Jessica Roach Joins the SLNC Coaching Team as Masters Lead Coach

| Wendy Shannon

 

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!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Cascadia Airways Brings Daily Flights to Vernon from Vancouver

| Wendy Shannon

 

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.

https://www.cascadiaair.com/

Programs Registration Launch Delayed Until July 20th

| Wendy Shannon

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

XCSupercamps Registrations Now Open

| Wendy Shannon

 

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.

 

 

 

 

SLNDA Welcomes Eric Schryer as Biathlon Lead Coach

| Wendy Shannon

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.

Eric has spent the past two seasons living in Canmore, Alberta and coaching with the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre. Most recently, Eric served as the Head Coach for Team Canada at the 2022 World Youth / Junior Biathlon Championships.
Above all else, Eric values the relationships which are formed in this world of sport. Respect and passion are at the forefront of any interaction with Eric.
Eric is very excited to be joining the Nordic Dev Academy!
“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!”
Please join us in welcoming Eric to the Sovereign Lake Coaching Family.

The BeerCanBeiner Returns!

| Wendy Shannon

 

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+.

Season Pass Sales Launch June 1st

| Wendy Shannon

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SLNC Job Posting: Full Time Academy Coach

| Wendy Shannon

As we continue to grow and expand its programs, particularly in the High-Performance stream, SLNC has approved the hiring of a second full-time year-round position to accompany Jacqueline Akerman at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club in the Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Academy (SLNDA). With the announcement of our new national development training centre this week, we have expanded our capacity to better serve athletes across the country not only in cross country but in the sport of biathlon for high school and post-secondary athletes. We have 24 High School Athletes and 12 Post Secondary Athletes for the 2022-23 racing season, a sold-out program!

Please review the Job Description HERE.

 

 

Salary: $55-65K based on skillset + $2K Moving Bonus + Benefits Package

Start Date: July 1st, 2022.

Application Deadline: May 20, 2022.

Contact: Jacqueline Akerman with your resume and references at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Academy Program: Coach Chat / Open House

| Wendy Shannon
We would like to formally invite any potential athletes, family members, and their coaches to an open house discussion about the new Academy Ski and Biathlon Program as well as offer an opportunity to speak with our coaching team directly on a virtual meeting call this coming Monday at 7:30 PST.
Please join us and click on the link below to join the conversation!
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Academy Program: Coach Chat / Open House
Mon, Apr 25, 2022 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM (PDT)Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/824223181

You can also dial in using your phone.
Canada: +1 (647) 497-9373

Access Code: 824-223-181

Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU for an Amazing Season

| Wendy Shannon

From all of us at Sovereign Lake we want to thank you for a wonderful year. We look forward to seeing you back in November.