Why Canadians are drawn to mountains
Canada mountain regions shape daily life, work and recreation across Alberta and B.C. See how families, workers and communities are tied to steep terrain and risk
Canada’s mountain regions shape the lives of many people, from families who climb together to workers who depend on steep terrain for their jobs. A CBC story published Aug. 3 explores that connection through several Canadians in Alberta, British Columbia and beyond.
The article follows Braiden McDowell and his sixyearold daughter Ellie Saba, who climb a mountain near Kananaskis Village, Alta., every week. It also looks at people who use mountains in different ways, including summitregister builder Ephraim Roberts, poet Olive Scott and steepslope logger Braydon Strandquist.
Beyond recreation and inspiration, the piece notes the risks of mountain travel, including avalanches, rockfall and searchandrescue calls. It also places mountains in a wider economic context, citing studies that say a large share of Canadians live near mountain areas and much of the country’s GDP is tied to activity close to mountainous terrain.