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Winter Destination 2009 – Cross-country skiing second to none
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 by GetawayBC.com
BC’s South Cariboo region boasts one of the largest cross-country ski networks in Canada with over 150 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails and is home of the world’s largest pair of cross-country skis.
A vast number of trails and thousands of square kilometres of untamed wilderness makes the South Cariboo region a cross-country ski mecca for families and sports enthusiasts from all over the world.
With dry interior snow and plenty of motel and resort accommodations, 100 Mile, combined with the 108 Ranch, is the “Cariboo’s Nordic skiing capital.”
The two areas of 99 Mile and 108 Mile Ranch offer an outstanding network of groomed trails.
The 99 Mile trails are set up in round-trip loops from one to 20 kilometres in length and about 3.5 kilometres of trail are lit for night skiing. There is also an adventure trail for the young ones.
The 100 Mile Nordics Cross-Country Ski Club offers a wide range of lessons and programs and their crews ensure trails that are well-groomed and marked for easy accessibility and safety.
The club hosts the well-known Cariboo Marathon in February that attracts skiers from all over the world each year. Skiers get the opportunity to test their skills at various levels including skiing distances of 10-, 20-, 30- or the full 50-kilometre marathon.
The Nordics also host one race of the BC Cup Series each winter. There is no admission cost for those who want to go watch top-flight competition, and the race distances will range from one to 10 kilometres.
The Hills Health Ranch offers great skiing conditions combined with a spectacular world-class nordic ski facility. The resort offers an extensive 150-kilometre community trail network that is equally divided between beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels. The terrain ranges from wide open spaces through gently rolling countryside to challenging descents on a 20,000-acre land base with up to 1,000 vertical feet in varying elevation.
The South Cariboo is an easy five-hour drive from Vancouver.