Full-On Spring

Again this year we missed the "ambivalent" time, when there is the best spring skiing but the golf courses are open, and the Vernon Outdoor Club starts  its regular hiking and biking schedule..  March is both late winter on the mountain and early spring in the valley.
One dilemma about living in such a desirable four-season-climate is deciding when to go traveling.   Having a good airport 30 minutes away does make travel convenient and the decision a bit easier. We again took a direct flight to Cancun this March and traveled around the Yucatan for three weeks.  It was a good trip but we were thrilled to get home.
We got home in time to enjoy the last weekend of skiing up at Silver Star/Sovereign Lake.

What's wrong with these pictures?

Its 0915 hrs Sunday April 6 at Silver Star Resort.  There is a 200 cm snow base at the lodge with 6 cm of fresh snow.  The main runs have been meticulously groomed

 It is -2 under a sunny/partially cloudy sky.  The conditions are excellent for downhill and Nordic skiing.  We head up the Comet Chair and over to the Nordic runs that connect with Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. 

Its all perfect and there is no one here!!

After two hours of skiing, including a short stop at the comfy lodge at Sovereign Lake for a gourmet cookie, we arrive back at the Village and much has changed!  

It is the year end celebration.  Hundreds of season pass holders have gathered to participate in a Silver Star "flash dance" , and chow down complimentary burgers.  

The shops are full with shoppers taking advantage of 50% off sales on everything related to skiing.

Silver Star Mountain Resort is now closed for two months, opening for summer season in late June.  Its hard to believe all this snow will melt and bikes will be spinning over all the trails on the mountain by then!
Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre has also closed but only until May 9th when it will reopen for 10 final days of Nordic skiing.  Based on current snow conditions, they are expecting their best "summer" season yet!

 We drive down the mountain and check out Kin Beach on Okanagan Lake.  Its now mid afternoon and has warmed up to 20 degrees.  The grass is green, kids are playing at the playground and riding bikes.  

We joined the Vernon Outdoors Club for a ramble up Quail Ridge, behind UBCO on Tuesday and went on our first bike ride yesterday.  The golf courses are full of golfers.  A few keeners are sharing the local beaches with the ducks.

Crocuses, hyacinth, and forsythia are in their full glory. 

Spring is here!

Do It with SSASS  

Many season-pass holders prefer to ski on week days to avoid the longer lift lines and exuberant youth who invade the mountain (not that Silver Star is ever has long lineups or is super busy).  But I head up to Silver Star Mountain Resort early every  Saturday from January until mid March.  It is the day I volunteer as an instructor for SSASS and it is the highlight of my week.

When we relocated to Vernon two and a half years ago I wanted to volunteer in some capacity, to find something that would give a sense of purpose to my otherwise self indulgent life. While hiking with the Vernon  Outdoors Club during our first summer, I  heard about  SSASS from the local  coordinator and her palpable enthusiasm for the program got me interested.
SSASS is the acronym for Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports, a Silver Star based program that makes skiing and snow boarding accessible for everyone, regardless of age or ability.    Instructors with SSASS  are also members of CADS (Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing).  

 I was unsure whether I had the skills and knowledge needed,  however the warm reception I received with my inquiries carried me through the weekend-long level one CADS certification.  There, with a group of a dozen other new recruits, I experienced how it might feel to be blind, one legged or paralyzed and  experience the thrill of skiing.  We learned to use a variety of equipment and techniques to aid skiers with special needs.  

Then at the annual meet-and-greet potluck, where instructors meet their assigned students and families, I met my two students.  One was  a 9 year old who had been a good hockey player before his vision had deteriorated.  Hockey was now unsafe and he wanted to learn to ski.    My other student was a 12 year old boy with an awkward gait due to cerebral palsy.  He had other developmental challenges and was non-verbal. Assessing his challenges through my inexperience I wasn't sure how I could teach him to ski  but it was obvious he was keen to learn.  
With each of these students I was paired with another instructor and from them, over the last three seasons, I've learned a lot about adapting teaching skills to individual students with special needs. But my greatest teachers have been my students.  From them I have learned about motivation, human potential and the power of achievement. 

Both of these students have progressed farther than I could have imagined.  The former hockey player who is now 11, skis black runs and goes through the trees.  And our other student goes down all the green runs on the mountain with a tether or on a pole between his instructors and recently he has started skiing independently. He is much stronger and his gait has improved.  He still doesn't talk but he does laugh, he laughs a lot while he skis.

I now have another student, a  7 year old girl with a smile that lights up a room.  She has mild autism and I am enjoying  helping her learn a new skill.  She is one of several students  we now commonly teach at SSASS, with challenges that are not necessarily  physical. 

SSASS offers these regular ski lessons every season and also assists with students in local school programs.  As well there  is a very active Racing Team that trains during the ski season and participates in races at Silver Star and at other ski hills. 

