Image Credit: Caledonia Nordic Ski Club/File Photo

By Victor Kaisar

Cross-Country Skiing

Olympic cross-country ski trials moving from Prince George to Vernon because of sub-optimal conditions

Nov 29, 2025 | 12:30 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club will no longer be hosting Olympic cross-country ski trials next month because of adverse snow conditions.

The trials that will determine Canada’s team for February’s Olympic Games in Italy, which were set to take place Dec. 13 to 16, will instead be hosted at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre near Vernon on those same dates.

Kevin Pettersen, the Event Chair for the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, said it’s “heartbreaking” for the club, the volunteers and the Prince George community who worked hard to try and make the event happen.

“We have spent months preparing to showcase Prince George on the national stage and to provide our athletes with an unforgettable Olympic Trials experience,” Pettersen said.

“Our organizing committee, our funders, our sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers have poured their hearts into this event. Unfortunately, the one element we cannot control is Mother Nature, and she had other plans this year.”

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According to organizers, current snow conditions at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club made it “impossible” to guarantee the quality of courses required for an Olympic qualification event. Given that there is no flexibility in dates, and because there was sufficient natural snow in the Vernon area, they made the “difficult decision” to move the event.

“This decision was extremely difficult, and we are deeply grateful to the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club and the Prince George community for everything they put into preparing for this event,” Beckie Scott, the CEO of Nordiq Canada said.

“Their commitment, professionalism, and passion reflect why Prince George is recognized as a world-class Nordic venue. Unfortunately, weather is the one factor none of us can control.”

Despite the setback, Scott said Nordiq Canada, the governing body for cross-country skiing in Canada, is not turning its back on the Prince George area for future events.

“Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, along with its volunteers, partners, and the City of Prince George, has invested tremendous effort and commitment into preparing for these trials,” Scott added. “Caledonia remains one of Canada’s premier Nordic venues, with an outstanding record of hosting major competitions, and we fully intend to return for future events.”

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has previously hosted the 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships and World Cup Finals, the 2023 Nordiq Canada Selection Trials, the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, the 2015 Canada Winter Games, as well as multiple Canadian National Championships.

It was close to becoming the first venue in Northern BC to host an Olympic trials event.

“While we are deeply disappointed, we remain incredibly proud of what Prince George represents in the Nordic skiing world,” Pettersen added.

“This setback doesn’t change our status as a premier destination for world-class competitions, and it doesn’t diminish the support we’ve received from every corner of this community.”

Pettersen added the move to Vernon will ensure that Canada’s top cross-country skiers are able to compete in “world-class racing conditions” as the prepare for the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

“Your support has meant the world to us,” Pettersen added, as he thanked volunteers, sponsors and community partners. “This may not be our moment this year, but Prince George will have its day on the Olympic stage.”