Offer of 50% discount on season pass brings Nordic club 150 new members

This is the third in a series of updates on crosscountry ski areas in the Okanagan Valley. Trend-setting Nickel Plate Nordic Centre wanted to attract more members this winter. The South Okanagan ski area has accomplished that goal by offering a one-time 50-per-cent discount on a season pass for all new members.

Those 19 to 74 years of age could have purchased a $160 single-adult season pass for $80 before the early-bird deadline of Oct. 31. Even now, a $176 single-adult pass can still be purchased for $88.

The results of this informal Canada 150 celebration have been astounding. As of last week, the club had 150 new members, bringing the total membership above last year’s 550. And some of last year’s members haven’t registered yet, said general manager Murray Farbridge.

The 50-per-cent discount applies to individual and family ski memberships as well as snowshoe memberships. However, it will only be taken off membership fees on the website at the time of registration. Qualifying registrants will be given a discount code that must be entered in the appropriate place on the Zone 4 registration page.

The discount does not apply to children’s programs (Skill Development Program or SDP and Junior Racers), ski rentals, insurance fees, taxes (GST), private ski lessons or day passes.

“We’re closer to 600 members already. It’s the first year that we’ve ever done it; it’s a good promotion, a great deal. A five-punch pass (for day passes) is $70, so we probably won’t sell many of those with that cheap a membership,” Farbridge said with a laugh.

“If even half of those people pay full price next year, then it was worth it. They all just got in for the deal, but maybe they stay because they got to know the place. And there’s more people up there. It’s just all word of mouth; it’s all about getting exposure.”

When Nickel Plate opened for the season last weekend, there was a 50-centimetre base on 20 kilometres of trails. Some diehards had been skiing since the beginning of the month.

“Some of our trails are grass, so 20 centimetres and you can ski on those. Other trails take about 70 centimetres, and you can fill in creeks and things with the extra snow,” said Farbridge.

As of Thursday, the base was up to 60 centimetres and all 50 kilometres of trails were open.

On Dec. 2, the club will host its Season Opener race — a 10-kilometre mass start for both classic and skate techniques. Children under nine years can compete in a twokilometre fun race, and those 10 to 15 years of age can race in a five-kilometre event. The race, with day-of-race registration, is now listed on the Cross-Country BC calendar. Fees are $20 for adults, and $10 and $5 for the kids.

All proceeds will support the trip expenses for junior racer Fred Albrechtsen, a member of the B.C. ski development team who will compete at the nationals in Thunder Bay, Ont. The 15-year-old is ranked ninth in Canada.

“It’s a real breakthrough,” Farbridge said. “I’m trying to think of the last time we had somebody like that. It’s fantastic for the club and we want to really support him.

“He lives at Apex (Mountain Resort), so that’s a real advantage. His family is into the mountain lifestyle, so he trains up here; he rollerskis up the hill; he mountain bikes up there. He’s living at altitude, which is really great for cross-country skiing.

“He was a freestyler (downhill skiing) for a few years and decided to try something different. He tried crosscountry and really likes it.”

Nickel Plate has also attracted Level 4 instructor Tricia Wilson, who moved to the Okanagan from Canmore, Alta. Level 4, the highest level certification of the Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors, means that Wilson can teach courses for instructors.

“She will teach all levels at Nickel Plate and might even do our school program for 1,700 Grade 5s, led for many years by Mike Townley, a retired teacher. Every kid in the district — Keremeos to Summerland — gets to come up and ski three times,” said Farbridge, who will act as an assistant coach along with Jerome Jang, a Level 4 instructor through the National Coaching Certification Program, and parent Chris Garwah.

The popular Skill Development Program (a.k.a. Jackrabbits) is already sold out with 73 kids four to 12 years of age. The junior race team now has 13 participants.

Nickel Plate was also chosen to participate in the new Spirit North program through the Penticton Indian Band school. Coaches and all equipment are provided through a corporate grant. The First Nations program, established by gold medallist Becky Scott in Alberta, will run Mondays and Thursdays. Smithers is the only other B.C. ski area to host the Spirit North program. Nickel Plate’s new First Nations policy provides free skiing to all status members.

Due to the unusual spring weather this year, Joel Jacques of Penticton, who is the head ski technician for the Canadian national ski team, held a late-season ski camp on May 14-21 for the Canadian paralympic Nordic team and Foothills Nordic team from Calgary.

“Because of the late snow, the entire trail system was open, Lower/Upper Meadow, other trails,” said Farbridge. “It was scary. It was like we were up there: ‘I can't believe there’s this much snow this late.’”

* * * Silver Star Mountain Resort opened its Nordic skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing season on Friday “due to great snowfall conditions.” All upper trails are open, as are 90 per cent of lower trails, all machine-groomed and all track set. The trails are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

Silver Star resort and Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre have Canada’s largest daily groomed cross-country trail network with 105 kilometres of rolling terrain, trails that suit all ability levels and interests, seven cabins, one restaurant and incredible viewpoints.

Silver Star has the highest concentration of Level 4 cross-country ski instructors in Canada, and its trails are groomed to world-class and World Cup standards, says Nordic programs manager Shane Landreville.

