The Stoke

Well, I’ll admit it. The weather has been unseasonably warm here at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and the lower mountain is taking a bit of a beating. People have been enjoying beers out on the patio at Mid Mountain Lodge (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) and hanging out on the deck for apres-ski at the new Rockford wok|bar|grill at the base of RMR. But despite the warm temps down low (damn you, el Nino!), the upper mountain skiing has still been quite good! The snow in Greely Bowl yesterday was fantastic - deep, lightly tracked, and tons of fun. Elsewhere on the mountain is a bit … sportier, to say the least. The moguls are huge, but I skied with a group of Easterners yesterday who were absolutely loving it. There are still some steep, deep and tight lines through Vertigo, along Gracias Ridge, and through Greely that are good to go.
Check out the newest vid posted up by Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Do you have any great ski footage this year?

I got a new pair of skis a few weeks ago and I’m still waiting for that first huge dump of snow to really test ‘em out. Last year it went off in March, so I’m hoping for the same sort of weather pattern this year. How is your winter going? How have you been enjoying the snow, wherever you are?

The Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association recently launched the the BLBCA’s Big Ol’ BC Backcountry Brag Off! You could win you great prizes, including a Tracker transceiver, G3 el hombre skis, I/O Bio baselayers, a camera, a Deuter backpack, a probe and shovel, a subscription to explore mag, a private AST course for four, touring gear, and more!

There are three categories: skiing/snowboarding, hiking and wildlife. What do you have to do? Tell ‘em about your adventures in the BC backcountry! BLBCA encourages you to “bring on the brag!” Put a caption of 100 words or less on your fantastic photo, and tell them your photo’s story in under 250 words. Winning submissions will exemplify one of those ‘best day ever!’ moments in the BC backcountry, be visually engaging, and align with BC’s outdoorsy, adventurous spirit.

“This photo contest is for those who have a reputation for babbling on about the deep powder days, meandering summer hikes and chance wildlife encounters they’ve experienced in British Columbia’s world-renowned backcountry,” said Brad Harrison, BLBCA’s Executive Director.

Your photo and story can be from any season, anywhere in BC’s amazing backcountry - waist-deep pow, winter camping, grizzly sightings, summer hikes, wildlife snapshots, or anything else that makes a great story.

Submit up to five entries, and remember to back each photo up with a story. Contest closes on March 1, 2010.

A fantastic event is happening this evening, but it needs support from community and visitors to be truly effective! A Carousel of Nations takes place from 4:00 until 7:00 - the evening celebrates multiculturalism and diversity in the city of Revelstoke. As more and more immigrants move to Revelstoke to work and play, it’s important to respect and recognize their unique backgrounds!

There will be ethic food booths (featuring fare from Canada, Poland, India, England, Italy and China, with sampler tickets for just $3), crafts (including Japanese fans, dream catchers, henna, handprint poems, and memorial origami cranes to commemorate the Rogers Pass 1910 avalanche), and a kimono demonstration.

There will also be interactive displays celebrating diversity, including displays on First Nations, Metis, Indian and Korean culture, the Railway Museum, the 1910 Rogers Pass avalanche, the Revelstoke museum, and the English Victorian era.

Listen to stories and books from around the world and check out live entertainment (including a highland pipe band welcome, a Zumba demonstration, Metis dancing, Canadian folk songs and Scottish dancing). Travel slide shows will happen every half hour in the Senior’s Centre and include the history of Revelstoke’s multi-cultural heritage, Turkey, Hungary, the Antarctic, Africa, and France.

Cap off the evening with a free swim at the Aquatic Centre with your Carousel of Nations passport. Come out for a great [free] evening celebrating Revelstoke’s history, present and future!