson, adding that even his three-year-old grandson is excited to strap on his skis for one of the kids’ races.

For those more inclined to be spectators, the weekend will be a perfect time to see Nipika Mountain Resort bustling in all of its winter glory.

“For the tourist, it’s a super trail system to check out, and it’s a really fun day to come out here,” said Mr. Wilson. “It’s really festive.”

And the Loppet Weekend serves as much as a community event as it does as a race. Bring the kids, sip hot valley

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chocolate and tuck into the barbecue in the old converted barn while cheering the lycra-clad racers along, surrounded by Nipika’s historic log cabins and lodges.

“It’s just such a fantastic place to get into the outdoors, maybe get a bit of exercise. That’s really what the valley lifestyle is all about,” said Mr. Wilson.

The Loppet Weekend and Kootenay Cup races will take place on Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st. Money raised during the loppet goes to the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club.

Those keen to learn more can check the club’s website at tobycreeknordic.ca. The two recreational loppet races are also parts one and two of the four-part Nipika Mountain Challenge series, which also includes the Nipika Crazy Soles Trail Run and the Kootenay Krusher Mountain Bike Race. Visit nipika.com for more information. And, as the event draws closer, register at zone4.ca.

Brad Kitching photos

Fire and Ice lights up Fairmont Hot Springs

By Lizzie Midyette

e m o welc

Fairmont Business Association’s fundraising event of the year, with proceeds going to community projects such as the Fairmont Information Centre and promoting events within the resort community.”

Fairmont’s Mountainside Market kicks off the Fire and Ice Festival by providing a free barbecue on Friday afternoon, a warm welcome where locals and visitors alike can enjoy a belly full of food and the spirit of the festival.

On Friday night, the Fairmont Ski Hill is the place to be for live music, night skiing, and the start of the weekly February Starlight Challenge recreational ski race.

“Starlight Challenge has been a part of Fairmont Ski Hill for over 30 years!” said Andy. “It works as a great addition to the festival as it has always been a time for people to come and socialize at the ski hill along with a fun night of skiing.”

On Saturday night, the Hoodoo Grill team prepare a themed dinner event where participants can enjoy a sumptuous feast. Each year, the event takes a different form, from table service to mingling while enjoying tapas-style dishes. Previous years’ offerings have included succulent jumbo shrimp flambéed in front of diners, as well as a wide

Visit the Information Centre for information on what’s going on in the Columbia Valley, or check out our online events calendar!

651 Hwy 93/95 Halfway between Radium & Fairmont www.TheColumbiaValley.ca • 250-342-2844 valley

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FEBRUARY

The annual Fire and Ice Festival in Fairmont Hot Springs gathers people together to celebrate light and heat as winter continues on after the fun holiday season ends.

Organized by the Fairmont Business Association each year, the festival lights up Fairmont the first weekend of February with an abundance of live music, a variety of delectable food choices, and snow-filled action on the ski hill.

“We have developed the Fire and Ice Festival to be a fun community festival that incorporates all Fairmont has to offer; from our great restaurants and shops to the plethora of winter activities,” said Andi Dzilums, a Fairmont Business Association board member and o n e of the event organizers. “The Greg Amos photo event is the

selection of savoury and sweet treats to satisfy every craving. A giant ice-carved drinking luge is always a highlight of the night, as are other expertly-carved ice sculptures, colourfully backlit to perfection and sometimes with interactive elements. Alongside dinner, several Fairmont and area businesses generously donate accommodations and other goods to a silent auction where there is absolutely something for everyone to bid on and hopefully win.

Guests can mingle inside the restaurant, or out on the enclosed patio with the fireplace providing toasty heat. Reserve your tickets by calling the Hoodoo Grill at 250-345-2166 — tickets should be purchased in advance, as the evening sells out fast.

The weekend culminates with a free pancake breakfast hosted by Smoking Waters café on Sunday morning, where breakfast aficionados of all ages can enjoy a delicious stack of pancakes and syrup as a perfect ending to the festival before saying their goodbye’s.

“The Fire and Ice Festival originally was built around the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and will be entering its fifth year,” said Andy. “The festival has become a must-attend for locals and visitors as it celebrates Fairmont culture in winter and provides a great experience for all that attend.”

