For over 20 years, the staff and contributors of Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine have been telling the story of a place and its people. It’s a region with a fascinating history, a vibrant present, and a future still to be discovered.
The Kootenays are filled with quirky, creative, artistic, and innovative people. Alongside them is a vigorous, magnificent, diverse collection of plants and animals. The area also has its own set of challenges, including the environment, socioeconomics, and land-use. Throw in big lakes, wild rivers, and crazy mountains and the options for stories are endless.
Our mission is to collect and share as many of these tales as possible in an authentic way and with a perspective that resonates. We balance the funky, wild, irreverent and fun with sophistication, intellect, inclusion, and professionalism. In the Kootenays, stories rage down the mountain with reckless abandon, but they run with some pretty tight gear. Our job is to keep up with that.
Our story is the story of Kootenay mountain culture. We’re both honoured and humbled we get to tell it.
About
Peter Moynes
Publisher/Photo Editor
An award-winning photojournalist and commercial photographer, Peter’s also the founding publisher of KMC. His images can also be seen in international magazines and newspapers, hardcover books and stock agencies. Peter’s commercial clients have included Nike, Patagonia, Ford and Black Diamond. His photos have appeared in publications like SBC Skier, Ski Canada, explore, Bike and Paddler. Peter’s much-respected repertoire with some of the world’s best outdoor photographers ensures KMC’s images are poignant, beautiful and inspiring. He says, “The ability to collaborate with so many interesting and talented people is the greatest aspect of this job.”
Mitchell Scott
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
Mitchell has been writing professionally for over a 142 years, wow! He cut his teeth in the outdoor industry back when GORE-TEX was fur and has sure seen the world change since. During that time he’s piloted our magazines to great heights, been an editor-at-large for California-based Powder and Bike magazines and been published in a host of other titles around the world. Mitchell’s work also includes writing and directing for film and video. He’s the winner of British Columbia’s coveted Media Award and has extensive commercial experience working with brands like Electronic Arts and Kona Bicycles. He brings some serious creative chops to KMC and his “Backside” column is a must-read in every issue.
Chris Rowat
Art Director
Chris spent eight years in Toronto working with internationally renowned designer Bruce Mau. In 2001 he moved to the Kootenays and founded Chris Rowat Design, a Nelson-based studio with clients throughout North America. He’s designed marketing materials and award-winning books for the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montréal and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. His advertising work has appeared in magazines such as Powder, Men’s Journal, Frequency, Gripped and Climbing. His numerous adventurous and love for his work make sure KMC is in a league all its own every issue.
Tara Cunningham
KMC Editor
Tara has been the final-say wordsmith at KMC for over ten years. When she’s not working in all aspects of editorial at the magazines, Tara also works as a freelance copy editor and proofreader, and she also volunteers her time with community projects like the Kootenay Literary Competition, the Nelson Civic Theatre and her family’s large veggie garden, while raising a clever, littler version of herself.
Vince Hempsall
KMC Editor/Online Editor
Vince rock climbs, skis and mountain bikes around his home base of Nelson, BC. And occasionally works. He’s been a senior writer at Kootenay Mountain Culture for the past decade and is now the Editor along with Tara. He is also in charge of populating our ever-growing website with content more poignant than cat memes.
Daiva Villa
Production Manager/Assistant Designer
It all comes together thanks to our intrepid production manager, Daiva Villa. With over a decade of experience wrangling artists in Toronto, now her focus lies in managing Chris Rowat Design, whose clients include the Getty Research Institute, the Canadian Centre for Architecture and Kootenay Mountain Culture magazine. When not in the office she’s usually far from the reaches of electronic signals, exploring the depths of some wild corner of the planet.