The Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine is a free monthly publication featuring the best of Revelstoke outdoor life, food, style, visitor experiences, lifestyles, entertainment, home style and healthy living.
Each month we distribute 3,000 free copies to over 200 public venues across Revelstoke, including accommodations, shops, restaurants, cafes, community centres, bars and everywhere people meet. We are an independent, locally owned publication dedicated to showcasing our amazing mountain town and the great people who create the stoke.
For more information, including details on our very affordable advertising rates, please contact us:
www.revelstokemountaineer.com on the advertising tab.
250-814-8710
info@revelstokemountaineer.com
PO BOX 112, 606 Railway Avenue, Revelstoke, B.C. V0E 2S0
Enduro World Series is coming to Re velstoke this month
Shambhala is the queen of the Kootenay dance music festival scene, but there are many new upstart festivals seeking to put their stamp on the summer fun. Check out our guide to regional summer festivals and the Revelstoke Street Fest in this issue.
Scope of proposed Greeley area adventure par k grows
rentals increase Data crunched: Vacation rental listings continue to increase in Re vy
events guide Find out what’s happening in Re velstoke in June
live entertainment every night in downtown Re velstoke
Coast connection We caught up with Revy locals who hail from the East Coast 20 Summer Music Festivals
Our guide to established and up-and-coming regional music festivals
A rundown of big de velopments on this major issue for Re velstoke, and a ne w glimmer of hope
Dogs of Revelstoke Paddling in the Columbia with our local fur ry pals
Local sips
What’s on trend for summer cocktails?
Ladies crews
Getting together to get after it
Everything Shuswap
A thoughtful traveller’s guide to adventure in the Shuswap
students need
help Find out how you can help
Taking the icky out of the picky
Don’t forget to hashtag #revelstokemountaineer to get in the magazine
Aaron Orlando Creative Director
Cooper
Stanway
Vilja Arnsteinsdatter Bryce Borlick
Cara Smith Claudia Bambi Amaris Bourdeau Shannon MacLean Heather Hood
COVER PHOTO
Adventure park expands plans as it slowly moves forward
Scope of Revelstoke Adventure Park expands to include riverside hotel, RV park
By Alex Cooper
Two years after being given approval by the province, the Revelstoke Adventure Park is looking to expand its footprint to include a stretch of land along the Illecillewaet River in the Greely area east of Revelstoke.
New plans for the adventure park submitted to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District site a proposed RV Park to the riverside lands, and also call for construction of a hotel on one parcel next to the river.
It’s all part of a revised development plans that most notably will increase the amount of accommodation units to 612, up from 362, but also proposes to add uses that will allow for hosting festivals and construction of a train station.
“All the changes really came out from the environmental assessments and planning,” developer Jason Roe told me at his office in April.
The expansion, if approved, will take place on 21 lots that were previously sub-divided and approved for use as hobby farms by the Agricultural Land Commission. Now, Roe hopes to reconstitute the properties as 14 lots that would be incorporated into the Revelstoke Adventure Park.
The plans for the Greeley property go back more than a decade. When I first reported on the Roe’s ownership of the property in 2010, brothers Jason and Brydon said they envisioned developing it into a second base village of Revelstoke Mountain Resort. A few years later, Jason confirmed rumours of a downhill bike park using vehicle shuttles.
The much bigger plans for the adventure park were unveiled in 2013. They include everything from downhill bike trails to zip lines to a bungie jump to a man-made lake with an artificial surf wave.
Since then, the proponents have been going through the regulatory process. They received permission for non-farm
use on agricultural land, though a second application to remove the property from the Agricultural Land Reserve was rejected. They had the project approved by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and signed a Master Development Agreement with the Province in early 2017.
Jason Roe said the latest changes had to do with on-the-ground environmental work that was conducted since then. Initially, the plan was to sell the riverside lots to raise money for the adventure park. Plans changed when they realized the land slated for the campground was intersected by numerous water courses. Only then did they decide to move the campground to their property north of the river.
Concurrently, they applied to the ALC to build a hotel on a one-hectare section of that property, and subdivide it into 14 lots instead of 21. Last year, the ALC approved the new uses, writing in a letter that they were “in substantial compliance” with the 2014 decision to allow the 21-lot “hobby farm” sub-division.
A report by Dan Passmore, a senior planner with the CSRD, states: “This application represents a significant intensification as well as expansion of the land base for the proposed development.”
Roe notes the hotel was part of the initial plans that went to the CSRD in their first proposal years ago. It was removed after the ALC wouldn’t approve it, but now that they’ve received permission to build it on their other property, they’ve added it to the plans for the park.
The CSRD report notes they were not consulted on the change in use and an ALC representative did not reply to questions about the decision.
So, when’s the adventure park actually going to open? Like many major projects that take years to come to fruition, I’ve developed a cynicism about ever mountain biking down one of its trails or zip-lining through the forest. The latest plans calls for installation of infrastructure this summer and construction of phase one next summer. Roe hopes there can be a soft opening of phase one in the fall of 2020, but he was hesitant to give a date because of all the inherent challenges; at one point they were hoping to open in 2018.
“Phase one will include six adventure activities and the RV park,” he said, adding financing is in place.
Future phases would include the hotel, a gondola to a mid-mountain lodge, an artificial lake, a bike park, mountain coaster, and more.
One question I had was what RMR’s summer developments meant for the adventure park. When it was first proposed, RMR did not have any summer activities. Since then, the resort has built the hugely popular mountain coaster and a number of hiking trails, and is
opening a ropes course and mountain bike trail this summer.
Roe replied he felt there was ample demand for multiple “more than one activity centre” in Revelstoke. “It’s been no secret of ours and they were going to do summer development,” he said. “If you look at those Telus numbers, there’s a lot more base than we thought there was, and more traffic flow.”
Telus Insights data indicates about 13,000 people are living in the Revelstoke area during the summer and roughly 200,000 different people spent
tenures, but the resort’s master plan update doesn’t contain any mention of connecting to the adventure park.
The revised plans for the adventure park were given first reading by the CSRD’s Board of Directors in March and have since been sent out for referral to various local, provincial and First Nations governments. Roe said they will press on with development of what’s been approved while the new re-zoning application goes forward.
“We’ll get there. I feel good, I’m happy,” he said. “I mean honestly, I wish it
time in Revelstoke in May 2018 alone. What about that initial dream to develop Greeley as a second base for RMR? When I asked Roe about that, he said it’s still there, but that the RAP alone isn’t allowed to offer any winter activities, and that any winter use would have to be initiated by RMR.
RMR is a silent partner in the adventure park and they have overlapping
could happen much faster, but the ducks are lining up and that’s good.”
Top left: Jason Roe is the Chief Operating Officer of Black Tie Properties, the company behind the Revelstoke Adventure Park.
Above and below: The Revelstoke Adventure Park will be located at Greeley Farm and will extend up the north flank of Mount Mackenzie.
It’s no secret that vacation rentals in Revelstoke have exploded over the last few years and, for better or worse, it appears their availability is still on the rise.
According to data from AirDNA, a business based in Denver, Colorado that provides short-term vacation rental data and analytics, the number of vacation listings in the city has continued to increase. As of March of this year, there were a total of 221 Airbnb and HomeAway listings available in the city.
The number of entire home listings has increased by six per cent year over year from 208 in March 2018 and the number of entire home bookings has gone up by 12 per cent from 187 to 209 in that time. The average occupancy rate for entire home rentals has increased by 18 per cent from 58.5 per cent to 69 per cent since then as well.
This is fairly consistent with other areas in the province such as Fernie and Nelson. Fernie saw an increase in available listings of eight per cent since March 2018 from 222 to 239, while Nelson saw an increase of nine per cent from 122 to 133.
The price of vacation rentals has also gone up in Revelstoke, with an increase of two per cent in the average daily rate. In March 2018, the average daily rate was $394.12, whereas in March of this year, the rate was $403.70.
The actual revenue for hosts and property managers grew by 21 per cent over that year, from an average rate of $230.63 in revenue per available room in March 2018 to $278.63 this year.
While Revelstoke has seen an uptick in rates and revenue, the opposite is happening in Nelson as the average daily rate there has gone down by nine per cent from $171.86 to $155.60 and revenue has dropped by 12 per cent from $113 to $98.67.
AirDNA representative Keti Rostomashvili says this is due to a decrease in occupancy rates.
“[This is] great news for tourists, but of course, bad news for vacation rental hosts and local property managers who are making less in revenue this year than they were last year,” she says.
The City of Revelstoke effectively stopped issuing new vacation rental permits over a year ago, and although there have been signals that a new vacation rental policy would be unveiled early in the new year, so far there has been nothing.
The increase in listings doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in illegal vacation rentals; the Mackenzie Village development allows for short-term rentals under its strata rules and is a significant short-term rental hotspot on the AirDNA map. In addition, vacation rentals are permitted on many other strata and commercially zoned properties in Revelstoke.
ENTERTAINMENT
*Please check the event on the day as details may change*
WEEKLY EVENTS
MONDAY
Soup and a Smile @ Revelstoke United Church
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Enjoy soup and a sandwich each week at the Revelstoke United Church. Cost is by donation or free for those who cannot afford to pay.
Moto-Monday Motorcycle Tour @ Tim Hortons Parking Lot
7 p.m.
Bring your street legal motorcycle and enjoy a ride before meeting up at a local patio. For more info contact John @ 250-837-1430.
TUESDAY
Bikes, Beers & Babes @ Revelstoke Community Centre
Parking Lot
6p.m.
A fun and friendly weekly ride for women of all skill levels. Meet at the community centre parking lot ready to ride. Rides are usually planned in advance and the group goes for food and beers after.
WEDNESDAY
Free meditation @ Balu Yoga
7:30 a.m.
Guided meditation using the practice using the practice known as Sadhana. No experience necessary and all are welcome.
Open Mic Night @ The Last Drop Pub
10 p.m.–1a.m.
The Last Drop welcomes all jammers and singers. Come out and join in with a friendly relaxed atmosphere from 10 p.m.
THURSDAY
Pedal ‘n’ Pint @ Revelstoke Community Centre
6 p.m.