The 2015 Fire and Ice Festival will take place from Friday, February 6th to Sunday, February 8th. The only event that requires tickets is the Saturday night feast at the Hoodoo Grill. For all other events, the public is invited to simply show up!

MARCH

SPRING

March 1st – 11th 2015 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Alpine Skiing World Championships at Panorama Mountain Village.

Visit alpinecanada.org.

March/April TBA Syndicate Rail Jam series at Panorama. Open to both skiers and snowboarders. Cost $10. Come out, show your skills and have some fun. Visit panoramaresort.com.

APRIL

March TBA April - September Kootenay Freestyle Classic Pynelogs Cafe featuring presented by the Panorama the Scotty Burger opens Mountain Freeride Club. A for the season at Pynelogs, celebration of the art of skiing Invermere. Tuesday to Saturday and ski culture at Panorama from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit Mountain Resort. A BC columbiavalleyarts.com.

Freestyle-sanctioned event.

Check pmfc.ca or email Invermere programdirector@ pmfc.ca for more Coffee Fest information.

April March TBA 8th Annual Mountain of Hope Gala at Chopper’s Landing at Panorama Mountain Resort.

Silent auction, cocktails, dinner.

The Mountain of Hope society assists people in our community who have suddenly come upon difficult times and do not have other resources to call on. Email mountainofhopesociety@ gmail.com.

March/April TBA 28th Annual Easyrider Snowboard Cup at Panorama Mountain Village. Visit www. theeasyrider.com for more information.

March/April TBA Peak to Valley Challenge in support of the Branch Out Neurological Foundation. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages are welcome. Event includes a banquet, silent auction, awards and prizes. Tickets available through the Branch Out Foundation. For more info, go to panoramaresort.com.

April - October Pynelogs Art Gallery, Cultural Centre and Gift Shop opens for the season. Daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

April 28th - May 10th L’il Peeps ART Show. Featuring the artwork from the children of the Columbia Valley childcare groups. This show coincides with the Wings Over the Rockies Festival & Art Show.

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

April 28th - May 10th Wings Over the Rockies ART SHOW at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. A creative and themed art show that coincides with Wings Over the Rockies Festival. Up to twenty different artists, showcasing several styles and mediums of art. Pynelogs Art Gallery is the home base for the festival, where many events, presentations and registration take place. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com.

April TBA Invermere Coffee Fest.

Celebrating Invermere’s Coffee Culture. Visit invermerecoffeefest.com for details.

April 5th Panorama Mountain Village winter ski season closing day.

Visit panoramaresort.com or phone 250-342-6941.

April TBA Easter Celebrations at Panorama Mountain Village.

Celebrate Easter with Easter egg hunts, carnivals, and hardboiled egg decorating.

Peak to Valley Visit panoramaresort.com or Challenge phone 250-342-6941.

March/April

April 7th - 26th Art From the Heart at Pynelogs Featuring over 600 pieces of art from our talented and diverse group of elementary school aged kids from the Columbia Valley. Artist opening event on April 10th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts. com or call 250-342-4423.

valley

April TBA 17th Annual Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

Visit TheColumbiaValley.ca.

April TBA Fairmont Hot Springs Resort’s Long Drive Competition and Family Fun Fest at Fairmont Hot Springs Airport.

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MAY May - September 14th Annual Glass Art Show & Sale at the Radium Hot Springs pool lobby in Kootenay National Park. Western Canadian glass artists interpret Kootenay National Park. Free admission.

Visit hotsprings.ca or call 250347-9485.

May - October Redstreak Campground season.

For information visit pc.gc.ca/ kootenay and to reserve visit reservations.pc.gc.ca.

May 4th - 10th Wings Over the Rockies Festival. One-week festival the first full week of May. Almost 100 high quality, creative and informative events.

Activities include guided nature walks, river floats, hikes in the grasslands, art exhibits, presentations and much more.

Visit wingsovertherockies.org for a list of events, dates and times.

May TBA Adult Minigolf Tournament at Copper City Amusement Park, Windermere. Contact 250-342-3640.

