After weeks of hitting the slopes across B.C., a father-daughter pair concluded their ambitious journey through 44 lift-serviced ski resorts at the renowned SilverStar in Vernon on Wednesday.
Greg Scott and his daughter Hali ScottSmith completed the journey — dubbed as the Skadi tour as a node to Norse goddess of snow and winter — in just 42 days.
“It was originally going to be 42 in 42 days, and we came upon a couple others and we made it 44,” Greg told CBC’s Radio West host Sarah Penton.
While the ski resorts faced challenges due to warmer temperatures affecting terrain conditions, the father-daughter duo described their season as “amazing” and noted the diverse range of conditions they encountered.
“It has been a tough snow year to try to do this but we skied a lot of varied conditions,” he said.
Greg and Hali have documented their journey on social media, which includes conversations with local ski legends and fellow chairlift companions.
“I think some of the special moments of the trip have been that window of time when you are driving [up on] the chairlift,” Hali said.
But the biggest highlight of the adventure, the duo agree, has been spending time with one another.
LISTEN | Father and daughter teamed up on B.C. skiing adventure:
Radio West11:07Greg Scott and his daughter Hali ScottSmith wrap up an incredible province-wide ski challenge, skiing at 44 resorts in 42 days and raising money for post-secondary bursaries
Greg Scott and his daughter Hali ScottSmith wrap up an incredible province-wide ski challenge, skiing at 44 resorts in 42 days and raising money for post-secondary bursaries
“I don’t really see my parents very often. So it’s good to have this really good quality time,” Hali said.
Their journey began on Jan. 25 in Terrace, B.C. as part of the mission of the Tidbits Of Change foundation, which Greg and Hali founded back in 2012.
The non-profit organization aims to encourage Canadian youth to engage in collaborative projects with their parents, a concept that originated from Greg and Hali’s annual tradition of embarking on unique adventures together.
“When I was 10, we decided that we were going to pick a different city every year and go busk,” said Hali.
“We would raise money by busking and we would donate all the money that we raised to a local charity in whatever city we were in.”
Greg said the tradition eventually evolved into the foundation.
Tidbits Of Change also raises money for post-secondary bursaries, providing a $5,000 award and two $1,000 bursaries for qualified youths.
According to its website, Canadian teenagers who have created an inspirational shared adventure with a parent/mentor can apply for the bursaries.
To spread awareness about the funds and their initiative, Greg and Hali – apart from hitting the slopes – also visited various school groups and parent/teacher organizations en route.
“It was a lot of logistical planning that my dad put a lot of work into mapping,” said Hali.
Central to the planning was a custom-built tiny home on wheels, which took care of the lodging hassles during peak ski season, Greg said.
“We [have] actually been towing a little tiny house … to every ski resort,” he said.
The mobile home was provided by Terrace-based Hummingbird Micro Homes, which came equipped with sleeping for four, an incinerator toilet, shower, a decked-out kitchen, fold-down tables and gear lockers.
Although a costly endeavour, Greg said they received help from other groups and organizations to fund the Skadi tour.
“We have covered our own costs [before on our adventures] … but this one, we’ve had a couple of sponsorships to get through.”