The Pedal ‘n’ Pint series is a weekly gathering of riders for a Thursday evening pedal. Meet at the community centre parking lot. Riders meet at the pub for pints afterwards. All skill levels welcome.
FRIDAY
Friday Night Darts & Karaoke @ Revelstoke Legion
7 p.m.
Enjoy a game of darts or sing karaoke every Friday night at the Revelstoke Legion.
SATURDAY
Revelstoke Farmers Markets @ Grizzly Plaza
8a.m.–1p.m.
Fresh local fruits and vegetables, local honey, baking, preserves, locally-made crafts, knitting, fresh flowers, unique
metal and woodworks, food vendors and more.
Saturday Morning Drop-In Squash @ Revelstoke Racquet Den Squash Club
9a.m.–1p.m.
The Revelstoke Squash Club offers public drop-in squash every Saturday. Cost is $10/person and court booking is available. The club is located at 207 Mackenzie Ave, below Mica Heliski.
JUNE EVENTS
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
Recreation & Parks Bingo Contest @ Revelstoke
June 1-30
Celebrate Recreation and Parks month by taking part in the city’s bingo contest and enjoying the every day bene-
BC Hydro operations update open house
fits of the different activities and parks Revelstoke has to offer. To enter: Pick up your bingo card fat the community centre or visit revelstoke. ca/1684/June-is-Recreation-andParks-Month
Mountain Paradise Show & Shine @ Downtown Revelstoke 8a.m.–3p.m.
Don’t miss Revelstoke’s annual vintage car show. Check out classic cars, and enjoy the many things to see and do downtown during the show.
Daring Greatly @ River City Pub 10 p.m.
Daring Greatly perform classic rock/ soul at the Last Drop Pub.
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
St. Arnaud @ The Last Drop Pub 8 p.m.
St. Arnaud performs folk music at The Last Drop Pub.
We’re hosting an open house in Revelstoke to provide information about our operations, programs, and activities in the area.
When: Monday June 17, 2019
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Revelstoke Community Centre
Come meet our operations planning staff and find out about how we operate our facilities in the area and our summer reservoir water level forecasts. There will also be information about our Columbia River Water Use Plan programs and other projects and initiatives.
For more information, please contact Jen Walker Larsen at 250 814 6645.
5613
Publication: Revelstoke Mountaineer
Daring Greatly
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5
XC Fiver Series @ Mount Macpherson Trails
6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Whether you’re feeling fast or you just feel like riding your bike, come on out for the RCA’s Cross Country Fiver Series. All you need is $5 and an RCA membership. More details at bikerevelstoke.org.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
Mixed Shamble @ Revelstoke Golf Club
9:30 a.m.
Call or stop by the proshop to register. Game day registration June 8 from 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Tee times start at 9:30 a.m. Visit golfrevelstoke.com for details.
Roller Derby Bout — Derailers vs. Okanagan Roller Derby @ Revelstoke Forum
7 p.m.
Come see the Revelstoke Derailers take on the Okanagan Roller Derby team in their first bout of the 2019 season. Doors open at 6 p.m., game starts at 7 p.m. Family friendly with beer garden area. Tickets $8 in advance/$10 at the door.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
Downhill Fiver Series @ Revelstoke
10 a.m.
Get stoked for the 2019 RCA Downhill
Fiver Series. All you need to race is $5 and your 2019 RCA membership!More details at bikerevelstoke.org.
TUESDAY, JUNE 11
Pits Plant Earth @ The Last Drop Pub 9p.m.
Pits Plant Earth create a dance party on stage with electric guitar, synthezisers, drum & bass and three-part vocals.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12
Enduro Fiver Series @ Revelstoke
6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
The 2019 Enduro Fiver Series kicks off. All you need is $5 and your 2019 RCA membership. Details @ bikerevelstoke. org
THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Friends of Foes @ The Last Drop Pub 9 p.m.
Saskatoon-based indie-alternative band Friends of Foes perform at The Last Drop Pub.
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
Preteen Dance Celebrate Summer @ Revelstoke Community Centre
6p.m.–9p.m. In coordination with the Stoke Youth Network, a celebrate summer dance with live DJ for grades 5-7 on Friday, June 14. Tickets are only $2 and on sale at the community centre. For more info call 250-837-9351.
JUNE 2019 ENTERTAINMENT
Paddling Film Fest @ Revelstoke Seniors’ Centre
8p.m.–10p.m.
The Revelstoke Paddlesport Association hosts the Paddling Film Fest World Tour. Enjoy the world’s best paddling films of the year.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Demo Day @ Martha Creek Provincial Park 11 a.m.
Get on the water with free kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard sessions hosted by the Revelstoke Paddlesport Association. Shuttle to Martha Creek from the RPA’s booth at the Farmer’s Market starting at 12 p.m. Details at paddlerevelstoke.ca.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16
Enduro World Series North American Continental Series @ Boulder Mountain
9a.m.–5p.m.
New this year to the Norco Canadian Enduro Series is an Enduro World Series Continental in Revelstoke, BC. Visit Canadianenduro.com for more details and registration info.
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
Organic Pest & Disease Management Workshop @ Terra Firma Farms
5p.m.–6:30p.m.
Learn about some of the most common pests and diseases in our area and strategies used for preventing them. Part of the Garden Guru Series hosted by the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative. Admission by donation.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
Paddle at Demo Day at Martha Creek. Photo: John Dumouchel
ENTERTAINMENT
Summer Solstice SUP Rally @ TBA
5 p.m.
Celebrate Summer Solstice on the water for the longest day of 2019. For more info check out finelinesup.com.
Ladies Only Triple B Dirtbike Rally @ Glacier House Hotel & Resort
June 21-23
Join the Revy Riders Dirtbike Club for a full day of riding and fun for the Triple B Rally. Come for the weekend or just the day, ride with your crew or meet new friends. For more info visit revyriders.ca or email emily@motorcyclemojo.com
SUNDAY, JUNE 23
Downhill Fiver Series @ Revelstoke 10 a.m.
Get stoked for the 2019 RCA Downhill Fiver Series. All you need to race is $5 and your 2019 RCA membership!More details at bikerevelstoke.org.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
Swim, Movie & Pizza Party @ Revelstoke Community Centre
5p.m.–8:30p.m.
Parents, enjoy a night out while your
kids ages 7-12 enjoy a fun packed evening of swimming, pizza and a movie. $25 per child, register at the Community Centre or call 250-8379351 for more info.
Ancestry: The Art of Belongings @ Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre 6p.m.–9p.m.
The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre’s new exhibitions include Jenn Ashton’s Ancestry: The Art of Belonging and a Member’s exhibition, My Latest (Current Works). The exhibitions run until July 19.
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
Bank Heist Time Trial Run @ Revelstoke Mountain Resort
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Join us for the 3rd annual Bank Heist time trial up Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s most iconic ski run, Kill the Banker. For more info or to register visit revelstokemountainresort.com.
Summer Street Fest @ Grizzly Plaza 6:30p.m.–9p.m.
The Revelstoke Highlanders Pipe Band kick off this year’s Summer Street Fest.
Enjoy live music in Grizzly Plaza every night throughout the summer.
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
Revelstoke’s 120th Celebration Gala @ Revelstoke Community Centre 6p.m.–1a.m.
Celebrate Revelstoke’s rich history with a formal gala and live entertainment by the Timebenders. Cocktails at 6p.m., buffet-style dinner at 7 p.m., cash bar
and free shuttle from 8 p.m. on. Tickets $65 each, available at the community centre. This is a 19+ event.
Summer Street Fest @ Grizzly Plaza 6:30p.m.–9p.m.
The Carbons perform at Summer Street Fest. Enjoy live music in Grizzly Plaza every night throughout the summer.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
From local talent to world vibes, Revelstoke Street Fest is filled with summer beats
The annual free concert series is a favourite of locals and tourists alike
By Melissa Jameson
A staple of local summer entertainment, the Revelstoke Arts Council’s annual Street Fest features a wide array of musical performers from local talent to award-winning Canadian groups like The Long War and unique world fusion sounds like Diyet and The Love Soliders’ Indigenous Canadian folk and Namgar’s unique fusion of traditional Buryat and Mongolian
melodies with modern instrumentation.
Held nightly in Grizzly Plaza, beginning at the end of June and running through the end of August, the long-standing free-to-attend concert series attract both locals and tourists alike. There’s a family-friendly vibe and it’s not uncommon to find
children freely playing and dancing in front of the stage while adults spend a moment or two catching up with one another. While it’s worth attending all of the Street Fest performances, here are six you definitely shouldn’t miss:
The Long War return with their uniquely Canadian-folk sound
With a dynamic sound ranging from folk to rock, The Long War have made Revelstoke’s Street Fest part of their touring schedule for the past several years. The group’s familiar folk sounds
are interjected with emotive instrumentation and incredible vocalization, raising their music to the next level.
The 2017 CBC Searchlight winners may be based out of Vancouver, but its members hail from all across the country, a factor the group credits for helping to craft its uniquely Canadian sound. Not content to be known only as a “contest band,” The Long War have created a buzz in the music scene by singing about what they know best, Canada.
The Long War play Revelstoke Street
Clockwise from above: The Long War; MNGWA Band; Diyet and the Love Soldiers; The Dirty Catfish Brass Band.
Fest on Monday, July 22.
Diyet and The Love Soldiers combine Aboriginal stories, melodies.
With stories strongly grounded in Diyet’s Indigenous Northern Canadian roots and a strong desire to preserve her language (the Kluane dialect of Southern Tutchone), Diyet and The Love Soldiers’ weave each musical tale together with the catchy melodies of alternative country, folk, roots and traditional Aborignal sounds.
Diyet, who was raised in a cabin in the Kluane region in the Yukon Territory, draws inspiration for her songs from the harsh reality of living in Northern Canada. Performing as a trio with husband Robert van Lieshout on guitar and foot percussion and multi-instrumentalist Bob Hamilton, Diyet’s musical presence has been described as both diverse and unique.
Diyet and The Love Soldiers play Revelstoke Street Fest Tuesday, July 23.
