There has been a fatal helicopter crash in Golden BC. The news is reporting this afternoon that the helicopter pilot from Purcell Helicopter Skiing, near Golden has died. Two other employees were injured and airlifted to hospital in Calgary and amazingly the 6 German tourists on board walked away from the fatal crash. The news report can be found at:

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/080208/n020843A.html

The Canadian Avalanche Association offers a free online course on their website. The course is called "The Avalanche First Response Training Program". The course focus (per the website)

"In Canada, we enjoy the world's finest opportunities for winter outdoor recreation. Each year, more and more skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers, and snowmobilers venture into the backcountry with their friends to enjoy what nature has to offer. Unfortunately, each winter, some of these people die in avalanches - either because they don't know how to rescue themselves or because their companions are unable to rescue them.
This course will help you learn avalanche first response skills - what you and your companions should do during and immediately after an avalanche. While this course will introduce you to other aspects of avalanche safety, such as route-finding, snow stability, and trip preparation, it is not intended to replace a face-to-face avalanche safety course. We urge you to complement this basic course with avalanche field training..... "

The link is http://access.jibc.bc.ca/avalancheFirstResponse/index.htm

I've bookmarked it and plan to do it sometime soon. If anyone else decides to check it out I'd love to hear what others think.

RipTV covered the MGT 2 Buck Chuck contest that occured on Jan 6 at Grouse Mountain. Looks like the weather was freaky but it doesn't seem to have affected the girls that competed.

You can check out more of the coverage at http://www.mgtsnowboardcamp.com/

A father and son that went snowboarding out of bounds at Grouse Mountain, and had to be rescued on Dec 29th, have been billed for their rescue costs.

Chris Dagenais, spokesman for Grouse Mountain, is quoted by the Canadian Press as saying,"every year people continue to get stuck after going out of bounds and sending them a bill will add a further deterrent. "

Dagenais says people should be respecting the boundaries for their own safety, but now hopefully the financial penalty will help discourage people from putting other lives at risk.

The news article can be found at:

http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/NationalNewsArticle.htm?src=n010543A.xml

Panorama Resorts is offering a January Special but you have to book by midnight Jan 4th, 2008. For $122 per person per night you get a package that includes 2 nights stay in a slope-side silver level one-bedroom condo, lift passes, use of the hot pools and a sleighride and chili dinner. The special is good for arrivals on Sun, Mon or Tues.

For more info check out the link.

http://www.panoramaresort.com/accommodation/deals_packages/WinterPackages/web+saver.htm?crmcontact=4595924&crmevar=ROG_PN_NWS_01_E1_080103_

I've just heard from Robin Van Gyn,event and marketing manager for MGTsnowboarding camp, that the camp that was originally scheduled for Lake Louise (March 29th and 30th) has been moved to Norquay overlooking the town of Banff. One thing about the camp being at Norquay is there are lots of accomodation choices in Banff and a great party scene for afterhours.

This info isn't up on their webpage just yet but keep checking for registration info.

More RCR news...

This year RCR is introducing a "Park Access Pass". Park users wanting to enter the "rail parks" will have to purchase a Park Access pass for $5 on top of their lift ticket. The entrance to the park will be manned by RCR staff and the tickets will be scanned for entrance into the park. Before being able to purchase the pass, users will have to sign a park waiver. The $5 pass will get you a complementary $5 gift certificate for the coffee shop. WOW.

http://www.skilouise.com/the-mountain/rcr-park-pass.aspx

Soooo, back in November RCR announced they were going to be getting rid of the big air jumps and sinking money into new, rails.......it would seem that those of us wanting to use the parks will be paying for those rails if we go to RCR resorts. And I guess that's the key.....if anyone goes to RCR resorts.

It would appear that MGT camp's online registration is up and running today.

Campers can register online at http://www.mgtsnowboardcamp.com/registration/index.php

I did notice that there is no new info about the MGT camp that was to be held at Lake Louise, but is being changed after RCR's announcement about no jumps this year. Interested campers might want to contact MGT for additional info or keep checking the site for announcements. When I see something I'll be sure to pass along any dates or changes that come up.

Sunshine opened today with  8 out of 12 lifts running and 55 out of 107 runs open.

You can check out their webcam to see what we're all missing sitting at home behind our computers!

http://www.skibanff.com/conditions/webcams.php

The Burton Open is set to have it's first Canadian event in about 3 weeks time (Dec 3-9) at Canadian Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta. The problem is Mother Nature isn't co-operating.

On C.O.P's website (http://www.canadaolympicpark.ca/winter.asp) it states, "Due to unseasonably warm weather conditions that have prevented CODA’s operations crew at Canada Olympic Park from making snow, the opening of winter operations for the 2007-08 season will be delayed until further notice."

