The Stoke

We might be into the first days of summer, but it’s never too early to think about skiing or snowboarding again! Buy your Revelstoke Mountain Resort season pass before June 25 at midnight in order to take advantage of the Early Bird savings!

2010/2011 Season Pass Rates

All rates are subject to the applicable taxes.

Click here for the Season Pass Application Form, or head down to the Presentation Centre at the corner of 1st St. and Mackenzie Ave to buy your pass!

Another great reason to buy your season pass before the end of tomorrow is the chance to win a sweet houseboat vacation from Waterway Houseboats on Shuswap Lake. Purchase your season pass by June 25, 2010 and you will automatically be entered to win a once in a lifetime trip with Waterway Houseboats, valued at $2810!

Interested in knowing more about some of the bands you’ll come across at the Revelstoke Music Festival on June 25 & 26? I’ll be posting some band bios over the next few days. To start things off, here’s local band Positive Corruption!

Positive Corruption
From a snowmobile repair shop located at the foot of the legendary Boulder Mountain, British Columbia has emerged an enigma.

Positive Corruption is band that has deep roots in Revelstoke with members that have been staples of the city’s live music scene long before the worldwide attention to the community. The band’s current line-up has enjoyed each other’s company since 2006 and boasts the vocal leadership of the storied Smokey Pete Hermansen (fmr. Happy Ravens/Big Belly Blues Band/Peter Paul & Zeke). Smokey Pete, although reclusive and unassuming is the main ingredient in the volatile cocktail that fuels this act. He skilfully charms an audience with a velvety smooth delivery, casual come-as-you-are demeanour, Spiderman-like moves and a harp playing that is rumoured to be the reason the Devil moved down to Georgia to take up the fiddle.

With a quiet, almost secretive success, this six-member cast of dishevelled characters have become a favourite on the party/pub circuit, performing to crowds that don’t go away without having a great night. They are a rock band, plain and simple, and none of them will apologise for it. Guitarist Brant Benum (fmr. Happy Ravens/Big Belly Blues Band/Peter Paul & Zeke) says it’s all about the live audience for the whole band. “The music we play takes on a whole different aspect when the crowd gets their hands on it and has their way with it. They always know what to do.”

Backing up Smokey Pete are Cat Scott and Vanessa Hermansen. Vanessa, like her papa Pete, knows her way around a microphone as evident in the Positive Corruption version of Joss Stone’s Super Duper Love. Vanessa steps up to the plate to front several tunes in the band’s bountiful barrel of covers and takes charge with a conviction and soulfulness that cements this act’s dynamic diversity.

“When we were asked to play at the Revelstoke Beats Festival we said yes!… yes!… absolutely!” says bassist Dave Tataryn (fmr. Dr. Shakey/Hellahellahella) “I’ve emceed the festival a couple of times and know that the people this event attracts are out to have a great weekend and they don’t mess around. This is going to be a great party and the band will be in its element”.

Aside from being Positive Corruption’s snappiest dresser, dietician and medical adviser, drummer Trevor Hollenberg (fmr. Talk About Your Fellings/Skinback) is the backbone of the band’s rock solid rhythm section. Trevor cites his love of ballroom dancing and Harley Davidson motorcycles as the muse behind his machinegun drum work. “Just like the rest of the members, it’s our audience that makes this all worthwhile for me….I’m definitely not in this for the money”.
It would seem this band is truly “in this” for the live aspect. They thrive on their audience. In fact, they more often than not, rehearse in front of a small group of regulars that haunt the band’s rehearsal studio located in a machine shop just outside of Revelstoke. “We can try new stuff out on real people, when it works, we know it in rehearsal, says Smokey Pete.

Positive Corruption’s repertoire includes; Foo Fighters, No Doubt, U2 and Iggy Pop. “It’s all been party tested,” beams backup singer Cat Scott.

The next health care profile on The Stoke is of an incredibly talented Registered Massage Therapist who moved to Revelstoke in December 2009. RMT Sarah Wex now calls Revelstoke home, and offers massage therapy to suit your needs - from rehabilitation to relaxation. Working out of Ambrosia Day Spa, Sarah is available by appointment Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 - 7:00 pm, and is available at evenings and weekends by appointment. Check out her lovely website for more information on how Sarah can help you feel your best.

