Mount Washington Nordic

Feb 25th to Mar 10th we will have about 30 Paralymplians here training. Nothing will be closed but watch out for sit skiers and blind skiers on the Sprint Loop and World Cup trails.

Sat Feb 27th and Sun Feb 28th, the Special Olympics are going to have their annual snowshoe race on the stadium, it is a 400m oval track. Jackrabbits will need to use the Rabbit play area and Jutland for lessons. Spring Break starts March 6th.

Thanks

Marc Lyster

Junior Racing Team members wax skis to raise funds for their trip to the National Championships.

28th Annual Vancouver Island Loppet

The race notice is posted on the Races page, and it will be posted in the Raven Lodge this week as well. Registration is open on Zone4. A loppet is a fun, family-friendly cross-country ski race where skiers of all ages and abilities can challenge themselves to ski their best long distance. See the race notice for more details. If you can participate as a volunteer, email info@strathocnanordics.com.

Beginner Masters

What a beautiful day on Sunday. We had 7 keen skiers and worked on balance drills and one skate. Everyone is progressing well – I could definately see a difference from a few weeks back. We were joined for the last half hour by Coach Dave and 2 of his athletes. Sylvia and Freya demonstrated technique – one skate and off set. Dave explained some of the mechanics of skiing and gave us some drills. I think people gained some more insight into the amount of training and effort that goes in to becoming an efficient skier. Thank you for inspiring us!

Intermediate Masters

The skiers have being doing awesome! We have a large energetic group who generate great fun each week. We are now on to skate technique after 4 sessions of classic. Last week 12 braves skiers practiced the “staying warm technique” (with limited success) in the sheltered confines of Lake Approach in the worst of the severe blizzard. They were rewarded this week with the most amazing sun and hot conditions as many challenged the grind and swooshed down Jack’s back to the lodge. Phil, Dave, Dave, John, Neil and Ron are pretty impressed with the improvment in all skiers.

NEW – Strathcona Nordics Introduction to Backcountry Ski Touring

Andrew Pape-Salmon will be leading two backcountry ski trips this season – free for Strathcona Nordics club members. He recently completed the three-month Yamnuska Mountain Skills Semester in Canmore, Alberta and is itching to share his renewed passion for mountains and backcountry skiing. The trips are conditional upon getting some new snow, as the backcountry conditions are currently poor. However, the weather looks good this week! The trips will introduce club members to basic touring techniques, navigation and avalanche awareness.

Tentative plans are to summit Mount Brooks on Sunday, March 14th from Raven Lodge and Mount Becher on Sunday, March 28th from the former Forbidden Plateau ski hill parking lot. The mountains have an elevation of 1,500m and 1,385m above sea level respectively, with a total elevation gain of about 800 meters up Mount Becher from the parking lot.

Both trips will start at 9am and will include an avalanche beacon practice early in the day. Andrew is certified in Avalanche Skills Training (Level 2) and wilderness first aid.

Gear requirements include: backcountry skis with metal edges, warm boots, bindings with heel risers, poles with good baskets, climbing skins, avalanche beacon/transceiver, probe and shovel, sunglasses and/or goggles.

Note that gear can be rented from Ski Tak Hut and Valhalla Pure.

Andrew has posted some photos from a Mount Becher trip earlier this season at: http://papesalmon.smugmug.com/Nature/Ski-Mountaineering/Mount-Becher-Jan-2010/ Non-members would like to participate can join Strathcona Nordics at: http://www.zone4.ca/register.asp?id=638&lan=1&cartlevel=1

If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please email Andrew at: andrewpapesalmon@shaw.ca or call 250-592-7017.

Junior Team

The Junior Racing Team would like to thank everyone who supported them in their Waxing Fundraiser and Bake Sale last weekend. They worked hard and waxed many skis in the course of 3 hours, and they made $550! Well-done team.

Special thanks from the team to Ski Tak Hut for donating the wax and also to Mount Washington for all of their support!

See more photos at the bottom of the Winter 2010 page in the gallery.

Men’s Pursuit Race

Many of us enjoyed watching the men’s pursuit race in the Raven Lodge last weekend. What an exciting race it was! Thank you to Leanne Webster for bringing the lovely and delicious Go Canada! cake. It was perhaps one of the contributing factors to Team Canada’s outstanding performance in the race–three top 10 finishes!