Telemark building on last year’s success
This is the second in a series of features on cross-country ski areas in the Okanagan Valley.
Ron Earle, director and general manager of Telemark Nordic Club, is looking forward to the start of the 2017-18 season because last season at the ski area west of Westbank was successful in many ways.
“A record was set for club memberships, and all the teams and programs grew in numbers. We are the fastest growing Nordic ski club in Canada. There were approximately 30,000 day- and night users last season. The best thing is: you can always find your own quiet space and the trails are never crowded," he said.
Last season, Telemark achieved 36 of 37 goals set at the beginning of the season to measure the club’s success.
Due to strong financial results, once again, there will be no increases in the cost of club memberships, pass and rental prices.
“Thank you to the 170 volunteers, and many members, visitors, event participants, staff, sponsors, contractors and suppliers who made this happen. When people pull in the same direction, there is unlimited potential,” said Earle.
The club now has a good working relationship with AEL, the Glenrosa Road maintenance contractor. Club officials are working with the company to improve parking lot grading and road clearing around the parking lot entrance at busy times. The contractor is doing all he can to make the short drive to Telemark safe, said Earle.
“With more attention from Scott Anderson, the parking lot was better organized last season. The new snow removal contractor is doing a great job and will be back. We are endeavoring to shorten the time it takes to get from the parking lot to the trails.
“Last season, for the first time ever, there were no break-ins in the parking lot. Continue to be diligent and call 911 if you see criminal activity in the lot.”
The club has a new web page with better functionality for people using smart phones.
The most visited section of the website is the trail conditions page.
This year, the website will display real-time weather information, stadium pictures and past weather reports at telemarknordic.com. The biathlon program at Telemark Nordic Club is popular every winter. Team members not only train to become exceptional cross-country skiers, but to control their breathing after racing down the trails so they can shoot accurately at targets on the biathlon range, above.
“Donald Trump plans to update the ski and snowshoe trail condition information regularly during the day on Twitter,” he joked, adding: “We encourage members to sign up on our Twitter page (@TelemarkNordic) and post your own trail reports for others to see.”
Last year again saw growth in the cross-country racing team, the biathlon team, Jackrabbit Ski League, local schools program, Special Olympics and adult lessons. “We are extremely proud of all of our athletes, but especially Canadian cross-country champion Gareth Williams and Special Olympics world champion Francis Stanley.”
There is a new master’s program for advanced and less advanced mature athletes.
More information is posted on the website.
If someone in a local family would like to participate in a program or on a team and cannot afford to, give Earle a call at 250-2120704. “We do not want anyone to be left behind,” he explained.
This season, the club is fortunate to have all team and program directors as well as coaches returning to their positions.
“We appreciate that they improve lives by stepping up and spending many hours working on a volunteer basis for our non-profit sports club.”
There is a full list of club contacts at telemarknordic.com.
“It is unfortunate that Clive Gilbert, a long-time member of Telemark’s board of directors and builder of Telemark, is moving on. Clive’s ability to find middle ground on difficult issues was impressive. His hard work made a difference to many,” said Earle.
A three-kilometre doggy snowshoe trail and a three-kilometre doggy classic-only ski trail are opening this winter.
These new trails start at the entrance to the parking lot, but are located on the other side of Glenrosa Road. “We will review the new doggy trails as the season progresses and make improvements as needed,” said Earle.
Snowshoeing has been an ongoing success story at Telemark.
Every year, there are more people participating in this accessible, healthy sport.
Last year saw a record number of snowshoe-only club memberships, and again set a record for snowshoe day pass and rental sales. More snowshoes and ski equipment have been added to the rental pool.
There is a strong possibility that the club will be starting/hosting an annual snowshoe race this season. Watch the website for more details.
Telemark has added modern grooming machinery over the past few years.
“We are saving for the replacement of the groomer when it is required. A new lone worker system has been developed and installed by club technical guru Barry Allen. This system makes it safer for staff and volunteers who are working on our trails and in the chalet. Phil and his experienced team are doing all they can to provide top-notch trail grooming. We are in very good shape in this regard.”
