Tag: mother’s day

  • May Skiing in Canada (and Abroad) in Photos

    May Skiing in Canada (and Abroad) in Photos

    The BC development team getting ready to ski out of the biathlon stadium at Whistler Olympic Park last weekend.

    While most people have moved on to other sports by May, the more obsessive skiers are starting the new training year on snow.

    Canada’s “first” cross-country ski “races” of the 2017/2018 season were held on May 6. “First” because, while we haven’t exhaustively researched this, it was the first Saturday after May 1, which is the traditional new year for the Northern Hemisphere. “Races” is also a bit misleading as most athletes were viewing the events as an opportunity to do some intensity.

    Here then, in the order which photos arrived, are the places where people are skiing in May. Did we miss one? Share in the comments below or email photos with caption and credit info to info@fasterskier.com.

    Sovereign Lake, Vernon, B.C.

    The Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre (SLNC) re-opened from May 4 to 7 for the Spring Fling camp and the SLNC 1st Annual Pushups Classic Time Trial” race. The May camp has been running for years, but was moved to earlier in the month to ensure prime conditions. A number of clubs brought athletes out for technique lessons and long snow sessions. Canmore Nordic broke the pattern by focussing on low-elevation training with shorter training sessions. As the Canmore athletes live at 1,400 metres above sea level, the opportunity to train at 400 metres was more exciting than skiing at 1,700 metres.

    Canmore, Alberta

    The Canmore Nordic Centre lost its snow at the end of April, but Sunshine Meadows just a short drive west in Banff National Park hosted a large group of skiers starting May 9. Ivan Babikov is leading a training block for the Canmore-based national team members, Chris Jeffries has the Alberta World Cup Academy crew, and a number of other groups are there as well.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BT7dTJHjPhS/?taken-by=andrewkchisholm

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BT7TVIfFWrc/

    Sjusjøen, Norway

    OK, not in Canada, but Canadians Dahria Beatty and Russell Kennedy went and enjoyed some superb skiing conditions. They raced at Bysprinten in Mosjøen, Norway, and then moved on to Sjusjøen’s 100 kilometres of trails.

    Menihek, Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador

    The Menihek Nordic Ski Club is officially closed, but has snow and will set track for Mother’s Day, according to club president Gerry Rideout.

    Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler, B.C.

    This venue is closed to the public, but has been hosting camps on natural snow. Biathlon got the first weekend of May and cross-country has the Victoria Day weekend. These photos are from the biathlon camp on the Olympic trails, mostly below 900 metres in elevation.

  • The Woman Behind the Athlete: A Photo Gallery for Mom

    The Woman Behind the Athlete: A Photo Gallery for Mom

    Think you’re (insert favorite U.S. or Canadian skier’s name here) biggest fan? It’s no competition when you’ve got mom to compete with, and the feeling is mutual for many North American national-team members.

    Some of the top skiers in the U.S. and Canada have more to thank their moms for than just good genetics, so we asked in honor of Mother’s Day: “What role did you mom play in your development as a skier?”

  • Make This For Mom: Wheaties Bars

    Make This For Mom: Wheaties Bars

    Wheaties Nougat Bars by from Betty Crocker's 1959 guide. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/wheaties-nougat-bars/f6399562-7087-42a7-a755-aaed748f3a31
    Wheaties Nougat Bars by from Betty Crocker’s 1959 guide. (Photo and recipe: BettyCrocker.com)

    Not so fast — this won’t exactly count as a Mothers’ Day gift, but if you’re looking to do something extra sweet for mom on Sunday, then give these Wheaties bars a try.

    These were my favorite go-to dessert to make growing up: just a couple ingredients, no cooking necessary, and the word “breakfast” made me think they were healthy. While they’re not the most decadent thing you could eat, they might not be the best breakfast choice, either (but on Mother’s Day, anything goes!)

    I whipped these up today without chocolate on top so that mom could eat these for breakfast (she’ll freak if there’s chocolate). I’ve included a second recipe found in a 1959 Betty Crocker cookbook, which includes other options for sweets (marshmallows, nuts and shredded coconut) and no corn syrup.

    Do you have a recipe or recommendations for things to do with Mom on Mother’s Day? Email alex@fasterskier.com and we’ll publish them this weekend!

    — Alex (Matthews) Kochon

     1. Wheaties Breakfast of Champions Bars

    (adapted from the back of a Wheaties box)

    You need:

    10 c. Wheaties cereal

    3/4 c. sugar

    3/4 c. light corn syrup

    1/4 c. olive oil

    1/4 c. peanut butter

    1/4 c. honey

    1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

    1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

    1 c. butterscotch or peanut butter chips

    (You can also cut the recipe in half and make in a smaller 8 or 9” pan.)

     

    Instructions:

    • Grease a 13 x 9” pan. Measure cereal into large bowl; set aside.
    • In medium microwavable bowl, combine sugar, corn syrup and olive oil and microwave on high for about 2 minutes, stirring after a minute until melted and smooth. (Can also heat in a saucepan on a stove over medium heat, stirring frequently.)
    • Add peanut butter; stir until smooth (microwave for another 30-45 seconds if peanut butter is cold.) Stir in honey.
    • Pour entire mixture over cereal in bowl; stir until evenly coated.
    • Transfer and press cereal mix into pan.
    • Microwave chips in small microwaveable bowl, uncovered on high for about 2 minutes (stir after 1 minute) until melted and smooth.
    • Spread melted chips over bars.
    • Refrigerate, covered loosely with plastic wrap, until firm (at least an hour).

     

    2. Wheaties Nougat Bars:

    You need:

    3 tablespoons butter (or margarine or olive oil)

    8 oz. regular marshmallows (4 c.)

    4 c. Wheaties cereal

    1/2 c. coarsely chopped nuts

    1/2 c. shredded coconut

    1/2 teaspoon salt

    4 oz. sweet or semisweet baking chocolate, melted

     

    Instructions:

    • Butter 8 or 9” square pan
    • In double boiler over hot water or in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and marshmallows, stirring occasionally, until completely melted. Remove from heat.
    • Fold in cereal, nuts, coconut and salt. Pat mixture evenly in pan.
    • Pour melted chocolate over top; spread evenly. Refrigerate about one hour before cutting into 4 rows by 3 rows.