Mountain Living H O M E O W N E R N E W S L E T T E R — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3

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There’s still much more to come such as the Big Mountain Battle, Dogtooth Dash, Wrangle the Chute and the ever popular Sunsplash Funkfest. It looks as though the sea-son doesn’t show any signs of slow-ing down. Home owners can also look forward to the 6th annual Spring Fling at the end of March, so stay tuned for an upcoming schedule! This winter season, Kicking Horse has been lucky to have a large num-ber of media groups visiting the re-sort. Our Sales, Marketing and Me-dia team has been working hard to ensure these groups are reflecting the best of what Kicking Horse has to offer. So far, it’s resulted in only positive reviews! Be sure to take a look at the Canada AM link on Kick-ing Horse featured on page 5. As one of our top ambassador groups for the resort, it’s great to see Homeowner’s partaking in all that Kicking Horse has to offer. Whether it is taking advantage of a Mountain School lesson, enjoying the numerous resort trails or simply utilizing our wonderful amenities, Homeowner’s continue to be valued as great representatives for Kicking Horse’s resort life. That being said, there’s been many questions recently on the former V.I.P. Passport Program and Home-owner perks in general.

With spring fast approaching and bouts of beautiful sunshine already present, we seem to be reminded of how our resort community is a playground for everyone! The recent lack of powder days has yet to deter visitors from partaking in our fantas-tic events and activities. February 11th saw Kicking Horse celebrate British Columbia’s first ever Family Day by offering residents 50% off lift tickets. The resort was also host to various family ac-tivities and animation over the weekend. It was great to see other B.C. residents ap-preciating Kicking Horse’s reputation for fresh adventure. We look forward to the next B.C. family day with great enthusiasm. Alberta Family Weekend always proves to be one of our busiest times of the year, and Feb 16th, 17th and 18th was no excep-tion. Guest visits were particularly high on the Sunday, with numbers staying strong for a traditionally eventful weekend in the season.

Yasmin and I have been working on a similar benefit program which will allow Homeowner’s to enjoy many services at the resort with exclusive perks! Further information and general on-resort discounts can be read about in this edition of Mountain Living. You can also contact Yasmin at the Discovery Centre (250) 439-5419 Or ywilding@kickinghorseresort.com As we look ahead to spring, we’re seeing a positive event turn out and many of our guests enjoying what has so far been a great winter. With so much more still planned for the year, I’m excited on what the future holds for the remainder of the win-ter 2012/13 season. Hope you’re out there enjoying it!

Steve Paccagnan President, KHMR

Message from Steve

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On-Resort Discounts

Peaks Grill Peaks Grill continues to offer Homeowners a 10% Discount. (excluding alcohol). To claim your discount, simply show your server your season pass. Visit Peaks Grill on Facebook to be notified about t h e i r l a t e s t e v e n t s a n d s p e c i a l s : http://www.facebook.com/peaksgrill Corks Restaurant Corks is still honoring a 15% Homeowner discount. Make sure you take a look at their various menus for the winter season by visiting their website at http://www.copperhorselodge.com/

Winston Lodge If you are a season pass holder, register with the Win-ston Lodge for your DEPUTY BADGE! Flash your badge to receive 12% off (excluding alcohol) all season long! The Winston Lodge also always has a lot of great events happening! Follow their facebook page for the latest event notif ications and updates: http://www.facebook.com/events/536822299663605/

In addition to the afore mentioned discounts, Homeowners are also entitled to receive ex-clusive RCR Member Benefits for full season Adult, Senior, Student, Youth, and Family passes. Please visit https://secure.skircr.com/additional_info/benefits.asp for a complete list of Member Benefits and details.

Slopeside Coffee & Deli Pick up your loyalty card at Slopeside Coffee & Deli to get your 10th coffee free!

