THE LIFTLINE CMCA NEWSLETTER Issue Q4 2018

THE LIFTLINE CMCA Newsletter

REBECCA NEELS 2018/2019 EVENTS

Every single year on the last day of the WondersIssue of Winter Date Dec 7 season, I am an emotional wreck. It’s always Kickoff Party so bittersweet. I didn’t think this was Opening Day (weather UNTETHERED possible, but each year, my love and passion Dec 14 for the program, its mission and those who permitting) are involved continues to grow. Even with all Full Moon Snowshoe & AT HEART Dec 21 the health challenges I have dealt with Fine Dining Experience recently, the thought of being able to get by Rebecca Neels Ski with Santa (11 am – back in my bucket soon and ski my freaking Dec 25 4 pm) CADS Vice-President heart out feels incredible. Upon reflection, there was something different about it this Powder Stagecoach Cat As I sit down to write this, my mind goes Dec 27 year. I felt freer, more euphoric and more Skiing begins back to where I am the happiest. My happy appreciative. In the past, I was so consumed place is sitting at the top of a Huckleberry CMCA Community with becoming the best possible skier and Dec 27 and anticipating the feeling of euphoria that achieving my ultimate goal of skiing Potluck Night 5:45pm floods through my insides like a giant tidal untethered. Even though my goal of skiing Night Skiing on Green Dec 29 – 31 wave as I soar down the mountain. I crave the untethered didn’t happen this season, I am Chair moment when my soul’s beast is unleashed not upset or frustrated with myself. It doesn’t from a body that doesn’t match. I am a sit mean that I am going to stop striving to New Year’s Eve Parties Dec 31 skier. make this goal a reality. However, because of Canadian National Jan 4 – 6 this, I have learned something really SkiMo Championships For the past eight or so years now, I have important. I have learned that even though been involved with an amazing program at there are some days where the pain is Alpenland Demo Day Jan 5 Resort called, Canadian unbearable; days where Cerebral Palsy Full Moon Snowshoe & Adaptive Snow Sports or CADS; a volunteer- Jan 18 makes me feel like a prisoner- a prisoner Fine Dining Experience based initiative that gifts people who live locked inside of a body with no key, I am with different abilities the opportunity to untethered in my heart and soul. Untethered World Snow Day Jan 20 learn how to ski or , regardless of and free to hope, free to dream and free to CMCA Community their abilities. Being a participant has also fly. Whatever life holds, I am ready to do it to Jan 26 Potluck Night 5:45pm given me the opportunity to become a CADS the best of my ability. Alberta board member and take on a Vice U14 Slalom Races Feb 8 – 10 President role, which has allowed me to There are not enough words to express the further express my passion for the program Night Skiing on Green gratitude I have for the CADS program. It has Feb 15 – 17 from a participant perspective and advocate changed my life. I am especially grateful for Chair for the organization and its mission. all the inspiring participants who motivate Full Moon Snowshoe & Feb 22 me to keep going, and the amazing Fine Dining Experience THE LIFTLINE CMCA NEWSLETTER | Issue Q4 2018 2