Dirty Catfish Brass Band aim to have you up on your feet with traditional New Orleans brass sounds
If you missed the Dirty Catfish Brass Band’s performance at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre last fall, this year’s Street Fest is your chance to catch them live. The Dirty Catfish Brass Band may be based out of Winnipeg, but their big sound comes filled with the powerful, soul-drenching rhythms of New Orleans brass tradition.
The Dirty Catfish Brass Band play Revelstoke Street Fest Tuesday, August 6.
Namgar fuses traditional Buryat and Mongolian melodies with modern instruments.
Fusing traditional Mongolian instruments with electric bass and drums, four-piece music group Namgar has crafted a unique sound that has been shared on festival stages across the world from Norway to Malaysia.
Vocalist Namgar Lkhasaranova first learned to sing as a child growing up in a small village in South Central Siberia, on the eastern borderland where China, Russia and Mongolia meet. The melodic music she creates was passed down to from her grandparents and father, who sang to her as a child. Using inventive arrangements that encompass the melodies shared by Buryats and Mongols, Namgar tells the tales and myths of ancient Mongol fighters, champions, horses and famous battles.
Namgar perform at Revelstoke Street Fest on Sunday, Aug. 11.
MNGWA ‘s polyrhythmic sound has roots in South America’s cumbia music
With roots in South America’s Afro-Lation cumbia music, MNGWA string together the cultural sounds of salsa, psych rock, reggae and hip hop to create a uniquely eclectic, polyrhythmic sound. The group’s musicians come from across North America, Europe, Mexico and Asia, and their songs often weave together lyrics in multiple languages. MNGWA (pronounced “MINGWAH”) describe themselves as a “party band” — so you might want to come with an extra pair of shoes.
Driving the group’s creative force is Canadian-born front-woman Sherri Anne. Although Sister Speak sometimes performs solo, the groups high energy shows have landed them headlining concerts and a residency with hall-of-fame guitarist Greg Douglass from the Steve Miller Band.
Sister Speak perform at Revelstoke Street Fest on Sunday, August 25.
Revelstoke Street Fest Runs nightly in Grizzly Plaza (off Mackenzie Avenue) from June 29 to August 25, 6:30p.m.–9:30p.m.
Summer Street Fest 2019 Grizzly Plaza
Locarno
Gabriel Palatchi Band
Ben Klick
The Jessica Stuart Few
Sarah Jane Scouten
Danny Bell Trio
The Sturgeons
MNGWA play Revelstoke Street Fest Friday, August 16
Sister Speak celebrates women through musical collaboration
Indie-pop/rock/blues/ world group Sister Speak is a collaboration of women with diverse musical backgrounds.
Men moving mountains
By Alex Cooper
It’s a cool Wednesday night at the Revelstoke Forestry Museum and a fire is roaring. A quartet of burgers are squeezed in a grill – backups from the one that were dropped on the ground earlier, much to the chagrin of the culprit, and the gentle teasing of his friends.
“Put that in your article,” someone joked.
I was at the bi-weekly men’s campfire night at the forestry museum, part of the Moving Mountains weekly men’s group meetups. They are the result of a collaboration between Moving Mountains and the Revelstoke Aboriginal Friendship Society. The former is an initiative of the Revelstoke Women’s Shelter aimed at providing men with a support network. The latter was hosting a men’s campfire night designed to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. For the organizers, it seemed like a natural fit to combine the two events.
While they had hosted a variety of activities, recently they’d been alternating between the campfire and a wood carving night at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.
I attended with a promise to keep people anonymous and have not used
any real names in this article. They knew I was writing an article and I wasn’t sure how open the men would be, but the ones I spoke to chatted candidly. I didn’t take notes and just listened. A diverse group was out, one that has never been part of my social circle. The attendees ranged from a youth in his twenties to retired seniors. There was a father a son, an ex mill employee, a former social worker, and a recovering cocaine addict. Brian Sumner was the organizer, supplying the food and making sure everyone had a ride.
“Sometimes it’s healthy to not talk and be in the present moment and have a rest from the busy mind,” he said. “Just the simple act of getting together and cooking food and being outdoors is a healthy thing to do to slow down the relentless mind.”
The goal of the group is to foster an occasion where men can meet and feel free to talk about their issues. As was written by the Revelstoke Women’s Shelter in the Mountaineer last December, it’s part of a larger effort to target a culture of “toxic masculinity” and break down the traditional gendered expectations of men. It’s a drug- and alcohol-free environment for men to meet that isn’t a locker room or a bar.
to: Alex Cooper/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Douglas was the first to introduce himself. A retired mill worker, he spent decades working up Highway 23 North, and then at Downie Timber. He had endless stories about his past, talking about working up the Big Bend and the time he nearly destroyed an expensive piece of machinery at Downie. He was invited out by a neighbour who felt it would be a good thing for him to do.
John was open to telling his story. A former electrician, his life changed irrevocably when he was attacked in Cambodia. He was open about a cocaine addiction that he kicked only six months ago, and his struggles with alcohol. He made good money and was good at spending it too, but now couldn’t work because of a brain injury and the loss of one eye. The campfire was a social event that kept him out of trouble.
Gary was a former counsellor, there for himself and to support the others. Very talkative, he was retired and recently separated, and attending the weekly events was good for his own mental health, but he was also ready to provide support to the organizers and help others if needed.
Jack was a recent transplant to Revelstoke, having moved here in the fall to be closer to his son and daughter after
his wife passed away. He’d been living at the Powder Springs because of Revelstoke’s housing crunch. He talked about having his history working in alternative medicine and with First Nations. He was enjoying Revelstoke, but also faced with going home to sort out his old life on the Prairies. His son was also there and we spent some time talking cameras after I busted mine out to take pictures.
I didn’t get a chance to speak oneon-one with everyone. Eventually the burgers were served, along with baked potatoes and a desert. Before I could leave at 10, they picked my brain about what I thought of Revelstoke and how it had changed since I moved here in 2009. While everyone had their reasons for being there, I can say they all felt relaxed in each other’s company.
“There’s been a lot of fun and joy in amongst all the other stuff,” Brian told me. “I hope that comes through as one of the main things, that we’re having fun and being in the present moment.” I left after three hours with the fire still roaring and the conversation flowing. I thought about my own circle of friends, where the conversations are dominated by biking and skiing and usually accompanied by beer.
The men’s Moving Mountains group meets up at the Revelstoke Forestry Museum. The goal of the group is to foster an occasion where men can meet and feel free to talk about their issues. Pho-
Open season
By Bryce Borlick
The sun is shining and the weather is sweet, so let’s get to it since it’s June and the biking season is already firing on all cylinders.
The ever-popular Fiver racing series, organized by the Revelstoke Cycling Association, will be back again this summer with four races in each of the disciplines: cross-country, downhill, and enduro. Similarly, the even-more-popu-
lar Women’s Enduro returns September 14 to run racers ragged around the valley, or at least the ones lucky enough to nab a spot in this sold-out event. Not to be overlooked, the classic Steamer hill climb race will once again ascend the Meadows in the Sky Parkway in the heat of August. But the big news for race fans is the Enduro World Series staging the only Canadian round of their North American Series on Boulder Mountain on June 16. Add to this the weekly Pedal and Pint ride, Bikes Beers and Babes ride, and Dig Night and you’ve got your social card pretty full.
Every summer the riding options in Revelstoke grow by leaps and bounds and this year is no exception. In 2018 the Beaver Lake area and Frisby Ridge saws significant improvements and by 2020 we’ll likely have new terrain open
at Sunnyside. So what about 2019 you ask? In mid-July Revelstoke Mountain Resort will be opening its gondola doors to mountain bikes, transforming a once arduous 1,170 meter climb to Mackenzie Outpost into an easy breezy Clif bar chompin’ 15-minute fiesta. Upon arrival, you can head up the seven-kilometre Stoke Climb, ride out and back on the optional five-and-a-half kilometre Greeley Trail, and take the Fifty Six Twenty trail a brake cooking 15 kilometres back to the base area. For a rookie year of mountain bike operations, offering 27.5 km of sub-alpine and downhill trails is a great way to come out swinging. And, yes, you can ride your e-bike there.
Trail access for e-bikes has been a hot topic lately and in May the Ministry of Forests updated its policies to permit their “safe, appropriate use… on desig-
nated trails managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC.” What this translates to locally is that class-one e-bikes (pedal assist) are allowed on all Boulder trails. Due to the dual-directionality of Frisby and Macpherson trails, e-bikes will only be permitted for disabled riders. E-bikes are also permitted on some National Park trails, on the Revy Riders moto network (fees apply), and on the newly-approved Sunnyside network once it opens. Will we see a new category in the Fiver Series? It’s a brave new world. So put the magazine down and get after it! The ski swap will be here before you know it.
Traffic advisory for Highway 23 north of Revelstoke
We’ll be doing minor rock scaling of the slope across from Revelstoke Dam and need to close Highway 23 North periodically while rocks are being removed. Please expect delays up to 30 minutes when crews are on site.
When: Start date is June 18, 2019. Work is expected to take about three weeks.
Time: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
Location: North of Revelstoke along Highway 23 across from Revelstoke Dam.
Please stay safe and follow all traffic signs and directions from flaggers.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact Jen Walker-Larsen at 250 814 6645 or jennifer.walker-larsen@bchydro.com
New lift-access biking at Revelstoke Mountain Resort provides another way to access alpine trails.
Photo: Ian Houghton
THE TO
EAST COA S T REVY FROM
COME FOR ADVENTURE, STAY FOR COMMUNITY
Words and photos by Cara Smith
Canada is really big. We learned that fact in elementary school and we’re reminded of it every time we check the flight prices from one end to the other.
But I don’t think I grasped how truly vast this country of ours was until I packed up my car and drove nearly five thousand kilometres from Fredericton, New Brunswick to Revelstoke, British Columbia.
Wanting to get the full patriotic experience, I chose not to cut through the States and instead drove the entire distance through Canada. After stopping for poutine in Montreal, navigating the winding roads along Lake Superior and crossing the Prairies for what felt like ages, I nearly cried tears of joy when I caught my first glimpse of mountains on the horizon.
