'Sealed' with a nasty kiss

Adventures with wildlife

Photo: Contributed

Columnist J.P. Squire with a "seal flack jacket" out of Mason jar lids and duck tape, made following a seal attack duringa a kayak trip in Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park.

(This is the first in a four-part series of related columns)

A protective seal. An itchy whale. A famished grizzly. Competitive eagles. It's a mini-series on the Sheriff's Adventures with wildlife.

After reading the Making Tracks columns during the next four weeks, some may conclude that these were more like misadventures. However, the Sheriff has always believed (since he was a youngster) that adventures begin by going out your back door. He didn't go looking for adventure but it always seemed to happen in the outdoors, and it only got better when the Sheriff met Constant Companion Carmen.

The first adventure with wildlife was during a multi-day kayaking trip to the Broughton Archipelago which is northeast of Telegraph Cove, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. When five Kelowna women and a Summerland buddy asked the Sheriff to act as their leader in exploring Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park, he joked: "We won't have to go looking for critters, they're going to come to us."

That silly promise came back to haunt the Sheriff on Canada Day as the group was going through a narrow channel between two small islands in the Canoe Islets.

Drifting through the channel, the Sheriff brought up the rear so he could keep an eye on everyone when a large seal head popped out of the water, followed by a smaller seal head. After the "Oh, aren't they cute?" comments, paddling buddy Holly held her right hand over the right side of her kayak and said with a laugh: "I want the seal to come up right here."

Within a few seconds, she was staring down into big brown eyes. Then, the momma seal disappeared underwater again.

"Be careful what you wish for," the Sheriff advised her, as everyone laughed about the close encounter. "We are looking for whales, after all."

Less than a minute later, with a loud bang, the seal smashed into the right side of the Sheriff's kayak just behind his cockpit. As he turned toward the sound, he saw the thick body of the seal halfway out of the water and felt its jaws clamp onto the jacket he wore that cool day. Fortunately, the Sheriff was wearing a PFD under the jacket so there was extra padding.

"I was just attacked by that seal," he told everyone. When several expressed disbelief, the Sheriff turned and showed them the rip in the back of his jacket, a jagged hole which was, no doubt, the result of considerable force.

"Time to get going, quickly," he advised everyone. Without hesitation, they all paddled out of the channel, but paused a short distance away and saw the same two seal heads pop out of the water. They wasted no time continuing their quick departure.

Later, several paddlers noted the Sheriff has the widest and most stable of the seven kayaks. If the seal had attacked anyone else, their kayak might have capsized, leaving the paddler at the mercy of an aggressive and experienced swimmer.

During many years of paddling on the B.C. coast, that was the first time anyone in our group experienced, or heard of, such an attack. Other paddlers they met along the way were shocked and surprised as well.

However, the next day when visiting Village Island, they met Brad, an experienced guide from North Island Kayak in Telegraph Cove. After relating hearing about frightening seal experience, he said a similar encounter happened to his buddy, Joel, in the same area the previous summer. Joel was paddling through the same narrow channel in a kayak with his spare paddle tied, as usual, to the deck behind him. Without warning, a seal jumped onto his rear deck and "was thrashing about" on top of the paddle, perhaps trying to get at him.

An experienced paddler, Joel immediately braced his kayak (using his paddle flat in the water to keep him upright) so he wouldn't end up face-to-face with the seal in the seal's watery territory.

A little jiggle and the seal slid off. Joel immediately paddled out of the channel—rather quickly one can imagine. The paddle with bite marks was then displayed in the North Island Kayak shop as a warning.

The group laughed at the story, somewhat nervously, suggesting B.C. Parks erect signs at the channel entrances warning of an aggressive seal, much like its bear warning signs at trailheads. They speculated it was a mother protecting her offspring or guarding her turf.

The Sheriff also thought his wooden Greenland paddle may have resurrected a seal memory that Greenlanders in kayaks hunt seals. It was yet another reminder all these creatures are wild animals and we venture into their homes. Caution is always advised. Later, as a joke, a seal flack jacket was assembled by the other kayakers using Mason jar lids and duct tape.

Fast forward a year when a kayaking buddy in Nanaimo who heard about the attack sent a copy of a news release.

“B.C. Marine Trails received a serious report yesterday (not directly from party that was attacked). On July 9, a harbour seal attacked a group of four experienced kayakers in the Canoe Islets area of the Broughton Archipelago. The group was paddling through a narrow channel in the Canoe Islets when the seal jumped on the deck of one of their kayaks. The individual knocked the seal off the boat, and then it circled around from behind and jumped out of the water biting one paddler on their side just below the arm, puncturing the dry suit and capsizing the individual.

