Cancer has touched Chris Prive personally, and it has taken a toll on members of his family. So when he was asked by organizers about getting involved in Slopes for Hope Powder King, a Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser, he offered his support without hesitation.
The fact he was already a big-time downhill skier made the fit that much more congruous.
The first Slopes for Hope Powder King was held in 2014 and Prive was part of it, both as a participant and in a sponsorship capacity. He was back for 2015 and 2016 and is anticipating a fun and challenging day when this year's event happens on Saturday at the popular Pine Pass ski hill.
"Being able to do something that I love and raise some money for something that is a really good cause is perfect," said the 35-year-old Prive, who first jumped onto a pair of downhill skis at the age of six. "It can be challenging, both for the sake of trying to reach your fundraising goal and trying to reach the goal of skiing Mount Everest in a day."
Mount Everest, at least in spirit.
That's the crux of taking on Slopes for Hope Powder King as a participant - make enough runs on skis or a snowboard to match the height of Everest, which is 8,848 metres. Thirteen trips down the mountain does the trick, and if that sounds like an exhausting assignment, it is.
"It's a pretty big feat," said Prive, who went the distance last year. "It's 13 runs from top to bottom of the hill and you've got to be pretty focused - that has to be your goal. And just the timeline, in riding to the top in the chairlift and then the T-bar, that consumes a large portion of your day.
"By the time you hit run 10 or 11, you're starting to peter out. I'm an avid skier but for the last little while I've had to cut back due to personal injuries and other things so if you're not in great shape, it's a drag. Last year, myself and another guy were doing top-to-bottom runs and last run of the day I had to give it everything I had in my body to make it down."
Participants can do Slopes for Hope Powder King as individuals or as part of teams. Prive, parts and service manager at Northland Nissan, is on a Northland team and his company has been the title sponsor since the beginning.
Prior to the event, skiers and boarders raise money through their various networks. This year, Prive said he and his Northland Nissan teammates are hoping to generate $1,250.
Prive has been through cancer himself. He remembers attending the CCS's Relay for Life in Prince George in 2013, waiting for his testicular cancer to be confirmed by his doctor.
"My battle was short-lived and, for the most part, I walked away unscathed," he said. "But, with that, I'm the third male in my direct family to have cancer. My dad, he had colon cancer and then my stepdad had esophageal and he lost his fight (in 2012). Cancer started affecting me really early on in life as well, really before I understood that it was affecting me. Both my granddads passed away from cancer before I knew what was going on - one was when I was two, and I think I was seven when the other one passed away.
"And being that the odds are one in three (people getting a cancer diagnosis), there are three siblings in my family and I was the first one to get it," Prive added. "I'll probably end up getting it again, just because of the type of cancer that's in my family. (Fighting back against cancer) is one of those things that is near and dear to the heart."
Slopes for Hope Powder King is one of eight such gatherings happening across B.C. Money raised is put toward cancer research.
Sandra Blackwell, annual giving coordinator for the B.C. and Yukon division of the CCS, said last year's Slopes for Hope Powder King attracted 75 participants and generated more than $18,000. She'd like to see this edition hit the $20,000 mark in funds raised.
While the fundraising component is a big part of Slopes for Hope, Blackwell (who hasn't skied in 15 years) likes it for the camaraderie and competitive spirit it fosters.
"Seeing who reaches the highest elevation - they actually surpass Mount Everest - I think that's such a cool thing," said Blackwell, who, on behalf of the CCS, has spearheaded the past two events at Powder King. "Also, I like how northern B.C. comes together at Powder King to support such a good cause."
Online registration for Slopes for Hope Powder King closes on Thursday (register at www.slopesforhope.ca). Day-of registration at the mountain is also an option.
Contact Blackwell at 250-645-2361 for more information.
