Update on Jack's

Last November, students and instructors from the NAIT Forest Technology Program began a harvest project around the Jack’s Trail System, specifically Christine’s Cutline Cruise and Dan’s Deadly Downhill. They had contacted HMBA as part of the formal notification process for groups/interests in the area, a process managed by the Province to minimize conflicts on the land base.

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The NAIT project is clearly visible from .Christine's Cutline Cruise".  They did a great job of removing debris from the trail. It's a little wet but good overall (see header photo)

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Note the harvest block (yellow) indicated on the above map. Even though the project occured over winter, trails were buffered up to 30 meters and caution signage was placed. NAIT will also inspect trails for any unlikely debris.

Did you know that the NAIT Forestry Program performs a “Cache Percott–Give Back”? Upon completion of their field camps, 30 students cleaned-up around the Cache Percott Forest, removing general garbage i.e. dumped couches, washing machines, garden detritus, household garbage etc.   AWESOME!!, thanks NAIT!

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BIG THANKS! to whoever cut all the downed trees over winter. There's a few new ones down but overall Jack's is riding great and surprisingly dry.

AGM April 21st

AGM Announcement

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday, April 21st at Lakeview Inn & Suites.  Doors open at 6:30pm.  AGM will start at 7:15pm.

2016 HMBA Memberships will be available for purchase.

• Individual Memberships:  $25
• Family Memberships:  $75

Memberships can be purchased ahead of time from our online shop.  Pick up your 2016 membership cards and stickers at the AGM!  If you are unable to attend our AGM, the membership cards and stickers will be mailed out to you after April 21st.

HMBA Apparel will also be available for purchase at the AGM.

New this year: Smaller-sized 'member' stickers!!

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Great door prizes!!  Including a Trek run bike donated by Vicious for our youngest members.

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Thank you to our sponsors for the great AGM door prizes!

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Thank you to Lakeview Inn & Suites for donating the use of their meeting room for our AGM!

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Thank you to The Hinton Voice and Ouiprint for designing and printing our AGM posters!

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And saving the best for last, a great BIG thank you to all our membership card discount sponsors!!

Canadian Rockies Mountain Bike Fest wins 2nd in 2016 Entrepreneurship Challenge

Canmore, AB – The Canadian Rockies Mountain Bike Fest, a developing mega event that will bring Alberta’s booming mountain bike industry to Canmore won second place at last night’s Travel Alberta’s 2016 Growing Rural Tourism Conference’s Entrepreneurship Challenge in Camrose.

Owner/Operator Wanda Bogdane explained, “This is an important accomplishment for the Fest. We’ve had amazing support so far, but an event of this magnitude requires seed money to develop. Having mentorship will also be helpful to move the project into execution at the standard we want.”

Rancho Relaxo Resort of Rocky Mountain House took the first place win and Discovery Wildlife Park of Innisfail won third place. Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism tweeted “Congrats to ‪@TaimiSoil‪@wandabogdane ‪@DiscoveryWild-winners of the 2016 Entrepreneurship Challenge, presented at GRT.‪#ABtourism”

 The Canadian Rockies Mountain Bike Fest

The Fest will be a buzz of activities over a multi-day period at the end of June (2017) and will include:

• Demo-licious Days: “This is where mountain bikers will come to sample the tastiest bikes of the season,” explained Bogdane.
• The Plaid Goat Jump Jam where jumpers of all ages and abilities will come to strut their stuff and put on a great show
• A craft beer tent and great coffee to quench attendees’ thirst 
• Coaching clinics with the best coaches from around the region
• Group rides to make sure festival takers get their “ride-on” and awesome activities hosted by local bike shops
• Partnerships with “for fun” existing mountain bike races
• Trail care days involving local and regional trail builders and designers, with support from the International Mountain Bike Association
• A kids activity area with a pump track and make your own park dirt pit
• Vendors galore showcasing the newest bike goods, food, jewellery, bike art and more

“The Fest will build on the Town of Canmore’s Bike Fest, held in previous years and will add in the regional piece to create an inclusive, for-fun celebration of mountain biking culture for the bike industry and its passion people from around the province,” said Bogdane. “Mountain bike tourists who love to travel to ride will be a big part of the mix too.”

A regional approach to mountain biking is new for Alberta, but common across North America and the world. “The Fest can help fill this gap and will create a new mechanism for our beautiful province to further diversify our tourism economy,” explained Bogdane. “The Canadian Rockies Mountain Bike Fest will bring together mountain bike alliances, destination marketing organizations, coaches, clubs and industry so all of the great mountain bike experiences in the region can be found in one mammoth package.”

