Mike Edwards

The snow is long gone now and the weather has finally gotten warm and sunny as we wait for another winter season.  Telemark is a wonderful place to visit in the summer/fall.  People often come up to Telemark for hikes, dog walks, mountain biking, horse back riding and even birding (Telemark is a noted birding hotspot on ‘ebird’).  It’s a little cooler up here and a great place to get away from the summer heat of the valley.  To top it off it is not too crowded so it is naturally social distancing.

Most people stick to the ski trails but it is also possible to hike/bike on the some of the snowshoe trails. The snowshoe trails are not maintained for hiking or biking and have several rough/wet areas. In the fall our youth programs kids do several trail running sessions at Telemark. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on most trails although you may see trail crew volunteers doing some summer trail maintenance in a vehicle.

Telemark and surrounding area is designated rangeland for cattle and there are about 120 head (cows & calves) that you may see on the trails.  They start out on the lower trails in June but make their way up to the top of Crystal Rim trail and beyond over the summer.

There is no fee for enjoying Telemark in the summer.

If you come to Telemark in the summer/fall please be prepared.

• The daylodge is not open, the trails are not patrolled and there are not as many people around. So please make sure someone knows where you are and you know where you are going and what you are doing.
•  There can be wildlife.  There is a  large black bear living near Telemark right now so please make sure to travel in groups (keeping Physical Distancing in mind) and bring bear spray just in case.
• There are mosquitos…especially in June and July.  They generally peter out by late summer. In the spring and early summer come prepared with proper clothing and bug spray.
• The weather is changeable so take extra clothing and rain gear if the weather is unsettled.

We hope to see you up at Telemark before the snow flies. Season passes will be going on sale in August.  Get your season pass early.

 

Telemark has been officially closed for a month now but because of the amount of snow we received this year the skiing has remained relatively good. Many people have been coming up to ski regularly at Telemark and we even groomed a couple of times.

However with the recent warm weather the conditions have quickly deteriorated   Skiing and snowshoeing is still possible in some places but there are lots of bare spots and hazards like ‘Lake Fern’ are appearing.  Skiing and snowshoeing are not recommended and we are closed for the season.

Thanks again  for a wonderful season and we will see you back again next fall. Stay tuned for news on when season passes will be available for purchase. They should be available by summer.

Telemark is now closed for the season!  Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) has mandated a closure for many recreation sites across BC in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Telemark operates on Crown land as a Recreation Site under a Partnership Agreement with RSTBC.  Therefore this closure applies to our  facilities and operation.

There is still lots of snow at Telemark and the trails themselves are not closed to use.  However we will no longer be grooming.  The skiing and snowshoeing conditions should remain good for a little while yet for those keeners who still want to ski or snowshoe.  Please remember that users accept all risks of use and trails are not patrolled.

Please see the closure note from RSTBC below:

B. Agreement Holders (snowmobile, nordic skiing and backcountry facilities)
Re: use of snowmobile, nordic skiing, and overnight and backcountry facilities within recreation sites and on recreation trails
Recreation Sites and Trails BC’s (RSTBC) number one priority is the health and safety of British Columbians and visitors using recreation sites and trails across the province. RSTBC is following the advice of the Provincial Health Officer and is taking steps to support the Province of British Columbia in its effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Effective immediately, recreation facilities where there is a risk of increased social contact, contact with frequently touched surfaces, and/or where monies are exchanged will be closed. Such measures are in line with direction from the provincial health officer and are for the safety of our partners, volunteers, staff and visitors. Closures will apply to overnight shelters, backcountry cabins, day use shelters, fee collection booths and some infrastructure typically used by snowmobile, nordic ski, mountain bike and hiking groups. Additional facility closures may be considered by RSTBC in the future.

Where access to overnight shelters or day use facilities is required due to an immediate safety concern (i.e., accident or injury requiring immediate and local assistance) access to those facilities will not be prohibited.

Trails will remain open and may not be groomed or maintained during this time. Users assume all risks by continuing to use trails and are discouraged from taking unnecessary risks to avoid burdening health services.

Full notice from RSTBC Updated March 24th

Congratulations to all the winners  of the Team Telemark Raffle draw. The raffle is an annual fundraiser for The Telemark Nordic Club Race Team and Biathlon Programs.  The draw was made at Telemark on March 14th. This year the raffle raised $7,500 to help our young athletes achieve their best and spread the word about what a great place Telemark is to ski for everybody.  Thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser?

