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This past weekend, Caledonia Nordic was proud to host Teck BC Cup #1, and what an incredible success it was. We welcomed a record-setting 344 athletes and nearly 70 coaches from across the province, making this one of the largest BC Cup events we have ever hosted.
We were treated to great weather, excellent snow conditions, and an outstanding atmosphere, creating an experience that was enjoyable for athletes, coaches, families, and spectators alike. Events like this showcase not only our trail network and facilities, but also the strength and spirit of the Nordic community.
A huge thank you to our volunteers who stepped up in so many ways throughout the weekend. From course setup and timing to parking, marshalling, and support roles, these events simply cannot happen without your time, energy, and commitment. Your hard work made this weekend run smoothly and allowed hundreds of young athletes to have an unforgettable race experience.
Be sure to check out some awesome footage of the event shot by Jeff Gruending. It is a pretty sweet video with some amazing shots of the club, athletes, and the overall event:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/859302156723381
Thank you to everyone who helped make Teck BC Cup #1 such a memorable and successful event. We are incredibly proud of our community and grateful for the continued support that makes hosting events like this possible.
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Even while hosting a major event in our main stadium with record-breaking numbers of athletes and coaches, the impact on general trail access was minimal. The event utilized approximately 2.5 km of our trail network, allowing 50+ km of trails to remain open and accessible for members to enjoy.
Once you moved beyond the energy and excitement of the stadium, the trails were truly yours. Our grooming team was out in force, working hard to ensure consistent, high-quality conditions across the rest of the network so members could enjoy great skiing throughout the weekend.
One of the highlights for us was hearing that a family was able to host a birthday party with more than 15 participants out at the gravel pit, completely uninterrupted by the event. They were thrilled to enjoy their own celebration while also taking in the excitement of the races. This is exactly the kind of balance we aim for.
Hosting events like this helps strengthen our club and showcase what Caledonia Nordic has to offer, while still maintaining a strong focus on everyday member access and trail quality.
As we continue to build our membership base for the season, we encourage you to invite friends, family, and new skiers to become part of our amazing community. Your support helps us maintain trails, host events, and grow Nordic skiing in Prince George.
Thank you for your flexibility, understanding, and continued support of Caledonia Nordic
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As we wrap up our Teck BC Cup with amazing success, we are already turning our attention to our next major event on the calendar. From March 3–6, 2026, the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club will host a combined International Biathlon Union Regional Event, Western Canadian Biathlon Championships, and BC Provincial Biathlon Championships.
This event represents one of the largest biathlon competitions in North America and carries the prestigious IBU continental sanctioning, drawing athletes from across Canada, the United States, and potentially other nations. It will be an incredible opportunity to showcase our facilities, our trails, and the strength of our Nordic and biathlon community.
To make an event of this scale possible, we will be looking for volunteers in a variety of roles. Whether you are available for a single shift or multiple days, your support will play a key role in delivering a world-class event.
If you are interested in being part of this exciting competition, please register as a volunteer through our Zone4 link:
https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=39238
Thank you for your continued support of Caledonia Nordic and for helping us bring high-level events to our community.
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Members may have noticed some exceptionally nice corduroy out on the trails lately. Our Prinoth Husky (we call it the Fox!) has been out grooming and doing some amazing work, and we have been really pleased with the results so far.
The Husky brings a number of upgrades compared to our older machines, particularly in terms of power, stability, snow movement, and consistency of the finished surface (watch out for the fine corduroy). Our groomers are giddy, actually GIDDY with joy, when they are in this machine.
That said, we still very much love our PistenBully machines and they will continue to play an important role in our daily operations. Our PB 100 (2007), with its rubber tracks and the compact bar, invented by our Trails Manager Peter Hoffman, remains a key tool for improving early-season conditions and working in tighter or more delicate areas of the trail network. PB 14 continues to be our reliable workhorse, logging countless hours and consistently delivering solid grooming results across the network.
The addition of the Prinoth Husky strengthens our overall grooming fleet and gives our team more flexibility to respond to changing conditions, higher skier volumes, and major events. We are excited to have it fully integrated into operations and are confident it will continue to improve trail quality across the network.
As always, a big thank you to our grooming team for the care, innovation, and long hours that go into keeping the trails in great shape.
