A vibrant winter sports community is a core piece of the North Shore’s identity – as is making those activities accessible to a broad range of physical capabilities.
For more than three decades, Anne Bethune has promoted accessibility on the slopes, as an adaptive ski instructor/examiner at Grouse Mountain and president of Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports.
On Friday, Bethune was honoured with the 10th annual Tim Jones Community Achievement Award during opening night of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival.
Bethune has been an unstoppable force volunteering her time to make the North Shore mountains more accessible to all, said Amelia Gillies, who nominated her for the award.
“Since 1986 Anne has dedicated herself to building an inclusive, accessible winter sports community on the North Shore through her leadership of Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports,” Gillies said.
Bethune is an outstanding example of someone who has made a significant contribution to the B.C. mountain community, noted the award jury, consisting of Lindsay Jones, Peter Haigh of North Shore Rescue, and former District of North Vancouver mayor Richard Walton.
The award is named after former North Shore Rescue leader Tim Jones, who died in 2014. A paramedic by day, he was known widely for his relentless efforts to save lives in the North Shore mountains.
“The award recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to the outdoor and sports community, just like Tim Jones did,” reads a statement.
Taylor Jones, Tim’s daughter, was at the ceremony.