I sat down with Sarah to ask some questions about her background as a health care professional, her time in Revelstoke, and her love of the outdoors.

Sarah Wex, RMT

Why did you get into massage?
I had a back injury as a tree planter and was referred to a brilliant Registered Massage Therapist. I was so inspired by his knowledge base and the thoroughness of his assessment that I decided to look into the profession. I love sciences and geeking out and have always wanted to do something where I can work with and help people, use my hands and be an entrepreneur. I thought that I would have to choose one or two things from that list eventually, but I can get it all as a massage therapist. I love my job.

Tell me about your treatment modalities. What can people expect? What are your favourites?
I tailor my treatments to the individual that I am treating and I take into account what goals they have and what modalities they like when developing my treatment plans. Some people think that massage has to be painful in order to be effective, but I don’t subscribe to this belief. While some techniques may be uncomfortable or painful at times (especially when dealing with injuries), it’s certainly not a necessity for positive results.
Most of the treatments I give typically involve a form of joint mobilization and myofascial release and I will often include some active or passive stretching because I find these modalities so effective. Most of my patients will also leave with some sort of home care, whether it is a simple stretch, hydrotherapy, modification of daily activities or a completely revamped exercise plan.

Who can benefit from massage therapy?
Everyone! I treat a wide range of conditions and people. Some of the most common conditions I treat in Revelstoke include sprains, headaches, stress, trigger points, disc herniations, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and whiplash (just to name a few).

Who is covered for massage?
There are a lot of Revelstoke residents that have extended health benefits through work that cover massage therapy. I treat a handful of them on a regular basis but I’m surprised by the number of people that aren’t taking advantage of this! Most extended medical plans will reimburse 80-100% of the treatment fees. I really encourage my fellow Revelstokians to check with their plan and come in for a massage. You won’t regret it.

How do you keep your own body and mind healthy so that you can help others?
I have to make sure I take my own advice! I pay close attention to my biomechanics while I’m treating to ensure that my back and wrists stay healthy, and I regularly stretch and massage my arms and hands. I also make sure that I get a healthy dose of massage from other RMTs in town and I see an acupuncturist and chiropractor from time to time. I think the best thing I do for both my mind and body is to go out and play with friends–whether it’s a bike ride, a day at the beach, an afternoon paddle or a clumsy tennis match.

What brought you to Revelstoke?
Mostly the mountains (of course). I have some friends and family here and came to visit occasionally to ski or just spend time outside. Each time I left, I always found myself saying “I wish I could live here!” Finally, my brother replied with “Why don’t you?” and that was enough of a nudge for me to make the move from Vancouver to Revelstoke.
I have been here for six months, had an amazing ski season, and so far, I’m really enjoying everything Revelstoke has to offer in the summer.

Sarah's already got her 2010-11 pass for RMR

Are you planning to stay in Revelstoke?
I sure am! I already bought my ski pass for next season.

What’s good about your location at Ambrosia Day Spa?
The Spa is a really fantastic place. It’s beautifully decorated and just feels luxurious and peaceful from the moment you step in the door. As a primary health care professional, it’s really wonderful to have the opportunity to establish a successful therapeutic practice in such a relaxing and elegant space.

Tell men why they shouldn’t be afraid to come get a massage at the Spa!
Spas aren’t just for women anymore! Actually, about 40% of my regular clientele is made up of men. The Spa isn’t a particularly girly place and no one is going to put curlers in your hair without your consent.

What are your hours and how can people book an appointment with you?
I work from 10am - 7pm Tuesday to Friday. I also schedule the occasional evening and Saturday appointments when required. Call Ambrosia Day Spa to book an appointment at (250) 837-3688.

Old Man’s Beard are some very near and dear friends of The Stoke crew. The band is playing their boot-stomping brand of rock/reggae/folk/alt-country/etc to RevFest this weekend, and their set is sure to be a barn-burner (not literally, though… fortunately there are no barns around or they’d be blazin’). Singer Mike Shaver was kind enough to answer some questions for the band, and they are stoked to rock Revelstoke this upcoming Friday at 7:00 pm, as part of a stellar Friday night lineup!

