Latest News

Sun Country Cycle Giveaway

| Wendy Shannon

Sun Country Cycle is a proud Gold Sponsor of Sovereign Lake this year and as a wrap-up to the 2023-24 ski season, and start to the bike season, we will be holding a special draw for SLNC members only starting March 15th through to April 8th.
Spend more than $10 in-store and be entered to win a Thule XTR Pro 2 Bike Rack, valued at $999.99 MSRP. Draw Prize participants MUST show their Season Pass (which will be validated by the club on winning) at the front counter to be entered. A randomly selected winner will be notified on April 9th. You can submit one receipt per day and there are no limits on entries.

Sun Country has a 30% off sale on all Nordic Equipment and Clothing from now until March 30th. Stop by and check out our great selection of gear from Atomic, Rossignol, Craft, Maloja, and Alpina. We also have an amazing selection of bikes on sale from Norco, Trek, Pivot and Chromag.

Check out our website for great deals and discounts. https://www.suncountrycycle.com/
Is your bike ready for riding season? Schedule a tune-up with our certified mechanics by calling us at (250) 545-8775
Best of luck in the membership draw.

Nature’s Fare Market 3% Club * Save your receipts this summer *

| Wendy Shannon

We are a member of Nature’s Fare Markets’ 3% Club – created as an effortless way for us all to give back.

Every time someone from our organization – an employee, member, or volunteer – shops at Nature’s Fare they donate 3%
(before tax) of the total back to us as a tax-free donation. That can add up!

Here’s how it works…

  • Shop at Nature’s Fare Markets, save your receipts and put your receipts in our 3% Club box.
  • Three times a year (in April, August, and December) we total and submit the receipts 
  • Within one month Nature’s Fare sends us a tax-free donation.

So far in 2023 alone, they’ve donated over $44,000 to organizations like ours to show their appreciation for the work we do. By working together we help to keep our community sustainable, healthy, and thriving.

Thank you so much for your support of the 3% Club. 
Please email if you have any questions.

[email protected]

 

THANK YOU FOR A FANTASTIC SEASON

| Wendy Shannon

 

Thank you to everyone for a  23/24 Season to remember!

The weather was not always our friend but it gave us lots to discuss over a hot chocolate in the lodge.

There is nothing better than those conversations around the fire or out on the trails with friends or people you just met.

The staff at SLNC appreciate seeing your smiling faces every day. We take pride in the work we do and love hearing about your day on the trails.

Let’s see what awaits us next season. See you in for Spring Fling from May 2nd to 5th or November for our season 24/25 opening(TBD)

Thank you

Wendy, SLNC Staff and the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

S2S Ski Marathon Beyond Expectations

| Wendy Shannon

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The second annual Sovereign to SilverStar Ski Marathon has successfully completed with 70% more registrations than in its inaugural year.  With over 600 participants, and 800 entries over the two days of event the S2S has already grown into Canada’s 3rd largest loppet and the biggest in BC.  This partnership event between Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and SilverStar Mountain Resort managed to raise $11,500 for Kidsport Vernon this year. Kidsport is a local charity that provides grants to cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under in Greater Vernon can play a season of sport.

Skier’s ages ranged from 8 to 83 and came from all over North America to participate.  Yellowknife Ski Club won the Club Competition based on participation and distance travelled, resulting in a large plaque and $2000 to the club.  The Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon was also the culmination of the Pacific Northwest Loppet Series.  The overall winners for the Series were: Women: 1st Suzanne King, 2nd Maureen Clement, 3rd Daphe Brown; Men: 1st Mikhial Kudienko, 2nd Kent Murdoch, 3rd Dan Packman

Winners over the weekend:

Saturday: Skate 21k Men: 1st Lex Hostyn, 2nd Brian Brush, 3rd Simon Lapointe; Women: 1st Natalie Wilkie, 2nd Erica Casey, 3rd Rhea Loiselle. Skate 40k Men: 1st Luke Jager, 2nd Scott Hill, 3rd Jack Carlyle; Women: 1st Novie McCabe, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, Katherine Stewart-Jones

Sunday: Classic, 21k Women: Ayla Musselman Bell, 2nd Sarah Johnson, 3rd Laura Salmon; Men: 1st Craig Demars, 2nd Rowan Musselman Bell, 3rd Michael Brewster.  Classic, 40k Women: 1st Novie McCabe, 2nd Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, 3rd Dahria Beatty; Men: 1st Julien Locke, 2nd Luke Jager, 3rd Scott Hill.

