James Zeleznik is not only a custom home builder with over 25 years of experience in the Okanagan Valley, he is also an avid skier. Today, James shares his enthusiasm for the winter sport, and shows great appreciation for a local staple at Big White Ski Resort.
I am a huge fan of the outdoors, so any activity that allows for more time outside is a major plus for me. In the winter, it can be hard to find reasons to spend time in the cold weather, but skiing offers a perfect solution. My appetite for the sport developed when I was quite young. When moving to West Kelowna from Nakusp, having Big White so readily available felt like a major bonus. We here in the Okanagan our so fortunate to have a place that offers an amazing getaway, but is really just a short trip away.
Big White for family fun
Big White has grown quite rapidly over the years, and a few years back I was able to jump on an opportunity to purchase a condo there. From that opportunity, my family and I have been able to build such wonderful memories together. I believe a lot of what helped offer my family such rewarding time together, was our shared enjoyment of skiing. I think Big White recognizes family values, and helps facilitate family growth through the sport. Those values strongly resonate with me. I remember once skiing down a run of the Ridge Rocket Express chair. It was a particularly icy day, and while taking a sharp right turn I caught an edge and tumbled for a good 30 feet. My family rushed over in a panic to see if I was ok, and upon realizing I was perfectly fine, we all just started to laugh. In that moment I was able to remove myself and look at the situation with fresh eyes. All of our shared laughter and happiness stemmed from our joint love of being on the mountain. I love the outdoors and being physically active, but I think the best memories that come from all my time at Big White were the intimate moments I shared with my family. No matter how simple or brief they were, I absolutely savour their remembrance.
Skiing adventure in Japan
A love for skiing recently brought me to the Shiga Kogen Ski Area of Nagano, Japan. This place was unlike anything I have experienced before. It has always amazed me how Japan is home to some of the largest, most densely packed city centres, but then a short train ride offers a vast array of beautiful landscapes; Shiga Kogen did not fall short of breath taking. The view atop Mount Yokote was something that I will never forget. I highly recommend looking into one of the areas 21 different resorts, and start to consider taking your next trip there (This website offers a great overview of the area, and has a great list of resorts at the bottom of the page). My wife and I had an unforgettable time, and hope to one day return.
Until next year…
It’s the end of the ski season now, so my timing with this post might be a little off. However, I wanted to offer a sort of an homage to ski and ski resorts through my reminiscing of fond memories on the mountain. I hope that no matter what activity you and your family may be doing, that you are able to clear your mind and live happily in that moment.
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