Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1056266
Your BCAA WINTER 2018 BCA A .COM 5 Shom Sen President & CEO S ummer is my favourite season – the warmth, the sunshine – but winter has its good points, too, and I face this one with a determined smile and a lot of preparation. Spending some of my youth in Northern Canada, I have many fond memories of winter, mostly tied to nature. From the pristine beauty of snow-covered lakes, streams and forests to the holiday-card images of snow weighing down branches, it is a season full of wonder. As a child, I loved the cocooning comfort of watching a snow storm swirl from a warm, safe place or, putting myself in the middle of it, snowshoeing into the forest with my Scout troop. Unfortunately, the grown-up reality of winter in the city often doesn't seem as magical. Let's face it, when winter weather hits, especially in the Lower Mainland, it can get ugly. Many of us in urban areas are not the most practised winter drivers, and our cities are not always set up as well as those in colder climates. We're just not used to this. So, like everything in life, there is good and bad; celebration and survival. In this issue of BCAA Magazine, we look at the many faces of winter, and how we can embrace it and prepare. Whether you're protecting your homes against the elements, getting your vehicle and driving skills ready for the season or heading out of town to either avoid the snow or enjoy it, BCAA is there for you. As leader of this great organization, I take our own advice pretty seriously to protect myself and my family. Maybe it's the Boy Scout in me, but I always like to be prepared. My garage has bags of salt and my pantry is well stocked. While living in Vancouver, I've put my winter tires on early and my emergency car kit is always ready for action. Winter driving can be stressful, whether it's snow, sleet, slush, black ice, fog, darkness or sun and glare. During my years living in Montreal and Toronto, I saw plenty of cars in the ditch and white-knuckled it over treacherous black ice. I consider myself a fairly skilled winter driver, but I am also grateful that BCAA's Auto Service team is there to help me if I get in a bind, since winter driving conditions can be unpredictable. In these times of unstable weather, it's anyone's guess what conditions we'll face this season. So, let's all hunker down, enjoy nature and stay safe. And know that no matter what winter brings, BCAA has your back. Winter Celebration or Survival: BCAA is Here for You