“The tourism industry faced tremendous challenges over the past two years, and the TOTA board of directors was committed to guiding TOTA to support regional tourism stakeholders. Going forward, there is much work to be done as we reimagine and rebuild a resilient, sustainable tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia,” TOTA nominating committee chair, Frank Antoine said.
Deirda grew up in Vernon skiing with her parents and has been part of the Sovereign Lake ski community for many years. She started out as an athlete on the cross country and biathlon teams, competing in numerous races and events as part of the SLNC Ski Team. Following her younger years of racing, she has worked at Sovereign instructing in our S’Cool Ski Program and as lodge front counter staff.
More recently, Deirdra was co-leader for two seasons on the growing WinterFit Program at Sovereign Lake. Deirdra’s love for this sport has only ever grown throughout the years. She has always wanted to combine sports with her business management degree. Deirdra is excited to start her new position as the Programs Administrator and Skill Development Programs Lead.
“Sovereign Lake is like a home away from home for me.”
Deirda will be starting her new position with the club on September 2nd.
If you haven’t heard by now, the Amazing Race Canada, came to Sovereign Lake this past spring to shoot an episode of the incredibly popular reality TV adventure race series which travels across the country pitting ten teams of two against each other in an effort to win the grand prize.
We are extremely excited to have been chosen to be a host site for one of the challenges and you can see all the action on August 9th on CTV when the series shot a day of adventure here in Vernon.
The weather played out perfectly with snow, rain, and sunshine…all within one hour of each other. Typically May weather at the ski area. It is going to be an amazing show and we had a wonderful team of Academy athletes and coaches assisting with putting the show on.
Tune in and be a part of the action!
John Montgomery, Canadian Skeleton Olympian and host of Amazing Race Canada, took a break from shooting for a pic with our coaches Annik Levesque and Jacqueline Akerman.
SLNC GM Troy Hudson has been working on this project since 2018. COVID suspended the race the last two seasons but we had amazing conditions this spring to host this skiing portion of the event. Thanks to the entire team of volunteers, athletes, and coaches for making those two days of filming a HUGE success.
Jessica began her nordic ski career with Team Hardwood, based in Ontario and ended it as the top Ontario Senior Woman skier in the 2019/20 season. Following her successful ski racing career during high school and university, and being able to compete in Scandinavia and throughout North America, it was time to shift focus from competing to coaching. Having the mentorship of her coach Jack Sasseville, she always knew she wanted to give back to the sport by coaching. Once retiring from racing, Jessica moved to BC and was the Head Coach at Nickel Plate Nordic Center near Penticton for the past two years. This past season she also coached for TeamBC CCBC at the Canada B-Tour and US SuperTour in Lake Placid, New York and Craftsbury, Vermont.
While training in Ontario, the Master’s race team trained and raced alongside the younger athletes. With this unique experience and coaching the Master’s Team at Nickel Plate, it was clear that she loved working with Masters athletes. When the opportunity at SLNC was presented, she jumped at the chance!
“SLNC is a spectacular ski facility and community, not to mention an amazing surrounding area”.
Jessica loves all the biking and skiing that is so close by and cannot wait for the snow to start falling.
We are really excited to have Jessica join the Sovereign Coaching Team with her extensive racing experience and a keen interest in working with adult skiers on our new Masters Performance Group and Masters Race Team Programs. She will help oversee all Masters Development Programming with the club and act as the Master’s Lead Coach on our Programs Committee as the representative of nearly 300 adult program participants.
Welcome Aboard, Jessica!!!
Sovereign Lake just became more accessible with the launch of a new aviation carrier to the North Okanagan.
In a letter seeking city support, Cascadia COO Jeremy Barrett says the carrier has been working with communities to provide scheduled air taxi service to smaller municipal airports.
“ln order for scheduled services to be granted as part of a company’s air operating certificate, they need to have a letter of support from the authority of the airport(s) to submit with the application to Transport Canada for it to be added onto the AOC for scheduled points,” says Barrett.
