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ACHO DENE/FORT LIARD
The popularity of snowboarding is continuing to grow in Fort Liard.

Precious Hope of Fort Liard hits the slopes with a snowboard at Powder King Mountain Resort in British Columbia. - photo courtesy of Roslyn Gardner Firth

Between April 5 and 9, 24 students participated in a trip to Powder King Mountain Resort in British Columbia sponsored by the Hamlet of Fort Liard.

The trip was the third in as many years organized by Roslyn Gardner Firth, the hamlet's manager of wellness and recreation.

Every year the number of students participating in the trip has grown, said Gardner Firth. Nine more snowboarders participated this year compared to last year.

"Our numbers are swelling," she said.

The trips to Powder King, located 40 kilometres east of Mackenzie, B.C., are a way to build the hamlet's snowboarding program. Gardner Firth said the goal is to encourage community youth to learn how to snowboard so they have another healthy activity to pursue and can make use of the hamlet's 18 snowboards and accompanying helmets and boots.

The equipment, which Gardner Firth loans out on a day-to-day basis, to youths who want to snowboard on the local Hay Lake Hill, is very popular.

"That equipment was out every single day of the week," she said of March.

During the trip, the students, ranging in age from 10 to 17, had three days on the hill. Approximately eight beginners took lessons, while the more advanced snowboarders headed out on the hill in groups.

The students took full advantage of the trip. They were at the hill every morning by 9:30 a.m. and except for short breaks to eat they snowboarded until the lifts closed at 3:30 p.m.

"They seemed to just totally enjoy themselves," Gardner Firth said.

Even crashes and tumbles on the hill weren't enough to stop the enthusiastic snowboarders.

"If they crash, it's a story," Gardner Firth said with a laugh.

She added one of the most common comments from the students about the trip was, "Oh, I can't wait till we go back."

The interest in snowboarding in the hamlet has been building over the past three years, she said. Having three local youths qualify for snowboarding at this year's Arctic Winter Games definitely added to the excitement around the sport, she said.

Although it's not the snowboarding program's primary goal, Gardner Firth said the hamlet will definitely be looking to train more youths for a chance to compete to qualify for the next Arctic Winter Games. For now, snowboarding season is ending in Fort Liard as the snow melts off of Hay Lake Hill.

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