We’ve been listening! Currently being worked on is a Homeowner’s benefit program similar to the past V.I.P. Passport. Perks will include: 10% off at Eagle’s Eye (excludes alcohol) 10% off at Slopeside Coffee & Deli (excludes alco-

hol) 10% off at The Whitetooth Grill (exludes alcohol) 10% off on Retail items (excludes sale items) Homeowner’s will soon be able to pick up a benefits card from Yasmin at the Discovery Centre to take advantage their perks!

Sales, Marketing & Media Update ANDY BROWN, SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING COORDINATOR

It’s no secret that Kicking Horse is a special place to be in the winter and the world is taking notice. So far this year we have had no fewer than 20 differ-ent media groups visit our resort to write about how lucky we are to be a part of this mountain playground. They have written stories in 5 languages to audiences in over 8 countries. You may have seen some of the finished work on Canada AM (canadaam.ctvnews.ca) Or via online articles focusing on different aspects of what we have. But no matter who is visiting every time I get the same response “this mountain is amaz-ing”.

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Resort Trail System BILL BRASHIER, HOMEOWNER, WINSTON LODGE

For more information on the Trail System, check out the following websites: www.kickinghorseresort.com/resort/things-to-do/index.aspx www.goldennordicclub.ca/

Bill Brashier has been kind enough to share his knowledge of the Resort Trail System. We’d like to thank Bill for relaying his experience of these trails, and we hope to see you all out there soon! “Developing and maintain-ing the snowshoe/walking/Nordic ski trails from the Day Lodge to the Cache Lodge Strata's and around Cedar Creek has been my pleasure. I love how they all conveniently lead to our Saloon and connect us to Dawn Mountain and the alpine. Thanks to Kicking Horse's Planning and Engi-neering Department for that. “Most of the trails are so popular and well traveled that people don't even need snowshoes most of the time to walk on them.

“Ross Prather, Dave Thompson, Ken Chillabeck Bob Lowe and a bunch of other homeowners are the real heroes. They've es-tablished and frequently use the longest trails around the resort that ex-plore alpine meadows, wa-terfalls, beaver ponds and lots of wildlife.

“I love how they all conveniently lead to our saloon and connect us to the Dawn Mountain and the Alpine.”

“Attached is a basic map of the main arteries that connect everything, but there are many more trails that branch off everywhere. Just get out there and walk about. “Happy Trails!”

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Staff Spotlight MIKE PERRY. MOUNTAIN SCHOOL TEAM LEAD

“I love meeting new people from all over the world and helping them en-joy a sport that I have a massive pas-sion for,” Mike Perry states enthusias-tically. He has been instructing at Kicking Horse for the last six seasons and as a Team Lead, his role entails teaching all types of lessons.

Mike is originally from the UK and is a qualified Level I Snowboard Instruc-tor, Level III Ski Instructor and Level I Ski Evaluator. It’s no wonder Moun-tain School and Kicking Horse have become undeniable passions. “Absolutely anyone can learn some-thing from one of our learning pro-grams. Whether you’re a first time skier learning the ropes in our Discov-ery Package or an all mountain expert looking to explore with one of our Big Mountain Centre guides, our highly qualified and experienced staff can help anybody have a better day on their skis or snowboard,” he affirms. Mike is familiar with many of the Homeowners at Kicking Horse, and notes that our multi-week programs for kids are very popular. These in-clude 3 to 5-year-olds in Little Pio-neers, 6 to 12-year-olds in Rock ‘n Horse or 8 to 12 and 13 to 17-year-olds in the Freeride Connection. “They make friends with other kids and improve so much as riders. The bonding that is done between the group is awesome,” Mike expresses.

Though he will be moving to Australia at the end of this season Mike is excit-ed about his future. He hopes to in-struct at an Australian resort and hopefully set up an outdoor sports-themed bed and breakfast. As for what he’ll miss about Kicking Horse? “The people I have met over the last 6 years I will never forget. Also the feeling of skiing our great terrain on a 50cm powder day cannot be compared. And the community spirit of Golden will be hard to beat. But I’ll be back in years to come, even if I am not part of the mountain school team. I’ll definitely be looking for a guide though to take me out on those busy powder days. If you’re interested in any of the pro-grams or simply want to chat to a friendly instructor like Mike, Mountain School can be found next to the Dis-covery Centre.

