What A Shames
There is no doubt that skiing is what set me on my current path. If it wasn't for growing up in a weekend warrior family I would probably be working as a police officer in northern Ontario. Instead, I am writing this whilst drinking coffee and if I look over my shoulder and out my window I see Mount Revelstoke national park. I ski 100+ days a winter, I rock climb another 70 and I have nearly daily " wow " moments simply by looking around me. I have all of this because of a not for profit, community run co-op ski area in northern Ontario. 125m of vertical drop, 12 runs and 250 annual cms a season, that's all it took. I truly believe that this type of ski area embodies the true soul of skiing whereas today's mega-resorts have more of a "pay to play " feel to them.Today, many larger ski areas are part of a larger parent company and it would seem that the mom and pop or community ski resorts of the west are on the decline. However, there are always a few shining examples of community co-ops that break mould and show the ski industry that a skiing first model is possible rather than squeezing everyone's wallets as soon as they leave the parking lot. Ultimate co-op ski destination Shames Mountain in Terrace is the prime example of a skiing first model. If you are not familiar Shames watch the video below and check out their website.
Unfortunately, I woke up this morning with a post about Shames I thought I would share to get the word out about a theft at Shames that could not come at worse time.
From Facebook-
"As some of you already know, our beloved ski hill was broken into this past Canada Day weekend. The thieves broke into our maintenance shop and generator building.
Stealing is a terrible act in any fashion, but stealing from a non profit community Cooperative is like stealing a swing from a playground.
Stolen items include jerry cans with Shames written on the side, a Fluke Power meter, 3 flat screen TVs, Maximum MasterCraft 1/2 inch cordless impact drill, set of winter tires on rims, handheld radios, etc.
The thieves also were after copper wires. They stole all the battery leads to our generators, and all the electrical grounding wire.
This of course has happened at a critical time as we were to be beginning the replacement of our drive bullwheel.
If anyone has any information regarding his break in please give your information to the RCMP
Thank you all for your help and support.
P.S. : Jet the Shop guard kitty is A.O.K."
If we have any northern BC skiers reading this, please keep an eye out for anything suspicious and call the RCMP with any information. It takes a special kind of someone to steal from the community. You may not be able to help catch the thieves but you can always help by visiting Shames Mountain co-op on your next ski trip.