First of all, tell me why you’re excited about RevFest.
RevFest is a festival in our own back yard.  How can you beat a music festival in Revelstoke?

What’s your connection to Revelstoke?
I lived in the best part of Revelstoke all winter, in the Big Eddy, aka the Large Edward.  Until this fall, Revelstoke had been a mythical place where the nightlife is peaceful, the trash cans are full of money and the skiing is amazing. One out of three ain’t bad. Two members of Old Man’s Beard played every Thursday at the Last Drop with our good friend Denis Severino of a band called Teds Amongst Men, and we really got a feel for the musical tastes of Revelstoke.

You travel the BC interior quite extensively. What makes the region such a great tour destination?
The band is based out of Salmon Arm, and traveling back and fourth between Revelstoke and Salmon Arm meant such a serious change in scenery, crossing from the Shuswap region of lakes and rolling mountains into the Columbia River Basin of serious alpine and railroad romance. The geography seems to change the demographic from place to place, and that keeps touring interesting. Within striking distance is Golden, Nelson, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Vernon and Kelowna. Within a six hour drive, Calgary and Vancouver become accessible. Playing cities, which is a must for a touring band, plus a wide variety of smaller towns make it perfect for us.

What do you love about playing festivals? How different is it from a regular bar show?
Festivals are great because they bring out a wide variety of music fans, rather than a bar show that brings out fans of a specific band. People come out, maybe knowing one band, and are open to absorbing new music.

Are you working on new material this summer?
Indeed! We are massaging out a bunch of ideas, trying out some new directions and angles.  Some slow dance songs, some chargers…

What can the audience look forward to at your show?
For RevFest, we are going to be putting on 70 minutes of bootstompin’. If you haven’t heard us before; bring your dancing shoes, some money for snacks and prepare for merriment.

Are you going to be dancing the nights away at the festival, as well?
We certainly are!  Old Man’s Beard are all dance fans.  We all have our own dancing styles… the cross-country ski, the hip circle, alternating knee bends, the snap-bop and the chicken wing. We have played with Sister Girl before and they are great, Greg Sczebel is from Salmon Arm and has been very kind to us and I am really pumped to see the Wassabi Collective, Skavenjah and Earthbound.

Will you be selling merch?
We will be selling shirts that Stephanie (vocals, percussion) did the art for.  We have stickers, CD’s and shirts.

How did you guys get started?
Jesse Clarke and myself met in Fernie through some mutual friends. We started jamming and decided to become a band before we really wrote many songs, or knew each other that well. Then we decided to move to the Interior and record an album before we had a band. Somehow the musicians we recruited to make an album all decided that they liked the project enough to be full-time members. So the line up now is:
Darrin Herting - Bass, additional percussion and vocals
Leon Power - Drums
Mike Shaver - Vocals and guitar
Jesse Clarke - Vocals and guitar
Stephanie Webster - Vocals and percussion

What’s next for Old Man’s Beard?
We are gearing up for an August tour that will take us to Northern BC, and an October tour that will take us to Ottawa to participate in the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference.  We are also writing material that will hopefully make the cut for our next album, in addition to gearing up for the 2010-11 ski season in Revelstoke.

So pretty and handsome! And pantsless. Don't forget pantsless.

The Revelstoke Music Festival is excited to present RevFest 2010 on Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26 at Centennial Park. The music festival is a fantastic annual event - it brings friends, families and strangers together to dance their hearts out in a spectacular, riverside setting.

With a beer garden, artisans and food vendors, and a ton of great music, it’s a solid weekend that’s sure to please.

The schedule is a super sweet mix of rock, funk, world and ska. On Friday, June 25, the gates open at 5:00 pm. Get ready to get sweaty! Sister Girl hits the stage at 6:00 pm, Old Man’s Beard will get you dancing at 7:00, Earthbound goes on at 8:00, Skavenjah goes live at 9:15, and Wassabi Collective will keep the crowd jumping at 11:00.

Wassabi Collective always gets Revelstoke rockin'!

