While there might not have been much snow in the South Cariboo until this week, the 100 Mile Nordic Youth programs are already rolling — literally.
Thanks to roller skis, some skiers are now able to train and get fit even without snow, explained Samantha Loewen, one of the coaches and the coach coordinator for the youth programs. She and fellow coach Brent Ehlers have been leading some dryland training, including the roller skis, since September. Roller skis are pretty much what they sound like, similar to cross-country skis, but with wheels which enable them to be used on pavement. Skiers still use poles and skis similarly to how they would on snow.
Loewen said in years like last year, with barely any snow, the skiers can still keep training and learning using the roller skis, which is a big advantage.
Registration for the 100 Mile Nordic Ski Society youth programs is still open, but registered youth are already well into their training, with dryland training including outdoor running and games, along with the roller skiing.
A dryland training camp held in Prince George recently gave three young 100 Mile House athletes a chance to train in a different setting.
"We had a good time with that," said Loewen.
The skill development programs are open to young people from as young as three years old to teens, with a racing program for those who want to put in the extra training and compete. The youth skill development program has nine registered so far this season and has room for more.
This year, the racing team plans to participate in three B.C. Cup Races, take part in the Teck Northern Cup Race 100 Mile Nordics are hosting in February and travel to Kamloops for a loppet, which is a mass long-distance cross-country ski event.
Loewen said the race team won't be travelling as much this season because their athletes are fairly young. With more sporting options to choose from, she said the club is still rebuilding after their numbers dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic and some of their athletes aged out of the program.
But she believes in the sport's benefits, for all ages, calling it a "sport for life" because you can do it from a very very young age until potentially old age.
"It makes winter that much more enjoyable, getting outside with family and friends," she said, adding the skill development program helps encourage and enable youth participation in the sport.
For more information, go to the 100 Mile Nordics Facebook or Instagram pages or their website 100milenordics.com. Skill development programs take place on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings.
100 Mile Nordics Youth Racing Program members put in extra training which is schedule dependent.
