by Anne Baker
MT. BAKER – The Mt. Baker Ski Area’s Legendary Banked Slalom will celebrate its 25th anniversary Feb. 5-7. Hailed as the longest running snowboard competition in the world, the event attracts hundreds of competitors, including children, amateurs, and the sport’s top professionals,
According to Mt. Baker’s Marketing Director Amy Trowbridge, the top snowboarders “come to be competitive, but also to enjoy the barbecue, camaraderie, and the history of the event.”
The first Banked Slalom, held in 1985, had just 15 racers. Humble beginnings, though its origins itself are now legendary. Northwest snowboarding pioneer Bob Barci and early snowboard maker Tom Sims are credited with creating the event.
The late Barci owned the Bike Factory, a shop in Bellevue which encouraged the growth of the then fringe sports of BMX, skateboarding, and snowboarding. A snowboarder himself, riding slopes without lift access and on the earliest gear, Barci’s shop was among the first in the Northwest to sell snowboards. Barci encouraged and supported the first generation of hot riders in the world, a group of friends which called themselves the Mt. Baker Hard Core (MBHC) and included Craig Kelly, Jeff Fulton, Dan Donnelly, Eric Swanson, Carter Turk, Eric Jenko, and later on Mike Ranquet, Mike (Tex) Davenport, and Jaime Lynn.
Wanting to hold a contest for these up and comings, Barci approached Duncan Howat, general manager of the Mt. Baker Ski Area. At the time, Mt. Baker was one of the few areas that allowed snowboarding in-bounds; in fact, it always welcomed snowboarders.
Receiving the green light from Howat, Barci organized the race for Superbowl Sunday, as most skiers would be at home, and set up the 500-foot long course in the upper part of “the Chute” under Chair 1. Barci served as timer and judge. Few spectators showed up.
The competitors included a lineup of some of the most famous names of early snowboarding history. Tom Sims took first place in the contest with a time of 23.86 seconds. Terry Kidwell, a several time world half-pipe champion between the years of 1984-87, came with Sims from California to participate. Mike Olson, founder of the snowboard making company Mervin Manufacturing (better known for its Lib Tech and Gnu brands), was on hand from Seattle. A small group of Canadians showed up, and of course, the MBHC represented the local scene.
Trowbridge, just 13 years old at the time, recalls riding up Chair 1 and watching the event. Thinking it was “the coolest thing I ever saw,” she set down her skis in favor of a Sims snowboard given to her father, Duncan Howat. The two snowboarded together, marking the beginning of a successful snowboarding career for Trowbridge. In between winning world championships in Europe, she placed first in the Women’s category of the Banked Slalom in 1987, the first year that category existed, and again in 1990.
For the remainder of the 1980s, the event grew phenomenally into one of the biggest snowboarding races in the world, with 40-60 racers including top riders like Shaun Palmer and Craig Kelly. In the 90’s, the event tapered off, perhaps due to big events taking place in Europe, though snowboarding superstars like world champion Terje Haakonsen and Olympic gold medalist Ross Rebagliati were still attracted to the event.
Towards the latter part of the 90’s, Trowbridge and her sister Gwyn Howat began running the event, and it grew once again. Trowbridge credits this growth to the support of Mervin Manufacturing, its team riders spreading the word in the European contests, and the event being old enough to generate nostalgia for its origins.
By the early 2000’s, the event started filling up quick, with 275-300 snowboarders participating. Since many folks who wanted to race were not getting in, a lottery was instituted, as well as a local’s qualifier held each Martin Luther King Jr. Day to give area residents a shot at racing in the actual event. Perhaps as a result, for three out of the last four years, the coveted “duct tape trophy” for the Pro Men category went to Mt. Baker local Temple Cummins and Glacier’s own Lucas DeBari.
What seems to make the event legendary is that it is a celebration of the soul and spirit of the sport, which can be traced back to the pioneers of the event and the sport itself. Those pioneers began experimenting with snowboarding not for cash prizes, fame, or tricked out gear, but for a love of flowing downhill, through powder, accompanied by friends. This purity is what seems to attract so many to the event today.

The 25th annual Legendary Banked Slalom will take place at the Mt. Baker Ski Area on Friday, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Feb. 7. Several hundred snowboarders are expected to compete. In addition to division competition, there will be a barbecue, music and awards ceremony.  For more information, visit www.mtbaker.us or watch for updates here at www.foothillsgazette.com.

by the Foothills Gazette

COUNTY – During the Jan. 26 meeting of the Whatcom County Council, council members discussed the process by which they will begin working on proposed rezones in rural areas.  The proposed rezones, recommended as possible changes by the Whatcom County Planning Commission, take place in rural areas that contain too much development to be considered rural. Specific boundaries must be outlined around these areas; Whatcom County has a total of 46 areas, including Acme, Glacier, Nugents Corner, and Hinotes Corner. The Planning Commission forwards recommendations to the Council, which ultimately approve or make changes to the proposals. Some Council members have stated they want significant changes. The Council will hold two work sessions about the rezones, starting Tuesday, Feb. 9.  Whatcom County has not yet received a date by which this rural zoning work must be completed, but officials said this week they expect one will come soon. Meanwhile, anti-sprawl group Futurewise plans to file a motion requesting a state growth board give Whatcom County a deadline. State law mandates that counties review rural areas to prevent sprawl. In 2005, a state growth hearing board ruled Whatcom County was out of compliance regarding its review.

