Category: News

Team Scream

Our Team Scream race is fast approaching! Here are the important details.

• February 27th
• Tropical theme! Dress up! It will be fun!
• Choose a partner and each skier does one lap around Mickey’s Loop.
• It is free for members!
• It will be much easier for our volunteer organizers if you sign up ahead of time, but there will be one last chance to sign up on race day between 9:30 and 10:30. Sign up at this link.
• This event is for adults and children: the more people that participate, the more fun we will have!
• More details are available here.

Potluck Dinner

Our wind-up Potluck Dinner will be on Sunday April 3rd, at 5pm at the Community Centre. The potluck is for all of the general membership.

CBT Application

We are applying for CBT local initiatives grants. We are trying to secure funds for some much needed safety equipment for race hosting, as well as asset preservation materials for our day lodge and maintenance building. On Tuesday, March 15th, we will present this information, and attendees are able to vote on the projects. This voting counts towards the decision to fund our project. Therefore, we would love you to attend on March 15th and support the RNSC, as well as other great local clubs and initiatives.

AGM

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 14th at 7pm at the day lodge. This is an important opportunity to speak with board members and learn about the direction the club is heading. We will also be electing next years board members. We have a few vacancies on our board that we need to fill. If you are interested in joining our board, or would like more information about being a board member, please contact us at [email protected].

Race Team

Revelstoke Nordic skiers have enjoyed a successful 2015-16 race season competing at Okanagan Cups, BC Cups, BC Midget Championships and NorAm events. After on-snow training camps throughout the month of November, the season opening events were consecutive NorAm race weekends in Canmore and Vernon. These events doubled as Youth Olympic Games qualifiers for athletes aged 15 – 17. Prior to the holiday season, athletes partook in the annual Holiday Camp in Revelstoke. A highlight of the camp was a nutrition and pre-race planning talk led by national Ski Mountaineering team member, Mel Bernier. A big thanks to Mel for her presentation and to Mountain Goodness Natural Foods for donating pre, during and post activity food and drink options for athletes to sample!

A huge thanks to our coaches for their exceptional work this season. Robyn Thomas, Mandy Kellner, Kellen Viznaugh, Kip Drobish and Bruce Granstrom have donated countless hours to help Coach Matt ensure the continued success of our Track Attack and Junior Development athletes.

Okanagan Cup and BC Winter Games Trials, January 2nd in Revelstoke

1st – Fiona Woodman, 2008 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

1st – Megan Norrie, 2010 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

1st – Ruby Serrouya, 2006 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

1st – Natalie Morrone, 2007 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

1st – Kolibri Drobish, 2002 Girls, 3.75km Classic Interval

1st – Alana Brittin, 2000 Girls, 5km Classic Interval

2nd – Irah Cameron-Harding, <2010 Boys, 1.5km Classic Interval

2nd – Norah Painter, 2008 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

2nd – Livia McMechan, 2009 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

2nd – Micayla MacIntosh, <2010 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

2nd – Elliot Wilson, 2004 Girls, 2.5km Classic Interval

2nd – Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys, 5km Classic Interval

