We are curreently looking for a volunteer to lead this group for the 2023-2024 season. If you are interested to join our group, please contact us today! Make sure you also subscribe to our email list.
Primary focus
The main goal of the 50+ Training Group is to stay active and provide skills to increase skiing efficiency in a social group setting. The training program encourages group participation to help motivate people through a social and friendly setting. We also encourage the members to enter some fun races in the Kootenays as a way to motivate your training participation. While it is encouraged, it is not mandatory to attend any races.
Past Hikes done during the summer of 2022
May 18: Fernie Main Loop Old Stumpy, following around to ax tracks to go past golf course, then towards Canadian Tire. I then cut across through high school and back to Aquatic Centre. There was a downpour so this hike was cancelled.
May 25: Coal Discovery Trail (Road) Heritage Trail from The Barn that then becomes Coal Discovery Trail. Walked to the Rifle range which took almost two hours. Returned along Coal Creek road.
May 27: Fairy Creek Falls (It rained so it was postponed to the next week.)
June 1: Fairy Creek Falls
June 10: Montane
June 15 & 17: Nothing planned due to rain
June 22: Let’s meet at the Cemetery Trailhead at 2 o’clock. There are lots of options.
June 24: Let’s head to Parking Lot 4 at the ski hill for 2 0’clock and check out the Nordic Trails; Silk, Manchuria and or Scandia.
July 6: We’ll meet at the Provincial Parking Lot at 2:00 and hike Gorby.
July 8: We can meet at Island Lake Lodge Lower Parking Lot and walk along the Rail Trail. This is a one way, returning along the same trail. If some wish to include Old Growth Trail you’ll need to add a few more hours due to the limited Lodge Road access and parking.
July 13: Last week just as we arrived at the Gorby Trailhead, the rain and thunder also arrived. None of us was too keen on walking in the rain so we’ll give Gorby hike another try this week.
July 20: Lazy Lizard Trail We’ll begin at the Lower Island Lake Parking lot at 10:30.
July 27: This week’s plan is to meet at the parking for Lizard Creek Bridge at 10:30. We’ll do some of Gorby then turn off onto Old Goat which takes us to Happy Gilmar. We’ll follow Happy Gilmar to Sherwoody.
Aug 3: Hiking to the mid-way point (or any other point you choose) on Mt. Fernie should keep us in the shade. Let’s meet at the end of Canyon Trail at 10:30
Over forty people came out in the sunshine for the Fernie Nordic Society Annual General Meeting on Sunday July 25th at 4 pm. It was a pleasure to be able to meet face to face once again after a year or more of meetings “by zoom”. Many thanks to all who attended. The minutes for the AGM and the Election of Officers are posted on the Fernie Nordic Society website.
Highlights of the meeting included:
the Directors’ Reports from “a season unlike any other” as we navigated our way through COVID policies and protocols lead by Jenn Heath.
our trails are our biggest asset and grooming them is our biggest challenge. Our contract groomer Mark and our team of volunteers led by Rick logged close to 600 hours of work to keep the trails in the best shape possible. We plan to increase the contract grooming for the 2021-2022 season to 6 – 8am, 7 days a week.
our membership doubled from the previous season to approximately 1600. Successful grant applications this season added approximately $44,000 in grant monies to our budget.
our toughest decision this winter was to cancel the SDP program. However, our kid sized gear was made available for rent to about 85 takers. We had a race program this year but no races to go to. Coach Jeff and the volunteer coaches focused on training, virtual races and time trials.
adult lessons were run by Tarah in smaller groups. With Tarah’s help we are hoping to grow and expand this program in the upcoming season.
There is an opportunity to join the Board this year as the Director of Programming. Please contact Megan at info@fernienordic.com if you are interested in this position or would like more information. The board is transitioning to a strategic level with support from committees. We will be looking for volunteers for the grooming and race team committees.
Thank you once again to everyone who attended the AGM. We encourage you all buy your passes early for the next season. Follow the website at www.fernienordic.com for up-to-date information.