May TBA Purcell Mountain Painters Group & Headwaters Art

valley

3rd Annual Butterfly Gala May 1st

May TBA Spilli Chili Cookoff in Spillimacheen. Chili cookoff competition, people’s choice voting, artisan market, beer garden, all day entertainment.

For more information, check out spillichilicookoff.com.

May/June Crazy Soles Nipika Trail Run at Nipika Mountain Resort.10-, 25-kilometre and kids races.

This unique event is run on nearly 100 per cent single track trails. Register at zone4.ca. Visit nipika.com.

JUNE June - September Invermere Farmers’ Market in downtown Invermere.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Artisan breads, delectable treats, organic produce, live music and more.

1st weekend in June Canal Days in the Village of Canal Flats. Annual multi-day celebration includes themed parade, live music, talent show, community dances. Phone 250349-5835 or visit canalflats.ca.

June 21st National Aboriginal Day. For details on local Shuswap and Akisqnuk First Nations celebrations visit shuswapband. net and akisqnuk.org.

June TBA 4th Annual East Kootenay Beer Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com or call 250-345-6070.

June TBA Kootenay Krusher at Nipika Mountain Resort. 50-kilometre endurance mountain bike race.

A recreational 25-kilometre distance and kids events are also available. Register at zone4.ca. Visit nipika.com.

June TBA Branch Out Foundation Charity Bike Tour. 100-kilometre road ride around Lake Windermere starting at Panorama Mountain Village. Visit branchoutfoundation.com.

June TBA Radium Days “Get your British on!” in Radium. Brits Best Car Show. Artists’ and farmers’ market, Scottish afternoon tea plus live music. Visit radiumhotsprings.ca.

June TBA REACH: David Thompson Secondary School Art Show.

June - September Featuring ‘out-there’ art from The Windermere Valley Museum local high school students at in Invermere opens for visitors Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Visit seven days a week. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com or call windermerevalleymuseum.ca.

250-342-4423.

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SPRING

May 1st It’s time once again to celebrate Spring with the Hospice Society’s AGM followed by the 3rd Annual Butterfly Gala. Join us for a night of mountain elegance as we enjoy a lovely meal, fabulous music, dancing, a silent and live auction including the very special Bucket List auction tables. For location and details, visit hospicesocietycv.com.

Society Art Show at Pynelogs Cultural Centre, Invermere.

Did you know the Columbia Valley has its very own painting collectives? It may not be as well known as the famous Group of Seven, but our two local painter groups have been painting their interpretations of the breathtaking local landscapes for many years.

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com or call 250-342-4423.

World will be watching

march

Para-Alpine at Panorama

By Greg Amos

Picture this: it’s a crisp bluebird day at Panorama Mountain Village in early March, and you’re among a jubilant crowd watching a ski racer descend the mountain on a giant TV screen. The figure carves, turns and whizzes toward you down a well-groomed course, getting closer, then passes just a few metres away, while going 130 kilometres per hour — in a sit ski.

This scene will be a reality in 2015, as the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships is coming to Panorama Mountain Village from March 1st through 11th.

“Aside from the Paralympics, this will be the largest para-alpine event that’s ever been held in North America,” explained Alpine Canada para-alpine athletic director Brianne Law. “For our athletes and especially for B.C. athletes, we’ll have had two major events in their back yard in a five-year span.”

Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) members and Sochi competitors Paralympic medallists Josh Dueck, Mac Marcoux, Kimberly Joines, Caleb Brousseau and Chris Williamson will be among the athletes competing at the world championships. About 100 of the best para-alpine athletes from around the world will be bringing their strongest efforts of the year to the races.

“We met and exceeded our expectations (in Sochi), especially given some uncertainty going into the games,” said Ms. Law. “We had said we wanted to win eight medals, and one gold, and we actually won eight and two, so we were very happy with our performances.”

Alpine Canada built the showcase course at Panorama, in consultation with the resort, the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for a January 2014 test event — the IPC World Cup race in which many of the aforementioned athletes took part. The race course follows several familiar runs at Panorama: Skyline, Roller Coaster, back onto Skyline, then underneath Champagne Quad and onto Old Timer.