There’s a full day of music and fun on Saturday, June 26 - Positive Corruption kicks things off at noon, followed by Turtle Mountain at 1:15, Rude City Riot at 2:30, Redfish at 4:00 and Kira at 5:25. Local regular Andrew Allen hits Stage B at 6:40, Greg Sczebel goes on at 8:05, Shane Philip will get everyone stoked at 9:30, and then headliners Econoline Crush close out the festival with a set starting at 11:00 pm on Saturday night.

Headliners Econoline Crush are a killer way to end the show

There’s plenty going on for the kiddies on Saturday, June 26 as well - entertainment by Ishdafish Music and Dancing Bear, and face-painting, t-shirt and book giveaways, and more!

Adult weekend passes are $80, or $45 per day. Children are $40 for the weekend or $20 per day, and kids under 5 are absolutely free! Tickets are available in person or over the phone. Check out the website for more information.

Camping is also available on-site for $15 per day, which includes access to the pool and showers at the Revelstoke Community Centre.

While it may have felt like the start of our summer was slightly delayed this season, the May and early-June rain has been fantastic for the forests, and the temperatures are now starting to soar as the sun shines here in Revelstoke.

While we’re known for winters of deep powder, killer skiing & snowboarding, and world-class sledding, the summers in Revelstoke are incomparable. Hot temperatures from June - September and long daylight hours mean that you’ve always got time to play outside. Your choices are nearly endless - here are a few options to get you going.

Mount Revelstoke National Park

Mountain Biking
Revelstoke has an extensive trail network throughout the town and beyond, ranging from easy cruisers to technical downhill descents. The paved Greenbelt path that runs beside the Illecillewaet and Columbia Rivers suit a leisurely, scenic ride. If you’re looking for flowy cross country (this is Revelstoke’s bread ‘n’ butter), head on over to Mt. MacPherson, where you’ll find a huge range of (generally intermediate) XC, to the left and right side of the highway. Biking trail maps are available at the Revelstoke Visitor Information Centres at 204 Campbell Ave & 111 MacKenzie Ave, and bike shop staff in town will be happy to share their favourite trails with you. Another great choice for XC riding even closer to town is the system of trails that runs behind the railway museum and over to the Eastern Access Road (commonly referred to as the CP trails). Get in there and start linking up your own great rides!

The incredible Keystone Standard Basin is located 50 km north of town along Highway 23N, and you will see everything from wildflowers to scree fields to snow along the 26km ride. My advice is to give that trail another two weeks or so - it might still be quite snowy. Bring your own bike to Revy, or rent one in town from local bike shop Skookum Cycle & Ski.

Keystone Standard Basin

Fishing
There are some great places to catch fish in Revelstoke - whether that’s fly fishing in secluded mountain lakes, or from a boat on Lake Revelstoke or Arrow Lake. Fish species include trout (Rainbow, Brook, Cutthroat and Bull), Kokanee Salmon, and Ling Cod). A BC freshwater fishing license is required. Check out Revelstoke Fishing Guides for more information.

Rock Climbing
Revelstoke is gaining a reputation as a great sport climbing destination. There are an abundance of sport routes close to town, most with quite short approaches that make climbing accessible before spring even officially starts. A good rule of thumb is that if the pavement in town is dry, the rock is generally good to go. Hundreds of bolted routes of all levels are found within a half-hour drive. Check out the Drive-In crag, south of Revelstoke along Airport Road - there are a handful of great climbs there, including a few beginner trad routes (both 5.8). Shaketown and Begbie Bluffs both found a short drive south along Highway 23. Looking for some multi-pitch? Check out Waterworld, where you can rap down nearly 100 m from the top or approach via boat. You can also find consistent bouldering at Eagle Pass. Check out the latest Revelstoke Rocks by climbing guru Reudi Beglinger for a complete listing of what Revelstoke has to offer.

Climbing at the Drive-In

Hiking
The hiking around Revelstoke is stunning, to say the least. We are surrounded by the Monashee and Selkirk Mountains. A great starting point is Mount Revelstoke National Park, where you can meander along easy, marked trails or hike deeper into the park to Eva and Miller Lakes, or even do an overnighter to Jade Lake. Mount Revelstoke National Park also features the Giant Cedars Boardwalk and Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk hiking trails, taking you through old-growth Western Red Cedars and valley-bottom wetlands.

