So I am lucky enough to be taking a couple of monthes off and being a ski bum up North in Terrace, BC.
I spent a couple of months up here last winter and just loved it so I have returned. The place, the people and the skiing and just amazing!
Terrace itself is nothing glamorous, a modest small town BC settled in the beautiful Coastal Range. The mountains are big and beautiful and the area boasts an annual snow fall of 40+ft.
So for those powder junkies this place is that little untouched winter paradise. And by untouched I literally mean untouched. The local ski hill Shames sells around 1000 season passes a year and provides some of the best tree skiing I have encountered in Canada. And no it does not boast a very big vertical and it has a real community family feel to it which I like.
If you have a back country gear then you will be in heaven. The Shames back country is EPIC.
The access off the ski hill is in my opinion second to none. Amazing long tree runs, wide open alpine bowls, steep knarly alpine lines with couliors, chutes and cliffs dotted everywhere there is something for every back country user here!
There is also a huge number of road access touring spots around the area and if you have a sled for access purposes on logging roads this opens up whole new realm of terrain.
Going back to my untouched comment. This vast back country is shared by maybe 50 or so users. This is growing mind you. Maybe a sign to the fact the ski hill is struggling and may very well not open again next year!
Shames has been owned privately for the past 20 years. Recently user numbers have declined and Shames has seen hard times on the financial side. The owners are tired and are ready to move on. They have been bankrolling the hill out of their own pockets for the last few seasons. They have been resisting tempting offers from large corporations, private sector interests and even nearby Smithers who all wish to purchase the mountain with the intent of shutting it down or running it as a private retreat! The fact the current owners have not accepted any of these lucrative offers is a testament to the community value the ski hill holds!!!
So now the future of Shames teeters on one last community driven CO-OP idea.
The owners have given the My Mountain CO-OP until April to raise the $2 million needed to purchase the hill or else they will have to reconsider other options.
My Mountain CO-OP if successful will be the first not for profit communty run ski area in Canada. Modeled on a very similar concept to Mt Cain the CO-OP has the intention of purchasing he ski area and running it on a volunteer basis, with on mountain cabin/hostel accommodation and looking to alternative energy sources to powering the Ski Area which is currently run of Diesel Generators as there are no BC Hydro lines anywhere close by.
My Mountain CO-OP ( http://friendsofshames.ca/) is selling shares at an individual scale and at an corporate scale.
Please check out the Shames website and the My Mountain CO-OP site.
If you think this could be a place you would like to travel to, take your kids, stay on the mountain in a neat little cabin, or you just like to support Community Minded projects please check it out and consider buying a share.
CO-OP members will receive benefits such as discounted season and lift passes, unique on mountain benefits and lots of other cool stuff. Check out the My Mountain CO-OP website.
Here a few pictures of the beautiful Pure and Raw NW BC and the greater Terrace Area...
Notice the tracks in the bowl in the back ground. This Alpine bowl is mere 1 hour skin from the ski hill.
Skeena River just out of Terrace
If your willing to work for it, the Shames Back Country...
Always a option of Winter Paddling as well. Butze Tidal Rapids in Prince Rupert are good periodically through the Winter Season
Always a option of Winter Paddling as well. Butze Tidal Rapids in Prince Rupert are good periodically through the Winter Season
The Skeena River, Terrace BC
You can push right up into big Alpine terrain if you choose, Shames Back Country
Camped out about a 20minute skin from the T-bar
Gorgeous Reflection near Prince Rupert
Looking right down onto the ski hill, Shames Backcountry
The limitless Shames Back Country
Some sea gulls chillaxing in Prince Rupert
When it snows which it frequently does....just a few hours in the ski hill car park
Regular Face shots leave you feeling....snowy, snorkel time, Shames, Terrace, BC..
You can push right up into big Alpine terrain if you choose, Shames Back Country
Camped out about a 20minute skin from the T-bar
Gorgeous Reflection near Prince Rupert
Looking right down onto the ski hill, Shames Backcountry
The limitless Shames Back Country
Some sea gulls chillaxing in Prince Rupert
When it snows which it frequently does....just a few hours in the ski hill car park
Regular Face shots leave you feeling....snowy, snorkel time, Shames, Terrace, BC..Sorry I do not have more photos from the skiing. It has been to good to worry about getting the camera out that much...!
Look forward to seeing you all in the spring..
Peace
Blair
Look forward to seeing you all in the spring..
Peace
Blair