2nd – Elizabeth Elliott, 2000 Girls, 5km Classic Interval

2nd – Marnie Graf, 30-39 Women, 10km Classic Interval

3rd – Nicholas Gill, 2009 Boys, 1.5km Classic Interval

3rd – Hamish Woodman, <2010 Boys, 1.5km Classic Interval

3rd – Emilie Paquin, 2008 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

3rd – Sela McMechan, <2010 Girls, 1.5km Classic Interval

3rd – Maeve MacLeod, 2005 Girls, 2.5km Classic Interval

3rd – Jaclyn Elliott, 2003 Girls, 3.75km Classic Interval

3rd – Erik Brosch, 2001 Boys, 5km Classic Interval

3rd – Patrick McMechan, 30-39 Men, 10km Classic Interval

BC Cup, January 9th and 10th in Vernon

1st – Alana Brittin, 2000 Girls, 750m Classic Sprints

1st – Fiona Woodman, 2008 Girls, 800m Free Interval

1st – Hamish Woodman, <2010 Boys, 800m Free Interval

1st – Ruby Serrouya, 2006 Girls, 1.4km Free Interval

1st – Robyn Thomas, 30-39 Women, 7.5km Free Interval

2nd – Francesco Morrone, 2004 Boys, 2km Free Interval

3rd – Elizabeth Elliott, 2000 Girls, 750m Classic Sprints

3rd – Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys 5km Free Interval

3rd – Mandy Kellner, 40-49 Women, 7.5km Free Interval

BC Midget Championships, January 23rd and 24th in Salmon Arm

1st – Ruby Serrouya, 2006 Girls, 2km Classic Interval

1st – Ruby Serrouya, 2006 Girls, 300m Free Sprints

Okanagan Cup, January 31st in Kelowna

2nd – Ruby Serrouya, 2006 Girls, 2km Free Interval

2nd – Elizabeth Elliott, 2000 Girls, 6km Free Interval

3rd – Jaclyn Elliott, 2003 Girls, 3km Free Interval

3rd – Alana Brittin, 2000 Girls, 6km Free Interval

BC Cup, February 7th and 8th in Kamloops

1st – Ruby Serrouya, 2006 Girls, 1.5km Free Interval

1st – Robyn Thomas, 30-39 Women, 10km Free Interval

1st – Alana Brittin, 2000 Girls, 5km Classic Mass

1st – Robyn Thomas, 30-39 Women, 10km Classic Mass

2nd – Nyssa Thomas, 2005 Girls, 2.5km Free Interval

2nd – Beth Granstrom, 2000 Girls, 5km Free Interval

2nd – Maeve MacLeod, 2005 Girls, 2.5km Classic Interval

2nd – Elizabeth Elliott, 2000 Girls, 5km Classic Mass

3rd – Maeve MacLeod, 2005 Girls, 2.5km Free Interval

3rd – Emily MacLeod, 2003 Girls, 2.5km Free Interval

3rd – Elizabeth Elliott, 2000 Girls, 5km Free Interval

3rd – Ruby Serrouya, 2006 Girls, 1.5km Classic Mass

3rd – Isobel Wilson, 2007 Girls, 1.5km Classic Mass

3rd – Elliot Wilson, 2004 Boys, 2.5km Classic Mass

3rd – Kolibri Drobish, 2002 Girls, 3.5km Classic Mass

3rd – Beth Granstrom, 2000 Girls, 5km Classic Mass

3rd – Penny Page-Brittin, 40-49 Women, 10km Classic Mass

Western Championships, February 19th – 21st in Prince George

1st – Elizabeth Elliott, 2000 Girls, 3.75km Free Interval

1st – Alana Brittin, 2000 Girls, 800m Classic Sprint and 7.5km Classic Mass

2nd – Elizabeth Elliott, 2000 Girls, 800m Classic Sprint

2nd – Beth Granstrom, 2000 Girls, 3.75km Free Interval

3rd – Alana Brittin, 2000 Girls, 3.75km Free Interval

3rd – Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys, 3.75km Free Interval Start and 10km Classic Mass

---

Elementary and High School Nordic Programs

We are continuing to provide opportunities for many of our local students to get on skinny sticks! By the start of March, fourth grade classes from Begbie View, Arrow Heights, Columbia Park and Ecole des Glaciers will have come up for four morning sessions. Additionally, we have considerably expanded our Revelstoke Secondary School Nordic programming, with all physical education classes attending two or three morning sessions, equaling 22 total visit from RSS classes. Thanks to volunteers Louisa Fleming and Janette Vickers, and parent helpers for their work assisting Coach Matt with the grade four programs. Great work to Daniel Blackie, Kelsey Knoll and Ian Ward for their work assisting Coach Matt as paid leads with our RSS classes.

---

Adult Programs

We have had a successful run of technique-based adult instruction this Nordic season. All programs have seen considerable interest, including: Adult Classic and Skate Beginners on Monday nights; Adult Intermediate and Advanced (Classic and Skate) on Tuesday evenings or Thursday afternoons, One Day Classic and Skate Clinics and Private or Group Lessons. In addition, there has been continued interest in our free Wednesday Night Open Training sessions (on none Headlamp Hero Wednesdays). February 24th and March 2nd are the final two Open Training sessions of the season. Please contact Coach Matt if there are any adult programs you would like to see included in the future.

