Biathlon

Surrounded by ideal geography, terrain, elevation and weather for biathlon training and competition, the sport has been under going great growth in the region.

With over a hundred kilometers of existing groomed competition ready nordic skiing trails already in place, the 2005 BC Winter Games provided the stimulus to boost the sport to the next level. As a legacy of the 2005 games the Hanna Creek Biathlon Range was constructed adjacent to and connecting with the Black Jack Nordic Ski Club. Adding a four kliometre loop and 15 shooting targets for the games the facility is scheduled for an updrade with funding in place to expand to national team standards growing to a 5 km loop and 22 shooting lanes.

A young and growing biathlon competition program coached by the regions most well established biathlon athlete's father, George Apel has been creating new athletes as well as converting the strong existing nordic ski contingent to biathlon competitors. 

With trails situated been altitudes of 1,250 and 1,450 meters the region is a premiere nordic ski and biathlon destination.

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Featured Athlete
Jytte Apel

Jytte Apel, a Castlegar native grew up in the mountains of the Kootenays and has been making a name for herself on the Biathlon circuit as a promising up and comer. Developing her talents at the Hannah Creek Biathlon Range under the tutelage of biathlon team coach George Apel she has gone on to compete in 3 Canada Winter Games and now represents the University of Alberta Augustana Campus`s Biathlon team and will be competing at the World University Games in China in 2009.

Hanna Creek Biathlon Range

Located at the ideal training altitude, ranging between 1,250 and 1,450 metres (4,200 to 4,800 feet) above sea level, Hanna Creek features a 4km groomed loop trail, selection of 9m wide competition trails and 25 shooting lanes located under the surrounding Monashee Mountains.

Opened in 2006 to host the BC Winter Games, the range underwent an expansion to bring it up to National Team standards including lengthening the trail loop to 5km and increasing the shooting lanes from 15 to 25, and purchasing new certified targets and mats with continual grooming possible.

Hosting Portfolio: 
  • BC Winter Games-2006
Fast Facts: 

Groomed Trails: 4km (connected to Black Jack Club`s 30+ km of groomed trails)
Elevation
: 1,420-1,500 meters
Average Snowfall
: 750cm / 300 in
Season
: Early November –Late April Shooting Lanes: 15 expanding to 22
Shooting Lanes: 25

Location: 

12 km from downtown Rossland, Hanna Creek is a 15 minute drive from Rossland and located 8 km from the Black Jack Nordic Club and 20 km from the Castlegar Nordic Club. The Nordic ski destination is only a twenty minute drive north of the Canada/US Border, a 2.5 hour drive from Spokane International Airport (Washington State) and 3.5 hour drive from Kelowna International Airport. Red is easily accessible from major airports from both Canada and the United States. The Trail regional airport is a 20 minute drive, and Castlegar regional airport is a 30 minute drive.

Weather: 

Average winter temperature: -5 degrees
Celsius Low -20 degrees - Celsius, High +5
750cm + Annual Snowfall

Facility Specs: 
Year completed 2006
Seating capacity 200-500
Parking capacity 80
Medical room No
Warm up area 500m loop
Licensed for alcohol No
Official rooms Tents
Food services No
Dressing rooms Tents
   
Facility Specs: 
Scoreboard Portable
Sound system Portable
Owner Public
Office space No
Weight room / fitness facility No
Equipment storage Tents
Ticket box No
Media room No
Internet capability No
Hospitality room No
Contact Info: 
Hanna Creek Biathlon Range Contact: George Apel – Coach
Hwy 3B – 12km from Rossland e: gapel@telus.net
Rossland, BC p: 1-250-365-7653
VOG 1Y0 www.skiblackjack.ca