By Greg Fry

Sport

Major international biathlon event coming to Prince George

Dec 11, 2025 | 10:48 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — Prince George is about to receive a big economic boost.

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has been chosen as host of a combined International Biathlon Union (IBU) Regional Event, Western Canadian Biathlon Championships, and BC Provincial Biathlon Championships from March 3-6, 2026.

Organizers says this represents one of the largest biathlon competitions in North America and carries the prestigious IBU continental sanctioning, drawing athletes from across Canada, the United States, and potentially other nations.

This follows the recent cancellation of the Nordiq Canada Olympic Winter Games Trials due to a lack of snow and unseasonably warm temperatures.

Caledonia was already scheduled to host a significant international biathlon competition in March, and in discussions with the Olympic Trials partners about the cancellation, the possibility emerged to redirect their support toward the major event.

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“We are incredibly humbled by the response from our partners,” said Kevin Pettersen, Past Event Chair of the 2026 Nordiq Canada Olympic Trials. “When we began discussions about the cancellation, we shared that we were already preparing to host a major international biathlon event in March. What happened next was truly remarkable. Our funding partners and presenting sponsor Canadian Tire Prince George enthusiastically agreed to redirect their support to this event. This overwhelming show of confidence in our club and our community has transformed our disappointment into renewed determination and excitement.”

While the Olympic Trials would have generated substantial economic benefits (approximately $770,000) for the local economy, the March 2026 combined biathlon event is expected to surpass that impact by generating over $1 million in direct and indirect economic activity through accommodation, food services, transportation, retail, and tourism.