S yy Shis thsue: (Y Local news roundup And more! (¥ How much do you love New Westminster? (Y Trans Mountain ends suit against protestors Have an idea for a story? Let us know! Contact: Angela Espinoza, News Editor Mi news@theotherpress.ca www.theotherpress.ca The beginner's guide to skiing and snowboarding » Your manual for shredding powder all over BC Jasmin Sprangers The Cascade t’s that time of year: the weather is cold, the roads are icy and the hills are snowy. Dreaded by many but highly anticipated by a few, it’s time for winter sports to begin. With fresh snow on local hills such as Cypress and Manning, snowboarders and skiers couldn't be more excited. Despite a late and gruelling start, the season is starting to kick off. Skiers and boarders, novices and experts, it’s your turn to get out there, carve your mark in the snow, and shred some powder! Many people look at the cost of boarding and skiing and are instantly turned away. They are not cheap sports. Not only is there a cost for the lift ticket and general snow gear (hats, mitts, snow pants, jacket), but there’s a cost for the boots, the snowboard and bindings, skis, and poles, too. It adds up real fast. But don’t let that scare you off. Renting is a possibility for around $50 a day for the full package (ski or board, boots, poles or bindings). This is a bit easier if youre not a regular skier or boarder. With Manning and Hemlock offering half-day prices, it becomes even better! : If you’re not wanting to rent : from the hill, No Sweat Sports : in Chilliwack offers equipment : rentals. If you’re looking to buy : : boots or poles, consignment : stores are great places to check : out. Even Craigslist is an option, : : which is a bit easier because a : picture is usually posted and : there’s less driving involved. : Once you've got your gear all : set, it’s time to head up the hill. important things to keep in : mind when on the hill. : purposely falling on your bum : is considered stopping, do it. It’s : : better to have a bruised bottom : than it is to run into a tree, There are a few very Know how to stop. Even if : : person, or go hurtling over a : cliff. Your whole body will thank : you later. Know what’s in front of : you. Nobody likes being run : over by the person behind them : who was flying down the hill : while looking at the sky — as : beautiful as it may have been. Chairlift safety. Don't : lower the bar unless both : people are ready (metal : on the head is not a good : combination). Keep track of your limbs. Many people look at the cost : of boarding and skiing and are instantly turned away. They are : not cheap sports. Mind your head. : While more of a safety tip, a helmet is always a good idea. : Somersaulting hurts and it : hurts more without a helmet. : Wearing one is even becoming a requirement on some hills. Skiing and snowboarding : are great activities. The sense of : freedom when flying down the : hill is amazing, and the feeling : of powder beneath your board : is exhilarating! Although weird : at first, it becomes natural : quickly as you learn the correct : way to angle your board around : obstacles in the snow. The cost : may seem daunting at first, but : the rush of adrenaline makes it : all worthwhile. Campaign for the Transit Referendum begins in March » Voters will mail in ballots until May 29 to vote on new tax Mercedes Deutscher Staff Writer n December 2014, the BC Government approved a referendum for the Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax, where voting is scheduled to take place from March 16 to May 29. The referendum will ask the question of whether or not Metro Vancouver residents would approve a 0.5 per cent increase to the Provincial Sales Tax in order to improve both transit and transportation in the region by 2040. If approved, money from the tax will fund the Mayors’ Council Transportation and Transit Plan, which will go towards expanding the Millennium line from VCC- Clark to Arbutus, creating a light rail train that connects Surrey and Langley, and replacing the Pattullo Bridge. : Plans also include introducing : 1 new B-Line Bus routes, : such as routes connecting : Maple Ridge to Coquitlam and : Vancouver to Simon Fraser : University. In mid-January, both “Yes” : and “No” campaigns began : in an effort to inform voters : on both sides. The Mayors’ : Council, led by Vancouver : Mayor Gregor Robertson, is : urging residents to vote “Yes.” Port Coquitlam Mayor : Greg Moore explained two of : the major goals for the new : transit plan: “The first one is : to have 50 per cent load share : by automobile and 50 percent : by bus, walking, or cycling,” : explained Moore. “The second : overarching goal is to decrease : how far everybody needs to : drive by one-third.” Moore also explained how : the new plan incorporates : benefits to students, which : includes “increasing the : amount of service” throughout : BC. “Students, especially with : supporters are Unifor, Tourism : Vancouver, the David Suzuki : Foundation, and the BC : Chamber of Commerce. Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is : opposing the tax increase and : the new transportation plan. : the U-Pass, are high users of : the transit system. One of the : biggest effects will be we will : : have 7o per cent of the residents : : in the region within walking : : distance to a frequent transit : network [which] is a bus route : that comes every 15 minutes. “On top of that, many : students might work night jobs : or have school late at night. : There will be an 80 per cent : increase in night bus service.” The “Yes” campaign is also : supported by the Vancouver : Board of Trade, which Moore : stated has the potential to : affect the number of goods : : leaving the country through the : : Port Metro export port. : Other “Yes” campaign Meanwhile, the Canadian The “No” campaign : by the CTF called No TransLink : Tax: A Better Plan. The : document points out several : TransLink controversies in the : past, which includes previous : jumps in tax and fares and : “tens of millions” spent on the : still non-operational Compass : Card system. An extensive list : : of various TransLink executives : focusses on a document written : Image from HelloVancity.com : who have received raises over : the past few years is provided : as well. No TransLink Tax also gives : four detailed recommendations : for readers on how the : community can socially call for : an improved transit : system without the need to : increase tax.