Lots of spots for day adventures in the east county

by Christina Claassen
Despite the hit-or-miss snow this season, there is plenty of time and opportunity to get out and play. One easily accessible winter sport, for young and old, is snowshoeing, and Whatcom County has dozens of trails and areas that are perfect for walking on snow.

Bud Hardwick of the Mount Baker Club recently gave a presentation at the Bellingham REI about the various areas in the region people can explore. Actually, his talk was about “67 local snowshoe outings,” and his photographs were enough to entice anyone. He encourages people to explore the hills, woods and mountains on snowshoe because the experience is unique and the sights breathtaking.

So, where does one begin? Right off Mount Baker Highway of course.

The Nooksack Nordic Ski Club offers approximately four miles of snowshoeing trails at Salmon Ridge. (These are in a Sno-Park areas, and therefore require a Sno-Park pass. If you don’t have one, you can pick one up at Crossroads Grocery or Maple Fuels in Maple Falls.) The trails are marked with blue flagging, an easy way for snowshoers to stay in the designated areas. The snowshoeing trails are: Elk Trail (.75 mile), River route (.75 mile), Huckleberry Trail   (1.1 mile) and the rather steep Grizzly Trail (.4 mile).

To get there, travel east on Mount Baker Highway about a half-mile past milepost 46, just across from the Silver Fir Campground area.

Another area to explore is Canyon Lake Community Forest, accessible by going south on Mosquito Lake Road, then left onto Canyon Lake Road. Hardwick said that there was a very big washout on the road, so the gate to the park is closed, (therefore an excursion would begin from the gate). This area is great for a tour around the lake, or a longer day-trip following the ridge. If going further to find the viewpoint, which includes views of Mount Baker and the Sisters range, as well as old growth stands, expect to travel more than 10 miles round trip. Consult with maps for this route.

Some other spots Hardwick recommended past Glacier are West Church Ridge, which has open views and peaceful forest glades. Coal Pass (FS 39) is a more challenging outing and requires avalanche knowledge. Nooksack Falls and the Wells Creek Basalt Bluffs were also suggested for spectacular views. Caution is required around the falls and crossing the bridge, and he did not recommend going down Wells Creek Road, which is a major avalanche risk area. Another option in the area is Hannegan Road, especially following the Nooksack River. He mentioned the Jerry Bourne Connector Trail, which the Forest Service has flagged and leads to a historical gold quarry dump.

The Mount Baker Ski Area obviously provides various access points and opportunities. Hardwick said Picture Lake is good for beginners, kids, and those looking for amazing pictures. Snowshoers can make a picturesque loop. “You feel like you’re in the wilderness even though you’re in a low place,” Hardwick said.

And of course, there is always the Heather Meadows area. You can’t beat the beauty there, especially on a clear day. Park in the lot near the end of Mount Baker Highway, throw on your shoes and head out.

Hopefully these areas will help get you started on a snowshoe outing this winter. Be sure to learn about safety and avalanche awareness before taking off, and follow maps for better route-finding. For the best information check out the Forest Service website (fs.fed.us/r6/mbs),  the Mount Baker Club’s website (mountbakerclub.org) and the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club site, which has a specific snowshoe page at nooksacknordicskiclub.org/snowshoe.html.

Christina Claassen lives in Bellingham and is a freelance writer and editor. She loves to craft and bake, and explore the outdoors.

Skater Ryan Williams at the homegrown park in Glacier. Photo by Jared Smith.

GLACIER – Tucked away in the woods of Glacier is a skate park created by local residents over the last four years, unbeknownst to Whatcom County and the current landowner. The homegrown park has become a haven for local skaters and supporters who are now trying to form a nonprofit group to save and operate the site.

The land, formerly owned by Crown Pacific, was part of an approximately 25-acre parcel auctioned off in November. Whatcom County resident Joe King purchased the site – unaware the homegrown skate park was included – and shortly after was informed by the Whatcom County Planning Department of county code violations due to the park’s construction.

Construction of the skate park, according to lead organizer Jeremy Miller, began in 2005. A lifelong skateboarder and Glacier resident since 1997, Miller said he would often go to a makeshift skate park in Portland under the Burnside Bridge. “It was built in the same style (as the Glacier skate park) – without permission, there were always junk piles and cars,” Miller said.

