As noted in yesterday's Bulletin, Slopes for Hope at the Kimberley Alpine Resort is coming up quickly, but teams are still being accepted.

Organizer Dona Bannenberg says she has 13 teams signed up so far, which is not bad, but more are welcome.

One of the returning teams she is happy to see is a team of four over-80 skiers, headed up by Nona Fransen.

But the big news is that Kimberley's own Josh Dueck will be on hand for the opening reception on Friday evening, February 17, 2012, at the Stemwinder.

"We've been emailing back and forth seeing if he could fit it into his schedule and Josh has told me he can be here for Friday night," Bannenberg said. "He will be there to support the cause and he's bringing his movie Freedom Chair, to show it to Kimberley again."

Freedom Chair has been racking up awards on the film festival circuit - the most recent being best documentary from Powder Magazine.

It was shown in Kimberley once, last fall at the Dirtbag Festival, to great acclaim, and Bannenberg is thrilled to offer the opportunity for those who missed it to see it.

"This is a special night for participants, but the general public is welcome as well," she said.

"Josh will bring his medals and sign autographs for kids. And in the morning, the Mayor (Ron McRae) will there to do the first run and open the event for us."

Bannenberg is also happy to report that Investor's Group has come on board as a sponsor and will buy the bibs for Slopes for Hope.

"They also have a team and will match what that team raised, so we are very pleased with that," she said.

Slopes for Hope is a ski-a-thon in which participants attempt to ski the vertical of Mount K2 in one day at Kimberley Alpine Resort. Last year the goal was to ski the vertical of Mt. Everest, so return participants will be able to say they have skied the two tallest mountains in the world. Participants can sign up as individuals for a personal challenge, or in teams (of up to 4 people) and split the distance between team members. Throughout the day there will also be activities and entertainment at the base of the mountain and a wrap-up prize ceremony at the end of the day.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society 30-35 per cent of cancers can be prevented by being active, eating well, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

"Skiing and snowboarding is a great way to stay active during the winter months, and that's why we are so excited to be partnering with Kimberley Alpine Resort and RCR on this event," says Tara Kowalchuk, Annual Giving Coordinator for the Society, "It is a great way to get our cancer prevention messaging out to the community, raise funds to support our mission, and have fun! It is a perfect fit!"

Participants are asked to fundraise prior to the event and thanks to the generosity of Kimberley Alpine Resort and RCR, all participants who raise $100 or more will receive a half-price lift ticket for the day of the event. The first twenty people to register on line will receive FREE lift tickets. Funds raised through the event will help the Canadian Cancer Society fund excellence in cancer research, cancer prevention initiatives, and support services such as wig banks, lodges near treatment centers, Cancer Information Service, and Camp Goodtimes for children with cancer and their families. To learn more about what the Canadian Cancer Society does in your community and the services they provide go to www.cancer.ca.

For more information or to register go to www.slopesforhope.ca/Kimberley