“Anyone can learn something from one of our learning programs.”

Mountain School Kicking Horse Mountain School is designed to build your strength and enhance your skills. Open 8:30am to 4:30pm daily. Contact them on: (250) 439-5467 Or for more information, check out their programs at: www.kickinghorseresort.com/mountain/big-mountain/index.aspx

Stay tuned for up-coming Homeowner winter specials from Mountain school!

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Rotary Fundraising Gala

T h e S o c i a l E v e n t o f t h e S e a s o n ! Please join the Rotary Club of Golden for a Gala celebra-tion at the Civic Centre. In addition to the Golden Star, tickets are also available from Rotarians or you can contact Yasmin for more infor-mation: (250-439-5419 or ywilding@kickinghorseresort.com). Purchase a full table of 8 and get reserved seating. Rotary hopes to see you there to support a great cause!

Homeowner’s Après Ski It is time for the KHR Social Club's second après. Register now for the après at Winston's Pub on Saturday, February 23 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The last event sold out and by all accounts was a great success. Winston Pub is serving up hum-mus, tzatziki, flatbread, veggie sticks and dip, pickled vegetables, bru-schetta, spinach dip, artichoke dip and olive tapenade with crostini. One free beverage is also included with your ticket purchase. All for $12.00. Don't miss out and book early through event registration page: www.khrapres2.eventbrite.com The KHR Social Club après is a home owner's event designed to get everyone together in an infor-mal environment and taste the fla-vour of the restaurants at our great mountain. Donations for GKHAT (Golden Kicking Horse Alpine Team) will be accepted at the après. REMEMBER this is a pre-purchase event. No tickets will be sold at the door.

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Grizzly Bear Refuge Winter Update NICOLE GAGNON On November 12th, 2012, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s resident, orphaned Grizzly Bear, Boo officially went into hibernation. After the refuge staff observed Boo in his den for longer than a 24hr period, the announcement was made. Boo remains on our mountain through winter in his “man-made” winter den that is located on the north side of his habitat. Through the winter, Boo is observed utilizing an infrared camera that is attached to his den roof. Grizzly Bear Refuge Lead, Ross Prather reviews all video recordings of Boo ensuring his optimal health and safe-ty. Boo has been reported to arouse in his den for approximately 15-20 minutes where he then fluffs his bed, stretches, rolls around on his back holding his toes and even occasionally mugs the camera. On sunny days, Boo has been spotted lying inside the tunnel entrance to his den, soaking up those wonderful warm rays. As we enjoy the ski and snowboarding season here at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, female Grizzly Bears and Black Bears in their dens are getting ready to have a litter of cubs around the end of January, start of February. Cubs are born inside the den, and weigh a meager 400-700 grams. They are blind, deaf and virtually hairless when first born. They make the incredible journey up mommy’s tummy where they begin to feed on her very nutritious milk. For the next 10-12 weeks, the cubs will feed from mom and develop inside the den. When cubs emerge from their den with mama bear in the spring, the cubs have developed a full coat of fur. They have full sight, can hear, walk and are very anxious and excited to explore the new world around them. Bears in hibernation do not drink, eat, urinate or defecate. During hibernation their bodies recycle the waste left in their kidneys and turn it to a form of protein which supplies the body all winter long. Bears in hibernation shiv-er to keep their muscle tone and to prevent their muscles from atrophy. Boo and the staff at the Grizzly Bear Refuge look forward to another summer season at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. We are all anxious to see Boo’s handsome face once again and welcome new and returning visitors to our interpretive centre at the refuge. Boo wishes everyone a BEARY safe and warm winter 2012/2013 season!