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arts eats outdoors aliveviewviewrevelstokerevelstoke

FREE!FREE!Spring 2012Spring 2012

Inside:Inside:Revelstoke spring season events guideRevelstoke spring season events guide

Photographer feature: Bruno LongPhotographer feature: Bruno Long

Exploring the Columbia River flatsExploring the Columbia River flats

Business Profile: New Welwinds Therapeutic SpaBusiness Profile: New Welwinds Therapeutic Spa

Touring the AsulkanTouring the Asulkan

2 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5DENIS CHANG MANOUCHE QUARTET Heralded jazz guitarist influenced by likes of

Django Reinhardt, Bach, Chopin, George Ben-

son and Michael Jackson. Live at the United

Church. $20.

SOCIETY SHREDFEST FILM FESTIVAL Enter your own locally-produced short snow-

board flik for this show at the River City Pub

to benefit the Columbia Valley Skateboard As-

sociation skate park fund. Fest is from 1 p.m.

to 11:30 p.m. Info at Society Snow & Skate.

FRIDAY, APRIL 6REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL Watch

a collection of the world’s best movies about

kayaking, rafting, stand-up boarding, canoe-

ing and exploring wild water places of the

world. At the Big Eddy Pub. 7 p.m. $15.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7EASTER SWIM Show your Easter Spirit.

Bring a non-perishable food item and swim

for a toonie. All donations go to the food

bank. At the aquatic centre. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE RIDE Dust off

your old snowmobile (at least 15-years-old)

and join the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club

for a ride to the Boulder Mountain cabin. In-

cludes a poker run and show and shine at the

cabin. $30 to enter, includes trail pass and

first hand on poker run. For more information

contact Dusty Dancer at 403-850-5266.

STOKE TO SPOKE RELAY RACE This

three-leg relay race features skiing, biking

and an obstacle course. Followed by live mu-

sic in the plaza. Join as a team of three or go

solo. At Revelstoke Mountain Resort. 12 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 8SEASON PASS HOLDER APPRECIA-TION DAY Pancake breakfast for season

pass holders and $5 lift ticket special for

Revelstoke locals. At Revelstoke Mountain

Resort.

APRIL 10-11RICK HANSEN RELAY 25TH ANNI-VERSARY Cross-Canada relay making the

25th anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man in Mo-

tion World Tour in 1987. The relay will arrive

at Grizzly Plaza for a celebration, including

speeches, presentations, bands and other

entertainment at 5 p.m. The next morning will

begin with a rally at Revelstoke Secondary

School before the relay hits the road towards

Golden.

APRIL 13 TO MAY 4A SENSE OF PLACE Members’ art show

at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre. Show

opens Friday, Apr. 13 at 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15STAND UP FOR THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST Environmental film fest and

speaker night. The films spOIL, Stand Up 4

Great Bear, Oil in Eden, and Cetaceans of the

Great Bear Rainforest will be shown. At the

Royal Canadian Legion Hall. 7-10 p.m. $5 for

children, youth and seniors; $10 for adults.

All proceeds will go to Pacific Wild.

MONDAY, APRIL 16

MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE Live at the

Sangha Bean. $15.

SATURDAY, MAY 5FIRST FARMERS MARKET Revelstoke’s

famous Saturday farmers market kicks off in

May. Featuring all sorts of foods, crafts and

more. Every Saturday until October from 8:30

a.m. to 1 p.m.

MAY 11 TO JUNE 1LIGHT & BEAUTY OF LANDSCAPES Art show by Bryan Stevenson. The side gal-

leries featured Sandra Flood’s Fragments and

the Golden Girls Watercolour Group Recent

Works. At the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.

Show opens May 11 at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 12HEART & STROKE BIG BIKE Come take

a ride on the Heart & Stroke Foundation’s

big bike. The bicycle will be making loops

of Revelstoke from 12-5 p.m. Trips start on

Mackenzie Avenue between First and Second

Streets.

