When I was young and growing up in Kitimat, a getaway to Shames Mountain was always a fun trip for myself and my family - a full day of exercise, excitement and some family togetherness. When I got older the family trips became fewer and fewer, but were replaced in-kind with trips to the hill with my best friend Keith. It was a nice break from everything and some time for the two of us to chill and (yes) see what kind of jumps and challenges we could find to get our dose of adrenaline after a week of sitting in the classroom.
Admittedly, since graduating high school I’ve been skiing twice and that’s about it. School, life and work kept getting in the way, although the last time I went for a quick couple runs to cover an event at the mountain it was a total blast. But, to say the least, skiing is no longer a part of my life.
Nonetheless, as a resident of the northwest I would like to see My Mountain Co-op succeed in their efforts to purchase and operate the mountain, which may otherwise be shut down. And I say that for a number of reasons.
Personally, I would like to have a hill within driving distance for my brother and his family in Kitimat. Now the little ones may never ski a day in their life, but the likelihood they take up the sport is much greater with a mountain just over an hour away. Let’s face it, a day trip to ski in Smithers is unrealistic and driving in the region in the winter is sketchy at best. And on a quasi-professional, quasi-personal level, it’s because I think we need Shames. The northwest already has to overcome a number of hurdles in attracting skilled people, and having a ski hill within 150 kilometres only adds to the quality of life we can offer.
Yes the business case may be tough when looking at the raw numbers, but it’s what Shames brings to the region that’s beyond the scope of business that really make it a needed part of the region.