Mike Edwards

It’s been a long hot summer but fall and winter are just around the corner.  Hopefully you are looking forward to a beautiful, cool, snowy winter as much as we are at Telemark. What could be better to help you get away from all the craziness of life than to come xc skiing or snowshoeing at Telemark!

Telemark Nordic Club season passes and program registration are now available on our Zone 4 Registration Page. Season Pass early-bird discount rates are available until Oct 31, 2022.  For more season pass pricing info, please go to our Season Pass webpage

There is a small price increase this year but our prices are still one of the best deals around.  An adult season pass is paid off in only 11 visits and you will have the flexibility to come to Telemark whenever you want, for any amount of time. Additionally, with a season pass, you are automatically a Club member and can participate in one of our many programs. There is again a 10% discount on selected items at local xc ski retailer Kelowna Cycle and a 25% discount on rentals at Telemark for all Season Pass holders. There will also be weekly early-bird draws, with a total prize value of over $1,000 (Generously provided by our sponsor partners Kelowna Cycle and Fresh Air Experience.) 
                                 

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.

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 some 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 and July but make their way up to the top of Crystal Rim trail and beyond over the summer and fall.

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.  This year bears have been seen as well as coyotes.
• There are mosquitos…especially in June and July.  They generally peter out by late 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.

The 2021-22 ski and snowshoe season is coming to an end at Telemark. The snow is going fast but we still have enough snow to stay open until Sunday March 27th. There is still some really good skiing/snowshoeing to be had but spring conditions prevail with some dirt and bare/thin spots and we will not groom as much as we normally do. Check our Trail Conditions webpage for the latest on grooming & conditions.  After March 27th we will no longer be grooming, the day lodge will be closed, there will be no staff on site and passes & rentals will no longer be available. Skiing/snowshoeing after March 27th may be possible but are not recommended.

It has been a strange season but a good season. Telemark hit  new records for membership again thanks to all the wonderful skiers and snowshoers in the Central Okanagan. We had lower snow than usual with a couple of  big cold snaps and more freeze/thaw conditions than normal but the skiing and snowshoeing were still great all season. It was a challenging year again due to COVID restrictions but we enjoyed a full season of healthy outdoor winter activity and a return to events and full programs.  We are looking forward to seeing you all next year when we hope to be back to full normal operations.

Thanks for a Great Season!

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021-22 Team Telemark Raffle Draw! The raffle is an annual fundraiser with all proceeds going to The Telemark Nordic Club youth cross-country and biathlon competitive programs.  With 14 great prizes and 2,298 tickets sold the raffle was once again a big hit.  The raffle raised $11,490 to develop our programs and 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 and a special acknowledgement to all local businesses and organizations that donated prizes.

The draw was made at the Telemark day lodge on Saturday March 19th.  Draws were made in order from highest to least value.  Please see below for a list of donors, prizes and winners.

1)    Kelowna Paddle Centre family membership $1250	Gerry Achtem
2)    Kelowna Cycle gift card $500	Bob Crosthwaite
3)    Swagman gift card $500	Maureen Redman
4)    Silver Star Mtn Resort pkg. $500	Patricia Bird
5)    Waterfront Wines dinner for two $250	Paola Serravalli
6)     Vega Sports Products pkg. $225	Emma Dalsvaag
7)     Fortis BC Deluxe Emergency Hwy kit $180	Jaime Tomlinson
8)     Blendjet & Hello Wellness pkg. $175	Manny Zuppiger
9)     Kelowna Toyota auto detail pkg. $99	John Manton
10)   Karma 11 gemstone bracelet $85	Bill Boos
11)   Nature’s Aid skin products pkg. $75	Marlene Lenz
12)   Nature’s Fare gift card $50	Judi Elkert
13)   Nature’s Fare gift card $50	Jennay Oliver
14)  Orb Sculpture by Annabel Stanley $65	Robyn Cahill

 

It has been two long years of operating our ski/snowshoe area under difficult circumstances due to COVID.  We have slowly been getting back to normal and we have thankfully been able to run many of our events and programs this year.  Luckily we have always had great skiing and snowshoeing available for everybody.

The latest change is the PHO lifting of most mask mandates across BC.  Telemark, in keeping with its policy of  following PHO mandates, will no longer require mandatory mask wearing inside our public buildings.  Wearing of masks will be a matter of personal choice at Telemark.  Many people including members, public users, staff and volunteers may continue to choose to wear a mask in the interest of public and personal safety.  We ask that you respect this choice.  Masks will still be made available for those who wish to wear one and do not have their own. 

We also ask that you continue to do personal health checks and NOT come to Telemark and enter any public buildings if you are feeling ill. Please also continue to use safe practices such a social distancing, hand sanitizing etc.  We will continue to provide sanitizer and ask that it be used as needed.

There are still provincial Proof of Vaccination requirements in place.  You do NOT need Proof of Vaccination to use Telemark but this means that we will continue to have occupancy limits and restricted access to the public buildings until the end of the season.  Hopefully by next season we are back to normal and we can once again open our building to full public use.

For more detailed information please see our updated COVID Safety Plan.

 

 

 

Let’s celebrate the ski season! Please join us for the Telemark Apple Friends and Family Spring Loppet –  Saturday March 12th.  This year we have have decided to modify our traditional Apple Loppet to keep things simple, inexpensive and COVID safe for all participants and volunteers. The event is being run as a timed participation event with chip timing but with some differences…

• 5 different courses to choose from 1.5km – 3km – 7.5km – 15km – 30km based upon our traditional Loppet distances.  Stadium Area map
• Ski classic or skate technique or mix it up and ski 1/2 &1/2
• Challenge the distance that best suits your mood and ability
• Start anytime between 8am and 11am (must finish by 2pm)
• Pick up a timing chip in the stadium area
• Cross the start line to activate your timing chip
• Ski your chosen course with your friends and family, Youth Programs group or all by yourself
• Cross the finish line to get your official time
• No bibs, aid stations, prizes or medals
• BBQ included for all registered participants
• Music and fun for everybody
• Register on Zone 4 Entry deadline: Friday March 11th 8pm

Last weekend Telemark hosted a successful Track Attack Championships.  There were record numbers of participants and by all accounts it was a great weekend of fun, friendship and of course racing.  Thanks to everybody who came from all over BC and even Washington State to join the fun.  Special thanks to all the great volunteers who made it happen. 

Telemark  will be hosting the Track Attack Championships this coming weekend Feb 26-27.  This is a fun competition event for  kids 9-12yrs old.  There will be about 250 kids at Telemark from across BC for this wonderful event.

Telemark will remain open for public skiing and snowshoeing during this event but it is good to know that it will be quite busy both Saturday and Sunday.  The Stadium area will be filled with the event on both days and parts of Squirrel and lower Fern trails will be closed due to the event on Saturday only.  Parking will be at a premium all weekend but with our expanded parking this year you should be able to find a spot. Best time to ski both days will be late afternoon but we are open all day.

If you come up to Telemark please take some time to watch the next generation of skiers competing and having fun on snow.  To find out more about the event please go to our  event webpage.