Now a month into living in Revelstoke, I’ve come to realize I’m not the only one to leave behind the salty air of Atlantic Canada for an adventure in the Columbia Mountains.
I spoke to a few East Coast transplants to find out exactly what motivated them to drop their Storm Chips and Moosehead and come to Revelstoke.
LEANNE HAWKINS ADMIRAL COVE, NEWFOUNDLAND
Hawkins has been in Revelstoke since the end of 2016. She moved out here to learn to snowboard on the suggestion of her boyfriend.
“We just really liked the lifestyle out here. I find there’s a big difference [culturally],” she says. “Everyone here is really into being active, into taking care of themselves by getting outside.”
When asked what she misses most about Newfoundland, her answer is a common one.
“I definitely miss the ocean because my parents’ house was literally 50 feet from the ocean. I constantly had the smell. You could always hear the waves crashing.”
As a Newfoundlander, Hawkins says her particular way of speaking still comes out sometimes, mostly when she’s angry, drinking, or talking with her parents back home.
“If someone’s being difficult or clumsy, they’re ‘tangly’ or ‘tangly as a bag of nails.’ That’s a good one. Sometimes when my accent comes out, people ask if I’m from Ireland.”
So what’s the difference between a Maritimer, an Atlantic Canadian and someone from the East Coast?
The Maritimes includes New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Since Newfoundland and Labrador didn’t join confederation until after those three provinces in 1949, the term was likely already in use. The term Atlantic Canada is used for all four provinces
Exploring caves at St Martin’s, NB. Photo: Cara Smith
Leanne
ETHEL MCCRACKEN FREDERICTON JUNCTION, NEW BRUNSWICK
Kaleigh Wilson came to Revelstoke to improve her snowboarding in 2015 and after leaving for a summer, has been here full-time. Wilson says when she goes on vacation, she is just as excited to come home to the mountains and the network of friends she’s built here as she is to leave for a trip.
“It’s been four seasons and I still go up the mountain and I’m still vocally expressing how beautiful it is. It just astounds me that I’m able to live in such a beautiful place. It feels like you’re living somebody’s vacation when you come out here but it’s just your everyday life.” Wilson hasn’t completely left her roots behind, though.
“There are a lot of people I meet here from Ontario and they just talk shit about it. Nobody wants to go back to Ontario. I genuinely have found that the more I leave New Brunswick and the more I go back, the more love I have for it.”
MIKE GRAVES
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
Ethel McCracken may very well be the Maritimer who’s been in Revelstoke the longest. Now 92 years old, McCracken moved to the area to continue her career as an X-ray technician after training in Saint John, New Brunswick and working in Calgary.
Her daughter, Linda Chell, told me her mother’s story as McCracken occasionally piped up in agreement.
McCracken and her older sister left Fredericton Junction for the “Wild West” of Calgary, where McCracken married. In 1960, she moved to Revelstoke and started a family.
“She said to her husband ‘I’m staying here. I’m never moving. You can go wherever you want,’” Chell says. “She loved the mountains and the scenery. She always said the snow back East blows and drifts and in Revelstoke is just falls down, beautiful falling snow.”
“When she told her mother she was moving West, her mother cried because in those days, when you moved West, you never came back. But whenever she had enough money, She always went East. She came West because of the adventure of it.”
KALEIGH WILSON RIVERVIEW, NEW BRUNSWICK
Mike Graves is on his fourth year in Revelstoke. While he leaves every summer to run skateboard and scooter camps for kids across British Columbia and Alberta, he says Revelstoke is always his home base and he comes back whenever he can.
“Growing up, I was a very competitive snowboarder,” he says. “I knew when I finished university that it was time to go to the mountains and find what my true calling would be for the next few years.”
Graves says he too has found a community of like-minded people in Revelstoke but adds that there’s a quality in people here that’s typical of people back home.
“Of all the places I’ve been in B.C., this reminds me most of the East Coast. Even though we don’t have the ocean or anything, when you’re walking on the Greenbelt and everyone’s saying hello to you, that reminds me of home. I find the people are just as friendly out here.”
Cara Smith: While the skiing and snowboarding conditions here seem to be the initial draw for many who’ve come to Revelstoke in the past few years, I think what unites them most is an innate desire for adventure and what keeps them here is a community of people who feel the same way. Graves says he too has found a community of like-minded people in Revelstoke but adds that there’s a quality in people here that’s typical of people back home.
One of the
selections in the interior of BC
Value pricing with our taxfree Shop Local membership program
TENTS for 1, 2, 3, 4, and more persons; superlight to base camp style
SLEEPING BAGS in synthetic and down for all seasons summer to winter
PACKS from 10 liters to 80 liters +
Largest selection of STOVES, COOKWARE & CAMP ACCESSORIES
TIME FOR ALL THOSE LITTLE JOBS AROUND YOUR BUSINESS?
NEED QUALIFIED, LOCAL, HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES?
Check out the Customized Employment Program.
Customized Employment is where an employment worker will spend time getting to know your business, your request for a new employee and will seek to meet the unique and specific needs of your business to determine if the skills of a person with diverse abilities match those needs. Trust and authenticity are key to a successful job match.
Benefits of employing a person with diverse abilities: Saves time and costs associated with the typical screening and advertising process.
Frees up resources to complete other tasks and increase productivity. Proven better rate of attendance, punctuality and reduction in staff turnover; people with diverse abilities have proven to be skilled and loyal employees.
Increases employee morale, teamwork, and safety in the workplace. Shows that your company values diversity and is a good corporate citizen.
Reflects the demographics of your community and enhances the community’s understanding of people with diverse abilities.
“Increasing employment of people with disabilities is a question of leadership and attitude, of focusing on the ability rather than the disability”
- Employment for All Website
Customized Employment Partners in Revelstoke
Mt Co-Lab
Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery
Your Office & Art Centre, Parks Canada
Integrated Apparel & Revelstoke Trading Post
Malones Confectionery, Cronometer
Birch & Lace
Pure Image
Begbie Inspections
1st Impressions
Revelstoke Visual Art Centre, The Coast Hillcrest Hotel
Mt Begbie Brewing Co, Mountain Meals
Skookum
Family Laundry
Mountain Goodness, Revelstoke Property Services
Revelstoke Arts Council
Begbie Inspections
1st Impressions
Revelstoke Visual Art Centre, The Coast Hillcrest Hotel
Mt Begbie Brewing Co, Mountain Meals
Skookum
Family Laundry
Mountain Goodness, Revelstoke Property Services
Revelstoke Arts Council
Want to learn more
Call: 250-837-0855 or Email: rads@community-connections.ca
Summer Music Festival
Summer Music Festival
With something for everyone — from rock & roll to roots & blues — it’s time to free up your calendar and slip on your dancing shoes.
BASS COAST JULY 12-15, MERRITT, B.C.
Rooted in collaboration and participation, festival-goers are just as important as the performers when it comes to shaping the ‘bass coast experience’. The festival invites you to let go of your inhibitions and fully immerse yourself in art and nature. With world class music, art, and dance performances scheduled from dusk ‘til dawn, there’s no better time to celebrate the diverse beauty that B.C. has to offer. Although this is an intimate festival (approximately 5000 attendees), the line up is still big. Expect to see EDM crowd-pleasers such as Fort Knox Five, Lazy Syrup Orchestra, Sticky Buds, The Funk Hunters and others.
GENERAL WEEKEND ADMISSION: $350 + TAX (INCLUDES CAMPING)
ARMSTRONG METAL FESTIVAL JULY 12-13, ARMSTRONG, B.C.
What started as a backyard party in 2009 has now, a decade on, become a renowned heavy metal celebration that attracts metal heads from all over Canada to attend. What could be better than a weekend of head banging and moshing with the beautiful backdrop of the Okanagan Valley? Trick question. I’ll tell you what: Thrash Wrestling. The organizers believe that metal music and wresting come hand-in-hand, so the sport will be a big presence alongside the music. Wrestling styles will range from traditional to hardcore, but a ‘balls to the wall’ attitude is essential.
GENERAL ADMISSION: $135 IN ADVANCE OR $175 DOOR PRICE
It’s time to get revved up for the 30th annual celebration of motorcycle stunts and rock and roll. This year marks the event closure party, so make sure you find time to stop by sunny Sicamous and cool off with some wet T-shirt games and cold beers before it’s too late. There will be some adult-only shows in the evening, as well as family activities on the Main Street on Friday and Saturday.
FULL WEEKEND: $50 (INCLUDES CAMPING)
JUNE 21-23,
AMISSA truly is a grassroots event that celebrates art, music, and the outdoors. The festival encourages you disconnect from the hustle and spend time in the beautiful woods of the West Kootenays, listening to quality music through a world class sound system. New this year, there will be a strong focus on games and activities. To give you an idea, participants can expect a human-sized foosball game.
REGULAR ADMISSION: $155
Known to many as the ‘Country Music Capital of Canada’, the city of Merritt, B.C., will once more play host to the family-owned and operated, Rockin’ River Music Fest. In previous years the festival has attracted performances from the likes of country legends, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, and Kasey Musgrave — just to name a few. If the music alone isn’t enough for you, swimming, biking, helicopter rides, and rides on a mechanical bull are just a few of the non-musical activities on offer at the festival too.
GENERAL WEEKEND ADMISSION WITH CAMPING: $275-$425 (DEPENDING ON PARTY ZONE)
AMISSA FESTIVAL
MEADOW CREEK B.C.
ROCKIN’ RIVER COUNTRY MUSIC FEST AUGUST 1-4, MERRITT, B.C.
SUMMER STOMP AND BURNOUT JULY 18-22, STOMP GROUND, SICAMOUS B.C.
As things start to heat up this summer, get ready to submerge yourself in the music, art and culture that the B.C. southern Interior has to offer. Whether you enjoy foot-tapping to country tunes, moshing to metal bangers, or boogying to hypnotic bass, we guarantee there’s something out there for you!