"Two members of the group came to rescue their friend. One was bitten on the arm by the seal, the bite puncturing their skin. Another member suddenly noticed the seal lunging up toward the face of another paddler but was able to yell in time so that the individual it was coming towards could hit the seal with their paddle. It finally left them alone."

There have been two other reports of attacks in this exact same area, in 2013 and 2014, said the news release.

"The circumstances that led to the attack are unclear; there was no evidence of pups in the area. Those recreating or paddling in this area should remain cautious. Never approach marine wildlife and report any incidents to the appropriate regulatory body," said the BCMT, which works on behalf of the public - from reporting incidents, monitoring recreation and reserve sites to participating with government, stakeholders and First Nations.

Next week: What the Sheriff did in response to the second attack.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

When the Sheriff met Constant Companion Carmen

First date memories

Photo: J.P. Squire

The summit of the Glenmore Highlands in Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park - where the Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen had their first non-date - is one of this week's Secret Okanagan Spots in the SOS series. This spot is just below the trail that follows the ridge to the north and then descends to Light Blue Lake.

Anyone who knows the Sheriff knows there is always a story, and when Journalism Sheriff was working full-time, somehow he could always pick someone out of a crowd at a public event who had something crucial to say about the news story he was working on.

As a long-time equestrian, the expression “having a horseshoe up his a**" comes to mind. For those unfamiliar with this crude and vulgar, yet funny, expression, it means someone who has extremely good luck, fortune or favour because a horseshoe is thought to be a symbol of good luck.

That is evident when the Sheriff tells one of his favourite, non-news stories about Constant Companion Carmen. (She says she hates this story but always laughs). It's a longer story but it has a happy ending with the bonus of a Secret Okanagan Spot for the SOS series.

For those who didn't read previous columns in the SOS series, they are available here.

In the 1990s, the Sheriff covered a Kelowna city council meeting where anti-vice councillors decided to charge escort services $5,000 for an annual business licence. He subsequently received a phone call from Suzanne of New Acquaintances, who was upset her matchmaking company for professionals was being lumped in.

After the story was published, the Sheriff was curious and decided to check out her business.

After a dozen so-so “dates,” he was in the New Acquaintances' office flipping through the listings when he heard a wonderful laugh in the next room. Peeking through the doorway, he saw Constant Companion Carmen.

"Why don't you fill out an Invitation to meet?" asked Suzanne. The Sheriff did but CCC turned him down because she was already dating someone and she wasn't about to date two men at once. Laudable. However, a week or two later, Suzanne called, saying: "Carmen's available! Carmen's available!"

So brunch meeting for was arranged. At the restaurant, CCC flounced into her seat and gushed: "I'm tired of the dating scene? I want to get married!"

When the Sheriff recovered from her exaggerated bounce into her chair, he immediately responded: "Maybe we should date a few times before we get engaged!"

Photo: Judie Steeves

Judie Steeves, co-author of Okanagan Trips and Trails, was inspired by the Secret Okanagan Spots series to submit her own SOS. "Hiking up from the top of the Bullet Express Chair at Big White Ski Resort to the actual peak of the mountain, there's a lovely little spot overlooking Rhonda Lake that my granddaughter enjoyed this summer," she says.

The first “non-date” was horseback riding in the Glenmore Highlands. The Sheriff led her to his favourite spot, which is now in Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park. On the west side of the ridge-top were several trees to tie the horses to and we sat on a horse blanket enjoying the panoramic view of Light Blue Lake below and Okanagan Lake off in the distance.

The Sheriff brought Sambuca (funny now since neither of them drink hard liquor). After a couple of shots, CCC put both of the shot glasses up to her eyes as if they were eyeglasses while they both howled with laughter. Who is not going to fall in love with a goofball like that? The Sheriff didn't want the first “non-date” to end and it hasn't 24 years later. A photo of that magical moment was enlarged and everyone signed it to celebrate at her birthday party.

So this week's SOS spot is directly up from the north parking lot of Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park, which has three steps, or layers, to get to the top of the ridge. The Sheriff planned to get a new photo there but the park is currently closed for danger tree assessment after the recent Glenmore Highlands North wildfire. Here's hoping that SOS location hasn't been destroyed. The Sheriff plans to check it out as soon as the park re-opens.

