Love Local. Love Squamish Adventure
Read our latest guest blog from Squamish Chamber member, Rochelle Rae, owner and operator of RRM creative.
The Squamish Chamber operates on the unceded lands of the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw). We are grateful to work, live and play on their territory.
Four Local Recreational Businesses to Love in Squamish
The love that locals have for the community of Squamish is tangible. You see it in how we are hardwired for adventure, taking every opportunity to have exhilarating experiences in our incredible natural surroundings. You can hear the pride in our voice as we talk about our community amongst ourselves and with others. And you can feel the love in the diversity and inclusivity of our people and cultures. We are immensely fortunate to be able to work, live and play on the unceded lands of the Squamish people.
We are also a town that loves to support local – that includes hiring local, using local suppliers and donating to local causes. This is important because shopping local creates jobs. According to LOCO BC, a 10% shift in shopping from chains to local business creates 14,150 jobs and $4.3 billion for B.C.’s economy.
Featured here are several local sports and recreation businesses that you can support right now. Three of them – Dialed In Cycling, Ground Up Climbing, and Hilltop Mountain Biking – were all finalists for the 2021 Business Excellence Awards. This demonstrates the opportunities Squamish brings to turn your passion into a business and also gain recognition as a community leader.
Dialed In Cycling
Dialed In Cycling started up in 2014. Owner Dan Libman’s vision was to break down the barriers of entry into the sport for people of all ages, whether they were trying out mountain biking for the first time or wanting to build skills to get to the next level of riding. Today the company has 20 employees and offers coaching programs for adults and kids, as well as bike rentals and guides to support safe access to the trail network: “We are all about having fun on two wheels.”
Supporting the local community is part of life for the Dialed In team. They use local printing and advertising services, refer customers to local bike shops, recognize staff with local gift certificates, use local vendors to cater staff events, and are frequent customers at local cafes and restaurants. Here’s one of the ways they give back and help the community grow in a good way:
“For the last three years we have run a weekly ride program for Squamish Nation and indigenous youth. Each year new young riders are welcomed and the more experienced riders become the mentors. It’s fun and gives youth a chance to receive professional coaching certifications, first aid training and mentorship around business management within the mountain bike industry.”
Visit Dialed in Cycling at 1796 Depot Rd East, Squamish, BC. #funontwowheels
Stay in touch: Website: DialedInCycling IG: DialedinCycling FB: DialedInCycling
Ground Up Climbing Centre
Established six years ago, Ground Up Climbing Centre has become a hub for the Squamish climbing community. With a total of 25 employees, they provide an inclusive space for climbers of all levels to learn, train and grow, and encourage youth participation through a variety of programs and opportunities.
Ground Up actively supports and promotes local businesses through the purchase of supplies for the centre’s café, and gives back by sponsoring and donating to local events and organizations such as the Indigenous Life Sport Academy, Squamish Access Society, Squamish SAR and Squamish CAN.
Founder Lauren Watson appreciates how community support gave her a chance to learn and grow her company, and she values the ongoing community partnerships she has formed with local businesses:
“Ground Up Climbing would not be possible without the support of these incredible companies. They share our passion for the outdoors, our excitement for rock climbing, and our love of Squamish. We couldn't ask for a more engaged and enthusiastic community to be a part of!”
Visit Ground Up Climbing at 1201 Commercial Way #207,
Squamish, BC V8B 0V1
Stay in touch: IG: climbgroundup FB: groundup
Hilltop Mountain Biking
Hilltop MTB was born out of a desire to keep more girls on their bikes and bridge the gaps in existing youth mountain bike programming. They provide regular after school and summer camp practice sessions for youth, race development training, multi-day adventures, tech sessions, coach mentor programs, adult practice sessions and much more. The company employs a team of 12 who are passionate about mountain biking, coaching and mentoring others to enjoy the outdoors and achieve their goals. This passion extends to supporting the community. Local businesses are used to make promotional materials, to screen-print team uniforms, and to purchase food and beverages for camps and events.
Owner Jamie Hill explains that local support of her business has enabled her to continue to create programs that are valuable for our community, to provide fulfilling work for Squamish residents, and to give back in a meaningful way:
“In addition to volunteering for events through SORCA, we work with Indigenous Women Outdoors to get more Indigenous women out on bikes and in the outdoors. Through this program we also volunteer to train and certify more Indigenous Women to become mountain bike instructors and coaches.”
Visit HillTop MTB online and get to know the crew.
Stay in touch: IG: Hilltop MTB FB: Hilltop MTB
Squamish Women’s Hockey Academy
Evelyn Schellenberg grew up playing hockey with the boys and never feeling included. Her daughter had the same experience and ended up quitting. This inspired her to start the Squamish Women’s Hockey Academy, the first of its kind to be offered locally. Staffed by highly trained professional female hockey players, the academy empowers girls and women to push their limits in a safe and comfortable environment by giving them the skills to succeed. There is no judgement and everyone is made to feel welcome.
The academy employs six locals, teams up to promote local businesses, shops locally for gear and weekly on-ice draws, and donates sessions to school fundraising draws. When asked what she loved about the community of Squamish and the impact local support has had on her business, Evelyn replied:
“It has meant absolutely everything. We have a service that can only survive through local support. I'm a born and raised Squamish girl which makes me VERY passionate about my town and promoting everything this amazing community has to offer.”
Visit Squamish Womens Hockey Academy and Stay In Touch via their FB page: Squamish Womens Hockey Academy
So Many Ways to Love Local
We hope you enjoyed getting to know four recreational Squamish businesses that help shape our community. Here’s how you can continue to show them love and support:
1) Use their services
2) Buy a gift card to introduce the fun to others
3) Share you love for the business on social media
4) Leave a Google Review if you’ve had a positive experience
About RRM Creative
Proud to be based in Squamish, RRM Creative is a talented group of hardworking professionals who are well experienced (20+ years) in creative communications, strategic branding, art direction and project management. Whether you have a one-time need or seek all-encompassing marketing solutions, they’ve got you covered.
About Love Local. Love Squamish
This project is brought to you by the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, made possible thanks to funding from the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada.