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ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
The Fort Liard Snowboarding Club is getting a head start on its preparations for the 2014 Arctic Winter Games.

Fort Liard snowboarders, from left, Brent Kotchea, Derrick Kotchea, James Duntra, Ross Duntra and Stan Bertrand as well as Briant Kotchea, not seen, listen to instructions from coach Bill Laing during breakfast on Dec. 1 before heading out on the slopes for the day at Powder King Mountain Resort in B.C. - photo courtesy of Jennifer Lukas

From Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 six members of the club practised at Powder King Mountain Resort in northern B.C. The snowboarders are preparing for the territorial trials for the Games, which will be held next winter.

The young male athletes, who are all registered members of the Northern Edge Snowboard Club in Mackenzie B.C., spent their first two days on the slopes with coach Bill Laing. Laing focused on advanced techniques and also gave advice on stretching, workouts and nutrition. On the third day, the snowboarders were free to practise on their own.

Stan Bertrand, 17, has been snowboarding for approximately three years. He's been on every trip that Fort Liard snowboarders have taken to Powder King.

"It's a good sport," said Bertrand. "It keeps me busy."

Bertrand said he learned a lot during this trip including how to improve his turns and stops, ride with different stances and time his jumps correctly.

"You have to bend your knees a lot," he said.

Although snowboarding is an individual sport, Bertrand said it's fun to be on the hills with his friends on the team. We help each other get better and provide support, he said.

"They still cheered for me," said Bertrand about the times when he didn't land his jumps.

Having already competed in the territorial trials for the 2012 Arctic Winter Games, Bertrand said he's looking forward to trying out again. He plans to hone his skills learned at Powder King, especially taking jumps and landing them, on the hill in Fort Liard.

While at Powder King, the snowboarders took advantage of every moment the hill was open. Despite being on the slopes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, it didn't seem like a long time, said Ross Duntra.

"It went by really fast," he said.

Pop higher

Duntra, 16, has been snowboarding for three years. During the trip, he learned how to do his 360- and 180-degree turns better and how to pop higher for grab tricks. The 360s are Duntra's preferred trick.

"It feels good when you land," he said.

The trips to Powder King are important to the snowboarders as individuals and as a team, said Collin Woehl, who helps coach the Fort Liard Snowboarding Club.

"They really learn to overcome their fears and try something new," said Woehl.

"They are taking a lot from it."

Back in Fort Liard the snowboarding season is just warming up.

Dry land training began in October and now coaches are gathering snowboarders once a week and transporting them to the Hay Lake ski hill to practise. Coaches will be offering instruction for any beginners who want to try the sport, said Woehl.

"They are all fast learners. They are all really athletic," he said about Fort Liard youths.

The club has made improvements to the ski hill including placing two rails and making plans for a third and creating a big air jump along with a few smaller jumps. Because of the size of the gear, the club says youths must be approximately 12 years old or older to participate.

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