---

Headlamp Heroes 

101 skiers have taken part in our first three Headlamp Heroes events sponsored by Skookum, the Village Idiot, the Modern Bakeshop and Cafe and Mica Heliskiing! We have our final race, a 4×2.5km Mixed Technique Relay event on Wednesday, March 9th. Four skiers per team with one member of the opposite sex is required. The first two legs will be classic technique and the final two legs will be free technique. A big thanks to Flowt for sponsoring this season finale. Finally, thanks to the myriad of volunteers who have helped with the events, in particular, Wade Viznaugh for his ongoing efforts to ensure pristine trail conditions and smooth running events.

---

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT: COACHES

A CLUB IS NOTHING WITHOUT THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM TO DRIVE IT IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION

Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club loves volunteer coaches! Our Bunnies, Jackrabbit, & Trailblazers programs are entirely led by volunteer coaches, and other programs like Ski S’kool, Track Attack, and Junior Development, while led by paid coaches need volunteer coach support too. If you love skiing and want to share your passion with others, this is the job for you! Don’t think you have enough experience? Start your coaching career as a Bunnies leader and progress from there. One of the many benefits of coaching is that it will greatly improve YOUR technique. This is a high impact job that allows you to directly contribute to the growth of cross­country skiing in our community, BC, and across Canada.

Coaching courses are scheduled every year in late October or early November and course fees are covered by RNSC. We encourage community members of all ages from Youth to Senior to become certified in National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). To learn more about the courses and to find out how you can be part of this program, please contact Matt Smider, [email protected] or Robyn Thomas, [email protected].

Thank you to all of our volunteer coaches who are serving our growing community of youth skiers!

2015/16 Coaches:

Daniel Blackie, Jasmin Brackenbury, Amelia Brown, Kristy Cameron, Gabriella Draboczi, Annmarie Gill, Kurt Grabinsky, Bruce Granstrom, Mandy Kellner, Bart Larson, Rory Luxmoore, Brendan MacIntosh, Pat McMechan, Koreen Morrone, Nikki Norrie, Simone Palmer, Dominic Paquin, Robyn Thomas, Janette Vickers, Kendra Von Bremen, Tanya Wolgram, Angus Woodman, Kellen  Viznaugh.

Following are those who have furthered their NCCP training in the past 2 years:

Introduction to Community Coaching (ICC): Daniel Blackie, Alana Brittin, Gabriella Draboczi, Elizabeth Elliot, Annmarie Gill, Beth Granstrom, Kate Granstrom, Kelsey Knoll, Pat McMechan, Brendan MacIntosh, Koreen Morrone, Dominic Paquin, Tanya Wolgram

Community Coaching (CC): Daniel Blackie, Gabriella Draboczi, Annmarie Gill, Brendan MacIntosh, Koreen Morrone, Robyn Thomas, Tanya Wolgram

Competition Coaching Intro (L2T): Dryland: Gabriella Draboczi, Mandy Kellner, Robyn Thomas

Competition Coaching Intro Advanced (T2T): Dryland & On­snow: Bruce Granstrom,Rory Luxmoore

---

Emergency Plan

Our Emergency plan can be viewed any time on line right here.

Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club – Rescue Plan

for Mount Macpherson Ski Trails

The Nordic trails are not patrolled

Ski at your own Risk

 

 

Emergency (Fire, Ambulance, Police, SAR)     911

Hospital     250-837-2131

Revelstoke Nordic Lodge     250-814-4264

Mt Macpherson Ski Area is located 7 kilometers south of the Trans Canada Highway on Highway 23 South (address is 2265 Hwy 23 South).

For emergencies needing transport off the ski trails call 911, describe the nature and location of the emergency and ask for Search and Rescue.

 

• Unless trained individuals are available the injured person should not be moved until SAR attends.