MAY 25 TO 27CHICKADEE NATURE FESTIVAL Activi-

ties for children and adults to learn about

local flora and fauna. At various locations

around Revelstoke. See the Times Review the

week of the event for details.

MAY 28 TO JUNE 3BIKE TO WORK WEEK Celebrate cycling

as a mode of transportation by biking to work.

Details TBA.

JUNE 8-10R/C CLUB SUMMER HUCK-FEST Come watch remote control pilots

from all over fly their planes and helicopters

over the Columbia River Flats. Micro’s to gi-

ants, all skill levels and types of flying with

3D encouraged. At the R/C Club airfield at 6

Mile.

JUNE 6 TO JULY 8COLUMBIA BASIN TRUST COMMU-NITY ART PROJECT Art show at the Rev-

elstoke Visual Arts Centre. The side galleries

feature Coreen Tucker’s Behind the Mask and

Dawn Thrasher’s Upward Bound. The show

opens on Friday, June 6, at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9PONY RIDES at the Selkirk Saddle Club

equestrian grounds. Rides are $5. Trails rides

are also available. Please bring your child’s

bike helmet. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 15ENCHANTED FOREST HUMAN SOCI-ETY FUNDRAISER Bring your dog for a

walk at the Enchanted Forest and 20 per cent

of your admission will go to the Revelstoke &

District Humane Society. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30SUMMER STREET FESTIVAL STARTS Come enjoy live music every night throughout

the summer in Grizzly Plaza. Music starts at

6:30 p.m. (Note: start date is tentative).

This spring in Revelstoke

www.revelstoketimesreview.com | 3

Universal Footwear 7-555 Victoria Road, Revelstoke

250-837-3855

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Wakataua

Cork Oak

Nido Ella

Brereaking in

with

BruBruno Long

By Aaron Orlando

Top: Skiing at Sol Mountain: “The moment when the shutter releases and you didn’t quite see it happen but know that your camera did. That feeling of knowing you got the shot is ecstasy for a photographer.” Top left: Bruno Long. Bottom: Powder at Rogers Pass: “In my opinion, it captures the essence of skiing at the Pass: steep relief, deep snow, skiing right to valley bottom and the trans-Canada Highway and the railway,” says Long. “If you look close at the top of this run, you can see your car at the bottom.” Bruno Long images

Revelstoke-based photographer makes inroads into Revelstoke-based photographer makes inroads into

professional ski and bike photography sceneprofessional ski and bike photography scene

For Revelstoke ski and bike photographer,

quitting the day job actually meant cutting

back on the night job. The full-time groomer

operator at Revelstoke Mountain Resort cut

back to slim part-time hours this season to focus

on photography.

Over the past couple of seasons he’s received

many credits in big name magazines and their

affi liated websites. Current and upcoming

credits include work for Solomon Freeski TV,

Powder, Paved Magazine, Bike, Backcountry

Magazine, Ski Canada, Bike Magazine and

Kootenay Mountain Culture.

Long photographs the ski touring and

mountain biking scene in Revelstoke and is

branching out into storytelling as well.

A day’s work means rising early and keeping

up with some of the world’s top athletes on

ascents – all while lugging a heavy pack of

photo gear. “Just be there,” is the fi rst step, he

explains.

Along the way, Long has developed an

organic style that’s of the mountains and valleys

around Revelstoke. He’s an “opportunistic”

photographer who takes advantage of the angles

and scenes that present themselves through

physical exploration. Revelstoke’s notoriously

cloudy winter season has also shaped Long’s

style, forcing him to be more creative and fl uid

with the lighting that’s available. He explores

composition and contrast to draw images out

of the otherwise challenging grey-on-grey of a

socked-in day.

Long’s images are defi ned by the Revelstoke

ski lifestyle, which is more laid back than the

amped breakneck stunts that command the front

page of the ski press. “You just want to ski as

much as you can, but you don’t want to push

your boundaries too far,” explains Long. “It’s all

about being able to go skiing again tomorrow

and the next day and the next day. There’s a

place and time to do the more serious stuff.”