Josh Dueck racing

Two former SSASS students will be participating in the Paralympic Games in Sochi .  Josh Dueck, a sit skier will be racing and Sonja Gaudet who had skied with SSASS will be on the Canadian curling team.

Another major part of the SSASS program is offering instruction and support for disabled skiers visiting Silver Star Mountain Resort. Recently one family who visited arranged for their special- needs daughter to ski with SSASS,  captured the experience and posted it on the web site:  http://www.specialneedstravelmom.com/silver-star-ski-resort/adaptive-skiing-at-silver-star-mountain-resort-british-columbia   

A visitor to Silver Star being taken for a sit ski ride by SSASS volunteer

SSASS got its start in 1992 when founder, Donna Carter, organized funding and the first 10 instructors were trained.  Her daughter Danielle was one of the first three students in the program.

Each February SSASS holds the Carter Classic, named after the founding family.  This is a ski race with teams that include skiers with special needs. The focus is fun with some teams dressing in costumes but it is a real race with gates and timers. It is a big thrill for the skiers.  This year both my original students participated in the event.

 

 Local businesses generously donate prizes and there are trophies and medals. And the look on the faces of the skiers when they received their medals was as exciting as if they had won Olympic Gold.  What a thrill for them, their families and instructors! 

   For more information about SSASS check out : www.ssass.bc.ca

Staying Warm in the Cold

After two and a half weeks of warm sunny winter weather on the mountain, the clouds vanished from the Okanagan Valley below and were replaced by the cold of an "Arctic front".  The groomers continued to churn up the top layer of snow and then rake it into  pathways similar to a chenille bedspread rippling down the ski runs  and the Nordic trails at the Star and Sovereign Lake.  Surprisingly, the back trails still looked pristine, frozen into an untouched motionless winter landscape.  For a week the mercury dropped, as low as -20 degrees.  And the locals stayed home!

Those of us from the rest of Canada (east of the Rockies), who are more seasoned to "real winter", were not intimidated by the thermometer.  However we did put our downhill skis aside in favor of our Nordic (cross-country) gear.  And, true to what has become my mantra, we never had a bad day!
 Admittedly, we did prepare for the cold, adding an extra layer clothing (we have learned the great advantage of our inner layer being of a synthetic wicking material!), replaced our gloves with mitts, and I also put some toe warmers into my boots and hand warmers into my mitts.  These self heating packets, purchased at our local "Surplus Herbies" for $.99, are very effective.  They are advertised to be non toxic, non pollutive and non flammable Made with iron dust, activated charcoal powder, cellulite and something called zeolife, who knows the truth of those claims.   But they sure fit the bill for occasional cold weather! 

The snow had the sound and feel of corn starch and the air was definitely nippy. However only about 15 minutes into our gentle ascent up Paradise Trail I had to shed my extra layer and my hand warmers.  The -17 air was no longer an issue, I was toasty warm.  






Nordic skiing is an amazing low-impact workout, the ultimate calorie burner and an effective antidepressant.  You use all the major muscle groups of your upper and lower body to propel yourself forward, and other muscles for balance and coordination without over stressing any single muscle group so you can sustain the activity for hours without soreness or joint strain.  You strengthen your heart and increase your lung capacity, lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol while increasing your endorphin level.  This minimizes the sensations of pain and fatigue, while creating a feeling of well-being, in my case demonstrated by a smile I can not wipe off my face.  Meanwhile you burn a lot of calories.  One study quoting facts from Harvard Medical School, reported that Nordic skiing uses about 600 calories an hour, compared to downhill skiing at about 450 calories per hour.  However, I don't think many of us vigorously downhill ski for more than about 20 minutes at a time before we get back on the chair for another ride up the mountain.  We are not serious athletes but we are usually out from 2 to 3 hours on our Nordic skis. No wonder we stay warm!

The cafes on the mountain were filled with cold skiers, their hands cupped around steaming coffees and hot chocolates.  They were on vacation from Eastern Canada, the States, Australia and Europe or winter residents of the mountain.  The atmosphere was friendly, almost festive, among us hearty souls.
Emily and Carlos, from Washington State, told me they had discovered Silver Star in the summer.  "We have been up here more in the summer than the winter" Emily told me, "our kids grew up here and this is where we have real friends"  In 1997 they tried a winter trip and their kids discovered the thrill of downhill skiing.  Enrolled in lessons, their 5 year old son was separated from his older sister and was about to become distressed when a wise ski instructor, Darren Richmond, intervened, allowing him to join his sister's older group providing he behaved well.   That evening their kids were sharing enthusiastic greetings with instructors and "lifties" (aka lift operators) they had met.  "I don't know another place like Silver Star" continues Emily, "the trails, the snow, but its the people who are the spirit" .

