Frozen Thunder going strong

Before I get started, I’d like to thank everyone for liking me on Facebook. We’ve reached the 500 milestone. 

Tonight at Frozen Thunder, I encountered another couple skiers who were taking their first strides on snow this season. Martin Schrama from Whistler(formerly from Canmore), had just completed his first lap when I accosted him for a photo.

Dakota Blackhorse von Jess arrived from Bend Oregon and was taking his first strides on Frozen Thunder

Martin was suitably impressed with the snow conditions after another warm day, as was I, but let me tell you the rest of the story about the snow. The Pisten-Bully wouldn’t start this morning, so the snow didn’t even get groomed today. I was surprised that we even had a semblance of a track. There’s some extra sawdust and pine needles showing, but nothing I would consider hazardous. I continue to be amazed at how well the snow is holding up.

There is a second snowcat available, but it’s still pushing sawdust around in the pit. That’s the pit where Frozen Thunder hibernates all summer, under a thick layer of wood shavings. Jim the mechanic was fixing the starter, and the ‘cat was running by the time I had made a couple rounds.

Alaric instructs a group of enthusiastic young skiers

As I was leaving, a very enthusiastic skier had just rolled in from Bend, Oregon. Dakota Blackhorse von Jess is here with his teamates from the Bend Endurance Academy. He was thrilled to be in Canmore and taking his first strides on the snow. Dakota won the Frozen thunder sprint race last year.

Upcoming Races

Last year, Dakota Blackhorse von Jess(#47) was the men’s winner in the Frozen Thunder classic sprint

On Friday Oct. 24, Frozen Thunder will host the first classic sprint race of the year, beginning at 9 a.m. The race tends to attract many of the best sprinters in North America. On Monday, Oct. 27, a 10 km and 15 km distance race will draw many of the country’s top skiers and biathletes.

It was quite enjoyable watching the races last year, and here’s a link to the 2013 event. I won’t be able to attend the races this year, so I hope someone will leave a comment about the conditions etc.