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.
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.
