By Ethan Ready

3rd Annual Snowball Biathlon

Snowball Biathlon builds off inspiration from local Olympians

Feb 3, 2020 | 11:20 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – Both inspiration and the desire to honour the number of biathlon athletes that have come out of Prince George are to thank.

When it comes to the Snowball Biathlon held at the Prince George Outdoor Ice Oval, the volunteer-based staff were eager to find a way to incorporate the sport into an event they could hold of their own at the ice rink.

And thus started the Snowball Biathlon.

On Sunday (Feb. 2nd), it marked the third year they put on the event, and with a day in which weather was on their side as well.

Lyle Dickieson, a member of the Outdoor Ice Oval Society, had his voice echoing around the track as he rangled in participants… a few dozen by the time the event got underway.

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The event kicked off with a full lap of the oval led by a flag bearer and all.

“It’s a really good reason to come out and go for a skate. It lets people get a bit competitive if they want to. What’s really fun with this event is the mix of having to throw a snowball as well as skate. Some people are really good at throwing snowballs but lousy at skating, and vice versa.”

With weather conditions constantly altering throughout the region, the season hasn’t been too kind to the Ice Oval. The staff have been trying to boost their presence on social media in hopes of boosting the number of people coming out and utilizing the facility.

“I think it really is a hidden gem,” said Dickieson. “We’re trying to change that in a big way. We really encourage people to come out and skate here.”