Last year the half pipe at C.O.P was mass-hooof! Hopefully the snowmaking crews will get a break with the weather so they can work their magic before this inaugural event.

RCR(Resorts of the Canadian Rockies) announced yesterday that there will be no man made jumps built in any of their terrain parks this year.  This includes Fernie, Nakiska and......Lake Louise! 

According to the RCR press release, 

"RCR cares deeply about the well-being of all of its guests and takes responsibility for their care very seriously. “We are undertaking an industry-leading initiative,” says Matt Mosteller, Senior Director of Business Development for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. “All man-made snow jumps will be eliminated from RCR terrain parks this season.”

“We have found that one of the main issues that increase the likelihood of serious injury on our mountains is big air,” says Mosteller. “When we are making decisions about safety at our resorts, the big jumps in the terrain parks always come into the equation. We decided to make a change.”

RCR plans to invest in "new, state-of-the-art rail features that will cater to a wide variety of ages and abilities"

To read the release check out http://www.skircr.com/mediaCentre/pr_detail.asp?id=479

On the MGT web page this morning an update states that this decision to eliminate the jumps will affect the MGT camp and alternate arrangements are being made for the Lake Louise Camp!  Stay tuned. 

Grouse Mountain in BC is giving you the chance to build your own terrain park. The premise is this -  tell them what you want and they'll build it!

Visit www.byop.ca to find out how to build your own terrain park.

You can vote on features and watch the progress on www.youtube.com/buildyourownpark

From October 12th to Oct 31st Spy Optic is raising money for Boarding for Breast Cancer. Spy will donate $5 from online sales of their "pink" line and a portion of the transaction fee will also be donated to b4BC. While you're shopping check out their feature article about past fundraising. Spy raised and donated over $25,000 US from their 05-06 b4BC goggle sales!

http://www.spyoptic.com

Happy shopping!

Believe (Olympic Inspired Version) is a one-of-a-kind music video and audio track that will raise funds for Canada's winter athletes and chronicle their extraordinary journey on the road to 2010. It's sung by artist Suzy McNeil with backup by Canada's National Arts Center Orchestra. The video also features Canadian Olympians Clara Hughes, Joannie Rochette, and Steve Omishel. It's downloadable and viewable from the following link.

http://entertainment1.sympatico.msn.ca/Music/Believe/index

Today at Sunshine the webcam scenes look very wintery.

Check it out. Winter is truely around the corner.

http://www.skibanff.com/conditions/webcams.php

The Burton World Tour hits Calgary on October 5. Riders Victoria Jealouse, Spencer O’Brien, DCP, Mikey Rencz, Kevin Pearce and Mason Aguirre will be in town to promote the premiere of Thanks in Advance.

Video Premiere/Autograph Session
9pm-11pm @ The Uptown Stage & Screen (All Ages)
612 8th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB

After Party
11pm-2am @ Marquee Room (19+)
612 8th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB

After last year's issue many of us have been wondering if there will be another Women's Annual this year.  The answer is "Yes".  Snowboard Canada's webpage indicates the Women's Annual will be out in November.   

Canadian Thanksgiving week is October 5-8 and so is the Annual Turkey Sale at Whistler. This is billed as Canada's Largest Ski and Board sale. The ad promises it is a great way to pick up bargins with savings of up to 70% off.

For more info check out http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/turkey_sale.htm

If you're planning on a season somewhere or even spending 10+ days on the snow at certain resorts, season passes can be a great way to save money. If you buy early enough there can be even more savings.

Sunshine is offering season pass rates of $729 until September 30 then rates go up to $859. At a day ticket price of $73.96 this year, only 10 days on the snow and you can break even!

Fernie has season passes until October 13 for $899. Day tickets will be $72 this year.

Lake Louise also has discounted rates until October 13 - $829 for a seasons pass and $72 for a day ticket.

Whistler is offering season passes for $1399 until October 8. After that prices rise to $1739. Day tickets range in price depending on the date but if you purchase them online three days ahead you can save 20% of the price.

Season pass holders often get discounts on things such as food, accomodations, rentals, lessons and perks such as early morning riding before the general public is allowed on the hill.

Everywhere else in the world people may not have noticed but the hot topic of discussion here in Canada the last few weeks has been money.  The Canadian dollar is at a 30 year high right now.  Today the Canadian dollar was on par with the
US dollar.  Forcasters here in Canada are even predicting that the Canadian dollar could be worth $1.05 USD by Christmas.  So what does that mean for snowboarders?

  Your money might not go as far as it did a few years ago.  It might be worth checking your budget if you are coming on vacation or for a season.  For Canadian riders it means that cheaper gear in the US becomes even more affordable.

You can also use currency converting sites like www.xe.com to help you out.