Along the way, he’s worked with local skiers

and boarders famous here and abroad, as well as

visiting professionals. “It defi nitely helps,” Long

says of working with the likes of Greg Hill and

visiting pro teams. “Your images, not only are

they high quality but they have big-name athletes which defi nitely helps for exposure.”

Long has been instrumental in bringing the gravity biking scene into the sanctioned

cycling fold in Revelstoke. He’s excited to work on trail expansions and renovations. “It’s

going to be world class,” he says.

Find Bruno Long at www.brunolongphotography.com

ArtsArts

4 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com

Welcome BackConnie & Taryn

ConnieStylist/Esthetician

TarynStylist/Esthetician

LauraStylist/Co-Owner

CrystalStylist

KerstinStylistGel Nail Technician

KimStylist/Co-Owner

NaomiStylist/Esthetician 300 First Street East 250.837.2344

· KMS· Crew· Matrix· Hempz· Redken· Morrocanoilphotos by Keri Knapp

Revelstoke Theatre Company presents...

MENDING FENCESWritten by Norm Foster

Directed by Anita Hallewas

April 26, 27, 28 & May 3, 4, 58:00 pm at Powder Springs Inn

Tickets available April 4th at Revelstoke Credit Union,Powder Springs Inn & Talisman Fibre& Trading Co.

Students & Seniors: $12 Adult: $15 Adult Themes & Language

Down on the FlatsWHEN THE SNOW MELTS IN THE VALLEY AND THE WATER LEVELS ARE LOW, REVELSTOKIANS HEAD OUT THE COLUMBIA RIVER FLATS TO PLAY.By Alex Cooper

OutdoorsOutdoors

www.revelstoketimesreview.com | 5

Hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm Fri: 9am - 9pm Sun: 11am - 5pm307 Victoria Road, Revelstoke • 250-837-2028 • www.pharmasaverevelstoke.ca

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Specialists inMen’s & Women’s Cuts

Walk In’s Welcome!

Spring is a joyous season in Revelstoke. As the

snow melts in town and the sun makes more

frequent appearances, the thoughts of winter

powder turn into dreams of biking down mountains,

scaling rocky faces and venturing down logging

roads in search of that amazing new adventure.

Yet, with snow lingering in the alpine into July

(and sometimes later), those dreams are tempered.

Instead, outdoor experiences are sought in the val-

leys, where the snow goes fi rst.

That’s when Revelstoke fl ocks to the Colum-

bia River Flats – that vast stretch of lowlands that

emerges in the spring when the mix of sun and rain

melts the snow and the low water levels on the Ar-

row Lakes means that all that former farm land is

still accessible.

The Flats are where high schoolers go party

away from the prying eye of parents and the law.

It’s where families go for a picnic, where couples

walk their dogs, where adults go for a bonfi re,

where friends go camping, where riders go dirt bik-

ing and where people fi sh and launch their boats to

wander in and out of the many channels that form

as the river fl uctuates.

Before the Flats became the Flats, they were

farmland. From Revelstoke down to 12 Mile, there

were some 200 family farms. The fi rst farm in the

area was established at the Montana Slough by

Samuel D. Crowle in 1887. In the early 20th cen-

tury, Ukrainian immigrants established a number of

farms along the Flats between 11 and 16 kilometres

south of Revelstoke. The Arrow Lakes region was

once regarded as one of the most fertile areas in

British Columbia, rivalling the Okanagan.

Then the dams came and the land was fl ooded.

Hundreds of farms were submerged and small com-

munities were uprooted. South of Revelstoke, evi-

dence of that farm land is evident by the network of

dirt roads that show up in the spring when the water

is at its lowest.

According to Adam Croxall of BC Hydro, fol-

lowing the fl ooding the Flats were a big dust bowl

into the early 90s. “It used to be really inhospitable,”

he told me. A re-vegetation program along most of

the area has brought dust storms to an end.