• First Aid packs with blankets and first aid kits are kept at the Ole Sandberg Cabin and in the Day Lodge Office. There is also a rescue pack located in a box at the bottom of Hydro Hill. If the victim cannot ski out on their own, use these packs to keep the victim warm until Search and Rescue can assist them.

• Between 9 am and 3 pm contact the Nordic Lodge at 837-4264 to report the accident. The Lodge Attendant may be able to assist with rescue.

•  The RNSC owns a snowmobile equipped with a toe bar and a rescue toboggan that are stored in the maintenance building.

•  The snowmobile is only to be driven by individuals that are familiar with snowmobile operation.

•  Only trained first aid attendants are to use the rescue toboggan to transport injured persons.

•  After rescue services have been contacted, please contact the club manager at 250-814-4264 to report the accident.

Membership Night

Our annual Membership night will be held on Monday, November 2nd, from 5pm to 8pm at the day lodge. Members night is your opportunity to purchase your 2015/16 membership with out the fees associated with online purchasing. All other memberships for the season will be available through www.zone4.ca.

Please come out and purchase your membership, chat with other members and learn a bit about the upcoming season. You will also have the opportunity to purchase a Coopers gift card; this is a major fund raiser for our Ski League.

We also reset our contact list as of Membership night; therefore, if you would like to continue to receive Nordic updates by email and newsletter, it is important to renew your membership on or before November 2nd.

We hope to see you there!

Thank you Natelle

On behalf of the entire RNSC, we would like to offer a sincere thank you to all of the hard work that Natelle put into our club last year. Natelle was our first Club Manager; she put in many long hour days and worked with the club in mind to sell day tickets, market and advertise the club, organize volunteers, help out with membership duties, clean the lodge and many, many more tasks. It has been wonderful to have her positive energy at the lodge, and her hard work to keep things running smoothly. Natelle, we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Sincerely, all of us!

Welcome Kelsey – our new Club Manager

Hello! My name is Kelsey, and I get to be the General Manager of the Nordic Club.  I am a new face to town, so I’ll tell you a bit about where I’ve been before now.

I grew up in Prince George, BC.  I grew up cross-country skiing at the trails there as a kid, then again as a teenager.  Since then, I’ve made sure to be near Nordic trails in some form.

I attended school at the University of British Columbia (UBC), finishing with a degree in Applied Biology, focusing on local food systems.  After I received my piece of paper, the opportunity to put my degree to use was thrown in my lap—I started a small-scale farm with three university friends on Vancouver Island, in Courtenay, BC.  For two seasons, we grew vegetables and chickens and beans, selling at the farmers’ market.  During the winter, I worked at the Mount Washington Nordic Centre (which was a hoot to say the least), and even learned to be a cross-country ski instructor.

Now I find myself in Revelstoke.  I moved here this spring to work as a wildland fire fighter with the Ministry of Forests. I am very excited about all the biking, running, and skiing adventures to be done in and around this lovely town, with the lovely people that live here.

I am looking forward to meeting you all, having skis and teas and laughs together.  Happy trails!

Ski League

We are looking forward to another great season of youth programs!  We had a great turnout at Mass Registration of keen parents registering their kids for our Skill Development Program including Bunnies, Jackrabbits, Trailblazers, Track Attack, and Junior Development.

Sign up for Ski League at Members Night where Matt, Robyn, and Janette can answer your questions. All registrations other than Members Night are through Zone4.ca (find link at revelstokenordic.org).  Deadline for registration is Nov. 30, 2015.

Thanks to all families who helped us with fundraising over the summer.  We also had great representation at the Emergency Services Food Drive.  Uniform orders for racers (or anyone interested in wearing an awesome Revelstoke jersey or jacket) will be taken by Tracey Larson before the end of October.

The Ski League athletes are looking for fundraising support from all Club Members for the 2015-16 season.  Coopers Gift Cards supporting the Nordic Ski League will be available for purchase at Members Night. Natalie MacLeod and Vanessa Morrow are our Coopers Card Coordinators.  Members will be able to purchase the gift cards from the Club Manager during office hours at the Lodge throughout the season.  Speak with Natalie at Member’s Night if you have questions.