By Louise Stanway
What makes Kaslo Jazz Festival so special is its equal appreciation for newly discovered gems and established big-name artists. This year is no different. Expect performances from Nahko & Medicine for the People, Moontricks, Shred Kelly, and Elliott Brood, as well as a multitude of up-an-coming artists. Festival goers dance in the sand, swim around the stage, or relax in the grass and enjoy the delicious offerings of local food and drink vendors. The intimate, laid-back vibe of this festival has been seducing audiences and performers since 1992.
Since its inception in 1998, Shambhala festival has grown to be one of the largest and longest running electronic music festivals in Canada. Heck, it’s even one of the biggest EDM festivals in the world. With world-class acts performing across six impressive stages, the line-up is guaranteed to hit you as hard as one of Troyboi’s basslines.
Drum and Bass Grammy-award winning artists, Chase and Status, will be taking the spotlight this year on The Village Stage, with Griz, Bonobo, and Zhu headlining the various other stages. We’ll be seeing a return of some Shambhala favourites too — don’t miss performances from K+Lab, Defunk, and The Funk Hunters and more.
GENERAL WEEKEND ADMISSION: $450 + TAX (INCLUDES CAMPING)
This family-friendly event will showcase a selection of bluegrass, blues, celtic, afro-beat and Americana music across its four daytime and two evening stages. Featuring an artisan market with handcrafted Canadian creations, a global food village offering a selection of Western Cuisine and ethnic delights, and a family fun zone with a great selection of Children’s activities — there is much more than just great music on offer at this festival.
ADVANCE WEEKEND PASS: $189, GATE PRICE: $209 (DISCOUNTED ENTRY AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS, YOUTH AND SENIORS).
The end of summer has never felt so sweet, as wild things gather for one more magical weekend under the stars. Overlooking the majestic Kootenay River Valley, the 12th annual Wicked Woods Music Festival features three nights of rumbling bass and welcoming community. There will be many comfy zones throughout the grounds as a fantastic reprieve for sore dancing feet.
New this year – participants will be able to navigate between the three stages (Ursus, Hallow and Unicorn) with guidance from the interactive art and light displays that will be dotted around the venue.
FULL WEEKEND PASS: $275 + TAX (INCLUDES CAMPING)
KASLO JAZZ FESTIVAL AUGUST 2-4, 2019. KASLO BAY PARK, BC
SALMON ARM ROOTS AND BLUES FESTIVAL AUGUST 15-18, SALMON ARM, BC
SHAMBHALA MUSIC FESTIVAL AUGUST 9-12, SALMO RIVER RANCH, BC
The issue of endangered caribou is once again very prominent in Revelstoke after a new draft federal/provincial plan was unveiled in late March. The draft plan is fairly high level and contains few on-the-ground details. This lack of detail, which both governments say is coming later on in the process, has created uncertainty and anxiety amongst those who use the backcountry for commercial and recreational purposes. An April 15 information session (pictured below) on the plan drew about 700 attendees to a packed forum at the Revelstoke Community and Aquatic Centre.
By Aaron Orlando
It’s been over a year since the Revelstoke Mountaineer started publishing stories on new developments in Ottawa that seemed destined to put the mountain caribou back on the front burner. Those developments did, and since we published last, the pot boiled over.
If you’re just joining us, mountain caribou preservation issues have been a fact of life in Revelstoke for decades. The woodland caribou are endangered and their numbers continue to decline across much of their habitat. The B.C. government has been in charge of caribou recovery plans, but the dynamic of the situation changed significantly in May 2018, when the federal Minister of Environment, Catherine McKenna, declared mountain caribou were facing “imminent threat” and issued an order to government to take action on the issue.
The order, under federal Species at Risk Act legislation, put pressure on the B.C. government to take immediate action to protect the species. One potential outcome is that if the provincial government’s response is inadequate, the federal government could step in and enact caribou conservation measures that would have a more dramatic effect on socio-economic concerns, such as added restrictions on forestry and the backcountry recreation industry.
During the waves of caribou habitat protection enacted in 2007 and 2008, a majority of core habitat across B.C. was protected, but less so in the herd areas around Revelstoke.
In late March, the federal and provincial government unveiled two plans. The first was a draft “partnership agreement” between B.C., Canada, the West Moberly First Nations and the Saulteau First Nations. That plan covers an area in the central/
northeast of B.C. and doesn’t have effect in the Revelstoke area.
The second plan is the draft “Section 11” agreement, an agreement between the provincial and federal governments to conserve and recover
The so-called Section 11 agreement is named after a section in the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA); it allows the federal government to enter into partnerships on species recovery plans.
That Section 11 agreement covers all areas in B.C. where caribou are present, including the Revelstoke area.
Following the announcement, the provincial government laid out plans for public consultations in affected communities, including Revelstoke.
However, community groups concerned about backcountry closures for logging, commercial and personal recreation, had been actively organizing against further caribou closures for months, especially in the northeast of B.C. These groups were largely organized around social media, including Facebook pages. The Section 11 agreement is essentially a high-level framework agreement between the federal and provincial governments, and it is light on details, many of which are promised to come later with promised herd-by-herd planning processes, which would outline any new restrictions on forestry activity or backcountry recreation, for example.
This void of information from the government helped fuel a situation already fanned by online hyperbole and the usual misinformation so common in contemporary public debates. The response was encouraged by opposition BC Liberals, who hold seats in a majority of the areas where caribou roam the mountainsides. Those responsible in government did themselves no favours, either. On the same day of the public info session on April 15 in Revelstoke, Premier John Horgan travelled to northern B.C. to acknowledge issues with the consultation plan, and, for a second time, extended the public feedback period, this time until May 31. He also appointed former Liberal MLA Blair Lekstrom, who is from the area, as a special “community liaison” to help facilitate the situation.
Although the consultation sessions were a bit of a gong show — senior government scientists and staff got thrown under the bus trying to answer often political questions — it’s likely the meetings would have been heated anyway.
By the time the federal/provincial open house made it to Revelstoke on April 15, the stage was set. About 700 residents attended the info session, and a vast majority of them were there to voice their displeasure with the Section 11 agreement, or at least ask pointed questions about it. Their questions and statements overwhelmingly focused on what impacts the plan would have on logging, sledding, heli-skiing and other backcountry activities. The government panel of four didn’t get much relief from those interested in more protection for the caribou; environmentalists focused on how the plan, and its lack of detail, wasn’t sufficient to preserve the caribou.
The four-hour session was hot, sweaty and heated. It featured speeches and questions from the audience, many of which expressed concerns that the plan would cut off their way of life, be it work or recreation. (If you are interested in watching, find the full-length video on revelstokemountaineer.com).
Ahead of the public session, the Mountaineer sat down with several stakeholders who went on to make statements at the meeting.
Downie Timber plant manager Angus Woodman expressed concern about the caribou plan, but was careful to contextualize that the Section 11 agreement is a higher-level framework agreement with not much detail yet known.
“We just want to make sure all factors are considered, both the socio-economic impacts of certain treatments, and certain biological science-based plans,” he said. “We’re not even 100% sure of what the plan is. We’re doing what we can with what the plan is to date.” Woodman said Downie, as the company is known in Revelstoke, has been involved in caribou management plans in their woodland operations for over 20 years, and that caribou recovery-related reductions in the mill’s fibre supply has had a cumulative effect. “Our options are less and less in terms of finding that adequate timber supply to keep the plant here operating as efficiently and productively and possible and keeping that many jobs as well.”
Mike Copperthwaite, the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation’s general manager, expressed concerns about the plan development and management
1. This graphic from the paper, Saving endangered species using adaptive management , published in March in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America shows population growth rates for woodland caribou groups. Image: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America/Creative Commons licence
4. The government panel at the April 15 caribou recovery plan open house in Revelstoke. From left: Blair Hammond, Canadian Wildlife Service – Environment and Climate Change Canada; Darcy Peel, Director – Caribou Recovery Program for the province of B.C.; Leo DeGroot, Wildlife Biologist – B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development; Russ Laroche, Director of Strategic Initiatives, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer
framework that would be instituted if the federal/ provincial agreement were to be adopted as presented in the draft plan, saying that he didn’t have confidence that its structure would allow for adequate local consultation as further details are developed.
“It’s very weak on community and stakeholder engagement, so we’d like to have more of a commitment to making sure we all sit at a table and come up with a solution that works for everyone: the caribou, our industry, the other industries that will be affected and just the community in general.”
He said that local expertise and involvement is key.
“We’ve done this in the past in Revelstoke over the years on different plans. It’s always been a positive way for us to ensure that the local concerns [are] met,” Copperthwaite said. “What we really don’t want to see someone from Ottawa or even Victoria just telling us, ‘This is what it is, comment.’ We want to be part of making a plan that works.”
Revelstoke Mayor Gary Sulz joined the representatives of the forest companies in asking for more local input into the plan.
Sulz said that there has been some misinformation out there about the nature of the plan as proposed. “I don’t want to be a fear-monger,” he said. “We want to be the partners at the table in managing our resources. We’ve done that in the past. We’ve been very good at that. Our local foresters and our biologists have done extremely well with the maternity penning with the caribou.”
His hope is that the community can be assured a seat at the table in the future, “to help with an action plan going forward,” he said. “We understand that the draft agreement is a framework. So if we can work with inside the framework and then dial down to how the protection is going to be done then we’ll have a better understanding.”
He characterized the current engagement sessions as a “rushed process” and fears that any future management regime won’t allow local stakeholders the ability to provide ongoing feedback.
The North Columbia Environmental Society is a Revelstoke-based environmental group. Spokesperson Sarah Newton spoke with the Mountaineer about their decision to file a Section 80 request under the Species at Risk Act to federal environment minister Catherine McKenna in early 2018. The request asked for an emergency stop order on logging in a specific area of federally designated old-growth forests.
“It was not something we considered lightly at all,” Newton said, adding that they do understand the socio-economic concerns, such as job losses and loss of access to the backcountry.
“Things do get divisive when it comes down to this crunch. We don’t have any more time for these animals or the old growth,” Newton said. “While we really
understand it’s a risk, it’s worth it. We are speaking for these trees and we’re speaking for these animals and we’ve run out of time, unfortunately.”