The Flats are mostly BC Hydro land but 35

per cent is Crown Land, two per cent private

and the rest run by others such as the city

and regional district. The vast majority is open for

public use. A code of conduct has been developed

and posted at each main access point.

The Flats are accessible by taking Airport Way

south from Revelstoke past the airport. The main

spots are known by their distance from Revel-

stoke – they are 6 Mile, 9 Mile and 12 Mile. It was

just announced that access to the area near the air-

port would be restricted for security reasons.

The fi rst stop is 6 Mile. Drive south until you

see a small white sign for the R/C Club. A small

turnoff provides access to the Flats below. 6 Mile is

where the Revelstoke R/C Club have a landing strip

where they can launch their remote control planes

and helicopters. If you come out on a nice day, you

can see them manoeuvre their aircraft high in the

sky, with the Monashees as a spectacular back-

drop. Beyond the landing strip, the land stretches

seemingly forever. This is probably the fl attest of

the Flats, almost Prairie-like in its barrenness. The

Columbia River snakes through the area far across

the valley and Mt. Begbie soars above. Walking out

to the river gives you a view from the middle of

the valley of the Monashees on one side and the

Selkirks on the other.

9 Mile is the next access point to the Flats. The

turnoff is to the right, just past the small bridge that

crosses over Kokanee Creek. On the way there,

you’ll pass Cartier Road and the remnants of the

Ukrainian farming community. There is a small

parking lot at the 9 Mile turnoff. After that, you

can follow one of the old roads further out, water

level permitting. The terrain at 9 Mile is undulating,

perfect for dirt biking or fi nding that hidden nook.

Thick grasslands and scattered trees provide habitat

for birds and other animals.

12 Mile is the most distant and most expansive

of the Flats. To get there, keep going along Air-

port Way past the end of the pavement. Stay on the

dirt road, making sure to take the right fork when

necessary, until you come to the end of the road.

With long, sandy beaches, expansive grass lands

and rolling terrain, there is lots to explore at 12

Mile. Boaters can drive right down to the water to

launch their vessels and dirt bikers zip about. This

is where high schoolers go to celebrate graduation

and fi shers come in hopes of luring a Kokanee or

other catch.

Of course, everything about the Flats depends

on the level of the Arrow Lakes reservoir.

At high water in summer, they are almost

completely submerged. However, in the spring, be-

fore the snow melts and the runoff from the moun-

tains descends to the valley, the Flats are accessible.

The changing nature of the landscape also means

a change in activities. What was once grassland

might make for great boating. It also means that

if you venture too far out, you might fi nd yourself

stranded should the water level rise. That said, the

water level doesn’t fl uctuate so rapidly as to make it

so that if you go camping, you run the risk of wak-

ing up underwater.

The Flats are important wildlife habitat. Deer

are frequently sited and for birds, the area marks

an important stopping point on their migration

from south to north. A number of species nest on

the Flats in the spring, hatching their young before

continuing north. For birders, this presents a tre-

mendous opportunity for bird watching, with hun-

dreds of thousands of birds making use of the area

during the spring.

There are some concerns about the fl ats – mud

bogging can damage wildlife habitat, fi res can burn

rapidly on the dry grassland and illegal dumping is

also an issue, said Croxall. Camping isn’t allowed

in the code of conduct, but the code is voluntary

and enforcement is diffi cult, he said. BC Hydro’s

main goal, he said, is to get the idea across that the

Flats are along a working reservoir.

Still, as Croxall put it, as one of the few low-

lying, fl at areas in the area, “There’s not a better

place to go sometime.”

Opposite: The grasslands of 12 Mile.; Top right: A dirt biker goes for a ride along the fl ats.; Bottom right: A long, sandy beach at 12 Mile. Alex Cooper Photography

6 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com

Cheer on the people who are makinga difference in your community

Arriving inRevelstoke at

3.00pm onTuesday

April 10th.

The relay willbe moving from

McDonalds toGrizzly Plaza

where the medalcelebration will

take place.

