Ride the Eagle Tomorrow Afternoon - post from BMR

Eagle is about to take flight very very soon. We have prepped the runs and set the stage for an opening tomorrow afternoon December 18. With more snow in the forecast and plenty at the top we are excited to get things turning.

Tickets to ride will be at the Sugarlump pricing until noon at noon we will switch to our two chair pricing. So if your looking for another reason to get outside come shred early and get a heavy discount on tickets.

A few house keeping rules as you plan to shred the best little 2 person chair in the Okanagan. (At least that's what we think)

1. It is still early season so stick to the groomed runs where it will be a much better experience

2. Anything off groomer may come back to get you so ride with caution

3. The north side will be closed so stay off this side of Eagle this is for your safety and the safety of others runs are closed for a reason

4. Have a good time out there it's going to be a stellar day with snowfall expected to hit by noon

Hwy 3 Update Today from MOTI

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025TT0129-001268?fbclid=IwY2xjawOv_CFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeGK1TAfPhDmXJDc0M59LoPnH8djFQvr2h-l36r-GrMp7A0j5QFJZmTvbjZrY_aem_J5IU3ZL9QmphUNPhz4xQ_Q

Some of the repairs needed are in avalanche areas..................

Power outage backgrounder.........

A little bit of background for the newer families in the village. This morning was a bit of an exception in that it took longer for the Fortis page to show our outage on the map. It was also annoying that several residents calling at different times were told that they were the first to report it.

When outages have happened at night, the person answering seems to know more than the day time call centre. They appreciate whatever info you can give them.

The Telus cell tower on McKinney does not have adequate back up power supply, so you will lose cell service fairly quickly, as well as Telus internet.

If the base area loses power, China Creek Internet loses power to connect from McKinney to the village. If the base area does not lose power, I can usually connect to China Creek with my power supply back up, as the installation at the top of the mountain has more back-up power.

Get to know your neighbours. There are several full time residents (including me) who do have a land line that works when the power is out.

Winter power outages up here generally last about 5 hours. There are a few of us who drive/call around to see if the outage is localized or widespread. If you see a downed power line, don't go anywhere near it.

I fear that we are in for more outages this winter. The area where the trees came down on the lines has seen more trees fail in the last couple of years. I don't have the info at the moment as to whether the proposed FESBC project may deal with some of that this summer.

Fortis took a different approach in the village this summer - not removing danger trees that threaten the main lines, and just tipping branches of even dead trees close to their lines. 

The tree situation in the village has gone beyond FireSmart. Liability and power have to be factored in. Unfortunately one owner in our village has gone to great lengths to try and convince Fortis to attend to a tree that could take out a transformer if it goes. They have been unsuccessful convincing Fortis.

Power just restored, after 5 hour outage

The power went out shortly after 6:00am this morning, and just came back on now. Cell and internet were not available. Gusty winds last night, and reports of trees on the road. 

I cleaned up my cordless electric chainsaws the other day, and put them away for the winter. After the debris I saw yesterday down in the area of the 2021 burn, I'm thinking I should put one back in the truck.

Ice Cleats Recommended

Driveways, walkways, and streets have a fresh dusting of snow on top, but there is ice underneath. Moisture just starting in Oliver when I started up, road turns white around 25km, McKinney Rd. 

No paid advertising on this blog............but

I discovered the Karma Fruit Co products a couple of years ago, made in Kelowna. No sugar added to their sparkling juice - just the sugar from the fruit. A good choice for someone like me who is trying not to support the big USA companies, and to cut back on sugar.

I gave samples to a number of friends and told them to get it at Costco - and then it was gone. In it's place, fruit juices made overseas.

The farm tasting bar is open 11:00 - 4:00 Wednesday thru Sunday in the winter. I drove by just in case this morning, and found a very accommodating staff member willing to sell some product to me. They make mocktails and other stuff too. All in Kelowna.

Apparently their deal with Costco is a seasonal one, up for consideration again in February.

https://www.farmingkarma.ca/ 

Fuel Today

123.9 and 124.9 in Kelowna

119.9 Costco, 120.9 at Gen 7, bottom of the hill.

Tradition Revived

For decades, singing carols in the village Christmas Eve was an annual event. Maybe it was covid, but it hasn't continued the last few years.

Meet at the top of the village Christmas Eve at 6:30, and sing your way down to Wapiti Creek Lodge. With a large enough group, it splits at Porcupine, continuing to collect more people along the way.

Thanks to Scott and Robyn at Wapiti Creek Lodge for hosting the hot chocolate at the end.

At least 30 years ago, we hauled a keyboard down to the lodge for my Mom to play when it was just too cold to be outside.

Thanks Prim for bringing up the idea again - Sheilagh M, you are more than welcome to lead, or just enjoy after all these years.

Change is coming........

Cooler, and current forecast is for snow accumulations Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. It appears that the coast and Fraser Valley have one more wet wave to endure, then hopefully the crews have enough time to restored the remaining damage on the highways.  

Events

 

Former student of Mr. Kitt? Head down to the Baldy Bar on the 28th to hear him sing.