Interviews of Fernie Nordic Racers

Wes at Nipika

Article by Aurélie Smithson and Louison Dubief


Hello, here are some experiences shared by our teammates. We interviewed Ella Fuller, Marley Robinson-Shaw, Wes Robinson-Shaw, and Ezra Gibb, they shared their experiences and their goals.

Ella Fuller: Ella started Nordic skiing in kindergarten, with the Jackrabbits. She joined the race team in grade 4, when she was 9 years old. Ella likes the race team because it’s fun, you get to spend time outside, and you get to meet new people in the team and at races. Ella said: ‘’I learned to persevere in races and try my hardest.’’  Her goal is to make the Talent Squad and to compete at a higher level. Ella says: ‘’Always try your hardest.’’

Marley Robinson-Shaw: Marley has been skiing since she was little, she joined the Jackrabbits when she was 6 years old. She has been on the race team for four years, but she had to take a two-year break because of her concussion. Marley said: ‘’ I like many things about this sport, it’s such a great workout, and like my dad says, ‘Why do cross-country skiers chew gum when they race?’, ‘Therefore, they can move every muscle in their body.’ Marley added that cross-country skiing work a lot of muscles and it is very good for you. She also said: ‘’You get to be outside in nature, which is really nice, and races are very fun.’’ From being on the race team, Marley has learned that she must stay motivated and be diligent. It is her responsibility to go to practices and train on her own time. Finally, Marley said: ‘’When you get injured, you must be resilient, and you need to keep trying.’’ Her goal for this season is to not get injured and go to many races. 

Wes Robinson-Shaw: Wes has been skiing since he was 5 years old. He has been on the race team for about six years. Wes said: ‘’I like to race, I like to train, I like the winter because it’s not hot, and I like the people on the race team.’’ He also said that he likes being outside, moving fast in the snow, and having fun on skis. On the race team, Wes learned about hard work, motivation, and skiing. Wes said: ‘’ I would like to make the BC team, have fun and be proud of my races this year. I want to train hard leading up to those races.’’

Ezra Gibb: Ezra has been skiing since he was 4 years old and started the race team when he was 10 years old. Ezra said: “I like the snow and how fast I feel when skiing.” He also said that he enjoys how the team is very supportive and fun. From being on the race team Ezra has learned how stressful it is to be at the start line of a race and how to ski better. His goals are to become a faster skier and go to bigger races.

In conclusion, we thank them for sharing their experiences.

2020 Fernie Community Fun Races

race poster
race poster

The Fernie Nordic Society is holding its 8th Annual Community Fun Race day on Saturday, February 22. All skiers are invited to participate, club members and non-members alike. The overall theme will be FUN and CHEERS for all.

There will be hot food available by donation – bring a bowl and a mug to help us go green(er).

The event will consist of three types of competitions:

  1. Hot Chocolate Run – Adult-Child duo Course length: 1 km for child and 3 km for adult PLANNED START at 10:45
  2. Relay races (random draw) or Solo race Course length: 3 km for each leg – total 12 km PLANNED START at 11:45
  3. Sprint races Course length: 300 m (kids) or 750 m (adults) to be repeated a few times PLANNED START at 12:45

WHEN – Saturday, February 22 from 10:30 am Please arrive by 10:00 to prepare for event

WHERE – Elk Valley Nordic Centre located 4 km SW from Fernie along highway 3. See map here.

AGE REQUIREMENT: None – all ages are welcome

Entry Fee: $0.00 or totally FREE for all participants

REGISTRATION – Online at Webscorer.com HERE or on the morning of event. One may participate in more than one event. Registration will be open until event start time.

Click here to register

PARKING Please use the lower parking lot. Parking is also available along the park road on the side of the entrance gate without blocking the gate. See our parking map.

COURSE MAP is available  HERE

map
Course map

Second Annual Flying Viking Challenge

Second Annual Flying Viking Challenge

March 11, 2019
Again this year, the Fernie Birkie Flying Viking Challenge was held under some beautiful weather. The event got underway at 9:50 am and all skiers were back at 3:06 pm. Thirty-three participants – two from Calgary and all others from Fernie – took part in this challenge. Six of them skied the entire 50 km with an extra 12 lbs (5.4 kg) in their pack. The young Wes Robinson Shaw completed the 50 km in the Lite category. Others skied 25 km either solo or as part of a team. Prizes, medals and cheers waited for them at the end of the challenge. Wes won the best costume award for his furry outfit topped with an impressive set of antlers.

birkie participants
Happy participants

The results of this event are at Webscorer.com HERE

We wish to thank our great sponsors in Fernie: GearHub, StraightLine, Beanpod Chocolate, Heaven Boutique and The Guides Hut

A Viking themed challenge

A Viking themed challenge

Sunday March 10 is our last major event of the season. It is the return of the Fernie Birkie Flying Viking Challenge.

Looking for a challenge? This is a the one, a long one but very casual – unless you don’t want it to be casual, and then feel free to ski like mad!. Excellent prizes, ride(s) on the Deer chair, a lot of yummy food/drinks – all for only $20! Prizes are for costumes and then as door prizes! You have the option to do the full 50 km yourself (2 loops to the ski hill trails and back) with or without the 12 lbs ‘baby’ on your back, or you can share the 50 km with a friend either as a relay or together.

All details are on our event page HERE. Pre-registration is recommended for less stress on our volunteers but doing it on the morning of the event is OK. Wishing lots of fun to all!

2019 Winners in Nelson!

2019 Winners in Nelson!

The races 7 & 8 in Nelson ended on Sunday Feb 24 with Fernie leading the other clubs by a large margin ahead of Kimberley, Nelson and Rossland. This was a great effort by our Fernie Nordic Racers as well as the participation by many adults from Fernie. Thank you to the combined efforts of all the volunteers who were involved in the races held in Fernie on January 5 & 6. This is our fourth win in five seasons!

The Fernie Nordic Racers win again!

Bravo to all involved! Fernie GO!

Community Fun Race – 7th edition

Community Fun Race – 7th edition

The 7th Annual Community Fun Race was held on Sunday Feb 17 at the Nordic Centre. It was a relief that the weather was perfect for the event. Hot food was available during the event. Twelve adult-child groups participated in the first part of the action. All skied to a hot chocolate station where the child enjoyed a hot drink while her/his partner skied another 2 km on the Cedar Loop and Lizard Lookout trails, then returning to join the child to ski together back to the hut. This was great fun for the skiers and spectators alike. The second part of the event consisted of four laps of the 3 km long course. This was aimed at both young and adult skiers. Fourteen skiers chose to do this as part of a team in a relay race. Thirteen more skiers chose to do the entire course solo. This proved to be very popular with spectators as each lap was short and each skier was cheered loudly as she/he passed in front of the crowd. The master organizer Sam Sedlowsky and the many volunteers made this event a success. Photo credits to Helen McAlister and Naomi Lentz.

Check the results out at Webscorer.com HERE

Stay tuned for the upcoming Snow-to-Ice(cream) event happening during the Fernie Griz Days on March 1-3.