“There was a lot of prep work done,” said Panorama race director Patrick Gillespie, who estimates the earth moving

Sit skiers gaze up the course during the 2014 IPC World Cup race at Panorama Mountain Village in January.

The event was a test run for the World Championship course that will be put to use in March 2015.

Jamie Hurschler photo

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Sit-skier Caleb Brousseau (right), from Terrace, B.C., who won bronze in men’s super-G at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, competes in the downhill event at Panorama during the 2014 IPC World Cup held in January. Standing athlete Braydon Luscombe (left), of Duncan, B.C., races down the super-G course at the same event. Both athletes will be returning in March for the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships.

Malcolm Carmichael/Alpine Canada photos

and tree removal costs added up to about a quarter of a million dollars. “You have to meet a certain standard for safety and for quality of event.”

The World Championship course may be slightly longer than the one in January’s World Cup races, he added.

“The speeds tend to be the same as able-bodied racers; it’s actually quite something to watch, especially when the sit skiers take on the downhill course,” he said.

The races will be free to attend in person, and will have a grandstand at the finish line for spectators, along with race announcers and a timing board.

Several stationary cameras will capture the action and broadcast live to the internet and to a giant TV screen at the finish line, allowing anyone to watch an athlete race from top to bottom.

Television coverage is being worked out now with broadcasters, and while the event might not be broadcast live, race footage will certainly become a part of daily sports highlight reels around the world.

“It’s a big event for the athletes, and for the country for that matter,” said Mr. Gillespie. “I want complete buy-in valley

from the Columbia Valley; we want the whole valley to own this event, not just Panorama. It’s really important for the whole community to get behind it.”

The 11-day event will see athletes arriving at the end of February, with an allowance for three days of training runs and a weather day if needed. The event will also include a parade in Invermere and an athlete meetand-greet event at Pynelogs, similar to the one at the 2014 World Cup race.

“They all loved it — they had a great time, and they really appreciated the turnout, so we’ll be looking at doing more of that, and some sort of parade with the athletes,” Mr. Gillespie said.

All five downhill disciplines will be included — slalom, GS, downhill, super G, and super combined — and each of those will have standing, sitting and visually impaired sub-categories. At the last World Championships in La Molina, Spain, the Canadian team won 14 medals. Learn more at alpinecanada.org/para-alpine.

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Celebrating Coffee

APRIL

in the Columbia Valley

By Lizzie Midyette

The communities of the Columbia Valley have a thriving coffee culture waiting to be explored year-round.

There is an abundance of diverse coffee-serving establishments in Invermere, as well as a number of unique coffee shops up and down the valley. Some businesses have branched out into experimenting with roasting their own beans on-site, and a number of coffee shops and businesses offer locally-produced and ethically sourced coffee from a variety of companies within Western Canada.

But there is a special focus on celebrating the delicious beverage during Invermere’s annual Coffee Fest.

Taking place for the first time in April 2014, the festival showcased the diversity of local coffee-drinking experiences while offering Lizzie Midyette photo workshops that appeal to professional baristas and home brewers alike.

Business owners and their employees took advantage of the multiple networking opportunities presented through the festival. Specially focused workshops were offered teaching advanced techniques for polishing espresso-pulling skills, so participants could build on skills and maximize the quality of their final product. And baristas from around the valley were invited to take part in a latte

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art competition, watched by Coffee Fest participants, with the hopes of winning the contest!

Home-brewers passionate about perfecting the art also had the chance to explore the science behind brewing the ultimate, most delicious cup of java.

Those who consume coffee either on a daily or occasional basis left with the knowledge of how to use their home kitchen equipment for the best results, as well as how to troubleshoot the brewing process using the taste of the finished product as their guide.

Interested individuals even took part in a tour of Kicking Horse Coffee’s state-of-theart facility, getting a rare opportunity to take in the sights and listen to a highly informative presentation while sampling a cup of their finest coffee.

Through each step of the tour, the intricate relationship between growers, the extensive network of people involved in transportation and processing was explored and celebrated with Kicking Horse Coffee’s commitment to sourcing 100 per cent fair trade and organically grown coffee beans from around the world.