“We’re excited to be opening the doors early on crosscountry skiing. The industry is experiencing increased participation with baby boomers and under-35s recognizing the social and health benefits more than ever before.”

Retail, rental, repairs and ticket office (including season passes) in the Silver Star village will all be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Cross-country ski lessons can be prebooked by calling Snowsports at 1-800-663-4431. As of this week, the planned alpine opening is still Nov. 23.

* * * A reminder that the Kelowna Canoe and Kayak Club is holding its annual Christmas dinner on Dec. 8. Tickets to the three-course dinner at Michaelbrook Golf Club must be purchased though PayPal on the kckc.ca website by Nov. 23. Members can play the optional Loonie Toss for free beverages and can also exchange Christmas gifts (if they bring one worth $10).

* * * You can get into the holiday spirit early by participating in an annual festive race while supporting the Youth Outdoor Recreation Society.

The sixth annual Santa Rec Run in Penticton will be held next Nov. 25, presented by Hoodoo Adventures (hoodooadventures.ca) and the Bears Den Restaurant. Proceeds will support the non-profit subsidy program that funds outdoor recreation opportunities for schools in the OkanaganSkaha School District.

The race will start at 10 a.m. at Hoodoo Adventures’ Outdoor Pursuits Centre, 131 Ellis St., with 5-kilometre and 10-km courses that follow scenic Lakeshore Drive and the Channel Parkway. This year, organizers have added a 1.5-km Fun Run for kids with a variety of entertaining stops along the route, including Fishing for Candy Canes and a Santa Boot Toss. Adding to the festive fun, all participants will receive a cheery Santa hat.

At the Outdoor Pursuits Centre finish line, participants can look forward to hot chocolate, cookies, holiday music and prizes, including prizes for creative holiday costumes. In addition, Hoodoo Adventures will offer a full day of “climb-by-donation” at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre’s indoor climbing gym.

Race entry costs $15 per person or $40 for a family of three to five people. For more information and to register, go to santarecrun.ca.

Award-winning Hoodoo Adventures aims to provide quality outdoor adventures and team events that highlight the best the Okanagan has to offer. The Penticton-based company brings together some of the most energetic, personable and dedicated individuals in the industry, offering outstanding instructional skills, playful attitudes and knowledge of safety management with a wide range of backgrounds, qualifications and experience.

* * * For the third consecutive year, Big White Ski Resort and Encompass Benefits have partnered on the Encompass Benefits Big White Ski Pass Contest.

A deserving young person between the ages of 13 and 17 years can win an entire winter of snowboarding or skiing at Big White. This winter’s contest, with additional partner HR Solutions, is nomination-based and designed to recognize youth who are in financial need and have made an effort to shine in their community.

The lucky winner will receive a 2017-18 season package including a youth season pass, bus pass, ski or snowboard equipment and a group lesson.

“Big White Ski Resort believes in making skiing and snowboarding accessible to everyone. As Canada’s favourite family resort, we are proud to give this gift to one incredible young person in our community,” said Michael J. Ballingall, Big White’s senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “We hope that the winner will be able to develop a lifelong love affair with skiing and snowboarding.”

To nominate a youth, the nominator must fill out a nomination form and submit it by email to bigwhitecontest@encompassbenefits.com by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 3. One winner will be announced and contacted in early December. All nominees must meet the following criteria: between the ages of 13 and 17, have experienced skiing/snowboarding three or more times, show good character, demonstrate community commitment and have financial need.

For more information about the contest, go to encompassbenefits.com/news/big-white-ski-pass-contest-2017.

*** Baldy Mountain Resort, east of Oliver, is ready to open to the public on Dec. 8, weather permitting.

To celebrate, a First Chair Festival will be held that weekend (Dec. 8-10) with fun activities for the whole family.

Visitors have a chance to win prizes, collect giveaways, participate in guided tours, watch a fireworks display, and kids can race a fun slalom course or join a treasure hunt. There’s even free tasty treats, says resort general manager Andy Foster.

The main attraction is, of course, the skiing and snowboarding, and new terrain is available to ride this season. There is plenty to keep non-skiers entertained, too, including disc golf, snowshoeing or sipping on some hot chocolate while tobogganing, he said.

Another highlight is the live music and drink tastings in the newly renovated Baldy Bar, which has a new menu and new hours. For more details, go to baldyresort.com.

“We’re super-excited to open for the season and the First Chair Festival is a great way to celebrate. Opening day is a big occasion at any ski resort, and we want to make this festival a can’t-be-missed event,” he added.

The resort reopened last year after it was closed for most of three seasons. Last winter’s opening weekend had amazing snow conditions and, as one of the top 10 highest ski resorts in Canada, Baldy is likely to offer the same this year.

“Baldy Mountain Resort is a hidden gem awaiting discovery. There is something for every mountain-minded person. You can ski or snowboard through the perfectly spaced glades or on our groomed runs, walk through the woods on snowshoes, ski our cross-country trails or toboggan with the kids.

“After the outdoor fun is done, enjoy great food and entertainment at the Baldy Bar. It’s one of the best mountains for family-friendly skiing and snowboarding in the Okanagan,” said Foster.

J.P. Squire, a.k.a. 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.