volunteers who dedicate their time to I must admit that it gave me pleasure when crossing trails, no lift lines & the powder days ensuring that me and countless other the Province of Alberta came to us three- and were unmatched by anything he’d individuals get to experience this one-half years ago and said, “your experienced. During his two seasons as a lift indescribable feeling. The feeling of being community is special and we want it to be at operator, he was eager to get on with unrestricted. the heart of two new parks.” I knew that Mountain Safety, so he sharpened up his being at the heart of the Castle Parks meant skiing skills and was hired by Timber (Tom Interested in getting involved, contact Darryl solutions to the major problems that have Ross) as part of ProPatrol. For years, Nick at [email protected] threatened our community from the start. was our only telemarking ProPatroller but But I also knew this meant more visitors, alpine bindings eventually won him over. more attention, more influences and new Thirteen seasons later, Nick now knows the Castle Mountain Community problems. terrain at Castle intimately and every work Association day his commitment is to open to the public I see the Community Association as a President’s Message in a quick & safe manner. The public may mechanism for helping to manage these occasionally chirp that the hill doesn’t open by Kevin Finn forces, so Castle remains our happy place. early enough We will provide the forum for you to share on snow days, your vision and concerns for the community but Nick, Winter is coming fast, and the Community and we will represent your interests to CMR, Dave and Association is preparing for another busy the MD of plus Parks, Tourism, their staff’s season. Last weekend we had our Municipal Affairs, Education and other first concern organizational meeting and I was elected departments of the Province of Alberta. is making President. Tara Garratt was elected Vice sure you can President, Judy Clark stepped up to be Looking ahead, I expect the MD to finalize a board & ski Treasurer and Monica Stewart is continuing new Area Structure Plan in the coming freely and as Secretary. And after eons of leadership, months, following consultation with the safely Fraser Stewart is moving on to the role of community. With this behind us, CMCA between the Past President and wise councilor. Other together with CMR can begin the process of ski members of the executive are Glen building a comprehensive plan for our boundaries Armstrong, Pearl Murphy, Julie Heinrich and community, reflecting the vision and reality based on the Ray Bussey. of the updated master development plan and avalanche & ski industries standards. If an our partnerships with Parks and Tourism. I accident ever happens, they take One of our goals is to expand participation in am really excited about this and look forward responsibility & must answer to CMR, the the Association. So, at the AGM we created a to a plan that preserves Castle as a happy public as well as the CAA (Canadian “Member-at-Large” role. As a member-at- place for me and my family, and my friends Avalanche Association). large you have no official role. But you will be and neighbours -- old and new. invited to executive and committee Nick is one of the many Skiing Professionals meetings, your input will be solicited and Contact me at [email protected] or we have on this mountain: We have 15 full- valued and occasionally you may be asked to castlemountaincommunity.org for more time returning staff this season with 4 new help on a totally voluntary basis – no information about CMCA. staff joining them. They invest in upgrading expectations or requirements. So, if you are courses & equipment & professional dues to interested in keeping current on what’s keep abreast of all new avalanche research & happening at CMCA, let me or any of the ON PATROL AT CASTLE development. Every day begins at 7a.m. executive know and we will gratefully add MOUNTAIN with a Forecast team to determine the you to the list. weather and the hazards that have arisen or by Caralee Marriott may arise on the snowpack on the mountain. Those of you who know me know that Castle The team then breaks into teams of two to Mountain is my “happy place” and has been ski out and remove those hazards. The for 20 years this year. To me, Castle is a excitement of the day may be setting off the unique place in this world providing ready Nick is one of CMR’s Mountain Safety Managers, a job he shares with Dave explosions to release the snow pack, but it access to one of the most spectacular Stimson. This means he works to ensure that also involves ski cutting, digging out fences, wildernesses in this country and the kinship liberating buried tower pads, flagging danger of a like-minded community of devoted the mountain is ready for the public to ski each day that we are open. He also oversees areas as well as attending to injured skiers. adventurers. the work involved in opening and closing the This year Castle has added a 2-person Trail Crew, to help with fencing, signage and other The Community Association has contributed hill. duties. Thankfully, Canadian Ski Patrol (CSP) greatly to Castle’s special identity and spirit Volunteers deal with many of the First Aid through projects and events like potlucks, Nick has spent the past 13 years as an integral part of our community. He landed incidents particularly on weekends. Huckfest, night skiing, torchlight parade, hiking, cross country and snowshoe trail here from his hometown of Montreal and started as a Liftie with a snowboard. Castle One of the biggest challenges of the development, signage and maintenance, mountain is the Peak above the Red Chair. It community cleanup and beautification, Mountain came with a great recommendation from his cousin, Brian is one of the largest and most important start street signage, house numbers and, of Cusack who was the GM at the time. The ski zones for avalanches. The Red Chair can’t be course, the playground. hill exceeded his expectations: ski runs with opened without dealing with it. In 2006, the consistent pitch that were unbroken by top hut was knocked off its foundation from THE LIFTLINE CMCA NEWSLETTER | Issue Q4 2018 3