The medal willthen leave

Grizzly Plazaat 9.30am on

WednesdayApril 11th.R

ick H

ansen R

ela

y

visit RickHansenRelay.com for information

arts council concert series

Denis ChangManouche QuartetBrazilian music, dance and capoeira

Greatly infl uenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, guitarist Denis Chang, the “Godfather of the Montréal Gypsy jazz scene”brings his highly regarded and unique style to Revelstoke for a one-off concert.

Tickets: $20 or $40 for Families

Thursday April 5th, 7:30pm at the United Church

arts council concert seriesA Celebration Concert

Axé CapoeiraBrazilian music, dance and capoeira

Featuring traditional Brazilian music with upbeat vocals and instrumentals, Axe Capoeira showcases professional capoeiristas and dancers at the height of their skill. The group has enthralled audiences of all ages and sizes across the globe for more than 20 years.

Sunday April 29th, Venue to be announced

We can represent you to purchase anyMLS Property Listing in Revelstoke or

British Columbia, or to list a local property

Stoke Realty Ltd.“Your Real Estate Brokerage Alternative”Suite H, Enter at 200 Campbell Avenue.Offi ce: 250-837-6300 Mobile: 250-837-8987 stokerealty@telus.net

Joe VerbalisManaging Broker

joeverbalis@telus.net

www.stokerealty.ca

> PRINTING, FAXING SERVICES > INTERNET KIOSK > HARTLEY & MARKS JOURNALS

309 First Street West • 250.837.3070www.yourofficeandart.com

Also a great selection ofArt Supplies

including Golden products!

WELWINDS SPA CREATES WELLNESS HUBBusinessBusinessWelwinds is a fusion of tea bar, yoga studio, massage therapy clinic and acupuncture clinic. Owner Diane Mahoney hopes her new Fourth Street East establishment will serve as a new community hub for wellness practitioners

The dates on the newspapers that lined the cedar chip insulation pro-vide the best evidence of a construction date of the building: 1926.

Since then, 506 Fourth Street East was Vince’s Italian Grocery, and Bocci’s Groceteria -- another Italian grocery serving the Southside neigh-bourhood amongst a small, nearly-extinct cluster of retail shops. When current owner Diane Mahoney bought the building about fi ve years ago, it was in need of serious repair. Faulty sealing of the old coal chutes on the sidewalk had fl ooded the basement. There were structural issues. The building bowed like a saddle. The back end wasn’t far from falling over. It was a mess.

After fi ve years of work the bright, newly-renovated building is completely transformed into Welwinds Therapeutic Spa. Other than exposed brick chim-neys that bring warmth to the treatment rooms, there’s little to indicate its past use. “It’s a historic building that belongs to Revelstoke,” says Mahoney as she tours me through the yoga studio and three treatment rooms in the back.

Wood features prominently in the makeover. Locally-milled tongue and groove cedar planks line the walls; fi r, hemlock and other local varieties form everything from structural post and beams to trim on the windows. A barn door suspends from the ceiling to separate the tea bar from the yoga studio.

The colour patterns are concrete greys, light creams and muted environmen-tally-friendly stains that bring out white and blue hues from the grain. Cream-coloured leather chairs line the concrete-slab tea bar. Clear glass and exposed metal fi xtures add to the neutral tones.

The theme, says Mahoney, was unisex. A majority of massage clients are male skiers looking to get their legs rejuvenated to fi nish off their ski vacation. Lots of men go to yoga classes these days. Mahoney wanted a neutral look so everyone can feel at home.

Mahoney developed the design and worked with Simon Duval of Mack Dog Construction to complete the renovation.

Welwinds Therapeutic Spa is a combination tea bar, yoga studio, massage therapy clinic and acupuncture clinic. Mahoney describes herself as a long-time skier who’s spent much of her life working and playing around skiing. The registered massage therapists spent seasons working in Whistler, Crescent Val-ley, Nelson, Vernon and Rossland. She’s spent much of her career working as a massage therapist in heli-ski lodges. When came to Revelstoke and bought the building she saw an opportunity to settle down and found a business that would allow her to indulge her love of skiing.