The company has engaged with Vernon Economic Development and area resorts to provide additional charter services in Vernon.
“We believe that we would be also able to operate a scheduled service between Vancouver and Vernon on regular basis,” says Barrett, who says he would like to start offering flights “as soon as possible.”
Cascadia proposes to provide an eight-passenger service (King Air 90 or Piper Navajo) from Vernon to Vancouver Airport’s South Terminal once per day either mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
The schedule could be increased or decreased depending on demand and would cost roughly $300 one way.
Summer has sprung upon us quickly over here at Sovereign and we need to make sure that all of our new programming options align with existing programs so we are taking a couple of extra weeks working with our new Programs staffers to create our game plan for the season to make sure that we are offering you the best value, most fun, and well-organized programming we can.
*A number of our programs such as the Masters Performance Group and Masters Race Team may start training prior to the registration launch date.
Thanks for your patience – SLNC Programs Committee
Lots of great things happen on June 1st and the new registration for Supercamps is just one of them. Join over 450 adult skiers from around the world as they increase their skills and confidence in one of our 3 or 5-day ski camps.
Our passion is skiing! Our expertise is coaching techniques for adult skiers of all backgrounds and abilities.
Early season skiing has become synonymous with Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre and SilverStar Mountain Resort. Skiers from around the world travel here for our exceptional trails, professional coaches, and charming mountain village.
We provide daily ski sessions, small group coaching, catered lunches, and video analysis. Deepen your experience with our optional evening events: speakers, yoga, a wax clinic, and more.
Whether you are a masters racer, a newer skier, or somewhere in between, start your season with the complete nordic experience at XC Supercamps.
Check out the XCSupercamps website HERE for more details. Don’t delay, our camps typically sell out by mid-August.
Hailing from Sudbury, Ontario, Eric began his journey in skiing and biathlon by striding and gliding around his property with his parents. After discovering biathlon he patiently waited until he was old enough and then began learning to shoot in his local air rifle biathlon program. This quickly evolved to teaching himself how to shoot .22 rifles with a small group of athletes. After racing domestically, Eric was quickly scooped up by the coaching world. Eric began coaching with the Chelsea Nordiq ski & biathlon club. Along with leading this talented group of biathletes, Eric coached at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and a multitude of Jr. IBU cups, IBU cups, and World Youth / Junior Championships with Team Canada. Eric is a member of Biathlon Canada’s Domestic Committee and is continuing his education in the field of psychology.
“This program aims to provide high quality development opportunities to athletes who can choose to simultaneously work on post secondary education while continuing their athletic career. While this is not a new concept in Canada, it is so important to expand our available resources as a country. I am thrilled to be a part of growing this amazing program!”
Welcome back Beer Aficionados! We are excited to present the 4th Annual BeerCanBeiner this coming February. If you joined us 3 years ago you will definitely agree that the bevvies were amazing and the atmosphere was fantastic. We had almost 120 skiers and beer samplers out on the night loops and we look forward to hosting you all again this season. We will be posting this year’s guest breweries shortly!
Now in its fourth year, the BeerCanBeiner is steeped in Nordic tradition. Well… the Birkebeinerrennet is, and that is a 54 km race that has taken place since 1932 in Lillehammer, Norway and commemorates a trip made by the Birkebeiner loyalists to save the infant heir to the Norwegian throne, Håkon Håkonsson, in 1206.
Our event takes a slightly frothier route, travelling just over 5km under a headlamp to three rustic venues under the night sky. Sample craft beers from throughout the region and finish off with a coffee or hot chocolate at the lodge once complete.
Cost: $30 pp (Must be 19+)
Location: Sovereign Lake Nordic Club
Additional Info: Contact (250) 558-3036 or [email protected]
Date: February 4th, 2023
Time: Commences at 6:30 pm. Concludes at 9 pm
Registration in advance only. Must be 19+.
2022/23 Season Pass and Academy Programs Registrations will open on June 1st, 2022. Please check the new pricing structure which is now live on the website. We look forward to seeing you back at Sovereign Lake!