Newton also said that there is a balance between short-term job losses and the long-term survival of the species and forest habitat, such as old growth forests that it needs.
“The stakeholder groups and interest groups have something to lose, whether it’s jobs, which is a big issue, or it’s recreational access — there’s something to lose,” Newton said. “Those can all be mitigated, but the fact is the caribou and the old growth have everything to lose. There is no coming back. That’s why there is a time crunch.”
Government approval needed before next steps
Now that the consultation period has ended, the provincial and federal government will tweak the plan based on feedback, then send it for potential cabinet approval by the federal and provincial cabinets, which seems likely to happen, but is not assured, especially since the federal election is scheduled for the fall. Delays in the consultation period could push it beyond the date the writ drops on the election. From there, the next step is to engage with stakeholders on herd-level planning. It’s likely at this stage that the full scope of the plans, including missing details, will be revealed.
A new hope in adaptive management?
The endangered mountain caribou have been the subject of countless studies over the past decades. Usually, they are smaller studies aimed at answering discrete questions. What do they eat in summer? What eats them? What are their causes of mortality? What is a particular herd’s range? How does helicopter traffic affect their stress levels? That sort of thing.
A new research paper published by a Revelstoke scientist in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) builds on the foundation of many studies to suggest a new, comprehensive approach to recovering mountain caribou.
Dr. Robert Serrouya led a team of biologists to create the paper entitled, “Saving endangered species using adaptive management.”
The large-scale study of woodland caribou took place over a 90,000 square-kilometre area in B.C. and Alberta, including the herds around Revelstoke.
The study looked at the effects of different recovery options for woodland caribou, such as reducing predator numbers, preserving habitat, trans-locating caribou to other herds, maternity penning, and removing other ungulates — such as moose and deer — that support increased predator populations.
The study found that deploying multiple tools at once led to the greatest increase in caribou herd numbers.
“The continental scale of forest alteration and extended time needed for forest recovery means that relying only on habitat protection and restoration will likely fail,” the paper states in its abstract. “Therefore, population management is also needed as an emergency measure to avoid further extirpation. Reductions of predators and overabundant prey, translocations, and creating safe havens have been applied in a design covering >90,000 [square kilometres]. Combinations of treatments that increased multiple vital rates produced the highest population growth. Moreover, the degree of ecosystem alteration did not influence this pattern.”
The team working on the study included several B.C. government scientists, which allowed the research project to piggyback on the existing efforts of the B.C. government to recover caribou. By contrasting the effects of the various tools, including places where more than one recovery option was used, they were able to track the results. “We were simply reporting on what society and the federal recovery measures were recommending,” Serrouya said.
The results were most encouraging in the Klinse-Za area, near Mackenzie, B.C., where a combination of predator reduction and maternal penning was used. The declining herd’s numbers reversed, and began to increase at a rate of 14% by the end of the study.
A focus on habitat recovery — specifically halting old-growth logging — has been the focus of most environmental groups. Serrouya said that habitat preservation is key to the long-term survival of the species, but that takes time to achieve. It takes decades for a clearcut forest to return to suitable caribou habitat, but it does happen eventually. The caribou are suffering from the effects of well over a century of industrial disturbance on the landscape, such as logging, but the long timeframe means that some of the habitat is returning.
Most environment groups focus on habitat preservation for caribou recovery; Serrouya said that’s absolutely necessary for long-term recovery, but it doesn’t address the problem of their continuing decline.
“That’s the real rub. You could protect all the remaining habitat tomorrow. We could stop everything we do, but these herds here in the mountains will still decline, some of them to extinction in short order, unless you also at the same time manage the predator-prey system,” he said. “If society wants to do it, you have to reduce wolves and cougars for a short time until the habitat recovers.”
Serrouya said that the data isn’t complete, and there is a lot of variety across the province, but the rate of habitat recovery in some areas is in equilibrium with forest areas lost to harvesting.
Serrouya said that the data generated by the adaptive management study provided new hope for the recovery of mountain caribou.
“In terms of the global loss of biodiversity, caribou are the best umbrella we’ve got,” Serrouya said of the caribou’s role in the regional ecosystem. “We used to think it was grizzly bears, but it’s not. If you’ve got caribou in the forests out there you’re going to have biodiversity.”
He expressed disappointment in the way the federal and provincial governments structured their consultation plan, saying going to a public forum without concrete plans was putting the cart before the horse. “You do the science, then ... you’ve got to figure out what it’s going to cost, then you go to the public after you develop a couple of categories of options, and then again, whose turn is it? It’s the decision-makers, the politicians to decide.”
Is he hopeful that we will be able to recover the mountain caribou? Serrouya noted that government management has led to increases in numbers for six different herds, and the lessons learned there can be applied to the other herds.
“I am totally hopeful,” he said. “As long as those actions are followed up with habitat recovery, then I am for sure hopeful. I wouldn’t be in the game if I wasn’t.”
DOGS OF REVELSTOKE
PADDLING AROUND WITH OUR PADDED FRIENDS
A spring heat wave has just started to spread across British Columbia as Marika Koncek loads ten dogs into her pickup truck and heads for the Columbia River flats. She weaves the truck around potholes caused by frequent use in muddy conditions and picks an out of the way spot, careful to avoid other visitors to the area. Finding somewhere to take the dogs on these “adventurewalks”wheretheywon’tbedisturbedmakesherjobofkeeping control over them all a bit easier.
Words and photos by Cara Smith
As a dog trainer and professional dog walker, roaming around outside with nearly a dozen canines of different breeds, personalities and temperaments is just a regular Thursday for Koncek. The pack runs excitedly along the beach and in the dry grasses of this wide open space, but never wander too far from Koncek’s side. They’re trained to stay close, regularly leaping back to her for a taste of the treats she keeps in a pouch on her belt.
Koncek talks about each dog’s personality and quirks along the way. Some in the group are insecure or a little more aggressive. She says it often takes time and work for a dog to be comfortable in this kind of situation and that some dogs may never adapt, driving home the point that dog ownership doesn’t automatically mean a companion who will happily fit into every part of your lifestyle.
“If we can make them adapt to our life, that’s great,” Koncek says. “But if it doesn’t work out, you’ve got to be flexible. You’ve got to make the change.”
“You’re trying to get this dog to fit your mould, but that’s not always possible.”
While it used to be the norm to keep dogs tied up outside near a doghouse or let them roam free, dogs are becoming part of the family more as people bring them inside to live side by side with people and participate in their owners’ daily lives. As the role of dogs in our lives becomes greater, so too does the responsibility that comes with them.
“I think people learn a lot through owning a dog,” Koncek says. “While there are a lot of similarities to owning a kid, you can’t talk to them so you need to learn about them what their needs are. If something’s not working, you need to be flexible to be able to make that work with that dog.”
Koncek says she believes most people don’t realize the responsibility of caring for a dog before they make the decision to bring one into their lives.
“A lot of people do…
But the ones who don’t realize, half of them give up on the dog early and take it back to where it came from and the other ones just struggle and maybe the dog gets neglected because they didn’t realize how much was needed.”
“When you don’t fulfil the dog’s needs, you have a lot of problems. If you don’t address those problems by putting more time into your dog, then they’re never
NOT COMPLETELY SURE WHERE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR DOG OFF-LEASH IN REVELSTOKE?
According to a map provided by the city, off-leash dog walking is permitted on the flats on the south side of the Columbia River, Big Eddy Park and Big Eddy Flats, the north side of the Illecillewaet River, the south side of the Illecillewaet River, the old snowmobile track area and flats, and the flats west and south of the Downie St. sawmill along the Columbia River.
Dog trainer and dog walker Marika Koncek takes her charges for a paddle on the Columbia River.
going away.”
Revelstoke seems to be a particularly unique spot for dog ownership. Here, it’s rare to go through a day without seeing dogs with their owners on the trails, by the river, or strolling around downtown.
One of these owners who walks her dogs Chewie and Molly along the river in Centennial Park says the town is a good place to live for dog owners and that having them has made an impact on her life for the better.
“I think my lifestyle is just healthier,” Jennie Sosnowski says. “I think there are a lot of days when I wouldn’t do as much if I didn’t have them. They are a huge responsibility and expensive and all that, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons.”
Another Centennial Park trail frequenter, Catherine Allen, says it was important to find a dog breed with a personality that would be a good fit for her lifestyle. Her dog Dizzy, a 15-year-old kelpie, was traumatized and nervous when he was first adopted, but Allen says with time and patience, he adapted well.
“I know that they take time,” she says. “Once he realized that things were fairly safe then it was easier for him to acclimatize and be a much more easy-going dog.”
“I definitely would go back to getting this kind of dog. We specifically sought out a dog that was active but had a good personality.”
Koncek’s clientele in Revelstoke are primarily people who don’t necessarily need someone to take their dog out on walks because they don’t have the time, but people who want their dogs to get that bit of extra enjoyment and excitement out of living here.
“We live in a really different place,” Koncek says. “People are getting out and doing active things, but everyone has this feeling like ‘my dog’s not getting enough fun or enough exercise.’ We live in this really fun community and they want their dog to have fun too.”
“It’s just for the bit of extra social fun really. I think because we live in a town of such passionate outdoor people that they want the best for their animals as well as themselves.”
Our Favourite Local Sips
By Amaris Bourdeau
112 Restaurant Cease & Sekkle
by Alex Berrill
If you’re looking to take a piece of Revelstoke swank to your patio this summer, 112 has got you covered. This rum and lychee cocktail is chock-full of fruity tropical flavours.
1 oz Appleton rum
Lychee liqueur
Strawberries
Freshly muddled pineapple
Pineapple shrub
• Muddle together fruit. Cover with ice cubes
• Pour both alcohols, starting with the rum
• Garnish with pineapple shrub
This savvy list of must-try summer cocktails means you can spend less time searching, more time sipping
With summer being practically in full bloom, we’ve decided to round up our favourite hot weather favourites — and we’re rooting for locally distilled alcohol this time around! As it happens, our beloved small town knows how to do cocktails right. From garden party-inspired drinks to fiesta-grade margaritas, this list has it all. And don’t be fooled, these a-game beverages are DIY-friendly too.
