The Flying Vikings were back at the Nordic Centre

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

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.