May Skiing in Canada (and Abroad) in Photos

The BC development team getting ready to ski out of the biathlon stadium at Whistler Olympic Park last weekend.

While most people have moved on to other sports by May, the more obsessive skiers are starting the new training year on snow.

Canada’s “first” cross-country ski “races” of the 2017/2018 season were held on May 6. “First” because, while we haven’t exhaustively researched this, it was the first Saturday after May 1, which is the traditional new year for the Northern Hemisphere. “Races” is also a bit misleading as most athletes were viewing the events as an opportunity to do some intensity.

Here then, in the order which photos arrived, are the places where people are skiing in May. Did we miss one? Share in the comments below or email photos with caption and credit info to info@fasterskier.com.

Sovereign Lake, Vernon, B.C.

The Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre (SLNC) re-opened from May 4 to 7 for the Spring Fling camp and the “SLNC 1st Annual Pushups Classic Time Trial” race. The May camp has been running for years, but was moved to earlier in the month to ensure prime conditions. A number of clubs brought athletes out for technique lessons and long snow sessions. Canmore Nordic broke the pattern by focussing on low-elevation training with shorter training sessions. As the Canmore athletes live at 1,400 metres above sea level, the opportunity to train at 400 metres was more exciting than skiing at 1,700 metres.

The first day of camp on May 4 was a warm one, but the 16 k of trails held up well.

Julien Locke (Canadian National U25 Team) disappearing into the mist.

Three generations of Williams (Madeleine Williams, her baby and her parents) enjoying the sun and snow.

Canmore Nordic found bluebird skies and fresh tracks.

Graham Nishikawa smiling early on the first of four long ski days for him.

+17 C on Thursday, May 4, 30mm of rain on Friday, May 5, fresh snow on Saturday morning, and this salamander doesn’t care because he skipped the time trial.

SLNC General Manager Troy Hudson (second from left) explaining the race rules to Gareth Williams, Annika Richardson and others on May 6 at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre.

If the stairs are reappearing, it must be spring!

Sovereign Lake closing day: May 7, and the last set track here until November. (Photo: Troy Hudson)

Canmore, Alberta

The Canmore Nordic Centre lost its snow at the end of April, but Sunshine Meadows just a short drive west in Banff National Park hosted a large group of skiers starting May 9. Ivan Babikov is leading a training block for the Canmore-based national team members, Chris Jeffries has the Alberta World Cup Academy crew, and a number of other groups are there as well.

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First ski at Sunshine of 2017! Hanging out at 2400m with awesome crust and great views today.

A post shared by Andrew Kaarsoo Chisholm (@andrewkchisholm) on May 10, 2017 at 3:43pm PDT

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Still lots of snow up at Sunshine Meadows. Skied all the way at to citadel pass, and not a bare patch in sight. #crustskiing

A post shared by Scott Gow (@scott.gow) on May 10, 2017 at 2:16pm PDT

Sjusjøen, Norway

OK, not in Canada, but Canadians Dahria Beatty and Russell Kennedy went and enjoyed some superb skiing conditions. They raced at Bysprinten in Mosjøen, Norway, and then moved on to Sjusjøen’s 100 kilometres of trails.

Dahria Beatty and Russell Kennedy in Sjusjøen in early May. (Courtesy photo)

Russell Kennedy, Annika Taylor, Dahria Beatty, Brian Gregg, Caitlin Gregg in the Susjøen stadium. (Photo: Russell Kennedy)

Dahria Beatty, Russell Kennedy, and friends enjoying some spring skiing in Norway in early May. (Photo: Dahria Beatty)

Kennedy and friends skiing on a warm May day in Sjusjøen. (Photo: Russell Kennedy)

Russell Kennedy enjoying May sunshine in Sjusjøen. (Photo: Russell Kennedy)

Dahria Beatty in Norway in early May. (Photo: Dahria Beatty)

Sun, snow and Norwegian friends. (Photo: Russell Kennedy)

Menihek, Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Menihek Nordic Ski Club is officially closed, but has snow and will set track for Mother’s Day, according to club president Gerry Rideout.

Menihek trails on April 21. (Photo: Gerry Rideout) — Menihek “Happy Trails” on April 21. (Photo: Gerry Rideout)

Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler, B.C.

This venue is closed to the public, but has been hosting camps on natural snow. Biathlon got the first weekend of May and cross-country has the Victoria Day weekend. These photos are from the biathlon camp on the Olympic trails, mostly below 900 metres in elevation.