Jackrabbits get hopping
Ski program growing in leaps and bounds
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, April 7, 2016
INUVIK
Warmer weather has seen the return of a springtime fixture: jackrabbit skiers flocking to the hill behind town.
Marlo Jenks, left, and Becca Blakeston get ready to take off for their ski lesson March 27 at the Inuvik Ski Club. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo
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"We'll run until the snow is gone," said organizer Fraser Pearce, adding that typically happens towards the end of April.
"The loppet is April 10 and the kids will be participating in that, too."
A total of about 30 skiers turned out for practice and lessons March 27, a record for this year, if not for the last few years. "Normally we get about a dozen kids out, and it's been growing steadily."
Jackrabbits, and their younger counterparts the bunnyrabbits, learn skills and improve their skiing techniques before heading out on quick excursions every week at the ski club, weather allowing. The program has seen something of a resurgence in popularity across the territory in the past five or so years.
"I've only been in it a year," said Lotus Scott.
"I fall a lot, which is fun, and I like going downhill. It's really fun."
Olivia Gilmour agreed and said it was fun to ski with her friends.
"I like skiing fast," she said. "This is my first year, but I did it a little last year, too."
Gilmour said she is looking forward to more time spent with friends and family on the trails this spring.
"We've been doing pretty well this season," Pearce said.
"We hoped to start in late October but we didn't have the snow."
The program breaks for Christmas and January because people are out of town and the weather is too cold and, after waiting a few weeks to come back to the hill in February, Pearce said they decided to just go for it despite the cold.
"It turned out great, there wasn't much wind once we got into the trees," he said.
"We've been running it ever since."
