Latest Ski Conditions

I skied (classical) for over 2 hours on Sundday - it was really, really good.  The new snow has made the track far less icy.  It looked a bit soft for skating, though.

Bill Corcoran
Monday, December 28, 2009

Chicks on Stix starts Jan 4

Chicks will start January 4 at 7:00pm SHARP! Please arrive early and be ready to go. We will meet upstairs and  have a short introduction on how the evening will go and what Chicks is all about (for all the new comers). We will hit the snow at 7:30pm. Everyone will be divided into groups depending upon skill level. There will be a short beginner lesson for those who require it.

If you plan on purchasing a membership you can do that online at https://www.zone4.ca/register.asp?id=727&lan=1&cartlevel=1.  If you do not have online access you can fill out the application form and bring it along with your payment.

There is a $10 Chicks fee which must be paid for all those who plan on participating on a regular basis.

For all non ski club members the drop in fee is $10 per session.

 For all those who bringing payments, please pay upstairs.

If you require rentals please arrive by 6:30pm if not sooner. Rentals are on a 1st come 1st serve basis and the ski club only has a limited supply. Rentals are no charge for all ski club members. If you are not a member they are $5. If you have your own skis please have them ready to go. There will be a few people around to help with waxing.

For all those bringing skis please do not bring them inside the lodge (unless you need to wax). Please take them down the stairs outside to the back. You can lean them against the rail.

Be sure to bring a water bottle to carry with you and also a headlamp. The club only has a few headlamps to loan out. Be sure to dress in layers. If you are cool at the start, you will warm up one you get moving. We will be out for approximately 1 hour.

To sum it up..when you arrive please stop upstairs to pay your fees or be added to the ‘Chicks’ list (if you have not done so already). After you have competed your registration you may proceed downstairs to get rentals and/or prepare your own skis.

We will continue to ski every Monday and Thursday at 7:00pm Sharp! If the temperature is -26C (without the wind chill) at 5:00pm, we will not ski that evening. But you are still welcome to come out and ski whenever you so desire.

Hope to see many of you ‘Chicks’ out for a great season of skiing!!!

Melissa Poirier, WNSC Programs Director

X-mas Holiday Lodge Closing Times

Monday, Dec 21              9 pm
Tuesday, Dec 22             9 pm
Wednesday, Dec 23        9 pm

Thursday, Dec 24          CLOSE AT 3 p.m.
Friday, Dec 25              CLOSED ALL DAY
Saturday, Dec 26          CLOSE AT 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec 27            CLOSE AT 3 p.m.          

Monday, Dec 28             9 pm
Tuesday, Dec  29           9 pm
Wednesday, Dec 30       9 pm

Thursday, December 31    NEW YEAR’S POTLUCK

Friday, January 1             9 pm
Saturday, January 2         4 pm
Sunday, January 3           4 pm

Please note the lodge is closed by volunteers.  Please make sure you are out of the lodge by closing time.  If you wish to ski later please park in the upper parking lot and remove belongings from the lodge.

6 Pac #1 Race Results

Phil Legare Stokes bested the ageless Rick Watson and the aging Blaine Richter in  Race 1 of the 2009-10 6 Pac Series. 

Results

Skate Ski Boots For Sale

Salomon Carbon Skate Boot – pilot binding – top of the line.  Like New - $175 firm. Size 42 2/3 – Size 8 ½ to 9

Call Sherry at 780-539-1037.

The Sveinungsgaard and Wapiti Loppets on Tap for March 2010

The 34^th annual S-W Loppet , the second longest running loppet in Alberta, is undergoing significant changes this year. First we are having two loppets, on consecutive weekends, with the classical the first and the freestyle the second. Second, because of our improved trails, ie. north blue, and with thanks to the pine beetles we can offer a great 35 km course. This one loop will be one of the best and unique classical loppet courses in Alberta. However, parts of this course will not be track set prior to the event.

Future plans include: standardizing distances, courses, and dates; using km. distance signs on the 35 and 20 km courses; establishing a formal drink/ food/rest/entertainment stop at the far north on the 20/35 km courses, (for Terry and his friends ,anyone interested in establishing this?); getting sponsors and draw prizes; putting the WNSC on the provincial and national loppet circuit with 150-200 participants in 2-3 years; marketing, to get visiting skiers to enjoy our facility for a week to ten days in March.