The cold made me look inside, inside the shops in the village, some that I had never previously visited.  I was charmed by the uniqueness, and colour I discovered.  First stop was "Village Ski Shop", full of the latest and best in all things Nordic: skis and boots, clothing and accessories.  

The long time owner Brian James and his staff are knowledgeable and helpful for both first time skiers and experts.  

Farther along the Vance Creek boardwalk  is "Coldstream Dry Goods".   I am not much of a clothes rack but I have bought clothing here that I love. 

 

But most of the time I just drop in and browse at the unique clothing, jewelry and scarves that pulse with colour and style.  There are decorations, gifts, funky underwear and more!


Ski Dazzle, the largest store in the village is full of the latest in ski equipment and ski fashion and has the expertise to match the quality.  

Season pass holders enjoy a 10% discount.  And at present there is a 25 to 40% sale on all Silver Star logo clothing and gear.  

Next door is a wee shop to delight all kids and other candy lovers: "The Goody Box", bursting with candy and treats, with Silver Star souvenirs and other gifts.  

The newest shop on the hill is "Mountain High Quilts and Crafts/A Twist of Yarn" on the Aberdeen Hotel boardwalk.  This store started  with the owner, Ronnie, placing some  quilts along the railing of the boardwalk for a colourful backdrop to the "Silver Star Mile High Wine Tasting" event in August where guests sipped Okanagan wines, nibbled on tasty treats from food vendors while they listened to smooth jazz.  The quilts were a hit and her store opened December 1st.  

Her shop is a feast of design and colour.  She sells finished quilts from local artisans, quilt kits, yardage and precut fabric.  "A customer told me there is no store like this, not even at Whistler", smiles Ronnie.

 Her shop mates are Camella and Ryan who own an extensive yarn shop in Vernon. A large rack of locally hand- dyed and spun yarns  sits in the centre of the shop with a rack of My Mountain Silver Star logo yarns filling the back wall.  There are hand knit and crocheted sweaters, hats, scarves and knitting supplies. For those needing instruction, free lessons have been scheduled.

The weather has warmed this week and it is again all about getting out there and attacking the hill, but the cold was a welcomed break to discover more that Silver Star Mountain has to offer!

Spring Skiing in January

aka

The Big Inversion

"We could be at Whistler" my friend says, "skiing over rocks and slush.  The temperature there is 9 degrees today" she laughs as we stand on top of Silver Star Mountain dressed in our ski garb, our goggles on our faces to protect us from the bright sun.  We gaze across a landscape of snow and patches of tall skinny fir and spruce over to the eastern horizon, defined by the jagged line of the mighty Monashees.  The record for the heaviest snowfall in Canada is held by the Monashees: 24.47 metres (over 80 feet) fell on Mount Copeland in the winter of 1971-72. Below is a billowing white mass of cloud.  

The valleys below are encased in low cloud that has been entrenched there for over two weeks. Contrary to what a casual tourist may know about this corner of the world, the sunny Okanagan is a bit of a misnomer.  At this time of the year, statistically, in the valley, only about half the days will see any sun and this year I'm guessing there will be even less.  Interestingly, according to a web site, 'Current Results,Research, News and Facts,' Calgary is the sunniest city in Canada!

The first days of this most recent inversion, the phenomena when the valley is stuffed with low cloud and the mountain peaks bask in sunshine, the cloud crept down to the ground and even with the sophisticated aeronautical equipment at the Kelowna Airport, the 12th  busiest in Canada, flights in and out were postponed. Fortunately that was short lived as many locals flee to warm and sunny destinations.  There are daily flights to LA, and 11 other direct flights each week to various locations in the Southwestern States and Mexico.  Many of the snow birds leave their homes in the care of dozens of keen skiers who move into town and up to the mountain for ski season.  Many come from Ontario.  Others do home exchanges for the season, often exchanging with Australians.

Those of us who spend our days on the mountain get our share of vitamin D.  We've had two weeks of brilliant sun almost every day with hardly a flake of snow.  The dedicated grooming team have kept the runs in good shape.  No doubt the snow pack is shrinking but the runs are corduroy, safe and fast!

It's still winter up here but just barely.  Skiers on the lower slopes are in t-shirts, many pausing to watch boarders and skiers try out their flips and twists landing in the huge Katal airbag in the 'zone', an expanded beginner area.  
But the best show on the hill is  'valley gazing'.  Most skiers linger at the top before every run staring at this massive layer of cloud that some days boils up to the bottom of the resort and looks like a huge white sea.  One can imagine Lake Penticton, the result of the melting ice-age glaciers some 15,000 years ago, that extended along the whole valley for over 170 kms to  Shuswap Lake filling the valley to a level over 150 metres higher than today.

For many of us, when the sun slips behind the mountain we descend back down through the grayness. But there are options. 

