This month’s full moon was on December 29th. Unfortunately the evening sky was cloudy on that night but the trails were firm and not icy. Several skiers took this opportunity this week to go to the golf course and the Nordic Centre in the evenings to give this a try.
The sky was clear and the moon shined brightly on Monday evening so a headlamp was not even necessary at the Nordic Centre. Here are a few photos.
Cedar Loop
Mount Fernie
Lizard Range
The next full moons will be on Jan 28, Feb 27 and March 28. Mark your calendar and let’s hope for clear skies.
Wonderful weather was on hand for the Community Fun Races and its participants last Saturday. The trails had just been groomed and the overcast sky cleared enough for the sun to peek out during the event.
The Hot Chocolate Run was underway by 10:45 as planned and twenty-nine kids crowded the start line, each with an adult as their partner. The kids stopped near the bridge for hot chocolate while the adults completed the Lizard Lookout and Cedar loops before returning to the hut with their young partner. It was all over in thirty minutes. A selection of prizes awaited the young ones at the finish line.
This was followed by
a 12 km race done as a relay race or solo. Five relay teams drawn
from available youth and adult participants plus ten solo skiers took
part. Loud cheers from the crowd greeted the skiers at the end of
each 3 km lap. The fastest participant completed the full course in a
fast 42 minutes while others finished it in 73 minutes or less!
The event ended with
ten 300 m sprints by groups of kids, youth or adults. This fast
skiing by seventeen racers included a few falls but ended with smiles
at the finish.
Sam and Johnny organized the event and many volunteers lended a hand at grooming, stadium preparation, food preparation, hot chocolate station and safety patrol. The young Fernie Racers helped in the kids races as well. More photos in our gallery page.
The Family Friendly Ski is coming up! This Sunday is an opportunity for anyone, kids, adults, families, to ski on the trails of the Nordic Centre. Meet at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre at 4 pm for a group ski for all ages. Headlamps may not be needed! Free for members, day pass required for non-members.
Our next event is planned for Saturday January 11 at 19:00 at the Fernie Golf Course. The trails on the golf course should be open with some cooperation from the weather gods. This event is open to ALL ages. Come and ski under the stars and the full moon – bring a headlamp! The Cast Iron Grill will be open and a special menu will be offered for this occasion.
The 7th Annual Community Fun Race was held on Sunday Feb 17 at the Nordic Centre. It was a relief that the weather was perfect for the event. Hot food was available during the event. Twelve adult-child groups participated in the first part of the action. All skied to a hot chocolate station where the child enjoyed a hot drink while her/his partner skied another 2 km on the Cedar Loop and Lizard Lookout trails, then returning to join the child to ski together back to the hut. This was great fun for the skiers and spectators alike. The second part of the event consisted of four laps of the 3 km long course. This was aimed at both young and adult skiers. Fourteen skiers chose to do this as part of a team in a relay race. Thirteen more skiers chose to do the entire course solo. This proved to be very popular with spectators as each lap was short and each skier was cheered loudly as she/he passed in front of the crowd. The master organizer Sam Sedlowsky and the many volunteers made this event a success. Photo credits to Helen McAlister and Naomi Lentz.
Last weekend was a great time for the Fernie Nordic Winterfest. It
all started at the end of the regular ski lesson on Saturday morning.
Megan Lohmann said a few words in a short presentation about the 2018 Teck Kootenay Cup. This year the Cup was won by the young racers of our racing team with the help of many other club members and adults who have participated in the six races of the series: two races here in Fernie, two more in Kimberley, one at Nipika and the last one in Nelson. It is a great achievement as this is the third time in the last four seasons that Fernie takes the Cup home. Big smiles all around.
Next the young skiers participated in the annual Racing Rocks! event. The very young ones were busy with a scavenger hunt while the older kids skied the trails in a Barkley Marathon style event where each one had to bring a specific page from five books placed along the way. Lots of fun for all!
Presentation of the Teck Kootenay Cup
The Winterfest continued on Sunday February 18 at 11 a.m. with the 6th Annual Community Fun Race ski event. Twenty-four participants joined in several categories: a short distance for an easy-going ski and a longer one for the more competitive skiers. Some chose the skate style ski for speed while others went with the classic style. Coach Naomi did her run with the other skiers, then returned on the course pulling a chariot. The small passenger did not seem to mind the ride. And what about that best costume category?
Presentation of the Teck Kootenay Cup
Skate skiers at the start line
Classic skiers at the start line
Winners of the Best Costume category
Naomi and her chariot at the finish line
A BIG Thank you! to Sam, the organizer of the Winterfest, and to the group of volunteers including Robert Holmes who made this weekend a success. Check out the event results are on this page
The next nordic event in Fernie is the SNOW TO ICE(cream) challenge during the Griz Days from March 1 to 4. Get set! Ready? All the details HERE
