Newsletter – April 2025
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No more grooming at the Nordic Centre
The groomers of the Fernie Nordic Society have decided to stop any further grooming of the trails of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. This is due to the effect of the recent rains on the condition of the snow on the trails. Skiers are reminded that they are now using the trails at their own risk.
The Fernie Nordic Society wishes to thank all our members and visitors for their past and current interest in the activities of the club. Watch for a survey coming your way by email sometime in May.
Newsletter – March 2025
The Flying Vikings were back at the Nordic Centre
The sixth edition of the Fernie Flying Viking Challenge event took place on Sunday March 9 at the Nordic Centre. Many of the participants set out on the trails on costumes. Thirteen Mini-Vikings completed one of the 1.3, 3.4 or 7.5 km courses. A total of 51 Flying Vikings rushed out in a noisy mass start just before 11 am. Several of them did two loops of 25 km starting from the warming hut to the trails and a chair lift ride at the Fernie Alpine Resort, and back again.
Skiing on the soft and mushy snow required more effort than usual. Volunteers were on hand at two refuelling stations and two ski patrollers were monitoring the progress of the participants. Each Mini-Viking was rewarded with a cookie medal. Each Flying Viking received a custom wooden medal and a delicious crepe at the finish line.
Here are a few photos taken during the event. More photos on our photo album page.
Last Saturday at the Nordic Centre
Our annual Community Fun Races was a great event in its 11th edition on Saturday morning February 22. The participants of all ages set a record with 77 enrolled in one of two skiing distances of 3 km and 7.5 km along the freshly groomed trails of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. Three hardy skiers were pulling a chariot and its passenger along the 3 km course as well. Everything was very casual and colourful as many participants wore costumes for the event.
After a short intro by coach Johnny, the waves of skiers were off ten minutes apart. Cookie medals were awarded to each one crossing the finish line. After all these fun activities, many tried their hand at the biathlon event that followed: three short ski loops separated by two stops at the shooting range. A mild temperature and some sunshine made for a beautiful day at the Nordic Centre.
The racing team and parents had prepared some delicious food for the occasion: two varieties of chili. Sweets, coffee and other beverages were also offered. All this as a fundraiser to help with travel expenses for the Fernie Nordic Racers.
More photos on our photo album page.
A big Thank You! to all the volunteers who made this event successful.
These popular events are coming back!
The Community Fun Races event is returning on Saturday morning February 22. Skiers of all ages are in for lots of fun action on the trails of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. Families and adults compete in a very casual atmosphere in the staging arae and on two ski courses. The activities start around 10 am near the hut of the Nordic Centre. Even a biathlon part is added this year. A few EcoAims ‘rifles’ will be on hand. Test your ski speed and shooting accuracy in the same fun event. Read more about the event on our dedicated webpage. Skiing in costume is a tradition of this event – go wild! Food will be available by donation.
To take part, just register in advance at our Zone4.ca page, It is free for club members and visitors only need a trail pass to participate.
Soon after the Community Fun races, the club will host the 6th Annual Fernie Flying Viking Challenge at the Nordic Centre. It will start at 10 am on Sunday March 9. The event brings local skiers and visitors together to challenge themselves on the 25 km course taking skiers to the trails of the Fernie Alpine Resort by way of the Deer chair lift and back again to the hut. Ski the course twice for the complete 50 km experience. Come to ski or to cheer. Mini-Vikings also have their own shorter courses to show what they are made of. Viking costumes are part of the fun.
Vikings and mini-Vikings register online at Zone4.ca The entry fee is $30 for Vikings (chair lift ticket included) and mini-Vikings’ entry is free. Non FNS club members will need to get a $15 trail pass.