Drivers and pedestrians were probably cursing the snow that buried the city Tuesday but those snowflakes were like pennies from heaven for the Prince George hosts of the two para-nordic skiing world championships coming to Prince George in March.
Assuming those ski trails at Otway Nordic Centre will remain white for the next two months, there’s no sense worrying about the weather, says Kevin Pettersen, chair of the local organizing committee that will stage the Para Biathlon World Championships and Para Nordic World Cup Finals.
As long it stays cold, the host Caledonia Nordic Ski Club will continue to make snow it can stockpile jut in case the natural stuff becomes scarce in March, when the two events are scheduled on back-to-back weeks to start the month.
“It’s looking much better now,” said Pettersen. “It’s really nice to get both cold temperatures and the snow.”
To provide the water supply needed for snowmaking at Otway, the club dug a second well two summers ago and last fall installed equipment which doubled the booster pump capacity of the original system. Caledonia owns nine snow guns, seven of which are connected to the system actively making snow.
“The snowmaking system covers all of the competition trails that we will be using for the (two para nordic events),” said Pettersen. “There’s a lot of winter left and we figured three was a good chance we’d at least get cold temperatures to make snow for 2024.”
The snow guns adjust to changes in temperature and humidity and as it gets colder the nozzles open up to produce larger volumes and better quality of snow, making this week’s frigid weather ideal for snow making.
The guns have been blasting since the cold weather started moving in last weekend and piles around the stadium are now four metres high. Once there’s enough for a 50 centimetre base in front of the lodge and biathlon range, the guns will be moved around to the trails that will make up the courses used in the two world championship events.
Pettersen said the abnormal lack of snow in December was more of a concern for organizers of the Grand Tour of Caledonia, BC Cup/NorAm biathlon and BC Cup cross country races planned for this month at Otway.
He said more volunteers are needed to help run the events, with biathlon championships scheduled for March 5-10, followed by the World Cup cross-country/biathlon finals March 13-17.
Fourteen countries are entered in the Para Biathlon event, which is sanctioned by the International Biathlon Union, and the International Ski Federation World Cup para races will include teams from 16 and possibly 18 countries.
Ukraine is sending 25 athletes and eight guides to Prince George for both events. With coaches, managers, therapists and wax technicians included, 43 people will make up the Ukrainian team.
Canada will have six athletes in biathlon and 11 athletes and one guide for the cross-country events.
Each event has four competition days, two during the week and two on the weekends.
Both events require volunteers and Pettersen is hoping to draw from the club’s 2,446 members, which makes Caledonia the largest nordic ski club in Canada. Volunteers willing to work in food service, timing, parking, transportation, venue access/security, antidoping control and opening ceremonies are being asked to apply through the website.
To apply, go to the club website.