Saturday Oct 19: 5th Annual Great Pumpkin Hunt Join us at the Elk Valley Nordic centre for the Great Pumpkin hunt! The event begins at 11:00 and is intended for children 9 and under. Tickets will be sold in advance. For complete details, check our page and join the event on Facebook!
NOVEMBER
Saturday Nov 30: the Early Bird Membership pricing ends Up to Nov 30, our membership fees are lower than the regular cost by about $10 per person. They go up tomorrow. Act fast! Other fees for SDP program and gear rentals are unchanged. Register at Zone4.ca NOW.
DECEMBER
Saturday Dec 13: Full Moon Ski & Social Adults only. On the night of the full moon, meet at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre 19:00 – 22:00. Bring a snack to share & your headlamp then ski under the full moon and enjoy the fire and food with friends! Free for members, day ticket required for non-members.
Sunday Dec 22: First Family Friendly Ski Meet at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre at 4 pm for a group ski for all ages. Headlamps may be needed! Free for members, day ticket required for non-members.
Nordic Centre: The hut will be open daily during the Holidays from Friday Dec 20 to Sunday Jan 5
JANUARY
Saturday Jan 4: SDP lessons start Lessons start at 10:30 at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre every Saturday.
Tuesday Jan 7: Afterschool SDP lessons start Lessons start at 4:00 pm at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre every Tuesday — note change of venue from last season.
Saturday Jan 11: Full Moon Ski & Social at the Fernie Golf Course For ALL ages!. On the night of the full moon, meet at the Fernie Golf Course 19:00 – 22:00. Bring a snack to share & your headlamp then ski under the full moon. The Cast Iron Grill will have an inexpensive meal for this event. Day ticket required for non-members.
Sunday Jan 26: Family Friendly Ski Meet at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre at 4 pm for a group ski for all ages. Headlamps may be needed! Free for members, day ticket required for non-members.
FEBRUARY
Saturday Feb 8: Full Moon Ski & Social Adults only. On the night of the full moon, meet at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre 19:00 – 22:00. Bring a snack to share & your headlamp then ski under the full moon and enjoy the fire and food with friends! Free for members, day ticket required for non-members.
Sunday Feb 16: Family Friendly Ski Meet at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre at 4 pm for a group ski for all ages. Headlamps may be needed! Free for members, day ticket required for non-members.
Saturday Feb 22: 8th Annual Community Fun Race For everyone. Save the date for a fun event for everyone, all ages, members and non-members alike! A short ski course will be used for three styles of competition: the Hot Chocolate Run for a duo adult/child, the 4-person relay with skiers drawn at random or a solo 12 km race ending with short sprints. Visit our page for more details.
MARCH
March 6 to 8 GRIZ DAYS “SNOW TO ICE(cream)” Complete all 4 challenges within 72 hours. Prove you’ve completed each leg by taking a time-stamped selfie at each of the four (4) SNOW TO ICE signs! Bonus prize entries for multisport use! The Fernie Nordic Society trails will be free for non-members between 7 p.m. on Thursday March 5th to Sunday March 8th at 7 p.m. More chances for prizes for multi-sports while following the trail rules!
Sunday Mar 8: Griz Days Full Moon Ski & Social Adults only. On the night of the full moon, meet at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre 19:00 – 22:00. Bring a snack to share & your headlamp then ski under the full moon and enjoy the fire and food with friends! Free for members, day ticket required for non-members.
Saturday Mar 14: 3nd Annual Fernie Flying Viking Challenge & Feast This event is back for more thrills under a new name but with even more fun! Starts from the warming hut of the Nordic Centre to the trails of the Fernie Alpine Resort via the ski lift, then back to the hut … and once more for a total of 50 km! Do it solo or in team. See the Fernie Fix article written by coach Jeff Williams to learn more about this epic race: http://www.ferniefix.com/article/outdoors/grateful-birkebieners Stay tuned for more details and check our Facebook page.
APRIL
Nothing yet but there may be something to go with the last gasp of the winter fairy.