 Last Friday night we joined friends for dinner at the Wild Horseman's Cabin.  The evening started with a 20 minute sleigh ride though the village and down a trail into the forest. 

Even though it was a warm winter night, the air had a wintry freshness, mixed with the smell of horses and the jingle of sleigh bells. 

 We tumbled out of the sleighs into the warmth of the cabin, its wood burning stove crackling and the light of gas lanterns dancing on the walls.  We enjoyed a great meal clustered along a wooden table then loaded ourselves back into the sleighs for the ride back to the village.  It was the quintessential Canadian winter experience!

The Choice is Yours

Here in  the Okanagan Valley there are three major ski resorts and several smaller ones.  Our winters are mild but the higher mountains catch several metres of dry powder starting in November and lasting until May (but the ski hills close in April because the skiers are golfing, biking, hiking or boating). This means we have a lot of good choices for skiing within a couple hours of our home.

Near Penticton, in the south of the valley, and a little over an hour from the Kelowna Airport, is Apex Mountain.  It has 4 lifts, 67 runs with some wicked mogels.  About an hour east of Kelowna is Big White Ski Resort with 16 lifts, a lot of on-the-hill accommodation and activities and 25 km of Nordic ski trails.

The most  northerly of the three main Okanagan ski resorts is Silver Star Mountain Resort, an hour from the Kelowna Airport and only 30 minutes from our door in Vernon. Silver Star has 12 lifts with a good mix of novice to double black runs and well groomed to powder/ tree skiing conditions. 

There are 105 kms of Nordic trails between the connected trails of Silver Star and Sovereign Lakes Nordic Ski Centre.







In addition, within a two and a half hour drive from our home, are two more outstanding ski resorts, Sun Peaks just north of Kamloops and Revelstoke Mountain known for its long runs and deep powder.  

To be honest, since moving here, we have not made it past Silver Star.  We love being able to sneak up to the mountain for a few hours  in the morning and then be home for other commitments later in the day.

Although we ski several days a week we never seem bored.  We cross country ski some days, downhill on others.

 Occasionally we get out our snow shoes and disappear into the thick forest feeling like winter adventurers, but always able to find our way back to the village as the trails are well marked.

So far we have not laced up our skates to glide around Brewer's pond, big enough to accommodate  some shinny hockey and plenty of recreational skaters.  We may even try out the tube park later in the season.

Silver Star Mountain made a decision at the beginning of last season that has encouraged pass holders, including us, and visitors to try out all the activities.  It was a simple but brilliant move. 
 Without increasing the cost of a season, multi-day or daily downhill pass, patrons can use all the facilities at no extra cost.  So if you get up to the mountain and, for some reason, decide not the downhill ski or, after a few hours you have had enough, you can simply change your equipment and go Nordic skiing, snow shoeing, skating or tubing. 
With the new passes, the hill is busier but we have yet waited in a lift line for more than about 10 minutes (that was over the Christmas break) and  we rarely  see more than a handful of other skiers on the Nordic trails.  There is a new vibrancy to the hill and we've heard early season numbers were up 20 percent this year.

Big White  offered a similar comprehensive season pass this season (but not a similar day pass). Although the price for a season pass is comparable on both mountains, Silver Star has a larger more developed Nordic and snowshoe trail system and a great working relationship and reciprocal use agreement with their  neighbour, Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, one of the best Nordic centres on the globe.  So there seems more to take advantage of.
With this new way to experience Silver Star, combined with the ambiance of the colourful Victorian themed village with its 16 restaurants and 5600 pillows, the resort has a bright future.

And we still have lots to  discover up at Silver Star/Sovereign Lake but when we at ready to venture further, our choices of other ski destinations are both close to home and well worth visiting.

Best Day Ever!

How many times can you say these words and sound genuine?  Likely not often.  But the three of us; me, my husband and good friend who ski together regularly do say them often.

Last weekend we went Nordic skiing up at the Star.  Although we use the same skis, Nordic skiing here is similar but not the same as what we used to call cross country skiing.  I was never very enthusiastic about  cross country skiing in Alberta.  My memories are of hard drifted snow or ice or scant snow and cold.  Yes there were some good days with good snow and decent winter temperatures but that was the exception, not the rule.  We would shuffle over mostly flat terrain, sometimes well groomed but often rutted.

This is our third ski season and I can count on two fingers the days that were less than pleasant, one day was extremely foggy and another day was quite icy.  Many times we have left the snow-less valley , often driving up through clouds to discover blue skies and fresh snow.  Last Friday was one of those days.

The spruce and larch were coated in white; the trails were empty.

Although Silver Star and Sovereign Lake both groom regularly and meticulously, snow had fallen on the TJ's Corkscrew since the last grooming.  We made fresh tracks and glided down the hills feeling like we were floating.

 It was the Best Day Ever!