Billi Nooy, Outdoor and Agricultural Videographer, moved from Strathmore to Saddle Hills County in 2017 after meeting her husband at Olds College. The two currently reside in Spirit River, where Billi feels completely at home.
“I love that it is less populated, and there is much more raw, untouched nature up here,” said Billi. “I am an outdoorsy person, therefore there are endless activities for me to do since we are surrounded by forests, rivers, lakes, hills, and creeks.”
Moving to Saddle Hills County was a life-changing experience for Billi. Her previous work in crop insurance gave her an up-close look at the local fields, allowing her to quickly appreciate the region’s distinctive appeal.
“I was blown away by the jaw dropping beauty and vastness of the valleys here. It was breathtaking to hear an elk bugle for the first time while standing on the edge of one,” said Billi. “Since then, I have seen herds of 300 elk, plenty of moose, bears, and even several lynx.”
Now, Billi spends most of her time filming farms, ranches, tourism areas, and hunting trips. She has also become passionate about inspiring others to embrace the local wilderness and all that it has to offer.
Some of her favourite places to spend time in the county are Spring Lake, Moonshine Lake, and Cotillion Park, as they all contain beautiful campgrounds that are quiet and secluded.
Loving nothing more than being in nature and on or near bodies of water, Billi finds each location to be extremely peaceful and grounding.
“Spring Lake is perfect for paddle boarding and swimming, since it is spring fed and super clean,” said Billi. “Moonshine Lake has beautiful trails and is a short drive away, and Cotillion Park is right along the Peace River with incredibly tall, established trees.”
As the seasons change, Billi explains that there are still many things to experience throughout the area, and the fun doesn’t stop when summer comes to an end.
“Some activities that light me up in the fall are elk hunting, walking along the riverbank or around Moonshine Lake, and of course, sitting in a combine seat to help out with harvest,” said Billi.
Billi has found that making connections and creating lasting relationships with others in the region is easy to do, and she feels extremely privileged to be surrounded by genuine, down to earth, and fun people.
“A lot of people here have similar interests. Many are involved in agriculture and spend most of their time outdoors, so it’s been fun getting to know them and making new friends.”
When she’s not spending time outdoors, or creating jaw dropping content, Billi finds herself at a local flower/gift shop that serves delicious coffee now – one that she highly recommends to all visitors.
“The Little Petal Company in Spirit River serves the best coffee! On top of that, they offer gorgeous bouquets, or last minute, unique gifts,” said Billi. “Plus, you can’t beat the smell of freshly cut flowers and ground coffee beans.”
Capturing the essence of Saddle Hills County perfectly, Billi can’t help but highlight its welcoming community, scenic trails, and exceptional hunting opportunities.
“Saddle Hills County is full of good people, plenty of trails and some of the best hunting there is,” said Billi. “Now is your chance to visit and experience views along creek banks and riversides that you’ve never seen before.”