The Sheriff is now planning a mini-series. If TV networks and online services can do it, why not the Sheriff? Starting next Sunday, the mini-series Adventures with Wildlife, will feature four of the Sheriff's favourite stories. CCC and friends have heard them numerous times but the Sheriff now has fresh ears, and eyes, on Castanet.

•••

In the South Okanagan, early bird memberships are available for Nickel Plate Nordic Centre until Oct. 31. Nickel Plate is also looking for a full-time staffer for the office and has openings for school instructors for four-hour (paid) shifts in classic technique. CANSI certification is provided and paid for with a two-season commitment.

New this year, Nickel Plate is offering two sessions of early-season masters three-day refresher camps Nov. 24 to 26 and Dec. 1 to 3. A work party will be held on Oct. 1 for cutting wood, trail brushing and clearing. Email [email protected], and say whether it's for wood prep or trail work. Bring hand tools (pruners, etc.) if you’re interested in trail work.

•••

The annual general meeting of the Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club is scheduled for 6 p.m on Sept. 21 at the German Canadian Club on Harmony Road in Kelowna, with a wurst (German-style sausage) barbecue beforehand.

The AGM includes the election of five directors for one-year terms, including the positions of treasurer, snowshoe director and facilities (building and machinery) director.

The early bird deadline for memberships is Sept. 30, with a draw prize on Oct. 1 from club sponsor Fresh Air for Madshus Nordic Pro Skin Tech skis. Volunteers are needed for snowshoe trail brushing and clearing on Oct. 7 and 14. Email [email protected].

•••

Cyclepath in Kelowna recently surveyed staff and customers who regularly commute for tips to help everyone go by bike more often.

• Start small. Commuting by bike once per week is better than not doing it at all. Starting small can lead to bigger and better results over time.

• Grab a bike bag (or two). Being able to store stuff on your bike makes a big difference. It frees you up to grab a handful of groceries on the way home or to ride to your afternoon date at the beach (without dealing with a heavy bag on your back).

• Ride to your rides. Many of us throw our bikes on our bike racks to drive to a ride but often it's only a little slower to ride there. Two of our team members tested it, and it's about as fast to ride from Rutland to Knox Mountain as it is to drive (factoring in the time it takes to load and unload the bikes) and it's only about 15 minutes slower to ride to Crawford Estates.

• Get a good lock. Unfortunately, bike theft is a problem in Kelowna. If you're planning to commute to work, it's best to ensure you have access to secure locked storage. For shorter trips, where you can't keep your eye on your bike, a high-quality lock may make your bike less of a target.

• Give yourself plenty of time and plan to leave five to 10 minutes early. You don't want to be sprinting to wherever you're going. It’s never fun to arrive somewhere social completely soaked in sweat. So, leaving early is the best antidote to this.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Fall is a great time to get out on your bike in the Okanagan

Fall bike rides in the valley

Photo: J.P. Squire

Everyone seems to enjoy the rapid descent of Cosens Bay Trail in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and less so, the climb back up to the Cosens Bay Trailhead and parking lot in Coldstream. But hardly anyone stops at this Secret Okanagan Spot (in the SOS series) located partway down the steep slope to Cosens Bay and off to the side.

Happy birthday (today) to me, the Sheriff! And happy birthday to Constant Companion Carmen (on Friday)!

Two Virgos in one household is almost too much but it's important to remember that September is a transition month, when summer changes into fall (Sept. 21). Believe the Sheriff, change is almost constant and challenging around this household, so someone's nickname could be Constantly Challenging Carmen.

With transition to fall in mind, there could be only eight weeks of cycling in mild temperatures left in 2023 so take advantage of the opportunity to revisit some of your favourite routes and perhaps check out that new trail you've been itching to try since spring.

On the Labour Day weekend, the Sheriff and CCC e-biked one of our favourite routes, the Okanagan Rail Trail and the Kal Crystal Waters Trail from Oyama to Coldstream. On Wednesday, we returned to the ORT in the North Okanagan and cycled from Kekuli Bay Provincial Park to Kalamallka Lake Provincial Park for two other favourites, Comin' Round the Mountain (SOS spot) and down Cosens Bay Trail for lunch.

We have also paddled one of our favourite kayak routes from Bertram Creek Regional Park into Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park with its blackened trees still evident from the 2003 firestorm. What memories that brought back.

A reminder that the ORT will be closed weekdays between Kekuli Bay and Kickwillie Loop Road 7 a.m.-5 p.m. from Sept. 11 to 22 for rockfall mitigation work. The detour is Kal Crystal Waters.