List of Raffle Winners

• Kelowna Paddle Centre 2020 Family membership – Ben MacKenzie, West Kelowna
• Salomon Aero 9 classic skin skis and bindings – Neal Bird, Kelowna
• Tubbs RDG snowshoes – Mike Bird
• Fresh Air Experience $500 gift certificate (Sponsored by Ecoscape)- Deanne Winkler, Peachland
• Waterfront Wines dinner for two – Madison Hughes, Vernon
• Silver Star Nordic package – Sonya Bridge, West Kelowna
• Taylor’s Antiques store credit- Miles Shipley, Lake Country
• Vega Nutrition prize package – Jennifer Gouwenberg
• Petro Canada gas card – Loic Letailleur, Kelowna
• IFM Therapy massage – Lisa Wambold, Penticton
• OneLife Health + Wellness personal trainer session – Jill Stamp, Kelowna
• Bonus: Nature’s Fare gift certificate – Geoff Oliver

A big thanks to our very special raffle sponsors: Kelowna Paddle Centre, Fresh Air Experience, Ecoscape Environmental Consultants, Waterfront Wines, Silver Star, Taylor’s Antiques, Vega, IFM Therapy, OneLife Health, Petro Canada and  Nature’s Fare. Please help us support our sponsors!

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing – Self isolation at its best!

The Telemark Nordic Centre will remain open during the COVID-19 outbreak.  With over 50 km of ski trails and an additional 50km of snowshoe trails you will avoid the risks associated with the mass gatherings of people.  Please be advised that we are following the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website for public health directives to curtail the COVID-19 outbreak.  To that end…
– Telemark has postponed our annual volunteer party in compliance with BCCDC’s directive to avoid mass gatherings of people.
– All formal club programs practices have been cancelled. Program participants may meet informally to ski and train together.
– Telemark has stepped up our cleaning and sanitizing protocols in the daylodge and washooms. This includes additional hand-washing and sanitizing for the staff.
– Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the facility.
– We have disposable cups and utensils available in place of our normal reusable ones.
– Please avoid using cash as much as possible – tap cards are preferable.
– Please avoid coming into the lodge unless necessary.
– Please practice social distancing
– If you have symptoms such as an active cough, runny nose, sore/irritated throat, fever, fatigue or any related COVID-19 or other cold or flu symptoms please stay at home to rest.

Telemark supports cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and biathlon as healthy recreational activities for life.  At this time, it is more important than ever to stay active and healthy, so long as you maintain “social distancing.”  With our large network of trails social distancing at Telemark is easy to do.  Enjoy our wonderful facilities and encourage your friends and family to do the same. The trails are in excellent condition with lots of snow. We plan to be open 9am-5pm 7 days a week with regular grooming until April 5th.

Eight members of Special Olympics Team BC recently returned home to Kelowna and Telemark with a total of 16 individual and 3 relay medals The eight athletes excelled at the 2020 Special Olympics National Winter Games in Thunder Bay The team was led by a couple of well known Telemark athletes with Francis Stanley winning 3 gold medals and establishing himself as the top skier in Canada Special Olympic and Tracey Melesko, a veteran of 5 National Winter Games, still dominant at the national level winning 1 gold 1 silver and 1 bronze.
Kelsey Wyse, competing in her first games in cross country skiing, picked up 1 gold 1 silver and 1 bronze. Also competing for the first time at the National Games, Dimitri Konstant racked up a gold and a silver Adding to the impressive medal haul were strong performances by Glen McIntyre with 1 gold and 1 bronze, Jordan Lige with 1 gold and Maria Schmitke with 1 silver while newcomer Roy Stephens picked. up a bronze medal Congratulations to the team on a great season and excellent National Games results.The athletes were joined by coaches Annabel Stanley, Ray Huson and head coach Garth Vickers At this time we all want to congratulate coach Annabel Stanley on her selection as Head Coach for Special Olympics Team Canada for the 2021.World Winter Games What an amazing and well deserved honour.

Full results and more on the Games website

 

We celebrate the women of Telemark on International Women’s Day. The women and girls of Telemark contribute so much to our Club as event volunteers, coaches, racers, program supporters, staff and so much more.

The photo below is a group of just a few of the  women and girls who were a big part of the BC Championships this weekend at Telemark.  They helped to make the BC Champs an incredibly successful event as volunteers and participants.

 

 

Telemark is hosting one of the biggest competition events of the year The BC Championships March 6-8, 2020.

600+ competitors of all ages from across BC will be at Telemark for a weekend of racing and good times. Events start 11am on Friday and 10am on Saturday and Sunday. More event details our Event Webpage.

Preparations are well underway but we could use some additional volunteers.  There are a variety of roles for both outside and inside volunteer positions including stadium, course, timing, banquet and more. Please consider volunteering BC Champs Volunteer Sign-up

Telemark will be open to the Public for recreational skiing and snowshoeing that weekend but please keep in mind that many of the trails will be closed due to the races.  There will be designated routes to get to the open recreational trails.

Parking will also be at a premium.  If you come up to Telemark for the event or for recreational skiing & snowshoeing please carpool as much as possible.