We are pleased to announce the revival of the Western Canadian Masters Championships (ages 30+) after a decade long hiatus. Come join us on March 12-14th for some great skate and classic racing on the scenic Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre ski trails just outside of Golden and in Yoho National Park. Not only will you get a chance to see how you ski compared to other skiers in your age category but you will also enjoy the camaraderie of meeting other skiers from across our western provinces. With scenic views of the Purcell, and Rocky Mountains surrounding the Golden area, well-groomed trails for skate and classic skiing, and a local active nordic skiing membership, we welcome you to Golden with open arms.

*** NOTE: Please register on www.zone4.ca before Wednesday, March 10th. We will hold the event but have canceled the Awards Banquet due to low registration numers. Awards will be handed out after each event on that day. Those who have registered for the banquet on-line will receive a reimbursement.

Conditions are Great!

We are expecting excellent conditions for the masters events at both Dawn Mt. and Emerald Lake. The skiing on the new 9k loop at the lake is excellent, with a fun single track loop in the Emerald basin. At Dawn Mt. we have a terrific base and with the new snow expected this week before the event, our trails will be superb (written on March 8th).

Emerald Lake ski course, March 5, 2010

Events:

• Thursday, March 11 from 7 - 9 pm: Pick-up of racing bibs and athlete's bags at the Kicking Horse River Lodge.

• Friday, March 12 from 11 am onward: Free technique (14.1 km) on the upper and mid-mountain trails at Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre (elevation change 110m). Individual starts starting at 11:00 am. Click for Free Technique Race Course Map & Profile for Friday. Awards presented shortly after the race at the yurt (trailhead). Pick-up of racing bibs and athlete's bags from 9-10 am at the yurt.

• Friday, March 12 from 5 - 7 pm: Pick-up of racing bibs and athlete's bags at the Kicking Horse River Lodge.

• Friday, March 12 - live music and 5-course dinner for $50 at the Cedar House if interested (see note below)

• Saturday, March 13 from 11 am onward: Classic Event (15.1 km) on 3X Beaver/Chickadee at Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre (elevation change 50m). Individual starts starting at 11:00 am. Click for Classic Race Course Map & Profile for Saturday. Awards presented shortly after the race at the yurt (trailhead). Pick-up of racing bibs and athlete's bags from 9-10 am at the yurt.

• Sunday, March 14 from 10:30 or 11 am onward: 9k classic Emerald Lake Ski Race in Yoho National Park, Field BC -open event OPEN TO ALL AGES (elevation change 15 m). Mass start for under 10 years old is at 10:30 am (1km) and for skiers 10 and over is at 11 am (9 km). This very fast course will be mostly double-poling! Click for Emerald Lake Course Map & Profile for Sunday. Awards presented shortly after the race at Emerald Lake Sports (trailhead). Pick-up of racing bibs from 9-10:30 am at the trailhead at Emerald Lake. On-site registration is accepted for $5 extra fee. Preregister by downloading this Registration for Emerald Lake Ski Race form and faxing it before Sunday. The Field XC-Ski Club is hosting this event which is provided to you and your family to enjoy the stunningly beautiful surroundings and celebrate cross-country skiing as the ski season draws near an end.

Awards will be handed out to competitors as soon as possible after the race each day. For Friday and Saturday, this will be at the trailhead yurt at Dawn Mountain. For Sunday, this will take place at the Emerald Lake trailhead.

All participants registered online by the end of March 10th will receive an event toque.

Please check the Race Notice and the Event Poster for more detailed information.

Check Site Map for Dawn Mountain to see the lay-out of the stadium and trailhead and the trails in between.

Registration for March 12 and 13th can only be done online at www.zone4.ca until midnight (PST) on March 10th, 2010. The Emerald Lake Ski Event will accept registrations on the day of the event on March 14th (cash only) for a $5 extra fee.

You can follow the Western Canadian Masters Championships blog if you're interested.

Discounted Accommodations in Golden:

• The Prestige Hotel & Resorts is offering a preferred discounted rate to event participants, based on availability of $ 89.95 Single/Double/Twin (2 Queen beds). In order to receive this special rate please request the "Golden Nordic Ski Club" rate at time of reservation. To contact the Prestige Mountainside Resort Golden, call 1.877.737.8443 or click here for their website.

• Stay at the Columbia Valley B&B during the Western Masters for $85.00 (double occupancy) plus our taxes of 15% with a full breakfast!!! Check them out at www.columbiavalleybnb.com or call 1-800-311-5008 for more information. They are a proud supporter of the Golden Nordic Ski Club.

• The Vagabond Lodge at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is offering a $390 rate for participants and friends of the Masters Western Championship which is for a 2-night stay, double occupancy. Breakfast is included and taxes are extra. You can call them at 1.866.944.2622 or local 250.344.2622. Check out their website at www.vagabondlodge.ca.

• The Highland Lodge gives all event participants 25% off their accommodations. They are located at 1593 Cache Close at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort which is very close to the Dawn Mountain trailhead. This fantastic offer includes 1 free bottle of wine (~$30 value) if your food totals $50 or more. You will have free use of the sauna in the Highland Lodge Spa. Contact them at 250.344.7272 or visit their website at www.highlandlodge.net.

• Kicking Horse River Lodge is offering 5% off $41.00 for dormitory (shared accommodation), 10% off $143.75 for private rooms, and 15% off family loft (price depending on number of people: 4, 6, or 9 people). Please call to reserve your accommodation or for questions 1.877.547.5266 or visit the website at www.khrl.com.
   

Discounted Meals in Golden:

The Cedar House is offering all ski race participants of this event a 10% discount for all meals. On Friday night, March 12, the Cedar House is offering a 5-course dinner for $50 including live music by local musician Johnny Jenkins. Check out their event poster. To contact the Cedar House or to make your dinner reservation call 250.344.4679 or check out the website at www.cedarhousecafe.com.

 Discounted Massage on Site:

Kierra Hautala, registered massage therapist, is offering 30-minute sports massages on a sign-up basis. She has an event special for $29.99 for 30 minutes. Participants and their guests and volunteers can sign up at the Kicking Horse River Lodge on Thursday from 7-9 pm, Friday from 9-10 am at the trailhead and 5-7 pm at the Kicking Horse River Lodge, and Saturday from 9-10 am at the trailhead when picking up their information and racing bibs there. Check out the massage poster.