While hanging out in a friend’s garage, Miller decided Glacier should have the same do-it-yourself type of park and began putting up new obstacles at the coal pads just south of Glacier along Coal Creek Road, already a popular place for locals to skate. The obstacles went up, barriers were moved to make corners, and “it just kind of evolved from there.”

“I’d go to the coal pad and know that people would be there to skate. It’s kind of like the meeting spot,” Miller stated. “We’d show up daily and try to work.”

Miller said a lot of the work and upkeep has been done by skaters, but said the community supported the efforts as well. “When we needed money, all we had to do was ask and we had our concrete paid for. We were pouring yards and yards of concrete and no one said anything, but ‘Wow! Really cool.’”

As the park itself has grown, so has its reputation, as skaters have come from all over Whatcom County, as well as the Seattle area. Miller is most excited, though, about the kids who come with their parents. “It’s really cool having new parents show up with their kids,” he said, adding word about the park has made it into local schools, and they are seeing more youth from other towns in Whatcom County.

Miller said those who built and used the site were unaware of any land owner and didn’t believe the land was “owned” by anyone. “It was a total shock when we found out the land was foreclosed and [Mr. King] bought it,” he said.

Out of compliance

When Whatcom County resident Joe King became the new owner of the land on Nov. 20, he said he was aware the property came with coal pads, but had no idea a skate park was included. After a visit to the planning department on an unrelated matter, King said he was informed of the park and the fact it is out of compliance with Whatcom County code. He declined to elaborate about the property.

According to Senior Planner Suzanne Bosman, of Whatcom County Planning and Development, the department was unaware of the park’s existence until a fire inspector visiting Glacier went up Coal Creek Road to turn around and then saw the structures.

Bosman later investigated the skate park herself, saying, “This isn’t good,” upon arrival. She added, “I was impressed in the sense that it was clean. There weren’t broken bottles and they had notes up there to clean up after yourself.”

The Planning Department recently issued a letter to King, stating he had 30 days to submit a letter of intent regarding his plans for the property. According to Bosman, the two options are to dismantle the park or go through the necessary permit process to keep it.

While King has a 30-day window to determine his actions, Bosman noted the department is tentatively looking at a spring timeline before any action is taken – giving King and the skate park organizers time to potentially work out an agreement. “Right now, we’re going to

give them enough time to work through the situation,” she stated. “We understand that it’s important to the community – the kids are doing something fun and productive.”

Should King and the skate park organizers work out an agreement, a conditional use permit is needed to maintain the skate park. The process concludes in front of a hearing examiner who determines if the permit should be issued. If and when granted, stated Bosman, organizers will potentially need a building permit to bring the park up to code.

If a resolution is not worked out and the structure is torn apart, Miller said it will not be easy. “We’ve been putting lots of metal in the concrete,” he stated, “so if they do rip it out, it’s going to be really hard.”

Non-profit forming

Following recent communication with King, Miller said he and other organizers are forming a non-profit group in order to make the skate park legitimate. The group, which will include Glacier residents Gary Graham, Joseph Garcia, Paul Engel and Anne Baker on the board, is in the process of organizing the paperwork and has begun working with a Bellingham-based lawyer.

According to Miller, the idea of a non-profit had been discussed when they learned of King’s purchase. While King has given the group the go-ahead to form a non-profit, the parties are not sure how or if the site will be transferred. “Who will own the land has not been addressed,” Miller stated.

In the mean time, the group will begin fundraising. Organizers are also working on potential sponsorships and soliciting advice from skate park experts, including a Bellingham resident who is a project manager for the Seattle-based Grindline Skate Parks and one of the organizers of the Marginal Way DIY Skate Park, also of Seattle.

As the park issue has become publicized, some have criticized park organizers for building on land they did not outright own.

“We knew very well the consequences of building our spot on land we did not own, which is why it was very small for the first few years,” organizers posted on their blog. “But it was a DUMP on logging land zoned forestry. We only had the best intentions and were trying to clean up and make use of the spot by turning an unsightly trash heap into something we need. Glacier is a secluded mountain town, there is a real need for this project. We were always aware of the fact that we could get shut down. We are only hoping for the best, we didn’t mean to disrespect property rights…”

Photo by Pat Savatgy

VAN ZANDT – The South Fork Valley rock ‘n’ roll group bandZandt helped ring in the new year at the Van Zandt Community Hall on New Year’s Eve. Residents danced and ate the night away, with some of the admission proceeds benefiting the Hall. Band members are Kent Rogers, Robin Wallbridge, Gregg McClaran, Chuck Loos, Diane Leigh, Joe Hawley and Doug Sutton. Other New Year’s Eve events in the east county area included live music at the Deming Log Show Grounds and a private performance by Helle’s Belles at Graham’s Restaurant in Glacier.