Get ready for great skiing action with the first ski event of the year in Canada at the Second Annual Dawn Mountain Challenge happening later this month.

On November 28 and 29, the Dawn Mountain Challenge (DMC) returns to kick off the winter season with two unique Nordic ski race events. After an extremely successful inaugural event last year, the Golden Nordic Club and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR) events team are excited announce this year’s event.

“The Dawn Mountain Challenge is the culmination of years of lusting and yearning for a fun, non sanctioned early season ski festival in Golden, BC,” said Troy Hudson, Race Chief for the DMC, in a recent press release.

Hudson explained that with the race in its second year and with great co-operation from KHMR, the Nordic Club was able to expand and grow the race.

“We have increased the length of the race and have almost doubled the size of the loop providing a safer, but action packed course for spectators.”

The upgraded course also allows competitors a passing opportunity, something that Hudson said was a big priority this year.

Sanne van der Ros, volunteer Jack Rabbits coach for the Nordic Club and the club’s Events Co-ordinator, said that this fall she started getting more involved with the events and communications side of things with the club.

“I missed least years’ event and I am so excited to be a part of it this year. I am really thrilled about it. We are lucky to have a lot of volunteers that provide support and help to make this event a success,” she said.

Jordan Petrovics, events Manager for KHMR, said that the resort is excited to welcome back the DMC.

“Last year’s event exceeded all expectations and we are looking forward to making this event even bigger and better this year. We are looking forward to transforming the plaza into a spectator friendly venue and we encourage people to come up and check out the race action.”

The Saturday Night Sprints will be hosted under the lights in the spectator friendly KHMR plaza, on a freshly groomed custom course, complimented with live DJ and après dinner for all the participants at the Day Lodge. On Sunday the Classic Time Trials will take place on the Dawn Mountain Nordic trails.

“With the grants we received this year, the Nordic Club was able to construct a stadium that acts as our start and finish area,” said Hudson, adding, “We also have completed 800 metres of new trail to get our facility to where we wanted it this year.

We’re hoping for lots of snow though we did run the race on six inches last year. We have done a lot more trail grooming pre-season this year to accommodate the early season races.”

Hudson explained that the Nordic Club has been working with the National Ski Team to have a few of their junior athletes competing.

“This is a chance to view some of Canada’s top up and coming talent.”

Saturday night (November 28) will see the sprint challenge start in the KHMR plaza at 4 p.m. The best time for spectators to catch the action will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Sunday, (November 29) the festivities begin at 11 a.m. at the Dawn Mountain stadium. Spectators are welcome, but should come prepared to make the short ski or walk out to the start and finish area. At 2:30 p.m. awards will be presented at the new stage area.

The event is open for 150 Nordic skate and classic participants. With nearly 100 racers attending the inaugural event, participants are encouraged to pre-register soon. Online registration is now available at www.zone4.ca

To volunteer, contact Sanne van der Ross at 250-439-1803, or by email at Sanne_van_der_Ros@hotmail.com.

More information, course profiles, and a downloadable registration package, go to www.goldennordicclub.ca and www.kickinghorseresort.com.