Eva Lake

Visit the Revelstoke Visitor Information Centre for more information on hikes and accessibility.

Looking down at McCrae Lake

Swimming
There’s nothing better than jumping in a cool lake on a hot summer day. Lake Revelstoke, the reservoir lake located above the Revelstoke Dam, is refreshingly brisk. There are local areas for cliff-jumping and rope-swinging along the eastern flank. Echo Lake, a 5 km drive up the Akolkolex Forest Service Road, is a popular swimming and day-trip destination, but I’ve never seen it get unpleasantly busy, even on the hottest summer day. Fish jump regularly, so bring your road and a floating tube! Easily the most popular swimming hole is Williamson Lake, which also features camping spots and a children’s playground. Williamson Lake is located on Williamson Lake Road, off of Airport Way.

Cliff jumping north of the Revelstoke Dam

What are your favourite summer activities in Revelstoke? Let us know!

The http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=399493821700#!/group.php?gid=209195462673&ref=tsw are back again with another stellar edit. They’ve switched focus to summer, and put together a great video showcasing why Revelstoke would benefit from an official dirt jump park. This video was played for City Council tonight during a presentation by the Revelstoke Trail Alliance, so hopefully Revelstoke can add bike park to its list of summer must-sees.

‘Wood River Wild’ is playing at the Revelstoke Community Centre tonight at 7:00 pm. Admission is free, and the film is brought to you by the North Columbia Environmental Society. The film will be followed by guest speakers James Knoop and Rachel Darvill.

The the environmentally sensitive and historic Wood River, east of Revelstoke, is a proposed Independent Power Project site. Come find out about the status of this major hydro project. For more information on this film or IPPs, email the NCES.

Wood River Wild from Kicking Horse River on Vimeo.

The annual Chickadee Nature Festival starts on Friday, May 28 with a Pot-Luck Kick Off at the Revelstoke Community Centre.
This fun family festival runs all weekend. On Saturday, May 29 check out all of the events going on at the Mount Revelstoke Ski Chalet, starting with coffee, muffins and fruit at 9:30 (bring your own mug!), a lunch time BBQ between 11:30-1:00. Throughout the morning and early afternoon there will be some great presentations, including Revelstoke Bear Aware, nature games with Debby Robinson of Wildsight, Aboriginal education programs, fun art activities for kids, watershed explorations, biodiversity discussions, information about the Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks Junior Naturalist Program, presentations on caribou and hummingbirds, and a history of bears in Revelstoke.

Later that day, join Mark Tiley at the Woodenhead to car-pool or bike ride to the Columbia River to learn about sturgeon and their spawning habits.

On Saturday night, check out two cool “Creatures of the Night” sessions. Meet at the Nels Nelsen parking lot with your headlamp to search for Coeur d’alene salamanders or spot owls.

I was recently interviewed in Kootenay Business Magazine about why I love Revelstoke, and what the character of this community is about. I had no trouble lauding this town as an incredible place to live full of inspiring people, active outdoorsy folks, and charming local businesses. Despite the Revelstoke Mountain Resort developments chugging along, the town still feels very down-to-earth, and it’s certainly a breath of fresh air compared to other busy ski towns. Don’t get me wrong - we can party hard with the best of ‘em, but the bar scene is limited and the focus is more on spending time with friends and building closer relationships. When you have to trust someone with your life, it’s hard not to bond!

A slew of visitors lately has helped me rediscover some of the beautiful sights around the area - check out some of the local hot springs, a short ferry ride across Arrow Lake away, the countless sport climbing routes ringing Revelstoke, hikes on Mount Revelstoke, around Echo Lake, and up to the Alkokolex Falls, stunning and challenging cross country mountain biking around Mount Macpherson… and don’t forget - the ski touring is still unreal! Mount McCrae is fantastic, and I’ve heard some stories of energetic groups ski touring on Mount Mackenzie.

The overarching ethos of Revelstoke is that we like to make the most of our days by playing outside as much as possible - spring has sprung and it’s time to be outside. Get ready to get muddy!
What are your favourite spring activities in Revelstoke?