Biathletes showcase Otway’s paved track

“So this is part of the IBU, the International Biathlon Union,” said Kevin Pettersen of the Otway Nordic Ski Club. “And by ‘regional’ that means continent. So it’s the North American region, meaning the North American continent. With an event like this we can see athletes from all over both Canada and the U.S. come to these events.”

The event marks another milestone for the Otway Nordic Centre, which has undergone significant upgrades in recent years. The newly paved roller ski track allows athletes to train through the summer and fall, providing conditions that closely mimic winter racing and helping competitors maintain high-performance training year-round.

Among those taking advantage of the new facility is Malcolm McCulloch, who travelled from Ontario to compete and train on the course.

McCulloch said the track has quickly become one of his favourites in the country.

“I honestly think it’s probably the best track in Canada,” he said. “I’ve skied on three or four different ones that exist throughout Canada, and it’s one of the most fun, interactive ones, not only because it’s super wide, but it’s also super fast, very technical, and it’s a really fun and enjoyable course to race and just ski on.”

His praise reflects a growing sentiment among athletes who have come to Prince George to experience the trail for the first time.

Pascale Paradis, a biathlete from Canmore, Alberta, said she arrived with high expectations after hearing positive reviews from fellow competitors. Those expectations, she said, have been exceeded.

“This is my first time here,” Paradis said. “Everyone was really hyping it up, and it is definitely living up to the hype so far. For a roller ski track, it’s so good. I’m very surprised.”

Paradis noted that communities such as Canmore and Whistler have traditionally been viewed as major Canadian hubs for biathlon training. Seeing Prince George emerge as another destination is an encouraging sign for the sport’s future, she said.

“Because I think of Whistler and Canmore as the hubs of biathlon per se,” she said. “And then to have Prince George now have a phenomenal facility is so cool to see.”

She added that expanding access to high-quality training venues across Canada is essential for the continued growth of biathlon, particularly in a sport where specialized infrastructure can be difficult to find.

“I feel like we really need that in Canada, just more areas for people to do it because that’s such a limiting factor for our sport,” Paradis said.

For athletes training at an elite level, access to summer and off-season facilities can make a significant difference. Roller skiing allows competitors to replicate the physical demands of skiing long before snow arrives, providing opportunities to build endurance, technique and race-specific skills.

McCulloch said the Otway facility offers exactly that type of environment.

“This just opens up more training abilities and being able to get that repetition of working at a high speed, working at an all-out intensity,” he said. “Being able to sustain 90 per cent of max effort for an hour out here, it’s a really good opportunity to work on those sorts of things.”

The growing attention surrounding the facility highlights how far the Otway Nordic Ski Club has come in recent years. Long recognized as one of northern British Columbia’s premier winter recreation destinations, the centre has steadily expanded its offerings and attracted larger events.

The roller ski track represents a major step forward, transforming the venue into a year-round destination capable of supporting athletes at a high level regardless of the season.

For local organizers, the benefits extend beyond competition. Hosting athletes from across the continent introduces visitors to Prince George, boosts tourism and helps inspire the next generation of local skiers and biathletes.

Pettersen believes the facility is now positioned to pursue even larger opportunities.

“What we’d love to see is everything from the regional or North American competitions and being able to attract athlete competitions over from Europe,” he said.

He said collaboration with established training centres in Whistler and Canmore could help Western Canada become an increasingly attractive destination for the international biathlon community.

With world-class facilities now spread across several Canadian locations, Pettersen believes the foundation exists to host more prestigious competitions and training camps in the years ahead.

For now, however, the focus remains on the hundreds of athletes preparing for this weekend’s event.

As competitors sped around the winding paved course Friday, the excitement was evident. For newcomers experiencing the track for the first time, and for organizers who have spent years bringing the project to life, the event served as proof that Prince George has become a significant stop on the North American biathlon circuit.

And if the athletes’ reviews are any indication, the Otway roller ski track may already be earning a reputation that extends far beyond Canada’s borders.

by Cheryl Jahn

Biathletes showcase Otway’s paved track

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