an avalanche before the hill opened. Look were nominated by the public and then wee hours. It was an exceptionally well-done around up there and you can see the signs of voted on by following a list of criteria. evening, delicious food, Master of avalanche & the control work: bent posts Ceremonies by Sam Schofield, Music by the below the hut; the large diverter as you get There were 10 different awards, 3 of which Chevelles. I highly recommend this evening off the chair to redirect the snow around the have very close ties to Castle. to our community next year! lift, the large & small rocks & snow “cookies”. Recently, grooming improvements have First off there was the Large Business of the Many Congratulations to our successful included a road cut above the lift to break up Year Award. The award is given to a large winners and the many nominees! the start zone. business (10 or more employees) that shows outstanding community spirit and support Within our ski boundaries, the has and exhibits excellent customer service. Out over 150 avalanche start zones that may or of a very strong group of businesses Castle DAN DESABRAIS FROM may not be dangerous but this needs to be Mountain Resort was the winner. Dave CASTLE - CHAMPION OF assessed daily by Mountain Safety. McCleary, Wendy Ryan and Marie Cameron accepted on behalf of us all! WILDR ROUGH RUNNER Nick’s commitment to Mountain Safety is unwavering. He’s a serious guy about his by Alecia Williams role at Castle Mountain and sometimes we’d like him to lighten up. He won’t. He is The WILDR Rough Runner came to Castle quick to clip off passes for those who go this summer, welcoming over 200 runners to into closures, he won’t open the mountain CMR. Local volunteers and runners were a before its ready regardless of who is asking huge part of the events success. Runners him to & he’ll elbow up to do hard cold work partook in a sprint up Whiskey Jack, on alongside Dave & their Mountain Safety Friday night, a 9km trail run, and a 6km team. obstacle course race. We are excited to say we are coming back to Castle next summer, April through to August, Nick works as on June 7-8th. Events 1 and 2 are the same, wildland firefighter out of Nordegg, but event three will be shorter, easier to see Alberta. He’s part of a Heli-attack crew from the Base area, and will have a bigger that are the first responders for forest fires. Wendy Ryan was nominated for the focus on Obstacles. This year’s champions Riding helicopters, brushing & chainsawing "Environmental Stewardship Award". This from the event included Castle's own Dan trees & hauling water hoses are what the job award is given to a business organization or Desabrais, and Christine Misseghers from the is about. In the shoulder seasons, he often person who exemplifies significant . works the Trail crew at Castle to clear up innovation and attention to a wide range of annual hazards of fallen trees & brush on the environmental stewardship. Areas of runs & trails. When he steps into the role of significance may include land, water, wildlife, one of the Mountain Safety Managers in air and environment. No surprise, Wendy November, he’s aware of what’s been done won! on the slopes in the off-season. The Fridge Creative Solutions was Crowsnest Pass is now home to Nick where nominated for the New Business of the Year he purchased a house with his fiancé Award. This is owned and run by our locals, Jacinthe. This area gives him the opportunity Ward Armstrong and Katherine Seleski. This to work & play in the mountains. As well, is awarded to a business who opened their Nick is an avid canoeist & kayaker having doors between November 2017 through to spent years guiding river trips in Ontario & October 2018. This business or organization Quebec. He still loves to ski tour and sled and shows outstanding community spirit and has I guarantee that he makes safety a priority become a positive addition to the business when he’s out there. community in Pincher Creek.