And art classes for children of all ages were hosted by some of the valley’s prominent artists, so youngsters could

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join in on their family’s coffee-loving fun without ingesting espresso! Adults got to explore their creative side too, watching coffee artisans create latte art as well as participating in the People’s Choice awards for Best Brewed Coffee, Best Cappuccino, and Best Café awards from entrants around the valley.

The weekend’s caffeinated fun culminated with the presentation of the coveted Beanie awards, complemented by coffee and bakery treats. Everyone present celebrated the beautiful and tasty coffee offerings from the weekend, while enjoying one final cup of coffee (or two!) before saying goodbye until the next year.

For information on future workshops, tours, and other fun aspects of the festival, visit invermerecoffeefest.com. For specific questions about the event, contact Theresa Wood at 250-3429281, extension 1227.

2012 Canadian Barista champion Jeremy Ho was the special guest at the inaugural 2014 Invermere Coffee Fest from April 4th to 6th.

Work is underway for the 2015 event.

Erin Knutson photo

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With the Wings Over the Rockies Festival less than a month away, this image of a Great Grey Owl captured on April 1st on the drive to Panorama Mountain Village from Toby Creek Road makes a perfect cover shot for this week’s Valley Echo.

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Ktunaxa lawsuit against Jumbo Glacier Resort dismissed STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com A B.C. Supreme Court judge dismissed the local Ktunaxa First Nation’s legal petition against Glacier Resorts Ltd. late last week, a move that was welcomed

by Jumbo Glacier Resort proponents, but left the First Nation disappointed.

The application for judicial review — filed in mid-2012 — argued that Jumbo Glacier Resort (and its attendant permanent human population) infringes on an area the Ktunaxa consider sacred territory, known as Qat’muk, and impacts traditional religious activities and beliefs involving grizzly bear spirits. It also argued the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations did not adequately consult the Ktunaxa before giving Jumbo Glacier Resort its approval in March 2012.

But Justice John Savage ruled the ministry had done its duty and that the

resort does not impinge on constitutional religious rights.

“The process of consultation and the accommodation offered, in my opinion, passes the reasonableness standard,” wrote Mr. Savage in the ruling, adding that in his view the Province’s decision to approve the Jumbo Master Development Agreement with various conditions and accommodations represents a reasonable balancing of Charter (of rights and freedoms) values and statutory objectives.

“It is difficult to describe how disappointed and frustrated we are with the Supreme Court’s decision. We knew from the start that the Canadian courts would find it difficult to understand our distinct cultural and spiritual beliefs and values, particularly our relationship with Qat’muk,” said Ktunaxa Nation Chair Kathryn Teneese in a press release.

“The court’s dismissal of our challenge, while conceding that this pro-

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posed development will have a significant impact on our Ktunaxa spiritual practices, speaks volumes to the challenges First Nations face when trying to assert their rights,” said Ms. Teneese.

“Ktunaxa people existed and exercised our spiritual rights in our territory long before the establishment of the Canadian legal system.”

Ms. Teneese later told The Valley Echo that although the Ktunaxa people were hopeful the judge would rule in favour of the First Nation, they were not completely surprised by the result since they knew it would be a complex case.

“We were always aware of the limitations of a court action,” she said.

Resort proponents hailed the ruling as a victory.

“The Supreme Court’s decision is welcome,” said Glacier Resorts Ltd. vice-president Grant Costello in a press release.

“This project has undergone 23 years of comprehensive public consultations —

more than all the other new B.C. ski resort proposals combined. To quash more than two decades of work on a project that has been declared to be in the public interest would further the injustice done to project proponents and supporters.”

The Ktunaxa, however, say the fight is not over.

“Despite this setback, we will continue to explore every avenue to stop development in the heart of Qat’muk.

We will be engaging with our citizens, leadership and legal team to explore our next steps,” said Ms. Teneese in the Ktunaxa press release.

“Our resolve is stronger than ever and we will continue to stand our ground,” she said in the release, later telling The Valley Echo this may include launching an appeal of the judge’s ruling.

Glacier Resorts Ltd. is, however, set to move ahead with construction plans this summer, according to the company’s press release.

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