Teck Kootenay Cup - Results & Media Release

Despite the less than perfect weather conditions, Black Jack Ski Club hosted a successful Teck Kootenay Cup 1&2 on Jan 14th and 15th. Thanks to an abundant snowfall early season and the tremendous effort of our groomer, the racecourses were in excellent condition for the event. Black Jack welcomed 147 participants to the event from clubs from all over the Kootenay region including Black Jack (Rossland), Nelson, Kimberley, Fernie, Golden, Toby Creek (Invermere), and Grand Forks. It was very exciting to see a team from Montana participate as well.

• Check out the results on Zone 4 at this link.

• Check out the Media Release for more details.

Thank you to an incredible crew of volunteers, sponsors, coaches, skiers, and supportive families for making this weekend possible!

Membership Prize Contest - Enter by January 9th!

In recognition of our membership drive for 2022/23, Cross Country BC awarded Black Jack Ski Club a prize of two nights stay at The Pinnacles Suites at Silver Star Mountain, valued at up to $958. 

Interested in this prize? We will randomly award the prize to a Black Jack Ski Club member who enters their name using the online form. Every member counted to win the CCBC contest, so every Black Jack Ski Club member is eligible to enter their name for the prize.

You can check availability at The Pinnacles Suites at Silver Star Mountain to see if your schedule lines up with their options. We want to ensure this prize goes to a BJSC member who can use it, so don't enter the draw if you don't think you can use it. 

Entry closes Monday January 9th, 2023 at midnight.  Winner will be contacted via email.

Enter the contest by filling out the google form at this link.

Note: prize cannot be used on long weekends and is subject to availability. Expires April 10, 2023. Must be used for two nights. Cannot be used in combination with other promotions and has no cash value.

Names entered will be checked within our Black Jack Membership list for 2022/23 before the prize is awarded.

Since all members contributed to our winning the CCBC contest, all Black Jack Ski Club members are eligible to enter the draw. Whether you are one or eighty-one, ski a few times a month or every day, work for the club as a volunteer or paid employee, you are invited to enter your name. As long as you will be able to use the prize, you are invited to enter the draw.

Take the Ski Bus to Black Jack

The Rossland Ski Bus is coming to Black Jack this season!

Catch it Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays on the 11 am and 2 pm loops. Find all the details on fares, schedules, and sponsors at rosslandskibus.ca.

Kootenay Cup - January 14 & 15, 2023

Black Jack is hosting a Kootenay Cup race on January 14 & 15, 2023. 

Check out the race notice at this link for all the details. 

Register on Zone 4: https://zone4.ca/event/2023/EAFA86DE/

The Josie Hotel and Nowhere Special hostel have accommodations specials for Kootenay Cup participants. 

We are also looking for volunteers — contact Adele at adelepratt@hotmail.com if you can help out!

Photo thanks to Valhalla Images.

Course Maps:

1 km Course

2.5 km Classic

3 km Course

5 km Classic

5 km Skate

Make Your Voice Heard: Rossland Recreation Master plan feedback

The first draft of the City of Rossland Recreation Master plan is now available to view here. The Black Jack board is pleased to see the emphasis on the value of trails, including our network, and overall alignment with our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. The Recreation plan prioritises improved trailhead amenities and trails, but we are concerned that the opportunity to integrate these improvements with Black Jack Ski Club are not front of mind.

We encourage you to complete the feedback survey before the closing date of December 14. 

For Section 7/8 (Outdoor Facility Priorities), Section 9/10 (Top 10 Priorities) and Section 13 (Final Thoughts), we suggest the following actions:

• Strongly agree with the priority to “Support a thriving trails network”

• Comment on why you agree, including reference to:

  • Support for the development of Black Jack Ski Club’s trailhead facilities and their year-round potential

  • Development of beginner / accessible skis trails, with potential for year-round use as granular (gravel) xc walking / hiking / biking trails

  • Access between Black Jack and Red Mountain

Extended comments on the draft plan:

• We are pleased to see the call to support a thriving trail network, including trails in surrounding areas (pg. 65). We encourage the City to plan for year-round use (as identified by council - pg. 41) by designing trails that serve as beginner / accessible skis trails, with potential for year-round use as granular (gravel) xc walking / hiking / biking trails. New trails could improve the connection between BJSC and Red Mountain, or increase the recreation potential around the Ophir Reservoir. 

• We strongly agree with the importance of developing adequate trailhead facilities to support our outstanding trail networks. Louis Joe, Railgrade, and Old Wagon Rd are listed as potential priority trailheads (pg. 140). We have recently initiated a major infrastructure initiative for the Black Jack main trailhead, including the design and development of a new lodge. We hope the City of Rossland can partner with us to realise this project. Already this trailhead is a year-round destination, with ever-increasing visits to Thin Air Disc Golf. Following the addition of Mxiɬp Xewílh and the revamping of the Aqueduct and Adventure trails, the potential for this area as a recreation hub is only growing.

