There was plenty to celebrate at the Mt. Timothy Ski Area Rad Retro Day 25th anniversary birthday bash on the mountain, March 10.
A total of 218 skiers and boarders took advantage of a special retro lift ticket price of $25 and many dressed in the style of the 1980s to help mark the occasion.
The inaugural T-shirt Smash contest was a hit, with 11 participants struggling to be the first to slip into a frozen and twisted T-shirt. 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall was given a complimentary shirt to compete, but Doug Hendriks of 100 Mile won the challenge and claimed a 2013/14 season pass as his prize.
Another season pass went to Stacey Johnston, also from 100 Mile, as winner of the scavenger hunt.
Mt. Timothy administration manager Alisha Piccolo says Johnston completed the hunt in less than half the expected time.
“She was on a mission and she blew the hunt out of the water. I expected the hunt to at least take two-and-a-half hours and she completed it in just over an hour. She ran the whole time.”
A duck hunt, where toy ducks were hidden all over the mountain, also generated prizes for participants, with the booty including small toys, baked goods, day lift tickets, hot chocolate and poutine in the bistro, and discounts at the pro shop.
There was live music on the deck and there was a burger barbecue and a giant birthday cake, decorated to look like Mt. Timothy.
Campsall gave a speech and Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett presented a certificate of appreciation to Mt. Timothy for its valuable contribution to the community.
The new, nearly finished guest services building was open to the public, but Piccolo says it didn’t get as much attention as she’d expected.
She was also surprised more people didn’t come out to the birthday event, but admits when weather is sunny and warm, as it was that day, people tend to turn their interests to springtime activities, such as biking and yard work.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about the number in attendance that makes this rewarding; it’s to see the smiles and hear the laughs and watch everyone enjoying themselves.
“It’s knowing these people came to celebrate with us. That is what makes this all worth it in the end.”