September is also a time to reflect back on what a memorable summer it has been.

Marketing associate Deanna Kristensen is looking back fondly at Big White's season with the bike park and hiking trails opening on June 29.

"The new Dirt Pass was unveiled, offering three unrestricted days of mountain biking, and visitors captured the first views of a revamped village with shaded chill zones and the modular pump track," she said.

"On July 8, Dan Tait kicked off the weekly Summer Music Series in the Village. The sold-out eighth annual Craft and Country Beer and Music Mountain Festival on July 15 was the highlight of the summer for many visitors with Gary Saturday rocking the Village stage. From July 19 to 22, the Freeride Day MTB Festival saw global biking athletes competing for top honours."

The Summer Music Series presented a lineup of great local talent, including performances by Rusty Someone and Garrett Scatterty, Bray & Co and Jon Bos, she said.

"For Dog Day at Big White on Aug. 26, visitors celebrated our four-legged friends, raising $1,715 for Paws it Forward. Summer's essence was also captured in bike camps, providing enthusiasts an opportunity to learn and enjoy. Throughout August, the resort ran Fiv’r Friday event races - presented by Fox Racing to support MTBCO (Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan) - and bike camps, including the Youth MTB Clinic, Norco Dirt Series Mountain Bike Camp and the All Mountain MTB Camp with Elevation Outdoors."

Amidst all these festivities, devastating wildfires brought a challenge to mountain operations as Big White opened its arms providing shelter, comfort and services to more than 1,000 evacuees. On Aug. 20, the resort hosted a fundraising pancake breakfast by donation at the Woods restaurant. More than 500 Big White community members and wildfire evacuees contributed $1,261 to Mamas for Mamas to support their local efforts.

For the final weekend of the season, Big White provided free lift tickets (by donation to local firefighters) for the bike park or sightseeing for 2023-24 season pass holders.

"Don't forget to check out bigwhite.com and watch for updates on the opening day of the 2023-24 winter on Nov. 23," said Kristensen.

•••

Meanwhile, the Revelstoke Bike Park brought non-stop fun and excitement to all who visited this summer, said Laura Meggs, communications manager in the marketing department.

"Our trail crew worked hard to bring new trails and features as well as perfected existing trails creating a dynamic experience for riders of all levels,” she said.

“Highlight events like the Canadian Enduro League weekend and the Dark Horse Invitational further elevated the park experience, drawing in riders and spectators alike to witness incredible displays of talent at the resort."

A reminder that the MTB Park's final day is Sept. 24 following the RCA 5er DH Race presented by the resort and Revelstoke Cycling Association, après party in the plaza, on Sept. 23.

The chairlift at Sun Peaks Resort also closes on Sept. 24. Golf, canoe, kayak, etc. are weather-dependent. Indoor activities like axe-throwing are open year-round along with most restaurants, cafes and boutiques.

•••

It's time to catch up on information flooding in during the wildfires. First, a followup to the recent column on the popularity of Myra Canyon and Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park.

Penny Gubbels, long-time volunteer with Friends of the South Slopes, found a chart showing the incredible growth in numbers at the Stewart Road East trailhead in Kelowna during a 10-year period. (Not every year was included due to COVID-19.)

In 2012, BC Parks reported 35,000 visitors; in 2013, 44,352; in 2014, 47,635; in 2015, 58,786; in 2016, 68,586; in 2018, 81,321; and in 2021, 110,000.

"I'm sure the Myra Trestles have a similar trajectory," said Gubbels. "It would be very interesting to have an accurate measurement of total usage of the Crawford Trails section of the park as there are so many access points to the park that are used both by folks in the neighbourhood or folks that drive/cycle/walk to other access points.

“Most people I know don't access the park via the SRE Trailhead. They are using Stewart Road West, Harvard Road, Salamander, Ball Court, Luxmoore, Hromek/June Springs, Angel Springs, Bellevue Access, etc, etc. But I doubt if B.C. Parks would be willing to install a 'counter' at every single public access point."

***

Feedback from Judie Steeves, past-president of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association: "Thanks so much for featuring the UnH2O Xeriscape Demonstration Garden in your column. Glad you’ve found it an inspirational and restful spot to visit while touring around town. We hope everyone in the valley will be impressed with how beautiful plants that conserve water can be and will be keen on adopting the use of xeriscape plants that suit our dry Okanagan climate in their landscapes.

