Cross-Country Friendships
Members of the Slovenian cross-country ski team at China Ridge Recreation Site near Princeton, January, 2009.
One day avid cross-country skier and Princeton resident Ernie Lawrence turned to his wife Marilyn with an idea – why couldn’t Princeton host the Slovenian Olympic cross-country ski team?
A member of the China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association (CRCCSA), Lawrence knew two things: first, the facilities and trails at China Ridge were being upgraded; and second, Princeton resident Nat Brown, a three-time Olympic coach, had actually run the Slovenian program years ago.
What started as a whimsical thought quickly turned into a huge building project — and an international friendship.
The China Ridge Recreation Site is 30 kilometres of ski trails, managed in partnership with the CRCCSA. The CRCCSA used funding from the provincial government to upgrade ski trails and signage, build a new longhouse, replace an emergency shelter, install and repair directional kiosks, upgrade trailhead parking and produce new highway signs. None of the work could have been done without the enthusiasm and hard work of the many volunteers.
"Memories live forever..."
The site ready, Princeton prepared to host the Slovenian Olympic Team in January, 2009. CRCCSA members hosted the team in their homes, local skiers groomed the trails and one club volunteer even made special trail signs with the Slovene flag on them!
The Slovenians were astounded by the warm reception they received and the quality of the trails. In their goodbye letter they wrote, “The days we spent with you were gone too fast, but the memory will live forever.”
The Slovenians might have left, but Princeton had caught the Olympic spirit. More and more people, including youth, have started using the China Ridge recreation area, and Princeton is even seeing tourists from the United States and Europe visit just to use the trails.
And China Ridge will figure front and centre when the Olympic Torch Relay comes through Princeton on this Sunday, February 7. Festivities include a torch relay to the China Ridge trailhead followed by the China Ridge Games – from snowshoeing to Inuit sports to luge and, of course, cross-country skiing.
The trail and building improvements at China Ridge are a legacy of the 2010 Olympic Games for Princeton. But for CRCCSA members, the legacy is the renewed interest in their sport from Princeton youth, and the lasting friendships they have with athletes half a world away.
Enjoy China Ridge Yourself
- Take Highway 5A heading north from Princeton.
- Continue for 1km before turning left onto Coalmont Road
- Follow the newly erected directional signs for 8.5km to the main trailhead (parking available).
For more information about the China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association visit their BC Street booth next to the Richmond Oval during the 2010 Games. Princeton will be showcasing their area from February 26-28. You can also visit the association online at www.chinaridgetrails.com
To find out about other recreation sites and trails in British Columbia, visit www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca.