Last year, all major events were profitable as the club focused on keeping the ski and snowshoe trails open during events for those not participating in the events.
This season, there will be three events: the 32nd annual Kelowna Apple Loppet on Jan. 14, BC crosscountry championships on Feb. 16-18 and BC Biathlon Cup on March 3-4, 2018.
“Telemark wants everyone to be safe. Please do not do anything that is unsafe. If you have concerns about safety, give me a call at 250-212-0704,” said Earle.
“In my eyes, the best thing about Telemark is having watched 2,500 different children and youth a year involved in healthy activities that have the potential to improve their lives. And being involved with thousands and thousands of youth at Telemark over the last nine seasons and never having one youth being rude or doing things that shouldn’t be done. It is a testament to the good work that the club is doing and great parenting."
Those who haven’t met the general manager and director should stop by the chalet to say hello.
*** Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre in the North Okanagan opened last weekend.
Nickel Plate Nordic Club in the South Okanagan is opening today. The ticket office and rental shop will be open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.
“Early season conditions are good. Many lower and upper trails in the system are open. A reminder … there is active logging in the area Monday to Friday until Dec. 15,” Nickel Plate general manager Murray Farbridge said.
“Check our website at nickelplatenordic.org.”
*** The public is invited to the Friends of Mission Creek Society’s annual general meeting at 6:45 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 16) at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan in Mission Creek Regional Park. (intersection of Springfield and Durnin roads) in Kelowna.
There will be refreshments and a social from 6:45 to 7:10 p.m., then a welcome followed by a guest speaker at 7:30 p.m., said Rhea Wiseman, society secretary.
“Our guest speaker will be Maury Williams, professor emeritus in the history department at UBC Okanagan. The title of his presentation is The Men Building the Kettle Valley Railroad.”
A blast from the past. The Sheriff was cleaning out his email system the other day when he came across an archived message about Sean Nichols, the son of Cynthia and Alan Nichols of Kelowna.
In 2016, the then-38-year-old began his dream: a five-month, 14,500-kilometre bicycle marathon from Vladivostok, Russia, to Porto, Portugal.
The adventurer, environmentalist and outdoorsman worked for the Alberta Wilderness Association for 10 years, quitting to pursue that dream. He had already cycled, solo, across Canada as well as across the Andes from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile.
In preparation, he learned Russian and spoke the language reasonably fluently. Although he applied for an extended in-out visa for Russia, he was only granted one that was valid for a threemonth period starting June 1.
So he had to make it across the country in 90 days (no small feat). He bought a bike once he got to Russia, got it fitted out and stayed, as much a possible, at hostels and inns along the way.
So how did he do, the Sheriff asked himself, before emailing his mother.
“Sean completed his trip last December. The journey resulted in a good-news (mostly), bad-news (not seriously) story,” she replied.
“Sean successfully completed the ride across Russia, making it to the Ukraine border with one day left on his 90-day visa. On Sept. 1, he proceeded to ride across the Ukraine and Poland. Unfortunately, in Wroclaw, Poland, he had an unfortunate, non-bike-related, non-life-threatening mishap.”
While attempting to open a blister pack, the knife he was using slipped and he severed the tendons in his left thumb. This required surgery and a one-month convalescence in Wroclaw since he was unable to use his hand to ride his bike. Clearly, this impacted his schedule, said his mother.
“Undeterred, Sean continued his journey at the first possible opportunity and proceeded to ride without any further problems, other than those related to weather, bugs and bad roads through Czechia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Spain.
“He was once again riding against time as, due to his delay in Poland, the expiry on his Schengen (European) visa was looming.
“Sadly, Sean did not make his final planned destination of Porto. However, he did make it to the western edge of Europe, dipping his bike in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in Spain — 13,520 kilometres from his starting point."
He is now back at work in Calgary and, at last report, has not made plans for his next epic journey, said his mom. “Although, as his mother, I know it is probably just a matter of time!”
And she keeps sharp knives locked up when he comes home?
J.P. Squire, aka the Ski Sheriff, is an avid outdoors enthusiast. His column appears every weekend. You can contact him with your outdoor news at his new email address: jp.squire@telus.net.