Gratitude - how one champion skier earned a new perspective of the land

Here is the question I ponder from time to time: why do so many incredible people choose to call the North Okanagan home? From professionals and entrepreneurs to nomadic travelers and world-class athletes - the number of incredible humans who could effectively live anywhere they want with the work they do, still choose to make their home here, in the wonderful North Okanagan.

Could it be the robust variety of parks and ecosystems that are literally just outside your door? From the incredible trail network and vistas of Kalamalka Park to the wide variety of trail candy that surrounds Ellison Park, such as Predator Ridge and Sparkling Hill Resort, or perhaps it’s the lake life that keeps drawing people from all around the world to visit here.

It’s hard to deny that we live in nature’s paradise.

So what brought me here you might ask? It was work that pulled me from my roots in the Kootenays (if you would be so generous to call being a professional ski coach, work).  It can certainly feel like a job at times; however, the reality I see is that I was hired to spend time with kids in the great outdoors and share with them my passion for mountain culture - blended with a healthy mix of competitive fire.

But in 2004, my life changed forever in a ski accident, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down.

It seemed obvious to stay in the community with the kids I was coaching after my accident, although my heart did long to return to the mountains from where I came.  Ultimately, we experienced this trauma together and it felt like we needed to work through it together as well.

Clearly, one could yarn on for days about the physical beauty of the Okanagan to the degree I have.  We are blessed beyond measure with the abundance and variety of life in this valley.  In short, what kept me here in the Okanagan is the incredible people, the community and the endless possibilities that make up this geographical goldmine.  They say it takes a village to raise a child, true.  It also takes a community to support an athlete.  My success in life is a direct result of the environment that I spend the most time in.

Photo Credit: Josh Dueck

Okay. From an accessibility standpoint, er ... seated perspective, this valley provides an abundant amount of barrier-free opportunities for all walks and rolls of life to enjoy.  A nice gentle stroll on the newly built rail-trail that connects Vernon to Kelowna (on the edge of one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes - Kalamalka - in the world, says National Geographic) to the epic vantage points of the Trestles along the Kettle Valley to the wide variety of trails in Kal and Ellison, home has a little something for everyone. 

The icing on the cake for a guy like me, though, is my home mountain, Silver Star.  In the early days, it was a venue for me to hone my skills when I started my campaign to ski for Canada in the Vancouver 2010 Games. It clearly provided me the environment needed to ski with the best in the world.  Today, I see Silver Star as a global hub for skiers and mountain bikers alike, from the aspiring world champion to the young families who are looking for a place that has it all: Nordic, alpine, bike, skate and, of course, all the little details that make a visit here so memorable - including incredible world-class views and food to savour.

So the question that remains is no longer why, but when and how will you spend your time here?

About Josh Dueck

Some spirits are simply unbreakable.

In 2004, Josh was in a life-changing freestyle skiing accident that left him as a T11 full paraplegic. But, despite seemingly insurmountable odds, Josh persevered, becoming the Para-Alpine World Champion in 2009. He won a silver medal in Vancouver 2010 and an X Games gold medal in 2011. In Sochi 2014, Josh's story continued to inspire. On the 10th anniversary of his accident, he won a Paralympic silver medal for Canada. Days later, he won gold in the Super Combined to become Paralympic Champion and Canada's Flag Bearer.

Today, Josh continues to inspire and motivate as a speaker, leader and advocate for the Thompson Okanagan, accessible sport and gratitude.