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A reminder to all that tomorrow morning, June 14th, the Prince George Road Runners will be hosting their annual Beat the Bugs Trail Run on our trail network.
This is always a fantastic event, and judging by current conditions, the bugs have been training hard all season for it.
I was out on the trails today and stopped for a brief moment and am fairly certain that at least a litre of blood was extracted by the local mosquito population. I am also pretty sure I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Fortunately, after a valiant struggle, I managed to break free and make it home alive.
I can only assume my survival was aided by the steady flow of steeped tea running through my veins, which appears to be less appealing than human blood.
We wish all participants the best of luck in tomorrow's event. Keep moving and they won't get you!
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Did You Miss Me?
My apologies for the absence
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As the winter season winds down and summer ramps up, things have a way of getting busy around here.
I have missed sitting down at the old laptop and sharing club stories, updates, and the of course, the amazing paintings. Somewhere between bike programs, trail maintenance, school groups, grant applications, events, and trying to keep mosquitoes from carrying me away, the newsletter took a brief vacation.
But I am committed to keeping our members informed, so I am officially back in the chair.
One thing I have realized over the past few years is that we are one of the only Nordic clubs in the country that does not really have an off-season. We never stop!
What was once primarily a winter facility has evolved into a true year-round community hub. Today, our trails and programs support roller skiing, mountain biking, hiking, disc golf, Land Based Learning programs, school groups, camps, and community events. We have paved trails buzzing with activity, singletrack full of riders, and students learning outdoors in our forests.
And who knows? Maybe one day we will add laser tag to the list. That dream is still alive.
We are incredibly proud of what Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has become. More importantly, we are proud to provide so many opportunities for people of all ages to get outside, learn, be active, and connect with our community.
Thank you for being part of the journey. Now that I am back at the keyboard, there are plenty of stories to share.
Pic: Look how focused I am, that is commitment
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This spring, Caledonia Nordic Ski Club was proud to partner with School District No. 57 and the Indigenous Education Department to deliver our growing Land Based Learning Program. Together, we have created experiential outdoor learning opportunities that provide students with meaningful experiences and lasting memories while connecting them to the land.
This year, we welcomed classes ranging from Grades 1–7 to participate in a variety of hands-on activities including archery, food cache hanging, shelter building, nature scavenger hunts, Indigenous games, and medicinal plant gathering. One of the highlights for many students was learning how spruce tips can be gathered and used to create a natural mosquito repellent—an especially valuable skill during a Prince George spring!
The enthusiasm, curiosity, and engagement shown by students throughout the program has been incredible to see. Learning extends far beyond the classroom walls, and these experiences help build confidence, teamwork, outdoor skills, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world and Indigenous knowledge.
A special thank you goes to Gabby, who has done an outstanding job as our on-site Program Lead, helping create positive and memorable experiences for every class that visits. We would also like to thank all of the teachers, educational assistants, and students who participated in the program this year.
We are excited about the future of Land Based Learning at Caledonia Nordic Ski Club and look forward to continuing to grow and expand these opportunities for students in the years ahead.
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Our Summer Bike Camps continue to be one of the highlights of the year, and we still have a few spaces remaining in our August camps!
- August 10–14: 7 spots available
- August 17–21: 8 spots available
These camps are packed with trail riding, skill development, games, adventures, and plenty of fun on two wheels. Whether your child is looking to build confidence, improve their riding skills, or simply spend a week outdoors with friends, this is the place to be.
We are fortunate to have an amazing team of coaches who create a positive, supportive, and exciting environment for riders of all abilities. Their energy and enthusiasm are a big part of what makes these camps such a success year after year.
If you have been thinking about registering, do not wait too long. The remaining spots are expected to fill quickly.
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As summer approaches, we are excited to see the paved trail network getting plenty of use. We have roller ski teams, bike camps, school groups, and recreational users all enjoying the facility. This is AWESOME and exactly what we hoped for when the network was built.
With so many groups using the trails, a little awareness goes a long way in keeping everyone safe and ensuring all users have a positive experience.
A few reminders:
- Follow all directional arrows and posted signage.
- Roller skiers have the right of way. The network was designed for roller skiing, and unlike bikes or runners, roller skis do not have brakes.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep your head up, especially on corners, hills, and trail crossings.
- If you are walking or running, stay to the side and be predictable in your movements.
- When passing, give plenty of space and communicate clearly.
- When crossing paved trails, always look to see if skiers are approaching.
You may also notice temporary trail closures marked with tape. If a section is taped off, it means there is activity occurring on the paved trails and an alternate route should be used. Consider it an opportunity to explore another trail. The Inside Passage is a great option and, as an added bonus, it earns you a few extra kilometres on Strava.
If you see "Athletes on Trails" signs posted in the stadium, please be extra vigilant. Take a moment to look before crossing and expect athletes to be moving quickly through the area.
We are fortunate to have such a well-used facility with so many different groups enjoying the trails. Thank you for helping create a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone.
Have a great summer on the trails!
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We are excited to let you know that the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club will be hosting an IBU Roller Ski Event this summer!
This is a unique opportunity for our community and a chance to showcase our facility, volunteers, and the incredible trail network we have built together. Hosting this event will be pretty amazing, and we are looking forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators to Prince George.
To make the event a success, we need volunteers!
There are a variety of roles available, including:
- Timing and results support
- Course control (including help managing trail crossings and stopping bikes when athletes are approaching)
- Start and finish area support
- Athlete and spectator assistance
- General event support
- All things Events (there are always jobs available)
This will be a learning experience for many of us, and that is part of what makes it exciting. We have a great team in place and will ensure volunteers receive the information and support they need.
Most importantly, it is going to be a lot of fun. Volunteers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the event and play an important role in helping us deliver a fantastic experience for everyone involved.
If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know. We need your help to make this event a success, and we would love to have you as part of the team.
Together, let's show the Nordic and biathlon community what Prince George and Caledonia Nordic Ski Club are all about!
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A quick reminder to all members that Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has a fire ban in place from May 1 through October 31.
This is in response to the wildfire risk we see across BC each year and is an important step in protecting our trails, facilities, and surrounding forest.
We appreciate everyone’s support and understanding in helping keep the area safe.
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PO Box 1243, Prince George, BC V2L 4V3
(250)564-3809
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