• Regional collaboration is identified as an opportunity (pg. 18) and supporting collaboration between trails groups is recommended (pg. 65). BJSC would like to emphasise the growing need for regional coordination as trail networks and user groups grow, and call upon the City of Rossland to take a leadership role in this realm.

• Strengthening partnerships with community groups is listed as a top 10 priority (pg. 83, 96). BJSC would welcome training and support for Black Jack’s volunteers to improve our fundraising and long-term planning capacity.

• The importance of BJSC as a core recreation asset is made clear by the usage figures (pg. 120): Just under 50% of respondents visit BJSC weekly, and roughly 25% visit 3+ times per week. Our membership numbers are approaching 1000 for the third straight year, reflecting the rise in flexible, unstructured activities noted more broadly in the trends analysis (pg. 115).

• We would like to applaud the beginner ski programming coordinated by the City in partnership with BJSC. These classes have received excellent community uptake. We would like to see these programs continue alongside potential new programming (pg. 80).

• Less than 10% of residents responded to the survey (pg. 14). Given the importance of recreation to our city, we’d like to see greater participation in this important planning project.

Help us win the CCBC Membership Contest!

Last Place to First!! Black Jack Moves Up in Cross Country BC Membership Contest – Contest Closes Midnight Dec 1st

Get your pass and help Black Jack win! 

Bonus incentive:  Two lucky 2022/23 Black Jack passholders, as of midnight December 1st, will win a $50 Rossland Outdoor Gift Certificate!

It’s a classic underdog story! Just after going live with 2022/23 online season pass sales, a technology vendor's system update took down our system. Black Jack quickly fell into last place in the Cross Country BC Membership Contest.

Once things were resolved and the early bird pass deadline extended, Black Jack members were energized! In a move that surprised CCBC and all other Group C Clubs (500-1000 members), we quickly climbed the ranks. Things got exciting when we were in second. But now ... BLACK JACK IS IN FIRST PLACE! The deadline is midnight Dec. 1st.

Let's hang onto this lead and finish in first place! No doubt all other Group C Clubs are pulling out the stops. Please buy your pass before December 1st and talk to friends contemplating a pass this season. If Black Jack wins, this will be our first Membership Contest win but more importantly, it shows more and more people are joining the Black Jack community to enjoy winter and our beautiful trail system and facilities.

• Golden Age skiers (75+) and children 5 and under get a free membership, so their registration price is juts the $1.50 Zone 4 fee, plus the CCBC/NC membership fee of $19. (Note: the CCBC/NC fee does not apply for skiers already registered with other clubs or other programs, such as Bunnies and Jack Rabbits,)

• Did you purchase an early bird Individual membership and wish you had a Family membership? Connect with “info at skiblackjack.ca” before Dec 01 to upgrade to a Family membership at our early bird rate.

Click here to access our registration page on Zone 4.

Black Jack November 2022 Newsletter

Official Opening Day | Membership Contest | QR Code for Tickets, and more … read on!

Upcoming AGM Tuesday, Dec 6, 7-8 pm, via Zoom

Season Pass Early Bird Rate Extended to November 15

Get your Season Pass at an Early Bird Rate until November 15! 

Head over to https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=29843&lan=1&cartlevel=1 to get your pass! 

We extended the deadline after a system update at our payment processing vendor knocked the online pass system offline for a few days in October. 

Bunnies & Jackrabbits Registration

Registration is open for Bunnies and Jackrabbits!

Kids ages 3 to 10 learn skiing skills while having fun with friends! We are a welcoming community and want kids of all abilities to join us! Our program aims to develop a love of this sport for lifelong enjoyment.

Bunnies, for ages 3 to 5, runs Sunday morning from January to March.

Jackrabbits, for ages 6 to 10, runs Tuesdays evenings and Sundays mornings, from December to March. Check out our program information document for more details. 

Ready to register? Head over to Zone 4 to get signed up! 

Questions about our program, equipment, or how your kids would fit in? Contact our program coordinator, Karina, at blackjack.bunniesjackrabbits@gmail.com. 

Black Jack October 2022 Newsletter

Early Bird Pass Deadline Extended to Nov 15th, Team Black Jack Branded Jakroo Clothing, Skier Development - Early Season Adult Clinics & More, New Trail Maps, Event Calendar 2022/23 Season, and more … read on!

Black Jack Ski Club Fall 2022 Newsletter

Biathlon Cabin Upgrades, Trail Work & Development, 2022/23 Season Pass Prices, Nov 5th Ski Swap & Skier Development News, Tribute to a Valued Volunteer Orin Jornat, Volunteer Spotlight - Volunteer Coordinator, and more … read on!

Join our Fall Trail Crew!

