LAKELAND - Cross country skiing coach Les Parsons has worked with Olympic athletes for a number of years - coaching the likes of Alberta's own Beckie Scott and Quebec's Alex Harvey. About a year ago, Parsons moved to Bonnyville, where he is now working on growing the sport he loves on a much more grassroots level.
With existing cross country skiing clubs in other communities throughout the Lakeland, such as St. Paul and Lac La Biche, Parsons is hoping to create a community of skiers in the Bonyville-Cold Lake region. But, his overall vision encompasses the entire Lakeland. He foresees people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities coming together to enjoy the winter sport.
Parsons says he's had a lot of people express interest in learning about cross country skiing since moving to Bonnyville.
“My heart is with developing people on skis and having fun,” he says, adding, 99 per cent of the skiers in Canada are recreational skiers.
There are already a few established trails and athletes in the area. A couple of events were held just last year out at the Muriel Lake trail, and they were "super popular," says Parsons. When the region hosted the Alberta Winter Games 10 years ago, some of the trails were rebuilt in the area, and they are really high calibre ski trails.
Parsons is an advocate of the sport for a number of reasons. The sport is affordable, and is family-friendly. He describes it as a "sport for life." Northeastern Alberta also has the perfect climate and conditions to have a successful ski program.
Parsons says work is already being done to work with the Lakeland Cross Country Ski Club, which is based out of St. Paul.
He believes there could also be economic benefits to growing the sport in the Lakeland. If another club is established, larger events could be held, and that would draw more people to the area. Parsons believes there is "huge potential" in drawing tourists to the area with world-class cross country ski trails.
And for those living in the area, Parsons hopes to be able to offer a variety of programs for people of all ages. He would also like to find a way to set up a ski rental program, like what is being done in St. Paul. Programs would focus on the needs of the people in the region.
Parsons acknowledges that many people don't love the colder winter months. It's simply easier for people to get out and be active in the summer months, but he hopes to change that. He says one of his missions is to reduce the amount of time people spend in front of screens. While he may be fighting a losing battle some days, he is nonetheless working toward his goal.
He points to the health benefits associated with simply being outside. There's also the fun factor with gliding down a hill, he adds. Then, there's the convenience of skiing trails in the region, and getting home in time for supper. "We don't have to go to Jasper to cross country ski."
Since returning to the region, Parsons has also been busy working with Spirit North, an organization that focuses on land-based activities to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous youth. He works in First Nations communities across the Lakeland. Right now, he's working with schools doing the Terry Fox Run and cross country running, and as the temperature starts to drop, that focus will shift to skiing.
Parsons would like to bring people from all backgrounds together through his love of cross country skiing. He wants to build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities - creating a larger cross country skiing community, filled with like-minded people who love the outdoors.
Cross country ski trails do already exist throughout the region, from the Muriel Lake trail that is maintained by the M.D. of Bonnyville, to the trails maintained by the Lakeland Cross Country Ski Club near St. Paul, including the WengzynowSKI Ranch trails and trails on the St. Paul Golf Course. There is a trail at Cold Lake Golf Course located on the 4-Wing base, and one at Cold Lake Provincial Park.
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park and Shaw Lake Provincial Park near Lac La Biche also have trails. Then, there are private trails scattered throughout the region.
Parsons is now looking for more people who would like to get involved in cross country skiing, specifically in the Bonnyville-Cold Lake region. While everyone is invited to attend, a meeting to discuss the possibility of starting a club in the area is being held on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place at the C2 Centre in Bonnyville, with social distancing measures in place. It will also be streamed online via the Zoom platform.
The meeting will determine if there is enough interest in the community to start a Bonnyville-Cold Lake Cross Country Ski Club, says Parsons.
