Overcoming Challanges

By Will Colford, SnowSeekers Inc.

    As an avid snowboarder, it shocked me to see a thriving ski hill in Drumheller Alberta; however, having learned on a river valley hill myself it should have came as no surprise such a small hill fosters such big dreams.

    Having been opened for approximately 15 years, Drumheller Ski area faces constant challenges to keep the lift turning and the snow flying.  One local is no stranger to facing challenges and is very glad the hill, like himself, rises to the occasion, giving him a place to train and ski.  Jay Dekyser raced during the World Special Winter Games in Quebec last year.

    "Fifth fastest in the country," exclaims Dekyser.  He is proud of his accomplishments, as is the greater Drumheller community and his coach Martin McSwede -- Drumheller's lead torchbearer.

    The hill, coincidentally, is located one hoodoo away from the cauldron site.  "Having the flame come to this spot means a lot for our winter program and athletes such as Jay," said McSwede.

    Without hills like the Drumheller ski area and their enduring spirit to provide the community with facilities and training programs, Alberta would be without many prominent Olympians and opportunities for athletes like Dekyser's love for skiing and the local hill are synonymous: it lets him "go real fast ... real fast." 

Inspiring more than just athletes

By Will Colford
      
         The torch relays allow the community and its members to showcase talents beyond coming together.  Each town on the relay has its own heroes, former Olympians, and rising stars.  Courtney Morris, a senior at Drumheller Composite High School, is one such star who draws inspiration from the OLympic spirit, her community, and other home town heroes.
         "Getting to sing with my classmates at this, of all venues, was extremely special," said Morris.  Being the lead singer for the performance, Morris exemplified the leadership qualities of the lead torchbearers, and Olympians themselves.
         "Her voice is strong enough to carry the torch," remarks a crowd member.  Morris plans to take her singing to a professional evel as she's already applied to several prominent musical schools within North America.  She Aspires to be like another prominent singer in the community, Canadian Idol contestant, Jenn Beaupré.  But in my opinion, She doesn't have very far to go.
         "I really look up to her for inspiration and hope to be as good or better some day."  Above all the hype, people like Morris are what the torch relay is all about.  It's a chance for a community to come together and celebrate the people who make it special.

For more on the festivities in Drumheller please check out Travel Alberta's  You Tube channel 

Alberta is defined by it's people

By Jim Barr, SnowSeekers Inc.

The Olympic movement is about bringing people together, its about sharing cultures, learning from one another and acheiving goals. As our team makes its way around this province, I have been asking those who are part of the celebrations and the tens of thousands of Albertan's who are out to share in the Olympic glory, "What makes this a great place to live?"

For Susan and David Guba from Drumheller, that answer was simple.

"Our province is an incredible place to live and its the people that make it great. We are a province that is full of people who are there to help each other out," said Susan.

And certainly the Gubas were there in 1988 to help people out, volunteering for the '88 Calgary Olympics. They had the chance to reflect back on that experience yesterday, seeing the Olympic flame up close again as it marched into The Canadian Bad Lands Passion Play Theatre in Drummheller. It was sight that brought both of them to tears.

"It was such an incredible exerpience, to be apart of history and share in the excitement, its really hard to explain," said Susan. For David, his times during the Calgary games was about the chance to connect with fellow Albertans, Canadaians and people around the world.

"The people that we laughed with, the opportunity for us to share stories from our province and to be proud of what we are so fortunate to have. Then to see that flame back in Alberta here today ... it really choked me up and brought tears to my eyes."

This theme of hospitality is one we've been hearing a lot of as we make our way around the province, we really are a place where people care.

"We are strong. We work hard and we really work to see our dreams come true," explained Gisselle Beauchesne of Medicine Hat at last night, where the celebrations took place under the world's largest teepee- the Saamis Teepee (which was constructed for the Calgary '88 Olympics to showcase Alberta's heritage.)

Stay tuned for lots more as we make our way into Taber and Lethbridge today – where the torch will be making its way across the 100 year old railway bridge through town.