 **Mark your calendars for another great Pancake Breakfast to get our season started Dec. 5th!**

K-9 Skiing

Another winter approaches and the RNSC offers another great opportunity to ski with your dog. The trail configuration and rules remain the same as last year. Please purchase your membership at www.Zone4.ca or at membership night November 2nd at RNSC Macpherson lodge. Be sure to include your dog’s name and description and read the dog loop agreement. Any questions can be directed to Paula Hill at [email protected].

As always your fellow dogger, Paula Hill

Welcome Duane – our Operations Manager

I came from a south Saskatchewan farm where x-c skiing was unheard of. At about 10 years old, after being inspired by a film about Jackrabbit Johannsen, I fashioned my first pair of skis from a dismantled toboggan with a pair of old work boots hinged onto it. I learned quickly the beauty of traveling through natural areas in the winter time. Getting a great outdoor workout in windy Saskatchewan in the wintertime was a fabulous bonus. I’ve been loving Nordic skiing ever since!
Coming to BC as tree-planters, my partner Josee and I were lucky enough to work on a crew that traveled all over BC. We fell in love with Revelstoke and decided it is the best place in BC  to live.  We still believe that after having lived in Revelstoke for 25 years now.
Having lived in a few other great x-c skiing towns like Thunderbay, Saskatoon and Canmore, I recognize what a great facility Revelstoke has in the RNSC. I hope to use my skills to help take great care of the facilities, equipment and trails to enhance the skiing experience for all.
Have a great snowy season! – Duane

Race Team

Our Race Team, comprised of our Track Attack and Junior Development skiers, has been dryland training throughout the summer and fall. Co-lead by Coach Matt and his longtime ski pal, Coach Matti (Little), the summer program had two weekly sessions for interested TA and three for the JD. Once September rolls around, the TA and JD crews have three and four weekly team workouts respectively. Undoubtedly, these hard working skiers have been spotted around town: roller skiing up Mt. Revelstoke, wheelin’ around the Greenbelt or down Airport Way, running the trails at Macpherson or in Rogers Pass, swimming in Williamson, or doing pull ups, dips, ball throws and box jumps at the Mount Begbie playground. All of these workouts would not be possible without our dedicated support crew of volunteer Race Team coaches: Robyn Thomas, Bruce Granstrom, Mandy Kellner and Kellen Viznaugh. Furthermore, we cannot forget to thank parent volunteers who perform a variety of other tasks during the offseason: from coordinating Coopers Cards and sourcing team gear, to fundraiser food prep and endless bottle sorting. Several local business and organizations deserve to be mentioned for supporting our Race Team. Our local shops, Skookum and Flowt, continue to provide support for our skiers and our Nordic club. A big thank you goes out to the Knights of Pythias and the Revelstoke Credit Union for their financial support of athletes who attended last year’s Ski Nationals in Thunder Bay. Additionally, our local TD Branch has provided financial support for the benefit of our Ski League programming. Finally, a new partnership with Helios Rehabilitation and Performance is helping to provide athletes with the necessary expertise to stay healthy and competitive.

Last spring, Revelstoke Nordic had three athletes named to the BC Development Squad and three athletes named to the BC Talent Squad. Development Squad athletes, Alana Brittin, Beth Granstrom and Elizabeth Elliott have had the opportunity to attend three training camps this season: two dryland camps in Whistler in August and Revelstoke in September, and an on-snow camp at the Haig Glacier in the middle of July! Similarly, our Talent Squad skiers, Kate Granstrom, Simon Blackie and Erik Brosch (and reserve Talent Squad skier Rebecca Brosch) attended a dryland camp in 100 Mile House at the beginning of September. All seven skiers and another reserve Talent Squad skier, Miika Park, will be attending the BC Development and Talent Squad On-Snow Camp in Whistler in mid-November. In addition to the team camps, Revelstoke Nordic was represented at the Regional Dryland Camp in Vernon this September and we will have a large contingent at the Regional On-Snow Camp in Vernon in late November. Between regular weekly training and a busy camp schedule, these athletes have been diligent and disciplined in their preparation for the fast approaching 2015-16 season. Our first events are less than six weeks away and are followed quickly by our local Okanagan Cup on January 2^nd. This event holds great importance to many of our 2002 and 2001 skiers who will be vying to qualify for this year’s BC Winter Games in Penticton.