CASTLE AWARDED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, BUSY DAYS AT CASTLE CASTLE LOCALS BRING MOUNTAIN RESORT

HOME 2 MORE AWARDS by Cheryl DeLeeuw by Judy Clark

We never again have to say, “When the road to our resort is finally paved…”. On Friday October 19 the Pincher Creek Chambers of Commerce held their 23rd The evening included cocktail hour, the Beautiful smooth blacktop now takes Annual Awards of Excellence. These awards awards ceremony, dinner and dancing till the community members and the public safely to THE LIFTLINE CMCA NEWSLETTER | Issue Q4 2018 4

our front door. Humans as well as the flora committees, most including CMR managers and fauna will be forever grateful! and community members to tackle some of the larger projects. The Development CMCA’S LITTLE FREE As well as the road construction the natural Committee continues to work on power LIBRARY gas pipeline is underway and by next fall the generation options and managing the Master community will be receiving information Development Plan initiatives. There is also an about the next steps to convert our homes Area Structure Plan (ASP) group who is Many thanks to woodworker Glen Downey from propane to natural gas. Construction working with the MD of Pincher Creek to and artist Pamela Downey for donating their on the regional water supply pipeline is rewrite our Area Structure Plan, which will beautiful little free library box that has now partially complete and the line past Beaver hopefully enable us to continue moving been installed on the front deck of the ski Mines is planned for the 2019 construction forward with respect to growth, obtaining a shop. season. four–season License of Occupation (DLO) and lot ownership options. The Community To date, 76 of the 120 lot owners have taken Relations Committee keeps up advantage of the Lot lease extension option. communication and organizes events and The final deadline to purchase this option, projects between CMR and CMCA. Finance which guarantees another 20 years being and Management committees keep an eye added to the lease for lots at a favorable on these areas of the Corporation. The cost, is December 31st, 2018. Environment and Safety Committee keeps track of all environmental and safety Around our resort, CMR’s maintenance concerns and regulations and works with personnel as well as contractors have been representatives of the Corporation to ensure busy constructing our snowmaking water the Health and Safety of employees and storage pond below the round-up traverse, visitors to CMR. Members of the Board and brushing our slopes, upgrading the bathroom Community continue to meet with in the T-bar, and of course, completing Government of Alberta representatives from annual lift maintenance. We are happy to Environment and Parks, Culture and Tourism welcome Dana Hospitality into our and Transportation who are providing community and look forward to some direction as we position ourselves to be the exciting and delicious new food items as well commercial hub of the Castle Parks. as greater efficiency in our food and beverage operations. could not be what it is today without the constant support and A huge thank you to all of CMR’s Please stop by when you are next in our base help from our Community. Our partnership is shareholders that showed up at the Sept area to donate any of your favorite reads and what makes us unique and we never take it 29th AGM. Thanks also to those of you who borrow your next page turner. for granted. couldn’t attend but sent in your proxy so that your vote was recorded. Two incredible Sincerely, the CMR Board of Directors directors stepped off the Board and their JUST ANOTHER DAY AT contributions are very much appreciated! For any enquiries please contact Dennis Miller’s many years (12? 14?) of [email protected] SCHOOL service, passion and in-depth knowledge of all things “Castle” has been invaluable. Gayle by Jason Clifton Weeks slid easily into her daughter’s shoes PERKS FROM PAVING two years ago to take the reins as our accounting expert on the Board and The Livingstone Ski Academy (LSA) is in its wonderfully lead our Finance committee. Aside from the smooth ride to the Mountain, third year of operations. Over the past two Kevin Wright’s non-reelection departure the highway came with some extra perks to school years LSA has been changing how from the Board was a great loss and surprise our Resort thanks to a great relationship students at Livingstone School experience to the Board and management. Without his developed between AECON & CMR. We their education while redefining what it tireless work over the last 6 years on many teamed with AECON to extend the end of means to be a ski academy. This year, we different projects we wouldn’t be where we 774 to reach the Castle Mtn Lodge. A new opened enrollment to grade four students are today. Kevin was instrumental in regard approach to the North Parking Lot was built making us a grade four to twelve program to working with Management to ensure the and more gravel was spread and packed at that has expanded from twenty-five to sixty- completion of the Master Development Plan the north entrance as well as the day lodge three student enrollments going into our and financial models, which will help guide area. The recycled asphalt lifted from the third year. The LSA prides itself on being CMR into a sustainable future. bridges was used to pave between the T-Bar and the day lodge. AECON also stepped in inclusive; we do not screen our students for George Koch, Steve Mundell and Dave to grade the Ring road and the Maintenance academic achievement, or athletic capability. Carmichael now round out the team of Brian Shop road. We expect to see a decrease in The only prerequisite to join LSA is a passion McGurk, Cheryl de Leeuw, Adam Judd, Ian the mud next spring and dust next summer. for the outdoors and a love of snow sports. Miller, Karen Harker and Rod Lanier. Thanks to AECON, their support extended to The LSA is a public academy functioning out keeping the Pub busier on the weekends, of a public school and we pride ourselves on As well as monthly Board of Directors’ using the Hostel for accommodations and keeping our tuition cost as low as possible. meetings, this group splits itself into smaller hiring locals when possible. THE LIFTLINE CMCA NEWSLETTER | Issue Q4 2018 5