Welwinds Therapeutic Spa is open for business, but Mahoney explains many facets are still in development. Her website (www.welwinds.com) is up but she’s still working on it. Yoga classes have started, but she’s looking to offer specialized classes and also develop the space into a yoga teaching centre.

The tea bar is also open for business. It features a wide variety of loose teas. She hopes to develop the afternoon trade and also make the tea shop a focus of summer Saturday market outings, including a summer patio space. She’s also exploring buying the raw products in bulk and mixing her own locally-made brand; she’s off to a tea convention in Las Vegas to explore the idea.

Mahoney hopes to make the combined tea bar/yoga room space available for non-alcoholic social gatherings.

Massage therapy is at the core of Mahoney’s business, as is acupuncture. “People don’t get better unless they move,” she explains of her core philoso-phy. Local clients with extended medical will also form a core component of the business.

Much of the business, she explains, follow the rhythms of the ski market. Massage therapists work through the ski season and tend to be mobile. Mahon-ey hopes that Welwinds can evolve into a centre for practitioners in Revelstoke for the season.

Welwinds Therapeutic Spa is located at 509 Fourth Street East. Find them at www.welwinds.com or call 250-837-6084.

By Aaron Orlando

The yoga studio at the newly opened Welwinds Therapeutic Spa features a ‘unisex’ colour scheme featuring lots of exposed wood treated with environ-mentally-friendly fi nishes.

Aaron Orlando photo

www.revelstoketimesreview.com | 7

201 Mackenzie AvenueIn beautiful downtown Revelstoke

250-837-4141

A must see...

... with must haves!

revelstoke arts councilwill once again be holding their annual

Street Festfrom june 29th - august 31st

Watch your local newspaper and revelstoketimesreview.comfor more information.

FIVE GREAT REASONS TO PLAY IN REVELSTOKEFIVE GREAT REASONS TO PLAY IN REVELSTOKE

Beer, Wine & Liquordelivery available from

the Big Eddy Liquor Store.

Call for delivery250.814.0096

COMPLIMENTARYshuttle

We’ll pick you up andbring you home safe

250.814.3333

TO 3 GREAT LOCATIONSThe Big Eddy PubThe Village Idiot

The Great White NorthFull Pub MenuOpen 7 Days a Week!Large Summer Patio

2108 Big Eddy Road250.814.0095

306 Mackenzie Avenue250.837.6240

3251 Weird Wood Frontage250.837.3495

Great food.Relaxed atmosphere.

Great Patio all Summer long.

Great food.Casual Ambience.

Open Mon - Sat: 4-10pm Sun: 10am - 10pm

Golf Revelstoke• 18 Hole • Par 72 • 6,537 yards• Eatery on the Green/ Restaurant & Patio• Driving Range/Practice Facility• Cart & Club Rentals

250.837.4276www.revelstokegolfclub.com171 Columbia Park Drive, Revelstoke, B.C.

Top left: Welwinds owner Diane Mahoney in one of three treatment rooms.

Top left: Loose tea served in tea sleeves with foamed milk at the Welwinds tea bar.

Centre: Welwinds Therapuetic Spa is located at 509 Fourth Street East.

Bottom: Cream leather chairs line the concrete bar at Welwinds. The space can be combined with the yoga studio for events.

Aaron Orlando photos

8 | www.revelstoketimesreview.com

Downtown Revelstoke’s FinestDowntown Revelstoke’s Finest

112 East First Street, Revelstoke, B.C. • 250-837-2107 • regenthotel.ca

3 days at the Asulkan3 days at the Asulkan AliveAlive

DAY 1 – FRIDAYI get up early, ready to hit the road to Rogers Pass for an

early start. The route to the Asulkan Hut follows the creek

bed for several kilometres before it passes through the Mouse

Trap – a treacherous terrain trap with avalanche paths com-

ing into from both side and no easy escape.