Black Jack Employment Opportunities

Thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust Job Experience Grant, Black Jack is again hiring a Trail Maintenance Crew for this fall. Biathlon Cabin is due for an update, we are replacing trail signage and, as always, there is lots of maintenance to existing trails and infrastructure. 

We are hiring one Team Lead and two Crew Members for 9 weeks from late August through the end of October. 

Applicants can send their resume and a short cover letter to russell.vinegar@gmail.com

Job descriptions:

Trail Crew Team Lead

Trail Crew Member

Brushing trails is just one part of the job!

Skier Development Program 2022/2023 Season Registration

Registration for Skier Development Program (SDP) is open for Track Attack, Racers and Biathlon on Zone 4: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=28993

A separate registration for Bunnies and Jackrabbits will be available in the fall.

Follow this link for more details on registration and the programs.

We are looking for a new Head Coach

Greg Kilroy is moving on to other endeavors at the end of this season. We wish him all the best and appreciate all his efforts and excellent coaching over the past two seasons!

We are searching for a new Head Coach. Follow this link to see the full job description. Application deadline is March 19, 2022.

The key responsibilities of the Head Coach are:

• Plan and deliver athlete programing with individualized training plans, suited to the needs of each athlete.

• Support Skier Development Director on technical issues. Ensure alignment of all levels of the program including Racers, Jackrabbits and Track Attack.

• Provide mentorship to other Black Jack coaches and ensure communication is maintaine with other Coaches outside of the club for the benefit of the program (ie organizing camps).

• Support the organization of camps, races and other events.

• Attend races providing leadership, coaching support, wax determination, logistics, direction to parent / coach volunteers, and other tasks as needed.

2022 Loppet is on! Join us February 19th!

We had a great race day! Race Results are posted at this link!

If you see any errors or changes needed to the race results, please email blackjack.socialmedia@gmail.com.

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Saturday February 19th join us and challenge yourself on the 3 km, 10 km or 30 km course! 

9 am: Registration opens 

10 am: Mass start for those who wish, and courses opens to ski when you want to

3 pm: Registration closes

5 pm: Courses closes

In lieu of a registration fee, skiers are encouraged to buy $10 of 50/50 tickets from Cross Country BC, online in advance or at the loppet registration. 

Registration includes a chocolate medal from Mountain Nugget and door prizes. There will be a beverage table at the finish line for all skiers. 30 km skiers must be self-supported on course. 

Volunteers are needed for the registration and refreshment tables for 3-hour shifts between 9 am and 5 pm. Please contact Adele at adelepratt@hotmail.com if you can help out.

Course Maps

View or download the 1 km, 3 km, and 10 km maps here.

The 30 km (2 x 15 km) Course Map below can also be found on Trail Forks.

Lakehead University Sport Psychology Research Study-Volunteers needed

Hi there,

We are currently recruiting recreational trail runners and cross-country skiers to participate in a research project entitled, Enhancing Perceived Restorativeness and Nature Relatedness Among Green Exercisers: The Interactive Roles of Motivation and Mindfulness. The purpose of this letter is to describe this study and to ask if you would be willing to collaborate with us in the identification of potential participants.

What is this Project?

The purpose of this project is to investigate how motivation and awareness during trail running and cross-country skiing interact to predict mental health-related benefits of these activities. Kennedy Hamilton is a student in the Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology program at Lakehead University. This project represents the thesis that is required by that program.

What Does Taking Part in this Project Involve?

Participation in this project involves the completion of an online survey comprised of five questionnaires. The questionnaires ask participants about their background in trail running or cross-country skiing, experiences during these activities, motivation to do these activities, and their connection with nature. It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete the survey. Here’s a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XYY9ZL7

Who Are We Looking For?

We are looking to recruit individuals who are over the age of 16 years and who currently participate in recreational trail running or cross-country skiing.

How can you help?

We would greatly appreciate it if you could help us recruit recreational trail runners and cross-country skiers to take part in our study. This would involve distributing a promotional poster and sharing the online survey link. Both could be done through various formats (e.g., email, videoconferencing, or in-person). To facilitate the process, we’ve developed a script for you to use when promoting the study. This text could be easily copied into an email or read out loud.

Take note, we will not be able to tell you if any specific individual decided to participate in the study or provide you with results based on data from any specific individual. However, we would gladly provide you with a summary of the general results of the study and discuss those results with you.

The study has been approved by the School of Kinesiology’s Research Ethics Committee. If you have any questions related to the ethics of this research and would like to speak to someone outside of the research team, please contact the Chair of that committee: Dr. Paolo Sanzo (807-343-8647; paolo.sanzo@lakeheadu.ca).

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing back from you.

The Research Team 

Kennedy Hamilton

Student Researcher

kahamilt@lakeheadu.ca

807 632-3626

Dr. John Gotwals

Faculty Supervisor

john.gotwals@lakeheadu.ca

807 346-7952