richard's blog

We have been waiting for the snow to pile up on Red for what seems like an eternity this year. The patches of rock and alder on the face of Red are disappearing and it looks like all the anxiety and praying has finally paid off. The last week or two have been good to us, especially the last 2 days we have received 50cm of snow, taking the alpine base to 98cm. Certainly not a record start to the season, but enough to get the lifts running and some of the runs open.

With all the ups and downs in our current global market conditions it’s hard to believe that things like oil prices could swing from $150 a barrel with no end in sight only to see + or – $40 a barrel just 6 months later. I was paying just over $100 to fill my truck a few months ago and last week the same fill up at the same station was less than $35. I even found Christmas shopping seemed to be so much less expensive this year.

Well we just wrapped up another very successful “International Battle at the Border” golf Tournament. The tournament was held here in Rossland. The reason I stressed “very successful” is because after 3 years of the annual tourneys the Canadian contingent has finally bought the trophy home. Check out some of the pictures.

Have you ever heard of Geo Thermal Heating/Air Conditioning for your house?

Well as I mentioned in my last blog I am building a house and along with it comes all those many decisions. So when it came to heating/air conditioning it was no different. Everything from the standard forced air systems to air exchange to hot water in floor which pumps on your hot water tank to circulate and so on and on.

The past couple of weeks I have been pretty busy starting construction on a new family home. With all the organizing of materials, contractors etc its really gobbled up the spare time that I usually spend doing things like skiing, snowshoeing and skate skiing. So this morning I got up and grabbed my snow shoe gear and headed for one of my favorite tracks for a little cardio sweat. The spot is called Deer Park Mountain and its about 3 minutes drive from downtown Rossland to the base.

Kootenay Quints is a celebration of the climate and geography enjoyed in the southern interior Kootenay region in British Columbia. In early spring (usually late March) each year, sporting enthusiasts relish the change of seasons, by squeezing as many cross seasonal activities into one day. This year we are planning to do it again on March 29th.

The events are; skiing at Red Mountain, driving the mountain roads by motorcycle or convertible car, playing a round of golf at Birchbank, fishing in the Columbia River, Barbequing the fish for dinner.