Monashee Spirits
B C Negroni
by Josh McLafferty
For the more dedicated amateur cocktail makers (this one has a few more steps than the others!), this smoky Negroni is nothing short of formidable.
We’re talking smoky cedar flavours, Monashee gin, and grapefruit bitters. If this isn’t our mountain town’s cocktail alter ego, we don’t know what is.
1oz Monashee Spirits Ethos Gin
1oz Bittersweet Vermouth
1oz Amaro or Campari
2 Dashes Bitter Hearts Grapefruit Bitters
•Burn cedar and maple chips on a board and cover with wine decanter to fill with smoke
•Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice
•Stir for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a pre-smoked wine decanter
•Swing decanter to infuse cocktail with smoke for 15 seconds
•Strain into rocks glass with 1 large ice cube
•Garnish with a dried orange wheel and sprinkle with dehydrated Campari dust on top
Grapefruit G&T
by Megan Moore
Jones’ twist on the classic G&T is simple yet irresistible. Special shootout to the local favourite for keeping us supplied in the smoothest gin out there. A little grapefruit is all we need to accompany this rosé-tinted, Revelstoke-flavoured gin.
1.5 oz Revelstoke Premium Gin No. 1
½ oz St Germain
Squeeze of ½ a grapefruit Grapefruit wheel garnish
• Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice
• Strain into glass with fresh ice
• Garnish with grapefruit wheel
Cucumber & Mint Refresher
Warning: This incredibly refreshing cucumber and mint vodka bevy might just become your summer staple. We’re thinking post-bike ride, post-work, post-nap—we could go on.
1.5 oz Mr. Jones Premium Vodka
½ oz St Germain Squeeze of ½ a lime
3 Mint leaves
3 Slices of Cucumber Cucumber and mint garnish
• Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice
• Strain into glass with fresh ice
• Garnish with fresh mint and cucumber slices
Quartermaster Eatery Garden Party by
Izzy Lamoureux-Lambert
Did someone say garden party? Every occasion is good enough to host people this sunny season— and this elegant summer classic is calling our name. Lemon, soda water, gin, Campari. (Leave it to the Quartermaster to make art out of their cocktail selection.)
1 oz Gin
1 oz Campari
¼ oz Simple syrup
½ oz Lemon juice
1 oz Soda water
• Muddle basil in a shaker. Combine all ingredients and shake with ice
• Double strain and serve in an old fashioned glass
• Garnish with a lemon slice and a basil leaf
The Taco Club
Southside
Margarita by Anne-Marie Tanguay
This dazzling lime-and-pineapple margarita from the Taco Club speaks for itself. But since we’re on the topic, we’ll give you an insider tip to make it even better: try a half sweet, half savoury rim to add a much-welcomed oomph.
1.5 oz Jarral de Barrio Mezcal
1 oz Triple Sec
.5 oz Fresh lime juice
1 oz Pineapple juice
• Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice
• Half sweet, half savoury rim for taste
Jones Distilling
Breaking more than just nails: lady crews are changing the way we play sport
A recent rise in all-female sports groups proves that Revelstoke is the ‘right place’ to challenge the male dynamic.
By Louise Stanway
All-female crews in Revelstoke are changing the way we see and access outdoors sports. Tearing up the traditionally masculine roots of skating, biking, and skiing, these ladies are growing something fresh from the ground up. Now that’s not to say that they’re taking over — that would be contradictory to the cause. Instead, it seems the goal here is inclusivity and expansion.
So, who are the players that are changing the game? With strong social media presence and, in some cases, swag such as branded T-shirts, stickers and jackets available at certain downtown stores, it’s hard to ignore the visual cues of change. I spoke with the masterminds behind Louise on Wheels (a skating group that
welcomes all abilities levels, from competitive skaters to “Am I too old to try this?” first timers), The Blondes (a sponsored skiing trio comprised of Janelle Yipper, Emily Childs, and Tonje Kvevik), as well as Bikes, Beers, and Babes (five years on and still going strong, this is a weekly mountain biking meet-up event that encourages friends to go ride in a fun, non-competitive environment), to better understand the trend behind emerging female-orientated crews.
RM: Was your group born out of a need to change the male dynamic? Or did it come together organically, as simply a group of girls who enjoyed the sport?
Louise On Wheels: Being a girl starting out in a male-dominated sport can be super intimidating; we created Louise on Wheels so that it doesn’t have to be. The intimidation factor disappears when you have a group of ladies feeding off one another’s energy, stoke, and support. Together, we make taking those pushes on the board feel just as much empowering as they are fun!
Bikes, Beers, and Babes: Bikes, Beers, and Babes was formed to make mountain biking less intimidating for women starting out. It was also a great way meet new people and riding buddies.
The Blondes: The three of us found
each other amongst some of the best of times, during the ebbs and flows of the winter highs. We realized that we could all ski at a similar level and challenged one another to push it — so we naturally decided to combine forces. It started mostly as a joke. We said we would form an all-girls ski crew — “The Cariboo Blondes” — with our only sponsor being beer. Yet because of the current demand for something like us in the industry, it blossomed. We received a lot of positive feedback from people in town and professionals that we look up to. I think the industry was calling out for somebody to challenge the male dynamic and we just happened to be in the right place for it.
RM: Would your all-female crew be celebrated the same way if it were all-male?
LOW: Probably not. We women are strong and powerful, but at the same time we can also be delicate like a flower. What is more beautiful than a single flower? A whole garden of unique flowers blossoming together. Through skateboarding together in Revelstoke, a sisterhood has flourished — and the truth is, most guys just don’t appreciate flowers the way girls do!
BBB: We don’t really know if we are celebrated, but people definitely are starting to take notice. There has been huge growth in the number of women mountain biking in recent years and we think it makes sense that it should
Louise on Wheels rider Sophie Marques at the Revelstoke Skatepark. Photo: Kate Ediger
be highlighted. If there has been an increase in the number of men mountain biking too, the media would take less notice as it is a sport that has previously been male dominated.
TB: I think it gets everyone fired up because it’s new and exciting and we’ve experienced decades of male coverage and maybe it’s time for them to step over a bit and make some room for
female representation. That said, we pride ourselves on skiing and making content that equates to the same quality and excitement.
RM: Why do we keep seeing more female-only groups popping up across a variety of sports?
LOW: No matter what sport you’re
into, all girl gangs have something in common: we’re here for each other. We’re all part of a movement that encourages us to push our limits as females. It takes courage and determination to overcome your fears, it can be a long road of bruises and tears but when your girlfriends are there helping you enjoy the ride, anything feels possible.
BBB: Women who are newer to a
sport are sometimes intimidated to go to ride group with men, where the atmosphere can be, or at least seem to be, more competitive. In our experience, women often underestimate their abilities and riding with other women helps them build confidence.
TB: We’re so lucky to have reached this point in the industry where a lot of the hard work has been done by women like Leah Evans, Myshell Parker, Sarah Burke — only to name a few. These real OGs of the sport have been pushing the boundaries of the sport on their own for so long they’ve paved the way for crews like ours to ban together and film as three ladies.
It’s kind of like a domino effect. One group of ladies decides that they’re going to represent themselves and show off their talent and then the next group of ladies is inspired by that. Women are starting to realise that banding together with other like-minded ladies makes it easier and way more fun.
RM: Is it true that all-female sporting groups create a different learning environment to mixed gender groups?
TB: It’s valuable in some circumstances to learn with girls, especially when you’re starting out, because it can offer a less intimidating learning environment. Women tend to propagate their fears, whereas men tend to brush off and ignore fear. However, being surrounded by those above your skill level will always help push your progression; skills develop a lot faster when you’re trying to match the level of male counterparts. Finding a balance between the two is crucial to success.
Above: Two of the trio The Blondes, who are Janelle Yipper, Emily Childs, and Tonje Kvevik. Photo: Sabine Burns Below: The Bikes, Beers, and Babes crew out for their weekly Tuesday ride. Photo: Robyn Goldsmith
A thoughtful guide to summer adventures in the Shuswap
By Vilja Arnsteinsdatter
Jim Cooperman’s first volume in his three-volume geographic handbook series, respectfully dedicated to the Secwepemc people, is both a rich and informative guidebook and a declaration of love for the Shuswap region.
The Shuswap is a 1.55-million hectare watershed, extending vastly in all directions – from the Thompson Plateau in the
west, to the Monashee Mountains in the east, the Aberdeen Plateau in the south, and north to the Upper Adams River. It encompasses five large lakes and nine rivers. The Shuswap includes seven incorporated communities: Lumby, Enderby, Sicamous, Chase, Salmon Arm, as well as parts of Spalumcheen and Coldstream. It is therefore no wonder that to describe and capture it all, one needs patience, structure, and more than a keen interest – perhaps even a lifetime of study. When reading Ev-
erything Shuswap, one gets the impression that the author has all these qualities, and he is very excited to share them with his readers.
US-born environmentalist Jim Cooperman has made the Shuswap region his home, and his fondness for where he lives shines through in this carefully constructed work. The pages are filled with a mix of stunning landscape and nature photography, detailed maps and colourful infographics, and historical images tying in with the stories. I enjoyed the book for what it is – a passion project showcasing years of research and hard work.
The book seems to have two aims: one is to inform, teach, and guide those who visit and live in these areas. The other aim seems to simply be born out of a wish to create a better understanding and appreciation of the places. As the author himself says:
“The goal for this book is to provide the information needed for readers to gain an improved understanding of everything Shuswap and thus gain a better appreciation of our region. With knowledge there comes respect and hopefully a passion to help protect all of the Shuswap’s outstanding values.”
Everything Shuswap is a sharp portrait of the land, waters, wildlife and humans that make up the Shuswap. Cooperman takes us on a deep journey through what is one of the lesser-known regions of B.C.; a journey that is extensively researched and well-observed. Rather than passively travelling through the natural landscape, Cooperman gives the reader a front seat view, accompanied by rich history and detailed
descriptions. Everything is connected, and Cooperman’s book serves as a reminder of how intertwined we humans and nature are. Blended in between images and maps are essays of geography and on indigenous and settler history, photos showing the current states and photos of archival value, as well as historical documents providing context to the history and biodiversity of the Shuswap.
