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Annual Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest Celebrates Backcountry Skiing and Riding
The Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest in Nelson, B.C., is a grassroots gathering to celebrate deep snow, backcountry skiing and snowboarding. The event, set for Feb. 22–25, 2008, was created to promote the terrain, climate, magic, fun and knowledge of backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Telemark skiers, alpine touring skiers and backcountry snowboarders meet at the base of Whitewater Winter Resort for a long weekend of skiing, snowboarding, skinning, clinics, slide shows, movies and revelry. The event is designed for both experienced and debutant backcountry skiers and snowboarders.
You name it, it's happening, at all ability levels: intro to steep skiing, intro to off-piste skiing, ski touring made easy, backcountry snowboarding, backcountry route finding, snow assessment, advanced alpine touring, advanced telemarking, using avalanche beacons, women-specific clinics, avalanche rescue skills, tree skiing, backcountry tours and more.
Coldsmoke Village will be set up in the heart of Whitewater Winter Resort. Industry leaders will be on hand to showcase the latest in outdoor products for backcountry skiing, freeride and avalanche safety. Product experts will set you up in the latest demo gear for testing. And this is the place where you'll meet for all clinics and expos.
For those who are competitive, consider entering the Valhalla Pure Powderkeg Booter, a timed boot pack up and run down a natural terrain park known as Powderkeg; the ROAM Randonnee Rally; or the Gerick Telemark Cup Race. A Beacon Olympics also is scheduled.
Entertainment includes the Cold Shot Foto Face-off, parties, and a slew of skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering films: "Tracking the Soul"; "Yes to the No"; "Gasherbrum II—The Fastest Summit"; "Nine Winters Old"; "Skiing in the Shadow of Genghis Khan—Timeless Skiers of the Altai "; and "Solilo Chairlift Quist."
Proceeds will go to Nelson Search and Rescue to help support the continued existence of vital public search and rescue services provided by this nonprofit organization. The team includes mountain rescue technicians, rope rescue instructors, Canadian Avalanche Technicians, paramedics, physicians, Swiftwater Rescue Technicians and Certified Helicopter Flight Rescue Systems practicioners. The Nelson area is world famous for its recreational use, especially during the winter season, so the majority of workload preformed by the team is carried out over the winter months.
You must pre-register for the clinics and social activities. The most popular packages are the Full Monty (four-day ski-and-social package) and the Weekend Monty (two-day ski-and-social package). Lodging is additional in all cases and must be booked separately. Many lodging facilities are offering a discount for event attendants, but you'll need to ask. For more information and registration, visit the Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest website, www.mountaingear.com/coldsmoke/index.aspx. For more information about Nelson Search and Rescue, go to www.nelsonsar.com.