The Inaugural Raven Backcountry Festival raises $16,000 for the Lisa Korthals Memorial Bursary
On February 7 & 8, 2020 Tourism Pemberton hosted the inaugural Raven Backcountry Festival in Pemberton presented by The Pemberton Valley Lodge. Over the course of the weekend the new festival raised $16,000 to support the Lisa Korthals Memorial Bursary.
“We are thrilled with the community support for this new event” said Andy Meeker Tourism Pemberton Director and event co-organizer. “Thanks to all the event sponsors and people that came out to the event we have been able to surpass our fundraising goal and cover the costs for an aspiring female guide to get certified next year”.
The festival opened with a sold out social event at Big Sky Golf Club featuring guest presentations from renowned local athletes and mountain professionals including Kye Peterson, Tatum Monod, Daryl Treadway, Wayne Flann, Heather Geluk and Eric Pehota who all shared images and stories of their experiences in the mountains around Pemberton and beyond. Attendees could also view the amazing mountain photography and art gallery curated by the Pemberton Arts Council.
Saturday provided great weather conditions that allowed all 15 clinic groups to get out and experience the terrain around the Pemberton. The clinics provided backcountry education and inspiration for beginner to advanced skiers, splitboarders and snowmobilers.
The Raven Après took place on Saturday evening back at the Big Sky Golf Club featuring live music and local beverages. There was also a silent auction with donations from many local businesses that helped raise a significant portion of the final fundraising amount.
“We want to share our heartfelt thanks for the generous contribution made by the Raven Backcountry Festival team to the Lisa Korthals Memorial Bursary” stated Vlad Lamorouex of the Canadian Ski Guide Association. “The donation will go a long way to supporting the bursary’s mission over the coming years”
Tourism Pemberton is grateful for the support of all the sponsors and community partners who helped make this inaugural event possible. They include Pemberton Valley Lodge, Yeti, Arc’teryx, Blackcomb Helicopters, Broken Boundary Adventures, Coast Mountain Guides, Extremely Canadian, Pemberton Brewing Co, Pemberton Distillery, The Beer Farmers, Big Sky Golf Course, Cheetah Factory Racing, Kye Shapes Skis, Foon Skis, Whistler Heli Skiing, The Pemberton Arts Council, Limelight Screen Printing, Copper Cayuse Outfitters, Mount Currie Coffee, Blackbird Bakery, The Village of Pemberton, Destination BC, Pemberton Valley Wellness, TLH Heliskiing, Icelandic Skis, Pemberdise Lifestyle, Valley Chainsaw, and www.wayneflannavalancheblog.com
About the Lisa Korthals Memorial Bursary
The Lisa Korthals Memorial Bursary provides financial aid to those women who are pursuing a career in mechanized ski guiding through the CSGA. Eligible for any women applying to CSGI accredited courses such as CSGI Level 2, 3, SGSC or Touring Module. Preference will be given to someone that has already completed the Level 1 CSGI course and is looking to advance through the CSGA program.
