Winter isn鈥檛 over just yet and the scene of over 200 skiers competing at the Nickel Plate Nordic Centre this Sunday will prove it.
The South Okanagan hill will be home to hundreds of competitive skiers on Sunday (March 14) for the second edition of this year鈥檚 Teck Okanagan Cup, an annual tournament sanctioned by Cross Country BC.
Located 45 minutes southwest of Penticton and six kilometres past Apex Village, the Nordic Centre will welcome athletes of all ages for a free skate-style cross country event starting at 11 a.m.
Skiers aged seven and up are expected to attend the Okanagan-based tournament.
The hill鈥檚 impressive elevation of 1,800 metres has remained a selling point for sanctioned ski tournaments in the province and it even grabbed the attention of Canada鈥檚 Para Nordic Team, who trained at the centre ahead of its appearance at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics.
READ ALSO: 鈥業mmensely proud鈥�: Canada鈥檚 Para Nordic team training for Beijing 2022 near Penticton
Race secretary Ryan Hayden told the Western News that it is still unknown how many skiers from across the region will touch down at Nickel Plate for the event as people continue to register. But as of March 10, the number has surpassed 200.
Hayden will have the honour of awarding medals and ribbons to the day鈥檚 top skiers.
鈥淢any racers and volunteers from the club will be on hand to compete and ensure a successful event for all participants,鈥� he added.
As opposed to taking part in the cross country event categorized as 鈥渃lassic,鈥� competitors on Sunday are set to participate in a free skate tournament.
Skiers who finish in a top-three position within their respective age group will be awarded.
Entries for the event were accepted until March 8.
For more information on all of the upcoming festivities at the centre, people are asked to visit the competition鈥檚 information page.
@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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