Through fundraising, grant writing and the 2018 Castle Mountain Freeride sponsorship efforts, the LSA is perhaps the competition, where Evan and Abby Taylor most accessible ski academy in the country. WESTCASTLE RACE CLUB’S placed first in their respective age groups. Many of the students attend fundraising NEW SEASON events such as the landfill cleanups and our We encourage anyone who wants to be a annual fiesta where they are able to help great all-mountain skier to contact the Castle generate funds that keep tuition costs down. We are gearing up for a wonderful winter at Mountain Freestyle Club and get involved. This method of ‘earning your keep’ fosters a WSC. We will be hosting a U14 Slalom race, There are also opportunities for younger sense of responsibility and appreciation welcoming racers from around the province skiers to start learning in the “Jumps and among our student athletes. on February 9-10th. A lot of work goes into a Bumps” program. Here is a link to the great season, and the board is working hard registration: LSA staff and students are extremely to set up for one. We have a race team of 19 https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=18892&lan= fortunate to have access to what is arguable this year, including u10, u12 and u14 kids, 1&cartlevel=1 some of the best ski and snowboarding and a lot of young u6 kids entering the club terrain in the world. Our innovative this year. We are excited to coach the kids to Come and cheer us on! partnership with Castle Mountain Resort has explore the mountain and have the skills to enabled LSA student athletes to receive ski fast! professional coaching twice a week for grades four to six and three days a week for Registration closes soon, and any questions AVALANCHE SAFETY grades seven through twelve all season long. about the year can be sent to Wade LSA boasts a wide range of training options Grandoni, club president at COURSES WITH KYLE RAST for our skiers and boarders. Developmental, [email protected]. Any race FROM CENTRE PEAK AT freestyle, alpine and big mountain cohorts of questions can be sent to Alecia Williams at LSA skiers and boarders can be seen [email protected] CMR sharpening their technique on , or floating through the powder with their Avalanche Safety I Course (AST1) friends from the far north to the legendary WHAT A RIDE! CASTLE glades on Haig most days of the week. MOUNTAIN FREERIDE DEC 22/23 Besides skiing, the LSA offers students a TEAM JAN 12/13 variety of unique learning opportunities FEB 9/10 including, high school level fitness and by Donna Joy weight training options, level 1 CSIA Private instruction for Groups of 6 or more certification, shoulder season mountain bike What a ride we’ve had! Castle Mountain and kayaking trips as well as volunteer Freeride Team is a part of the Castle More information on website on AST2 service and community building Mountain Freestyle Club. We love to ski hard opportunities. All LSA students participate in and send lots of air! Bob Grier, our fearless Contact http://centrepeakast.com/ to a special program that offers a holistic leader and the Director of Freeride Team, register and for more information approach to student development focusing and Cam Motta, our amazing head coach on five specific domains including: academic, gathered interested skiers four seasons ago personal interests, career preparation, and we’ve been tearing up the hill ever since. Thanks for all the Contributors to this edition personal wellness and community service; We’ve gone from being the little team that of The Lifeline. If you would like to be part of we call this program the Continuum of could, to competing in major competitions the next edition in February, submissions are Learning. Our blend of quality education and around British Columbia, Alberta and even due January 25th, 2019. You can email your alpine athleticism promotes physical fitness the U.S. We compete against well- article to [email protected] and a healthy, active lifestyle while helping established teams with lots of skiers, but our student athletes make possible athletic, through grit, great coaching, amazing parent Edited Caralee Marriott recreation and other alpine industry career dedication and hours on the hill, we are being connections. Through specialized recognized in national and international Published by Carmen Walker programing, the LSA represents an competitions. opportunity to provide innovative, engaging, and memorable learning experiences for These comps, as the kids call them, are a students regardless of skiing ability, judged events which teach young people academic aptitude, or socio-economic status great skiing skills, safety, team support and and we are extremely pleased to be able to self-evaluation, plus it’s fun and teens love it! offer this unique and exciting program at This year our skiers went to competitions at BE AWARE OF RCMP Livingstone School. several venues, such as Red Mountain, RADAR ON THE NEW Kicking Horse and Ski Resort, Contact [email protected] for more where Jena Prodan placed third place in the PAVEMENT. It's a Gold information. 14 and under category. We even had one Mine for Tickets! skier compete at Grand Targhee Ski Resort in the U.S. Back at home, we took big prizes at THE LIFTLINE CMCA NEWSLETTER Issue Q4 2018