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As we move through this short period of warm temperatures and potential rain, grooming operations look a little different. During these conditions, our standard practice is to stay off the snow with heavy equipment as much as possible. Grooming in warm or wet weather can do more harm than good, pushing moisture deeper into the base and accelerating snow loss. At times, the best decision is to let the snow set up naturally, which can still be great for skiing (like Spring Skiing) and wait for temperatures to cool before heading back out. We may be able to continue to groom the manmade snow loop, that is now a bit longer, for members to enjoy fresh tracks.
We encourage everyone to check the grooming report regularly for the most up-to-date information. Our grooming reports are logged directly by the grooming team on their phones while they are out on the trails. Once groomers return to Wi-Fi zones around the lodge, those reports sync and become visible online. This means there can be a delay between when grooming happens and when it appears in the report, particularly early in the morning.
Providing true live, real-time grooming updates does come with additional data and system costs, which we choose to avoid in order to keep operating expenses reasonable and focus resources where they matter most—on trail quality and grooming time.
If you are heading out early, please know that the dog trails and flats are always groomed first. From there, we recommend following what is listed as groomed in the report, following fresh grooming tracks or explore areas that have not yet been refreshed. In many cases, those zones are still skiing very well, especially after overnight cooling.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during challenging weather windows. Thoughtful grooming decisions help us protect the snowpack and extend the season for everyone. Also note, no grooming, does not mean poor conditions. Read the reports to determine your best options.
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On Saturday, a couple stopped by the office looking for some advice on where to ski. They had a clear goal in mind—they were determined to check Old Sawmill Loop off their seasonal bucket list. It was one of those conversations I really enjoy: people excited, a bit curious, and ready for an adventure.
I suggested my usual preferred access to the Doghouse via Raven’s Col, knowing it is a smoother, yet challenging, and a more forgiving way to get there. They listened politely…, kind of rolled their eyes, and then made it clear they were committed to Old Sawmill. It was a fun conversation that made me decide to follow their route myself and see how it was skiing that day.
I headed up Canada Cup, onto Cranbrook Climb, and then into Old Sawmill Loop. There is no way around it—this route is a battle. It is all uphill, it asks a lot of you, and it reminds you very quickly that you are earning every inch. But it is also incredibly rewarding. The quiet, the forest, and the feeling of steadily climbing make it such a satisfying ski.
From there, I dropped down Raven’s Col, looped around Birch Bend, connected into the new dog trails, and cruised my way back toward the main lodge. It was one of those skis that leaves you smiling, a little tired, and very grateful for where you are.
Moments like that are a great reminder of just how much diversity we have in our trail network. Every day offers the chance to choose a different route, a different challenge, or a different kind of ski. Whether you are ticking something off a bucket list or just heading out for a familiar loop, there is always something new to enjoy out there.
It was an awesome ski—and one I will definitely repeat.
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We are excited to share that the Grand Tour of Caledonia has returned for another amazing year. With new routes, new challenges, and the same great enjoyment, the Grand Tour continues to be a fun and motivating way to explore the full diversity of our trail network.
Whether you are chasing personal goals, skiing with friends, or simply looking for a reason to try some new routes, the Grand Tour offers something for everyone. Ski at your own pace, pick away at the routes over the season, and enjoy the adventure along the way.
For full details, routes, and how to participate, be sure to check out the link below:
https://caledonianordic.com/events/signature-club-events/grand-tour-of-caledonia/
We hope you enjoy another great year of touring Caledonia—happy skiing!
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Easy Ways to Support Caledonia:
Nordic Just Part of Your Routine
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Looking for simple ways to give back to Caledonia Nordic while you go about your day? Here are two easy options that directly support our programs and community:
When you fill up at Four Rivers Co-op gas stations, you can contribute simply by using our community member number: 307116 at the pump. It is an easy way to support the club while doing something you already do (Save that number in your phone)
You can also take your cans and bottles to your local Return-It Depot and let them know all funds are to go to Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. Best part, If you are in a rush, there is an even quicker option—print off stickers (250-564-3809), stick them on your bags, toss them in the bin, and walk away. No lines, 30 seconds or less.
Funds raised through both of these options go directly toward supporting our programs and operations. Small actions really do add up, and we truly appreciate everyone who helps in these simple but meaningful ways.
Thank you for continuing to support Caledonia Nordic and the community we all enjoy.
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PO Box 1243, Prince George, BC V2L 4V3
(250)564-3809
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