SROAM Newsletter Feb 2013

Written by class of 2014
Advisory Committee.
February 2013
February Arrived Quickly!
AST and SWS
We SROAMIES had to get back to the
books in a hurry because although the
term just began it is already midterm
season. During these first five weeks, we
took our Avalanche Skills Training (AST)
Level 1 at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing,
located just outside Meadow Creek. Prior
to that day, we had to become familiar
with the safety and technical information
from different avalanche safety websites,
such as Canadian Avalanche Center and
Mountain Equipment Co-op. This was to
supplement the in class portion of our
AST course. We had a chance to spend the
whole day at Selkirk Wilderness, which is
the original cat-ski operation in North
America. Our class was able to learn about
their water source and hydroelectric
generator system, tour their guest facility
(Drury’s Lodge), the guides’ office, and the
maintenance shop. Throughout the day,
Katie and John, our cat drivers, took us
along with our guide, Kevin, and our two
instructors, Ross White and Martin
Keyserlingk, up into the tenure of SWS and
let us enjoy the powder-covered terrain. As
part of our AST, we learned how to dig a
snow pit, in order to conduct a compaction
test to analyze the snowpack. Supervised
by Kevin and our instructors, we simulated
two avalanche scenarios, where we
conducted a mock search and rescue with
driving a big piece of machinery, but also
includes the “science” of moving snow! Some of
us are made for the job, some of us might not
be, but definitely all of us learned something
from this experience, and want to extend a big
thank you to the grooming crew.
Eager to Volunteer
The Smith Optics Junior Freeski Competition took
place at Whitewater, and a couple of us had the
chance to volunteer for this awesome event,
featuring the best young skiers from different
areas in North America. It was another
opportunity for us to get involved with a different
aspect of the ski industry and it was definitely
our probes, shovels, and beacons. It was very
interesting to put into action what we had learnt,
and it helped us understand the importance of a
well planned rescue and the practical knowledge of
the gear. As well as learning lots, we got to ski a
beautiful area and a lot of Kootenay powder! Big
thanks to Selkirk Wilderness Skiing for hosting us!
We left Meadow Creek with big smiles and nothing
but good things to say about the operation. Thanks
also to Ross and Martin for organizing the trip for
us!
Grooming Ride Alongs
Another awesome opportunity we had this month
was the grooming ride-alongs at Whitewater. As
part of our grooming class, every student had to go
to Whitewater (at night!) for a two hour ride along
with one of the cat drivers. Jim, Woody, Callum and
Chris took us into the darkness of the mountain to
prepare the fresh corduroy that the guests would
enjoy in the morning. Grooming is not only about
another great weekend in the Kootenays! Thank you Rebeckah, Brent and Lisa for letting us help with
this event, and we are eager to see you and work with you again for the Coldsmoke Powder Festival
next weekend!
It’s been only five weeks since the break and our schedule is already filled with midterms! After a busy
week of studying and exams, we were rewarded with reading week break, during which all of us read a
lot… and we skied even more! The little bit of snow that we got in the past month didn’t stop any of us
from doing what we love! Some of us cruised around Western Canada visiting Whitewater (of course!),
Whistler, Revelstoke, Big White, Silver Star, Marmot Basin, Phoenix, and many others. A couple of us
also had the chance to help Sweet Grass Productions’ crew set up their site for the shooting of their
new movie, Valhalla, which will come out next fall. Thanks to Nick Waggoner for this opportunity!
Studying Away
We are all studying hard and working away on assignments, getting ready for all the school trips we
have planned for March. It will also be nice to get the work out of way so that we can take advantage of
those powder days that are bound to happen soon.
Name: Laurren Bessette
Age: 22
From: Calgary, AB
Experience: 4 years
at COP, retail, mtn
bike instr, camp
counselor,
challenge course
facilitator, ski jump
maintenance, liftie,
receptionist
Future Career
Goals:
•Short Term: drive
a cat (cat driver) in
the next two years
•Long term: Heli operation owner, or general
manager… lead guide
Why SROAM: because I wanted to be a ski bum
with education, educated ski bum
Best Day Ever: “RK Heli skiing in January with
my family.”
Name: Ysauld de Montigny
Age: 20
From: Nelson, BC
Experience: None!
But has a
professional chef
level 1
Future Career
Goals:
•Short Term: get a
job in outdoor
ops, and figure
out if should get
millwright ticket
•Long Term: not
sure yet, test
different areas to
see what she likes best
Why SROAM: because been boarding for 16
years, and I wanted to become a better ski bum
Best day ever: “Up at Whitewater, the second
year Glory Chair was open. I was snowboarding
the backside in 2 feet of champagne powder
with a big group of friends, and it was
amazing!”
Student Profiles
Name: David Seidel
Age: 24
From: Edmonton, AB
Experience: Sales Associate and Manager at
Pacesetter Ski Shoppe, Edmonton, AB
Future Career Goals:
•Short Term: working in marketing and
promotion at a ski resort
•Long term goal: General Manager of a ski
resort or owner of a catskiing operation
Why SROAM: because I want a well rounded
education to
excel in my
career in
the ski
industry
Best day
ever:
“Catskiing
bottomless
snow in
Valemount
with my
friends.”