BUSINESS DIRECTORY These businesses are all interested in servicing the community.

Window Cleanning House Cleaning Services Chimney Cleaning Castle Mountain Lodge Smoke & Ladders

403-627-5121 Paul Cyr

or [email protected] 1-403-624-0021

Window Cleaning House Cleaning Services Electrical

Windows R Us Patty Degan 403- 627-2835

Randy Navrati Carmen Ricard 403-627-6640

1-403-563-0387

Crowsnest Pass

Appliance Repair & Air Conditioning RV Services Furniture

Crowsnest Pass RV Service & Repair

1403-563-6807

Jonathan Dyck

Fire Wood Fire Wood Fire Wood

Terry Smyk Wood’n Stuff HC Forest Products Alberta Parks issues wood cutting & Christmas Tree Permits TM66 permits ONLINE Cowley, AB Dave Slingerland Register & Purchase at: 403-627-8955 403-627-6942 https://extranet.gov.ab.ca/env/treecuttingpermits/permits/

$125 1/4 Cord Cut & Split Spruce & Pine Cost is: $5.00

$280 full cord, cut & split $340 Cut & Split cord Area/South of Highway 3

Delivery to Castle: $380/cord delivered 2 cords delivered for $150

Sporting Goods Gas & Liquor MD of Pincher Creek concerns

Alpenland SKI & SPORT Shop General Store Bev Everts, Councillor of Division 3 General Manager: Jeff McLarty : 403-329-6099 Home: 403-627-4983 403-627-4878 Blairmore: 403-753-5052 Business: 403-627-3130 Open 7 – 7 Every day of the Year! Castle: 403-627-5389 [email protected] THE LIFTLINE CMCA NEWSLETTER Issue Q4 2018

CMCA MEMBERSHIP FORM A CMCA membership:

• Expire on December 31 every year • Covers one family per house hold • Costs $20 per year • Primary method of communication will be via email

First Name: Last Name:

CMR Unit #: Number of people this membership covers:

Email Address(s):

Phone Number:

Mailing Address (of primary unit owner/renter):

City: Postal Code:

Please return the completed form with payment to one of the following people:

Fraser Stewart CMR Lot# 48