Image (credit Cynthia Flores) from left to right:

Marcus Boyle, Sovereign 2 SilverStar

Shayne Wright, Kidsport

Doug Ross, Kidsport

Pat van Mullem, Sovereign 2 SilverStar

 

 

 

 

 

Image of Event (credit Nathaniel Mah).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sovereign Lake Seeks New General Manager

| Wendy Shannon
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An exciting opportunity is now open to apply for the General Manager position of Sovereign Lake Nordic Club (SLNC). The new GM will manage one of the largest Nordic clubs in North America. SLNC has over 50K of Nordic trails along with snowshoe trails and a sliding hill for kids. Its location near Vernon BC ensures early snow, well-developed programs, local and National events plus a large and enthusiastic membership of 3000 members.
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The General Manager is responsible for managing the activities of the club including Nordic Operations, Human Resources, and Communication. The General Manager has the responsibility to ensure that the operations of the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club are conducted in an effective, efficient and safe manner consistent with the Club’s Strategic Plan and Annual Operating Plan. Working in partnership with the Board of SLNC, this role is critical in creating the success of Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.
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SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Working knowledge of Nordic skiing, ski area operations, recreation/sports club development, and the non-profit sector.
  • Experience in administration, financial management and control, customer service and strategic planning.
  • Experience working closely with a Board of Directors.
  • Demonstrated initiative and ability to think independently.
  • Strong Leadership skills.
  • Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  • Tact, diplomacy, and the ability to listen to the views of others in a collaborative style.

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GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage the day-to-day affairs and operations of the Club by developing and implementing operational, administrative, and financial procedures with senior staff.
  • Ensure that SLNC’s facilities and equipment are well maintained and available when needed.
  • Provide support to the Head Coach in the delivery of club programs.
  • Promote an organizational culture of tolerance, respect and safety among staff.
  • Develop a spirit of teamwork and sense of purpose among the staff toward achieving the Club’s goals.
  • Build relationships with industry partners.
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To apply for this exciting opportunity, direct your letter of interest and CV by April 17,
2023 to [email protected]

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April Operating Hours

| Wendy Shannon

 

With just 1 week left of the operating season, we will be moving to reduced hours. Check out our Closing Day events schedule on the events tab below.

The lodge will be operating from 9am to 4pm, Monday, April 3rd through the 10th, for our last day of operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BC Winter Games Underway: Day 1 Results

| Wendy Shannon

 

The BC Games are underway and 3 events took place on the opening day of Competitions. Athletes representing all corners of the province are in attendance and saw successes across the podiums in Friday’s competitions.

Cross Country Competitions (Individual Start – Classic): 

  • Para Nordic Sit Ski – Male: was won by Kadem Baum (Larch Hills- Okanagan), our only registered sit ski competitor of the event who laid down a blistering fast time on his course.
  • 3.5km Male: With a Hollyburn (Coast Region) podium sweep, Andrea Inkster, Mark Shapolov, and Noah Wilson prevailed in their category. SLNC athlete Simon Heidt, placed a strong 7th. 
  • 3.5km Female: With 3 regions representing the podium of the girls’ category, Aleah Smith (Nelson-Kootenays) laid down an unmatched performance taking the win by 30 seconds over the nearest competitor. Fiona Woodman (Revelstoke – Okanagan) took second, while Nadia Wallin of Williams Lake (Cariboo) landed the final podium spot, in 3rd.
  • 5km Male: With another Hollyburn (Coast) athlete Lucas Gitt taking first, Sovereign Lake (Okanagan) athlete Axel Hostyn, took second place, 43 seconds behind the leader, while Kimberley (Kootenays) athlete Koby Clark rounded out the podium.
  • 5km Female: Kiara Pighin (Telemark – Okanagan), former SLNC skier, took a commanding 20-second win,  while Madeleine Wilkie (Larch Hills – Okanagan) placed 2nd, with Ella Svenson (Rossland – Kootenays) in 3rd. SLNC athlete Carmen MacArthur was just outside of the medals with a solid 4th-place finish. 

The complete result list is available HERE.

 

Biathlon Competitions (Individual Sprint): 

  • Junior Boys: Ewan Hawes of Burns Lake (Northwest) took the top spot in the opening race of the day. Taje Hansen of Whistler (Coast) was 2nd with Aiden Firth rounding out the podium from Mount Currie (Coastal).  SLNC athlete James Holmes-Peters, placed 10th. 
  • Junior Girls: Former SLNC skier, now in Summerland (Okanagan) Jasmin Hanry placed 1st in the competition with clean shooting and an almost full 1-minute lead over her nearest competitor, SLNC athlete and torch bearer Sierra Munroe, landing a strong 2nd place finish having missed only one target, and Brydon Harris Irvin of North Van (Coastal) took the final podium position.  Savannah Bot of SLNC had a strong race with only one missed target placing 7th, while still enduring an ankle injury which occurred at the Biathlon National Championships.

