The Road to XC Ski Nationals

I have been involved with the Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club for many years and my two sons, Lucas and Seth, ski race. My eldest son, Lucas, is signed up to compete at the National XC Champs in Canmore Alberta and I am going along as a coach, waxing slave, and driver for the team van. Deep Cove Outdoors has been a big supporter of the club for many years.

We have about 9 athletes between the ages of 13 and 17. Cross-country ski racing is a tough sport and these dedicated young athletes have logged many hours of training through-out the past year and since they were young. During the off season they also participate in other sports such as, track and field, rugby, sprint kayak racing, and basketball. In the summer training consists of running, hiking and sometimes, competitive trail running. In the Fall roller-ski season commences, often in the rain on the pine needle slickened trails of Seymour Demo Forest, or grinding up Cypress in foggy, windy and raining conditions. Amazingly these dedicated athletes do it all with good cheer and enthusiasm!

This is long road to the National XC Ski Champs. The culmination of a years worth of training, an opportunity to test themselves against the best skiers in the nation. Today it took the literal meaning as we got held up in Revelstoke because Hwy 1 was closed through Roger's Pass due to avalanche control work. We drove into Revelstoke which seemed well entrenched in winter with deep piles of snow filling up peoples yards and driveways.

We took lunch at the Modern Cafe and debated the various 10 hr driving options, while consulting locals and some local cross country racers Jake knew. We decided to stay put and wait for the road to open, or stay over night. What do you do in Revelstoke?...heck you go XC skiing. 5 minutes to the local trails, Mt Mackenzie has a beautiful new day lodge. Lucas, Fred and Katie did some intervals and Jake and I bumped into BC XC Ski Legend, Al Fischer and his buddy, Rod Holloway. I am guessing Al is 80, not that he looks it. Al is from Rossland, and has been part of the race scene in BC forever.

My first encounter with Al was about 10 years ago at my 1st Whistler 30 km Loppet. Al, in the 70 + age category, beat me by 10 minutes. Fortunately since then I have gotten a bit faster, and I'm guessing Al might have slowed down....but maybe not.

About 4 PM we got word that the Hwy was going to open at 6 PM, so we decided to push through. Bumper to bumper with semi-trailers trucks and the east side of Roger's Pass was a skating rink. The average speed was 30km/hr. We finally met the backed-up traffic coming from the east. Sleet was flying, headlights were covered in grime and it was all we could do to keep the wind shield clean. Jake, got us safely through to Golden and we decided to stay the night at the beautiful Kicking Horse River Lodge, where they had bunk beds for $35/person. Jake, myself and Vojta our Czech wax technician and had a well deserved Czech pilsner beer. The Lodge has an awesome breakfast cafe. Today its a short drive to Canmore.