"Our annual Fall Plant Sale is being held in the garden 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 23 and will feature a wide variety of drought-tolerant perennials that will help everyone conserve water, even while maintaining a beautiful garden."

•••

The Central Okanagan Naturalists' Club will hold its first post-summer general meeting on Sept. 12 at Evangel Church on Gordon Drive in Kelowna.

Merle Kindred of Penticton will present Gripped by Guyana about her adventures in that country. Copies of her just-released book of the same name will be available for purchase, said club president Douglas Graham.

•••

This week's Secret Okanagan Spots (in the SOS series) are a bench on the Cosens Bay Trail with a panoramic view of the Coldstream Valley in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and the hidden artistic bench in Kelowna's Sunset Drive Park.

A short walk in from Manhattan Drive, look for the short trail on your right into the bench and view of a heron metal sculpture which seems to regularly attract live herons.

Photo: J.P. Squire

You almost never see anyone sitting at a hidden artistic bench in Kelowna's Sunset Drive Park. It's a short walk in from Manhattan Drive via a short trail on your right into the bench and view of a heron metal sculpture which seems to regularly attract live herons. And deer love to browse on the overgrown bank behind you.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Dealing with the dramatic impact of wildfire evacuation

Fleeing flames of a wildfire

Photo: J.P. Squire

This week's e-bike ride involved the discovery of the UnH2O Garden in front of the H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre in Kelowna for the Secret Okanagan Spots or SOS series. The 372-square-metre xeriscape demonstration garden created by the Okanagan Xeriscape Association has five theme areas (seven according to a sign) to show that xeriscapiing is much more than rocks and cactus. A brochure names the low-water-use plants to encourage their use.

The 2023 wildfire season will be a vivid memory for many in the Southern Interior.

That includes the Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen, who live on the fringe of what the Sheriff calls the Glenmore Highlands North wildfire in Kelowna. For us, it was filled with forest fire drama on our doorstep mixed with what can only be described as a comedy of errors.

The drama began on a Thursday evening (Aug. 17) when gusting winds sent burning embers from the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna across Okanagan Lake into a single coniferous tree on the steep Glenmore Highlands slope above Clifton Road.

That's all it took. A major interface fire raced up the slope, across the top of the Glenmore Highlands into upscale Wilden, and then north past McKinley Landing into Lake Country.

The Sheriff had already loaded and packed the truck camper for the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival so we added a few more clothes and food, and sat on lawn chairs watching the long line of flames along the ridge top directly across Glenmore Road.

Everything was quiet on a smokey Friday until 2 p.m. when two RCMP members at the end of the driveway warned we were now in an evacuation order zone. The Sheriff remarked that was strange since short, dead-end Galiano Road wasn't on an evacuation order list or marked as under an order on the master map.

"It's being updated as we speak," was the response. It never was. Evacuation alert only.

We decided to wait awhile since our escape route on either Glenmore Road or Scenic Road was 30 seconds away. After developing an evacuation plan for the horses, we stayed to feed them and to extinguish any burning embers landing on our parched grass (now being irrigated). A sprinkler went up on the house roof. Dead embers kept floating down.

At 5 p.m., a tall tree on Glenmore Road at John Hindle Drive candled in spectacular fashion (as three homes burned and flames crossed into the Glenmore landfill). We watched as firefighters battled flames creeping south across the north-south Begbie Road Ridge parallel to Glenmore Road. Two hose lines kept flames from the first Wilden houses partway up the Begbie Road hill, while bush trucks and firetrucks sprayed flames on the hillside further north.

Ten firetrucks assembled at the Begbie-Glenmore intersection for a half-hour, then departed, smoke still billowing from 20 hotspots which glowed as nightfall arrived. CCC phoned 911 but it wasn't clear to her if any structures were threatened and she was told firetrucks were needed elsewhere.

Saturday was smoky but quiet - Glenmore Road and John Hindle Drive were open - so the Sheriff decided it was safe to attend the roots and blues festival that had already held a Friday night concert. Two frozen food containers that needed thawing would slide off the counter so they went onto the camper bed. The Sheriff left at 9 a.m., arrived in Salmon Arm at 10:30 a.m. and learned the festival had been cancelled while he was on the road. Good laugh.

Returning to Kelowna, John Hindle was closed and there was now an RCMP check stop at Glenmore-Scenic. The Sheriff pointed in vain to his white three-rail fence 300 metres away. "Park your camper on that gravel strip and I will drive you home," said RCMP. More laughter.