Biathlon Competitions (2x 3km Team Relay): 

  • Junior Boys: The Zone 5 Boys Team of Aiden Firth and Taje Hansen placed first, Zone 8’s Nathanael Dean and David Hillhouse placed second and the Zone 2 Team of Tyler Lum and Rowan Bird took 3rd place. SLNC James Holmes-Peters placed 4th with teammate Oscar Nelson.
  • Junior Girls: The Zone 2 Team of SLNC athlete Sierra Munroe and Summerlands Jasmine Hanry took the top spot in the 3 x 1km race, Zone 8 Girls team of Isla Cadell and Natalie Hoehn placed 2nd and Zone 2’s Tayte Proulx-Royds and SLNC athlete Savannah Bot, rounded out the podium in 3rd. 

The complete result list is available HERE.

 

 

BC Winters Games Volunteer Recruiting Underway

| Wendy Shannon

 

We are just two weeks away from the BC Winter Games and while this is a small event, it still takes lots of volunteers to run the events. SLNC will be hosting both the XC and biathlon events. With under 150 athletes between the two events, it will make for short days and exciting racing between two small age groups. If you are available to help out on any of the days please signup at the links below. This is a great way to give back to the ski community and if you are new to the club, a great way to meet like-minded people!

For more information on the events, please visit the event website HERE.

Jess4Kids Team Relay This Saturday

| Wendy Shannon

Join us for a fun 4-person relay after your program finishes or come up and support a great club cause. The Jess4Kids Ski Scholarship Fund was launched in 2014 to celebrate the life of Jessica Eaman, a staff member, instructor, and passionate skier. Each year (Covid seasons excluded) we put on a small, fun fundraiser that pays homage to that special community member and generates money for the ski scholarship fund which provides skiing and snowshoeing opportunities to kids who otherwise could not afford it. Each winter, SLNC provides funding to over 50 kids, programs or classes. The funding helps to offset bussing costs, rentals, lessons and tickets to make our club as inclusive as possible. We have also utilized funding to support indigenous programming through the club via our Spirit North Program.

Join us this Saturday from noon until 2pm for a great community event. The costs is $5 per person or $20 per team. Each team consists of 2 skiers and 2 snoweshoers. The loops are no more than 400m long.

Prizes for best customers, Team Spirit and well as Turtle and Hare Awards will be distributed at teh end of teh event outside.

Register inside the daylodge between 10:30 and noon.

Meters of Snow Await You at the Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon!

| Wendy Shannon

Shared via PROXCSKIING.COM

Come share the wonderful snow in Vernon, BC, Canada, by enjoying an end-of-season ski marathon!

The Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon is beautifully timed so that you can end your ski season on fantastic snow and then head down the mountain and enjoy all the City of Vernon and the Okanagan Valley have to offer.

 

This hidden gem is nestled in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada. Gifted with an amazing climate, the city of Vernon in the Okanagan Valley has early and late season skiing up in the mountains, including access to some of the best back-country skiing in the world. In contrast, down the mountain, the Okanagan Valley is renowned for the growing of fruit and the production of wine.

The event motto is “Finishing is Winning,” but there are also some fast skiers at the front of the pack. In its inaugural year last year, over a dozen Olympians lined up at the start line. The event encourages people of all ages and abilities to give either the 21k or the 40k event a go. April 1st, 2023, is the skate day, and April 2nd, 2023, is the classic day.

 

Photo Credits: Ellis/Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon

 

The Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon consists of 2 great resorts joining together for two days of events, with two distances and two techniques. The format is “Point to Party,” with athletes starting at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club World Cup Stadium and winding their way to the main street in the fantastic SilverStar Village.

SilverStar Mountain has an annual snowfall of approximately 7m, and SilverStar Mountain Resort has 12 lifts that span over four mountain faces in addition to the 50+km of cross-country ski trails.

Both venues have a depth of experience putting on events of many sizes, including World Cups and World Masters Championships, plus many local and international events. Over 300 volunteers will stand by to ensure S2S 2023 will be another success and a highlight for the participants. The trail systems link to provide 105km of some of the best-groomed trails in the world. The season continues to early April when the trails close, not because of lack of snow, but because by early April, the warmth has started to come to the beautiful Okanagan Valley, and everybody is transitioning to their summer sports. Most years, there are on snow training camps in May hosted by Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.

 

Photo Credits: Hostyn/Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon

 

The S2S organizers encourage people to come and do the event and then “Stay and Play!” The event has shifted slightly so that both Sovereign and SilverStar remain open for a further week. This makes it possible to do the event and then stay and enjoy some amazing spring skiing. Or join many of the locals in starting to enjoy the spring beauty of the City of Vernon, the Okanagan Valley, and the rest of beautiful British Columbia.

For more information or to register, visit www.sovereign2silverstar.com/