Coaches Training

Revelstoke Nordic is proud to offer free training to new and existing coaches through the NCCP workshops. In September, five coaches partook in the Introductory Community Coaching held at the Macpherson Nordic Lodge. On October 23^rd – 25^th, the Learning to Train (Dryland) course will be held in Revelstoke, followed by the On-Snow portion on December 14^th – 16^th. Finally, the Community Coaching workshop will be held in Revelstoke on December 4^th – 6^th. For more information or to get involved with coaching at Revelstoke Nordic, please contact Coach Matt ([email protected]).

Ski S’kool and Revelstoke Secondary School

Once again, we will be hosting all of Revelstoke’s Grade 4s as part of our Ski S’kool programming. Additionally, we will be expanding our Revelstoke Secondary School program to provide eight Physical Education classes with three Nordic sessions each. If you are interested in instructing with our Ski Skool or RSS programs and have weekday daytime availability during the ski season, please contact [email protected].

RBC Sports Day in Canada

As part of the RBC Sport Day in Canada the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club is hosting a snowshoe tour November 15th beginning at Noon (weather dependent).
If snow is not covering the trails we will lead a hike on the snowshoe loop. The Seven Bridges loop is 4.5 kilometers and travels through woods and cut blocks along streams and the Nordic ski trails.
Please bring snowshoes and water. Hiking poles may be helpful. A few pairs of snowshoes will be available.
The RNSC lodge will be open. This is a free event for anyone that wants to participate, even if you aren’t a member.

Masters Skiing

Whether you’re a closet competitor or a weekday plodder, there may be an opportunity for you to get involved in our Adult programs.

• Beginner Technique Sessions on Monday evenings (7-8:30). Classic: January 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th. Skate: February 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd.
• Intermediate and Advanced Technique Sessions either Tuesday evenings (7:30-9) or Thursday afternoons (12:30-2). 10 weeks alternating between classic and skate beginning week of January 5th. Choose between five or 10 sessions.
• Open Training on Wednesday evenings (7-8:30) beginning December 2nd.

For those who cannot commit to full session dates, you may be interested in the One Day Ski Clinic on Sunday, January 17^th. Private, semi-private and group lessons can also be arranged. Finally, individualized training plans are available for those interested in focusing their training efforts. Contact [email protected] for more information or visit “Programs” on the website for dates, times and pricing.

Headlamp Heroes

Our successful toonie race series is returning and everyone is welcome to participate! These events are not just for the hardcore racer-types; they are always filled with shovel loads of laughter and snow banks of understanding…  All events are held on Wednesdays beginning at 7pm (registration from 6-6:30). Dates are as follows (format TBD): December 16^th, January 13^th, February 10^th, March 9^th.

Bottle Depot Donations

We are pleased to announce an easy way to help make our club even more awesome! You can now easily donate the proceeds from your bottle returns to the  Revelstoke Nordic Club – Ski League right at the bottle depot!

It’s easy:

1. Bring your bottles to the bottle depot and sort as usual.
2. Let the wonderful people at the counter know that you wish the proceeds from your returns to be applied to Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club account – #19.

That’s it!  Money will be used to fund our Youth Programs (including equipment for the ski league to special events for skiers members of all ages). Please spread the word about this easy and worthwhile fundraiser to your family and friends.

Brushing Party

On Sunday, October 18th, we held a work party to tackle the brush (woody shrubs) growing up on our ski trails.  Fifteen volunteers came out to wield brush saws, chainsaws and a pole saw.  We managed to get a lot accomplished, brushing Mickey’s Loop, part of Main Loop, Log Roller and Hydro Way.  We also had a team tackle low hanging tree limbs that would get in the way of the groomer and the lights along Mickey’s Loop.

Additionally, this year we’ve had a huge help from the BC Wildfire crews who have brushed a good chunk of the north trails for us.

A big thanks to all those who came out.  Hope to see you again next year! Now, we just wait for snow…