The 240-page long book contains five chapters dedicated to different areas, highlighting (in order) the watershed, geology, ecology, the Secwepemc people, and the history of settlement. Everything Shuswap also includes an illuminating foreword, penned by Canadian writer Alan HaigBrown, as well as an extensive bibliography and source material.
Everything Shuswap is a treasure chest for those interested in history, ecology, geology, and bioregions, and for those who share Cooperman’s love for the area. This is not a guidebook in the most common interpretation of the word – you will not find trailheads, hiking times, and lists of elevation gain. What you’ll find is rather a guide to understanding and appreciating a region, and to gain knowledge of how it came to be. Written with an approachable syntax and graciously lacking overly technical and scientific prose, this book can be enjoyed by a wide range of readers looking to explore this unique region both in person and on the page.
Everything Shuswap: A geographic handbook - Volume 1
Jim Cooperman
Clockwise from top: The Bear Creek Flume, ca. 1912, where the Tsútswecw Provincial Park Flume Trails are today. Photo by Walter Montgomery, courtesy of Frank Fraser; The cover of Everything Shuswap by Jim Cooperman; The final climb up to the top of Mount Fosthall. Photo: Jim Cooperman
A departure from your conventional whites
By Heather Hood
Warm weather is dominating the forecast these days, which creates a change in energy around us. Patios are open, backyard barbecues are in full swing and the days are getting longer. Along with the change in weather is also a shift in the wines we drink. Rosé wines and wines with pinkish hues are at the forefront again with reds taking more of a backseat for the next few months. The wines this month are very different which means one should make time to try each one of them. gods.’ As well, the origin of the word honeymoon comes from drinking mead. outcome of this process.
Nichol
Pinot Gris, 2017 Naramata, BC $23.83
Pinot Gris is considered a white grape but actually is pink when it ripens. The orange and pinkish hues that are seen in this wine are from extended contact of the grape skins soaking with the grape juice prior to being pressed off for fermentation.
This Pinot Gris is an incredible wine with flavours of green apple, apricot and citrus with a slight minerality. The flavours dance in your mouth and awaken the palate. The finish is nice and delicate with flavours of honey and green apple.
Pairs well with fish, creamy sauces or soft cheeses
Housing help needed for new tourism program students
Sponsored by Okanagan College
Monster Vineyards Rosé, 2017 Penticton, BC $17.74
This Rosé is a blend of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. It has lovely flavours of strawberries, candy apple, rhubarb, honey and a hint of citrus. A wine that is crisp and bright on the palate with a hint of sweetness that is nicely balanced with the acidity.
Pairs well with charcuterie, shellfish or poultry
Fresh Perspectives and Backyard Vineyards
This wine is a result of a collaboration with a winemaker from Ontario and a winemaker in the Fraser Valley. It is an easy drinking wine with flavours of black cherry, plum, tobacco and a hint of pepper. The finish is flavourful with nice medium tannins.
Pairs well with tomato sauce, roast vegetables or hard cheeses
All wines available at Cheers! Downtown Revelstoke Open 9am to 11pm Delivery to your door Call 250-837-4550
The advent of Okanagan College’s new tourism management diploma program means there is significant need to accommodate students who will be arriving in Revelstoke to take advantage of the unique learning opportunity this fall.
“This program will be drawing students from within the region, across B.C. and Canada, as well as from around the globe,” explains Joan Ragsdale, OC’s Regional Dean for Shuswap-Revelstoke. “We know what the housing situation is like in Revelstoke, so we’re reaching out now to the community to ask for their help.”
The College, Tourism Revelstoke, the City of Revelstoke, and area employers such as The Regent Hotel, the Best Western, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort are collaborating to ensure that international students especially can find homestay opportunities, to help them integrate with the community. The goal is to find 15 homestay opportunities at approximately $800 per student.
“This is an opportunity for our community to show its support for the local industry. These students will be the tourism workers who live, work and learn in Revelstoke. We’re excited that this program will help our businesses secure these future skilled workers,” notes Meghan Tabor, Tourism Revelstoke’s Marketing Director.
The need for the program, and the human resources it will attract, is one that resonates with industry.
“Tourism is one of the biggest growth sectors in the province,” explains Peter Nielsen, VP Operations for Revelstoke Mountain Resort. “Workers are in demand.”
Nielsen is one of the many local tourism experts who has worked with the College over the past year to ensure the program would hit the mark – for students and for those who’ll be hiring them.
The two-year diploma program combines in-class learning with work placement opportunities. The timing of the work placements ensure students will be available when employers need their talents most during busy times of the year. And it is showcasing Revelstoke nationally and internationally as Okanagan College recruits the students.
While OC, Tourism Revelstoke, and employers are focused on homestay opportunities for students, they’re willing to talk to any landlords about any rental opportunities.
“We want to see this two-year program – a pilot for Okanagan College – succeed and help reinforce Revelstoke’s reputation as an innovative, supportive community that is at the forefront of sustainable destination tourism,” explains Tabor.
“From the location, to the access to tourism employers, to the quality of instruction at Okanagan College, all the components are there to set students up for success and help them distinguish themselves in tourism management roles,” says Nielsen. “I couldn’t be more excited to see the program roll out this fall – and to be able to tap into this new pool of talent before and after they graduate.”
Those interested in providing homestay or rental accommodation to international and domestic students can contact Danielle Tighe, Okanagan College’s Manager of Community Relations and Administration for the Revelstoke Centre. She can be reached at 250 837-4235, ext. 6515 or at dtighe@okanagan.bc.ca
The opportunity to learn – and play – in one of the world’s greatest tourism destinations should help attract students to Okanagan College’s new Tourism Management Diploma. Photo: Royce Sihlis
How to encourage kids to expand their culinary palates
Taking the icky out of picky
By Shannon MacLean, RHN, CHNC, BA-IR
Be specific
Using child-centric nutrition phrases has been studied to increase kids’ openness to trying new foods. Phrases such as: “vegetables keep you from getting sick,” “protein helps you learn,” “fish makes us smarter,” “eggs will make you grow stronger,” and (especially effective for aspiring superheroes), “this grass-fed meatloaf will help you run faster, jump higher, and move with lightning speed!” These work much better than vague phrases such as “this is good for you,” which is often too abstract for a child to understand or make relevant to their own aspirations
Hide and go tweak
Smoothies are a great place to hide vegetables, as their flavor and texture can be concealed by fruit. Rotate your leafy greens, adding spinach, romaine, radish greens, kale, or swiss chard to your classic fruit smoothie. Cucumber, broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, beet, carrot, avocado, lemon and lime can all be added in smaller amounts. Fresh herbs such as basil, mint, cilantro, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger can also be added in moderation, boosting nutrient density, blood-sugar balance and flavor. Avocado, nut butter, coconut milk, hemp hearts, chia seeds, hemp oil, ghee or coconut oil can provide healthy fat and protein. Unplug the blender and let children pick their additions, or let them press power once everything is locked and loaded. Another trick is to mix canned wild salmon with grated carrots, finely chopped celery, fresh dill and mayonnaise. Try chopping large bags of carrots and celery ahead of time, storing in water. If kids ask for food before dinner is ready, they may be hungry to enough to gobble up a tray of those vegetable sticks while still saving room for dinner.
State change
Vegetables change greatly depending on how they’re prepared. If your child doesn’t like a certain vegetable, try roasting, which caramelizes and adds desirable flavor and crunch. Other ideas include chopping in a new way, or changing texture by blending vegetables in soup or making into a smooth sauce. Hand blenders work well for this. Adding healthy fats to vegetables make them more flavorful, comforting, satiating and enduring. Top soup with a swirl of olive oil, add avocado and cheese slices to dinner, or serve veggies with hummus.
Tapas
Young children can get overwhelmed by a wide variety of food on one plate, and even by different foods intermingling. Try serving on plates with separate compartments, or using a tapas approach, with a variety of foods in separate bowls, allowing them to feel in control of their selection.
Participate to appreciate
When children participate in the many stages of food prep, from gardening to meal planning, meal prep, and clean-up, they are more likely to appreciate and explore new foods. We can all benefit from contemplating all the stages of our foods’ journey that leads to our plates. Start a garden, grow herbs or sprouts on your windowsill, harvest fruit trees, pick berries, or take kids fishing. Make dishes personal by allowing kids to invest time learning and forming opinions about them. Discuss seasonal foods, colors, and shapes. Pick a meal and allow them to steer its direction with fillings or toppings. Let them taste food while it’s cooking, asking their opinion. They may learn to discern whether they desire a different texture, or more spice, salt, sweetness, or citrus. This will help them form more helpful feedback than, “I don’t like it,” and could even steer them toward being adept cooks themselves.
Lead by example
To suspect new food could be scary and poisonous is actually a deeply ingrained survival instinct that has gotten us where we are today. It’s natural for kids to be suspicious. Lead by example by eating a wide variety of whole foods yourself, and continuing to put them on the table, whether they are shared or not. One day those once-strange foods will look and smell familiar, and maybe even become appealing. Aim to keep dinner-time positive. Not only does this increase digestive secretions (and in turn digestive efficacy) for everyone, but will make it easier to get kids to try new foods. Get creative, cutting food into shapes, giving meals fun names, or serving dinner in an unconventional dish. And finally, if all else fails, keep it simple. Kids don’t generally crave fancy meals; they are more likely to partake in nutrient-dense, simply prepared whole foods. And that’s a blessing in more ways than one.
Shannon MacLean is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist with a BA in International Relations. Open for bookings at Balu Yoga and Wellness, she offers holistic nutrition consulting and menu plans. Shannon is passionate about wild foraging, recipe creation, and all things health and wellness.
Getting children involved in the meal planning, prepping, and preparing can increase likelihood they will be adventurous enough to try out new flavors and ingredients.
SHANNON MACLEAN
Get your photos featured in Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine by including #revelstokemoutaineer in your comment!