Distances : The classical Sveinungsgaard Loppet, 35, 20, 10, 5, 2 kms. The freestyle Wapiti Loppet, 20, 10, 5, 2 kms.

Entry fees: $1 per km. (As the 35 km course is on a trial basis this first year, WNSC members will receive a 25% discount this year, $25).

Dates: March 14 and 20. Conclude your skiing season by participating in these two great fun events.

Eric Chislett
November 30, 2009

A few short note from Grant ...

1.Another very successful Season Opener this weekend.  Thanks for everyone’s help to pull it off.  We now sit at over 560 members.  Not a bad start to the year considering most folks haven’t even been on snow yet!

2. Pembina has accepted the request for $3000 for a 60" snowblower and a pair of chains for the tractor.  They will send us Pembina logo to place on the new snowblower, hopefully no one has objections to that.


Fall 2009 Newsletter now available

Download the Novermber 2009 WNSC letter here.

Winter 2009-10 Registration Now Live

Online registration for the 2009-10 ski season is now open.  Click here to  register for the 2009-10 Ski Season

Becky Scott Camp a rousing success

Over Seventy athletes and coaches from Northern Alberta converged on the Wapiti Nordic Ski Club last weekend (Novermber 20 and 21)  to participate in the Statoil – Beckie Scott cross-country and biathlon training camp.  The Arctic Winter Games Mascot, Aluk was on hand to greet Beckie and the athletes who are training for the AWG 2010 in March .

Attached is an article by Dave Dyer – Cross Country Canada

 

….Grant

 

Young Athletes Take Tips from the Best 11/22/2009 Two-time Olympic medalist, Cross-country skier Beckie Scott made a stop in Grande Prairie as part of the Beckie Scott Youth Ambassador Program.

Games’ Mascot Welcomes Beckie Scott to Grande Prairie

 November 22, 2009 - Two-time Olympic medalist, Beckie Scott joined over 70 aspiring young cross-country skiers and coaches from Northern Alberta in Grande Prairie this weekend, as part of the Beckie Scott Youth Ambassador program made possible through the support of Statoil Canada Ltd.

 

Canada’s most famous cross-country skier, Scott participated in training sessions proudly hosted by a 2010 Arctic Winter Games Venue: Wapiti Nordic Ski Club.

 

Training covered on snow technique work, fitness and conditioning exercises and a comprehensive seminar schedule, culminating with an evening presentation by Scott. In the presentation, held at Peace Wapiti Academy, Canada’s most accomplished cross country skier spoke on the many issues impacting young skiers, including her own experiences growing up in rural Alberta as an elite athlete with an Olympic Dream.

 

The 2010 Arctic Winter Games mascot joined in the fun Sunday, for one of the final relays of the weekend. Aluk, a one-year-old pachyrhinosaurus strapped on skis for the very first time and took some pointers from one of the best!

 

For more information contact:

Dave Dyer

Director of Marketing
Cross Country Canada
Cell. 613-297-9504

 

The return of Crawford! ... and still more from Grant


Latest News from Cross Country Alberta

The latest, greatest news from Cross Country Alberta, updated weekly, is at the Cross Country Alberta website. If you'd like to join the CCA e-mail list for a weekly update, e-mail cca@xcountryab.net

2009 Wolves X-Country Series - That's a Wrap

The 2009 Wolves Cross Country Running Series wrapped up on October 24 with the X-C Relay at the WNSC.  Thirty one teams, including 3 from the biathlon group, took part.  For all the results, check out the Wolves Series website.

2009-10 Childrens Ski Program Registration Form now Available

Program details now posted on the Childrens Learn to Ski page.:

2009-10 Childrens Ski Programs Registration Form

2010 Arctic Games Volunteers Needed

Grande Prairie will host the North from March 6 to 13, 2010 when the Arctic Winter Games hit town.  The WNSC will host the x-counntry skiing and biathlon event we are currently seeking voluneters. There are many Arctic Winter Games volunteer positions available at the ski club, something for everyone!

If you would like the opportunity to volunteer for the Arctic Winter Games please contact Cori (kalton@telus.net) or phone 780-882-7270.

All volunteers can attend the Official's Course on October 31 & November 1, registration closes on October 15.