We leave in three groups, the eager ones up at the crack

of dawn, Chris and I in the middle, and three more pulling

up the rear. The skin up isn’t too bad, even with the extra

food and clothing. I feel bad for Chris, who overpacked and

suffers the whole way. Fortunately for us, the fi rst group set

a nice skin track, so we didn’t have to break trail.

We arrive at the cozy cabin before noon. The stove isn’t

working but a bit of tinkering gets it going. With two picnic

tables and a small kitchen downstairs, and 12 beds upstairs,

its cozy but not cramped. The fi rst group to arrive goes out

for a ski while we recover.

When the last of the group shows up, a few of us head out

up the Seven Steps of Paradise for a quick run. We only ski

three or four of them – soft snow, and gentle, rolling terrain

back to the hut. It’s a short but satisfying run and a good

way to kick off trip. There’s no sense killing ourselves on

the fi rst day.

Back at the hut we fall into a routine of melting snow for

drinking water, cooking dinner, and playing cards. As night

falls, a storm moves in.

DAY 2 – SATURDAYWe wake up early to a foot of fresh, fl uffy powder. And

its still snowing. With white-out conditions in the alpine, we

descend below the hut to the protection of the Tree Triangle.

For our fi rst run we head to the left, shredding around the

trees, the turns effortless and the face-shots numerous. The

snow continues to fall and the wind blows to the point our

tracks are fi lling in as we hike back up for another lap.

This time we spot a nice pillow in one of the openings.

Time for some jumps! One at a time we take off, soaring

one-by-one, old school style It doesn’t matter if we crash,

the snow is so deep you don’t feel a thing. We ski off to the

right of the triangle. The snow continues to fall. For our third

lap, we go right down the middle. There’s no day-trippers in

the area today; not once do we cross tracks and the snow is

blinding as it fl ies up in our faces.

After three laps in the trees, we skin back up the hut for

lunch. During lunch, the skies clear and we look at the Seven

Steps of Paradise – a sparkling white tapestry of snow. After

some rest we go for another lap and some more powder.

That evening the sky stays clear and we enjoy the mes-

merizing sunset from the shelter of the hut. It’s a full moon

and as it rises in the sky we can make out our tracks on the

Steps above the hut. The stars dazzle in the night sky.

Who needs television when you’ve got this?

DAY 3 – SUNDAYIt’s another bluebird day and a few of us have our sights

set on one goal – 2,850 metre high Young’s Peak. We set out

early and make our way to the steep, foreboding headwall.

With all that new snow we’re wary of the avalanche hazard

so we dig a pit to get a measure of the snowpack. A few of

us are confi dent, others not. I’m torn but the risk-taker in me

wins out and I follow three others up the headwall while the

rest turn back.

At the summit, we’re treated to 3,100-metre-plus peaks

of the Dawson Range, shrouded in clouds beyond. The sun

produces a rainbow-coloured halo as it shines through the

thin veil of clouds.

The skin down is what we hoped – steep and deep – and,

most importantly, the snowpack holds and we get to enjoy

the long ski back to the hut.

There’s still time to do some more skiing but the general

consensus is to call it a weekend and head back to town. We

ski down through the Tree Triangle, past the Mouse Trap and

along the creek to our cars. It’s a slog, but thoughts of the

skiing we enjoyed make it fast.

The Asulkan Hut is located in Glacier National Park. Bookings can be made through the Alpine Club of Canada. You must be an ACC member to make a reservation. For more information visit www.alpineclubofcanada.ca.

Words and pictures by Alex Cooper

WHEN YOU ENVISION A PERFECT SKI TRIP WHAT DO YOU PICTURE? OVERNIGHT STORMS, BLUEBIRD DAYS AND NO CROWDS? FOR THREE DAYS LAST APRIL AT THE ASULKAN HUT IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, TEN OF US WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO ENJOY ALMOST JUST THAT.