The 11th Annual Coldsmoke Chocks Up Another Beauty

Good things tend happen when you commit to a good idea. I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with the Coldsmoke since its inception. As one of the publishers of Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine, we’ve had the good fortune of being a key sponsor of the event since it was first conceived. In that time I’ve seen good weather and bad, parties up at the lodge and up at the college. Festivals that were super busy and some not so much. But as the years go by, and the folks at Whitewater continue to dial in the nuance, detail and organization of the event, and the extended community of participants continues to grow and evolve, it’s quite clear to me now just how valued, fun and cool this festival has become.

I’ve watched my business partner Peter Moynes go from a guy who’s never been on stage before grow into a host with the most. At Friday night’s opening film, panel and slideshow at the Civic Theatre, he was a force to be reckoned with—irreverent humour mixed beautifully with an eclectic line-up of locally grown shows that included a panel on avalanche risk in the backcountry, a story about flatulence (read by yours truly), and pieces from talented artists like Adrian Wagner, Mike Parenteau and Blair Altman (you have to check out his Instagram account Batman and Frank, it's gold).

I’ve watched the young freeriders of this town blossom into incredible skiers at the Powder Keg Slopestyle. From 7-year-old kids doing front flips to my own son stomping 25 footers to local 50-year-old legend Roscoe White sending it with wild abandon. Being the MC of this event for a decade now is nothing short of a privilege and an honour (not to mention I get to watch the whole thing).

I’ve seen the tent demo village grow into a bustling who’s who of the outdoor world, stuffed with fat bikes and awesome demos, local shops with line-ups of people inquiring about the latest gear. Who doesn't love testing out new gear?

The 'Mountain Mingler' was a blast, with amazing prizes and hilarious games, highlighted by great food, beer, cider, wine and spirit samples and three insanely good bands that had the Spirit Bar rocking all night long.

Sunday was one of the best sleeper days of the year for me. Fifteen centimetres of blower pow on a great base, no line-ups and the sun popping through the trees made for an incredible day on the mountain. All around me hilarious costumes, competitors scampering through the backcountry building bush fires and cooking eggs, racing against their friends in the dual slalom, touring hither and yon looking for poker cards, or on one of the many clinics running all weekend.

And as the prizes flowed freely for the penultimate King and Queen and all the other podium finishers at the award ceremony on Sunday evening, the bar and patio packed with huge, beautiful flakes falling on this amazing mountain we call home, all of the visitors heading back with big grins to places like Calgary and Jackson, Vancouver and Washington State, I can’t help but feel a warm rush of goodness. I love the Coldsmoke. Now more than ever. It’s a beauty staple event of Kootenay's. It's a great way to share our mountain culture.

(All images by Phil Best, Sean Armstrong and Joy McAdams)