December 09, 2010 9:00 AM
Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club has started the season and they couldn’t have picked a better day, opening the tracks on Dec. 4 to brilliant sunshine and fresh snow.
“Conditions are fantastic at Black Jack,” said the club’s president, Wannes Luppens. “[It was] great to see the parking lot so full this whole weekend!”
“With the recent snow, the club’s new snow cat has set some great trails, both skating and classic,” said Luppens, keen to thank everyone who contributed to the purchase of the new vehicle, “especially the members of the Nelson & District Credit Union [$10,000] and Teck [$20,000] for getting us across the finish line and allowing us to secure the $50,000 matching grant [from the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust.]”
The club is now busily engaged getting memberships for the year.
To get skiers in the mood, the club will host Free Ski Day on Dec. 12, sponsored by Gericks Cycle and Sport. There will also be free beginner lessons and rentals while supplies last.
As part of the club’s membership drive, the big “Vancouver Getaway” prize, valued at $1,360, is still up for grabs.
“The chances of winning are currently one in 60,” Luppens reported on Dec. 3. “The contest goes until Christmas Eve.”
“The more new or ex-members you convince to join the club, the higher your chances of winning,” Luppens explained. “The prize is return airfare for two courtesy of Pacific Coastal Airlines and two nights stay courtesy of the Fairmont Waterfront in downtown Vancouver.”
The club recently announced its early-bird winners, drawn from members who got their passes before Dec. 1.
Sarah Adamson took the top prize, a ski package from Kootenay Nordic Sports valued at $500, and Jonah Houlden won a cat skiing trip with Big Red Cats valued at $360.
Paul Heikkila, Tracey Billett, Chantal Hoilund, and Jill Spearn each won $50 gift certificates from Gerick Cycle and Sport, and Sierra Gibson won an adult season pass at Black Jack.
Christine Baillie won ski lessons with Kootenay Nordic Ventures and Blaise Swain won ski lessons with Lesley Beatson.
“Thank you to all the sponsors that donated a prize and contributed to a very successfull membership drive,” Luppens said.
The club will offer some great skiing and coaching courses this month.
Both beginner and advanced skate and classic skiing courses are also offered by Andy Morel from Kootenay Nordic Ventures. The skate program began on Tuesday and the classic program began today, both at 6:30 p.m. at Black Jack.
For people who missed out this time, Luppens noted that “the Rossland Winter Recreation Guide will be out very shortly with both 2010 and 2011 nordic ski programs that are being offered by Kootenay Nordic Ventures.”
Less formal but lots of fun are two weekly group skiing events. All abilities are welcome for the Sunday group cross country ski. The group meets at Kootenay Nordic Sports at 9 a.m. and carpools from there.
On Wednesday evenings, a group meets at 6:30 p.m. for skate skiing with Gerald Klassen of Gericks Cycle and Sport.
From Dec. 10 to 12, a course in Community Coaching is offered. “The majority takes place on snow and allows you to develop your own personal skills as well as learning to teach kids and beginner skiers,” Luppens said, noting that both classic and skate skiing will be covered.
For more information on Black Jack, visit www.skiblackjack.ca.
Regarding lessons, call Rossland Recreation at 362-2327 or Andy Morel at 362-5042.
For more about coaching courses, contact Jacqui Richards at 362-9595 or jmrichards2@gmail.com.
To learn more about the Sunday group ski, contact Tammy Gibson at 362-7071 or info@kootenaynordicsports.com.
source: www.bclocalnews.com