The Canadian Rockies Mountain Bike Fest is seeking sponsors and partners for individual components and the festival as a whole. “There are a ton of different ways to be involved, and we’ve had interest from the bike industry and non-industry companies who want to reach the core demographic of a loyal affluent group mostly aged 35-55. However, with something of this scale, we’ll continue to build out our sponsorship program over the next year,” said Bogdane.

For more information contact:

Wanda Bogdane

403-609-7127

wanda@aspire2achieve.ca   

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Background on the Growing Rural Tourism Conference

 The 2016 conference featured the second installment of the Entrepreneurship Challenge, a competition to help operators develop new tourism experiences. Ten finalists presented their business plans to industry experts and received feedback during the conference on Feb 23.

The top three winners were announced and received cash prizes and one year of mentoring to assist in the development of their products. The winners included:

·       1st place: Rancho Relaxo Resort, Rocky Mountain House

·       2nd place: Canadian Rockies Mountain Bike Fest, Canmore

·       3rd place: Discovery Wildlife Park, Innisfail

“Tourism is an important industry in our province—and a key factor in diversifying Alberta’s economy. The Growing Rural Tourism Conference develops and supports tourism experiences that are off the beaten path, bringing economic benefits to rural communities. Innovation and the expansion of travel experiences in Alberta will facilitate the growth of our burgeoning tourism industry.”

Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is committed to expanding the tourism industry and maximizing the opportunities tourism creates in every region of the province. Working with industry partners the goal is to grow tourism in Alberta to a $10.3 billion industry by 2020.

Links:

http://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=4025464652ABC-A253-BECE-AAD346EB3BA41FDB#.Vst9HEACA1A.twitter

Photos for the winners can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albertaculture/sets/72157664276965799

 Media inquiries:

·       Beryl Cullum 780-644-5588Communications Director, Culture and Tourism

·       Chuck Erman 780-672-3640General Manager, Camrose Regional Exhibition

Repsol Sponsoring a Bench at Hinton Bike Park

Repsol Oil & Gas Canada Inc., formerly Talisman Energy Inc., has contributed $5,000 towards the sponsorship of a bench at the Hinton Bike Park!    THANK YOUR REPSOL!!

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Julie Duval, HMBA VP, accepting the cheque from Jesse Kirillo of Repsol.

During the summer of 2014, benches were built, stained and varnished and otherwise prepped for sponsorship branding – a creative way for the HMBA to raise funds for future projects. 

Cash contributions of $5,000 can mean a unique sponsorship opportunity and be showcased within the Hinton Bike Park on one of these benches.  More details...

Winter Fat Bike Demo & Skills Challenge

FAT BIKE DEMO & SKILLS CHALLENGE

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Wondering what all the fat bike excitement is about? Join HMBA at Maxwell and take one out for a spin. Try your skills at an obstacle course and earn fat biking bragging rights.

This event is part of the Hinton Winter Magic Festival.   There will be a fire pit & music also!

Event run by Hinton Mountain Bike Association
Where: Maxwell Lake
Time: Sunday, February 7th, 1-4pm

A post-demo ride is planned after the event (after 4pm) as well.

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Many participated in the fun teamed race in the 2015 winter event.

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Fat biking is definitely worth trying and so much fun!!

ALSO ON SAME DAY/PLACE:

LANTERN FESTIVAL 

Join us for an evening skate around Maxwell Lake where student decorated Lantern Bags will light your way.
Event run by YRAF & Maxwell Lake Skating Society
Where: Maxwell Lake
Time: 5-8pm

Talisman Energy Investing in Our Communities

Talisman Energy, one of HMBA's Double-Black Diamond Supporters, and their employees, continue to support and invest in our community.   Their ongoing support have helped towards initiatives such as building and maintaining the Hinton Bike Park, and supporting HMBA's Sprockids programming.

Through their "Investing in Our Communities (IOC) program",  Talisman Energy recognizes their employees/retirees actively engaged with community organizations in which they live and work.

Two Hinton residents, Colin Hanington and Cody Begon, have recently selected the Hinton Mountain Associations for their generous contributions.

Colin and Cody - THANK YOU for your continued support!!!  And thank you Talsiman Energy for Investing in Our Community!

Shawn, HMBA President (left),  accepting the donation from Talisman employee, Colin Hanington (right). 

Photo taken in 2014.  Cody Begon has been actively involved as a coach with Sprockids and has made numerous annual contributions to HMBA through his employer's Investing in Our Communities Program.

HMBA Gains New Board Member

The Hinton Mountain Bike Association would like to welcome Maureen Harper to the Board as the new Director at Large!

Maureen has always been, and continues to be, a great advocate for HMBA!  She is quick to volunteer and you will often find her leading a ladies' group on our Monday nights or doing trail maintenance when riding our trails.

Welcome aboard, Maureen! 

-HMBA Board Members