cross country skiing

A smaller version of the Bilbo’s Bog igloo has returned to Larch Hills courtesy of Peter Mair. (Marcia Beckner photo)

Column: Cold spell made for marvellous outdoor opportunities

Trail Tales by Marcia Beckner

  • Feb 24, 2021

 

Skiing the clearcut off Sentinel in Larch Hills on Jan. 27. Check out that snow! (Marcia Beckner photo)

Column: Virtual loppet participants put in the kilometres at Larch Hills

Trail Tales by Marcia Beckner

  • Feb 8, 2021

 

Marcia and Jim Beckner explore the backcountry in the Larch Hills on Dec. 30, 2020. (Contributed)

Column: Pandemic prompts more people to head for Larch Hills

Trail Tales by Marcia Beckner

  • Jan 20, 2021

 

Maggie Rodwell and Peter Molnar begin their trek at 2020's Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet hosted by the Larch Hills Nordic Society. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, a more leisurely virtual event is planned for 2021. (File photo)

More leisurely event planned for 2021 iteration of popular Salmon Arm loppet

Virtual Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet allows skiers to enjoy loppet routes at own pace

Maggie Rodwell and Peter Molnar begin their trek at 2020's Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet hosted by the Larch Hills Nordic Society. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, a more leisurely virtual event is planned for 2021. (File photo)
Vernon’s Emma Lunder, the veteran of Canada’s senior women’s biathlon team at age 29, placed sixth with partner Christian Gow of Canmore, Alta. in a World Cup mixed relay event Sunday, Jan. 10, in Oberhof, Germany. (Nordic Focus photo)

Narrow miss at World Cup medal for Okanagan biathlete

Vernon’s Emma Lunder and partner were sixth in mixed relay event at World Cup stop in Germany

Vernon’s Emma Lunder, the veteran of Canada’s senior women’s biathlon team at age 29, placed sixth with partner Christian Gow of Canmore, Alta. in a World Cup mixed relay event Sunday, Jan. 10, in Oberhof, Germany. (Nordic Focus photo)
Lily Brook takes a shot during a wheelchair basketball game. (Contributed)

What’s the good news, 2020? Young Shuswap wheelchair athlete spreads message of hope

The Salmon Arm Observer looks back at some of the year’s positive stories

  • Dec 25, 2020
Lily Brook takes a shot during a wheelchair basketball game. (Contributed)
Ella Tennant and Wyn Thingsted wait behind the starting line at the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet 2020 hosted by the Larch Hills Nordic Society on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. (Cameron Thomson - Salmon Arm Observer)

What’s the good news, 2020? Hundreds race, thousands raised at Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet

The Salmon Arm Observer looks back at some of the year’s positive stories

  • Dec 25, 2020
Ella Tennant and Wyn Thingsted wait behind the starting line at the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet 2020 hosted by the Larch Hills Nordic Society on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. (Cameron Thomson - Salmon Arm Observer)
Memberships with the Larch Hills Nordic Society have surged this winter as people look for a safe, local option for outdoor recreation. (File photo)

Shuswap retailers see strong demand for Nordic ski gear, inventory shortages

Surge in interest attributed to COVID-19 restrictions and demand for safe recreation

Memberships with the Larch Hills Nordic Society have surged this winter as people look for a safe, local option for outdoor recreation. (File photo)
Memberships with the Larch Hills Nordic Society have surged this winter as people look for a safe, local option for outdoor recreation. (File photo)

Shuswap retailers see strong demand for Nordic ski gear, inventory shortages

Surge in interest attributed to COVID-19 restrictions and demand for safe recreation

Memberships with the Larch Hills Nordic Society have surged this winter as people look for a safe, local option for outdoor recreation. (File photo)
Skiers were advised to avoid the Metford Road at Larch Hills after it was accessed at night by a vehicle that left deep ruts along the cross-country ski trail. (Dani Hickman/Facebook photo)

Joyrider leaves frustrating mark on Larch Hills ski trails

Damage along cross-country trails believed caused by pickup truck

Skiers were advised to avoid the Metford Road at Larch Hills after it was accessed at night by a vehicle that left deep ruts along the cross-country ski trail. (Dani Hickman/Facebook photo)
Cross-country ski trail at SilverStar Mountain Resort have opened for the season. Downhill skiing will open to the general public on Dec. 7. Passholders can get an early start Dec. 4-6. (File photo)

