A Pirates Life for Us

| Wendy Shannon

Avast ye scurvy landlubbers!!!

 

With all the hubbub surrounding the Vernon Winter Carnival Pirate Theme this year, we figured that we best step up to the bowsprit and host our very own Pirate themed event for our members and the public. With a reduced amount of volunteers available to help run the Tips Up Cup it was decided to axe the event before Christmas.

 

 

 

 

Some programs parents, however, hopped right in to ensure that we could host a fun club event that day and with about 10 volunteers, they held a fantastic little ski race for the kids that will be attending the Teck BC Midget Championships next weekend. It was open to all programs kids and the turnout was fantastic!

 

 

 

 

 

Program parents hosted a great BBQ that raised over $700 for Skill Development Programs. There was no fee for the race in the morning and many of the kids stuck around for the Jess4Kids Team Challenge afterwards, keeping the fun rolling for another hour and a half.

 

 

 

 

The Jess4Kids Team Challenge is always a great addition to the events of the day and the Winter Carnival as a whole. Dedicated the memory of Jessica Eaman, a wonderful former coach and club member, it is an opportunity for friends of Jessica’s, as well members of the public to help promote the cause and donate to the Jessica Eaman Ski Scholarship Fund.

 

 

 

 

This initiative was created by a dedicated group of friends that would make skiing available to any child, regardless of their socio-economic status to enjoy Sovereign Lake and the great outdoors. Each year the Jess4Kids Fund provides skiing and snowshoeing opportunities to over 300 kids who otherwise could not afford it. This is an integral component of our S’Cool Ski Program. We raised over $3000 during the event. Thank you so much to all who donated to the event!

 

 

 

The Team Challenge consisted of relay teams of four that each took turns racing around two courses. The ski course was located on Wylies Loop, and the snowshoe course went through our recently reopened Animal Trail adjacent the stadium. Thanks so much to everyone who came out and participated!!

Jessica’s Trail a Big Success Story

| Wendy Shannon

Revisions and widening of Jessica’s Trail this summer, located just off the Stadium, has become a wonderful success story offering adventure and a unique historical perspective.

This 1.2km classic-only trail has rapidly become the most discussed trail in our entire network thanks to its twisty-turny, narrow backcountry feel. Don Wylie, Troy Hudson and a slew of volunteer programs kids and adults helped to widen, brush and clear the trail of danger trees and snags this fall. What remains is a wonderful beginner trail for the whole family.

The trail is named after Jessica Eaman (26), a club member and former staff member who tragically lost her life in a car accident back in March of 2012. The Jess4Kids Ski Scholarship Fund was created to provide access to Sovereign Lake ski and snowshoe facilities for underprivileged families and cash crunched schools through three regional school districts.

The trail is used daily by our S’Cool Ski Programs, with over 3000 kids expected to glide through the trail this winter. Not only has it become popular with kids but more and more adults are including it as an end to their classic ski sessions. “Jess’s Trail provides a great opportunity to fine tune your classic ski skills and experience a true nordic experience just a few short minutes from the lodge“, stated one member.

Getting back to the roots of nordic skiing with this style of trail is something that the club is considering more of in the future. “I absolutely love these narrow classic trails, they really bring you back to nature and add a whole new level of mysticism back into skiing that is somewhat lost on wider snowcat groomed trails”, noted Troy Hudson (SLNC General Manager).

If you have not had a chance to ski this short trail we strongly suggest you get out there, breath deep and enjoy the surroundings just above the stadium.

 

Don Wylie out enjoying early season conditions on the redesigned Jessica’s Trail.