In an inquiry to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre, "RCMP say there are fire hoses across Glenmore Road." There were no firehoses. "Sorry," was the response Another neighbour phoned the EOC and got: "RCMP say there are fire hoses across the road and utility poles are down." Neither was true.

At 8 p.m. Saturday, the Sheriff walked down to the checkstop to hear: "You are good to go." Arriving home and partly unpacking the camper, the Sheriff found thawed food containers and a large stain on the camper bedding through to the mattress topper. At 10 p.m., the Sheriff was washing multiple layers of bedding in cold water in the bathtub. You had to laugh.

On Sunday morning, a phone call announced that hay was baled, was sitting on the Mission field and was waiting for pickup. Two loads were allowed past the checkpoint (still evac alert only) and CCC picked up her son for an overnighter. On Sunday, a wave and a smile as she drove him home. But return to Galiano? "There was so much traffic yesterday (from two homes, a vet clinic and ag biz on Galiano?) that Glenmore Road is closed," she was told. So CCC parked on Scenic, hiked through orchards and forest back to Galiano, and arrived laughing about her misadventure.

Remember that smoke on the side of the Begbie Road Ridge? On Sunday afternoon, a large farm barn at the bottom of the ridge caught fire and flames raced up the hill. This time, countless firefighters, numerous firetrucks and two bucketing helicopters arrived. Another front-row seat.

With the checkpoint confusion, the Sheriff emailed the RCMP superintendent on Sunday and received a phone call from a sergeant. He emailed: "As per our phone discussion, you and the following individuals are permitted to go north from Scenic Drive to Galiano Road."

The two veterinarians taking care of ailing animals on Galiano Road emailed him back.

"When we came to the clinic yesterday evening, we still met considerable resistance trying to get to our property. The traffic workers won't even talk to you and the first RCMP officer that I talked to wouldn't let me onto Glenmore at all. I mentioned your name and that we are apparently on a list and he said he's never heard of you and no one is getting onto Glenmore. He didn't want to call anyone and look into it and just didn't seem to care."

More laughter because the Sheriff got the same response from a Vancouver RCMP member who was temporarily transferred to Kelowna on Monday.

"I don't know this sergeant. I don't see the entire email address (on this email printout) so I don't know if this email is authentic."

Our emails to the sergeant and a call to the EOC received no response. More laughter.

However, all's well that ends well. Glenmore Road and John Hindle Drive reopened later Monday. We laughed as we drove past Glenmore-Scenic bringing CCC's car home.

•••

At Southern Interior downhill resorts, Big White Ski Resort will end its summer operations on Labour Day.

"For the final weekend of the season, Big White provided free lift tickets (by donation to local firefighters) for the bike park or sightseeing for 2023-24 season pass holders. The resort is excited to cap off the summer season with another busy weekend with great trail conditions while supporting our local heroes," said marketing associate Deanna Kristensen.

"We had a fantastic summer season up here at SilverStar, but the fun isn’t over yet," said marketing coordinator Chelsea Weisgerber. "There are still tons of great events and opportunities to ride at SilverStar Bike Park. Our last day of full-time operations is Monday (Sept. 4) with the gondola and Comet Chair spinning 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our downhill trails then move to weekends only for Sept. 9 to10 and 16 to17. Cross-country trails will remain fully open until Sept. 17 and after that, the lower XC trails will be open to the public as long as weather permits.”

The Silver Star Beer and Cider Fest, with some of B.C.’s finest brews, food, a Polson Market pop-up, live music and games is Sept. 9.

At Sun Peaks Resort, closing dates vary depending on the activity, said Colin Brost, senior director for destination and market development at Tourism Sun Peaks.

"The chairlift closes on Sept. 24 so lift access for hiking and biking continues through most of September. Golf, canoe, kayak, etc. is weather-dependent. And indoor activities like axe-throwing are open year-round along with most restaurants, cafes and boutiques."

At Revelstoke Mountain Resort, the MTB Park's final day is Sept. 24 following the RCA 5er DH Race presented by the resort and Revelstoke Cycling Association, après party in the plaza, on Sept. 23.

Photo: J.P. Squire

You can find another Secret Okanagan Spot in the SOS series at the Thomson Marsh Conservation Area and Trail, an 18-hectare man-made wetland on the south edge of Mission Recreation Park in Kelowna. You can sit on the edge of a picnic table and watch the waterfowl while keeping an eye out for raptors, herons, beaver and muskrat.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.