Vernon mountain resort opens nordic trails

SilverStar will open downhill trails for passholders Dec. 4-6, and have general opening Dec. 7

Cross-country ski trail at SilverStar Mountain Resort have opened for the season. Downhill skiing will open to the general public on Dec. 7. Passholders can get an early start Dec. 4-6. (File photo)
Due to restrictions around COVID-19, access to the Larch Hills chalet will be limited for the 2020/21 cross-country ski season. (File photo)

Early snow means early cross-country skiing at Shuswap’s Larch Hills

COVID-19 requirements restrict use of chalet, postpones of events

Due to restrictions around COVID-19, access to the Larch Hills chalet will be limited for the 2020/21 cross-country ski season. (File photo)
Smiles were big at SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon Sunday, Oct. 11, as the resort posted photos of “more than a dusting” of snow. (SilverStar Mountain Resort photo)

Okanagan mountain resort gets snow dump

SilverStar near Vernon posted to its social media pages, “more than a dusting and more to come”

Smiles were big at SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon Sunday, Oct. 11, as the resort posted photos of “more than a dusting” of snow. (SilverStar Mountain Resort photo)
Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre will not get the 2021 Canadian Ski Championships after they were supposed to host the 2020 Nationals, canceled over COVID-19 concerns. (Photo submitted)

Okanagan nordic centre loses out on 2021 nationals

Sovereign Lake near Vernon was to host 2020 Canadian championships, canceled due to COVID-19

Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre will not get the 2021 Canadian Ski Championships after they were supposed to host the 2020 Nationals, canceled over COVID-19 concerns. (Photo submitted)
Marcia Beckner enjoying a cross-country ski outing on White Lake. (Contributed)

Column: Staying active while social distancing in the Larch Hills

Trail Tales by Marcia Beckner

Marcia Beckner enjoying a cross-country ski outing on White Lake. (Contributed)
Cross country skiers can still enjoy the great conditions at Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. The centre is remaining open but monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic very closely. (File photo)

North Okanagan cross-country ski centre trails remain open

Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre trails still open; centre closely monitoring COVID-19 concerns

Cross country skiers can still enjoy the great conditions at Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. The centre is remaining open but monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic very closely. (File photo)
The Larch Hills Junior Race Team show off their Teck BC Championship team trophy won during the March 6-8 event at Telemark Nordic in West Kelowna. (Brad Calkins photo)

Larch Hills skiers secure team trophy at B.C. Campionships

Junior race team wins trophy seventh year in a row

  • Mar 9, 2020
The Larch Hills Junior Race Team show off their Teck BC Championship team trophy won during the March 6-8 event at Telemark Nordic in West Kelowna. (Brad Calkins photo)
Lily Brooks takes a shot during a wheelchair basketball game. (Contributed)

Young Shuswap wheelchair athlete spreads message of hope

Lily Brook wants to help bring wheelchair boxing into international spotlight

Lily Brooks takes a shot during a wheelchair basketball game. (Contributed)
Ellie Giesbrecht leads fellow Larch Hills skier Sara Worton in sprints during the Teck BC Midget Championships at Stake Lake near Kamloops over the Feb. 22-23 weekend. (Brad Calkins photo)

Eight times a charm: Larch Hills skiers win team trophy at Teck BC event

Shuswap contingent wins Midget Championships honour eighth year in a row

  • Feb 24, 2020
Ellie Giesbrecht leads fellow Larch Hills skier Sara Worton in sprints during the Teck BC Midget Championships at Stake Lake near Kamloops over the Feb. 22-23 weekend. (Brad Calkins photo)
A group of skiers charges ahead after the starting cannon sounds at the 2020 Pirate Loppet on Larch Hills Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. (Cameron Thomson - Salmon Arm Observer)

In photos: Young pirates storm the Shuswap’s snowy Larch Hills

More than 400 student buccaneers take part in School District #83 event

A group of skiers charges ahead after the starting cannon sounds at the 2020 Pirate Loppet on Larch Hills Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. (Cameron Thomson - Salmon Arm Observer)