Summit Lake Ski Hill

Sunday, February 1st saw the Rio Tinto Nancy Greene Ski League hosted by the Red Mountain Racers. 150 young skiers from our zone, which ranges from Grand Forks, through Rossland, Salmo, and Nelson, and up to Nakusp, participated in the event. The course was a tight slalom with a hairpin turn, both icy and fast. It required skilled edging. According to coach Nicole Nicholson, the younger Summit Lake Racers have had little experience running a course like this. Gates were blown, gates were straddled, and "biffing" was the name of the game, even for E3 skiers, who will remain anonymous.

Access to the course led the racers through a treed gully, which, according to Rebecca Nolan, was one of the best parts of the day. The E1 racers preferred their second runs. Jude Nicholson-Chodat said that she "knew the course better." Garrett Waterfield "was faster," and Kylie Waterfield stated that, although the course was slippery, "the ice slowed down a bit" during her second run. Larissa Kessler worked harder on her edging the second time through, and really liked free skiing on the Silver Lode Chair. It was a cold day, the course was in the shade, and Mikala Lewis-Morrison found it particularly "icy close to the gates," freezing her fingers and toes.

The Summit Lake Racers won third place ribbons. Claire Jackson was the fastest E3 girl on the course, earning herself a gold medal, previously won by Taylor Aeichele at Whitewater.

Meanwhile, the NSS Snowboard and Ski teams are preparing for the BC Alpine Championships at Whistler, March 3rd to 6th. This is an expensive trip, $350 for each student, and donations from the public are welcome. Sunday afternoon practices will continue until the event.

All Summit Lake Racers are encouraged to participate in the Summit Lake Ski Hill Club Races, which will be held on February 15th. Pre-registration for each event is $5, through Trish McQuair at mcquair@columbiacable.net, or on race day before 9:00. After 9:00, registration for each event will be $10.

We've had a decent amount of snowfall this year compared to many other hills, and Summit Lake is in good shape.

(photos to come. If you have any, please send them to rorybeth at telus.net)