Dear Sir:
Here’s why I support buying Shames Mountain.
Skiing is a healthy and uplifting outdoor activity in one of the most scenic settings in the world during what some consider the dark, depressive time of year in Northwestern BC.
It provides great, healthy entertainment for many kids once more from December to April when there is no soccer, baseball, bike riding, etc.
With some innovative thinking, we can organize a reasonable bus transportation system to ease the access for kids whose parents don’t go up to the hill. The non-profit co-op is working on a solution.
Shames Mountain Co-op will provide seasonal and/or year-round employment to a number of northwest residents. Having Shames Mountain operate is a positive asset for attracting professional to our area.
I know of many individuals with good jobs and job opportunities that would not choose to work in Terrace, Kitimat or Prince Rupert if the nearest Ski area is Hudson Bay Mountain in Smithers.
In the event of Shames closing, the Kootenay’s or Okanagan’s smaller communities look quite attractive. Skiing at Shames is a class better than those, as insiders know.
Local businesses selling ski and snowboard gear, etc. would feel the loss, too.
Shames is a community building institution. In our rural region, most skiers and boarders are familiar with each other and there is an atmosphere of camaraderie.
Shames provides family activity for many area residents.
Season passes are quite affordable compared to most other ski areas. These provide activities for 4 months of the year. It is great to see young parents out teaching their children the skill and fun of skiing or boarding. It is healthier than sitting in front of a TV or computer or X-box.
Some Northwest residents should experience at least once just driving up to Shames, when the weather in town seems dismal at +2 C fog and rain – not many people would enjoy to be outdoors in this condition.
Chances are it is –2C and snowing or even that the mountain is above the clouds in the sun – a site to see!
Better yet, take a dreaded –15C day with howling outflow winds at the Skeena Mall – chances are likely that there is no wind and with some luck an inversion and spring-like skiing in the sun – I am not kidding.
Shames does not attract the crowds that home in on places like Whistler or Lake Louise. Thank goodness for that; no line ups to waste your time. Nevertheless Shames attracts visitors from outlying areas like Dease Lake, Iskut, Alaskan coastal communities, the Queen Charlottes, not to forgot all our kids, relatives, friends coming home to Shames for Christmas and spring breaks. With more support, we can add over and into May.
Shames receives some of the highest annual snowfall. Just read what Powder Magazine, Teton Gravity Research and other outfits have to say when praising the terrain and snow quality we have up here.
There is a good reason that Terrace has an upscale heli ski outfit operating in our local mountains. – Shames delivers when it comes to powder and fresh lines within the boundaries of a lift-serviced hill – there is not many places like that on the planet.
John Krisinger,
Terrace, BC