An official opening ceremony for the Powder Ventures cross course at Sun Peaks Resort kicked off an exciting weekend, just before racers for the TELUS Nancy Greene Alpine Classic (TNGAC) began their training.
Just after noon on Friday, Jan. 24, Olympic champion Kelsey Serwa appeared at the top of the course to cut the ribbon and kickstart two races.
The Powder Ventures cross course has been open to the public since its introductory use for the Speed Nation NorAm Snowboard Cross event, although its opening has only now been made official.
At the Powder Ventures cross course opening event
On a clear day with the sun shining overhead, the top of the course hosted a crowd including photographers, racers, volunteers for the looming TNGAC, Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) representatives, three-time Olympian Nancy Greene Raine and Powder Ventures Excavating’s owner and operator Jason White.
Sports programs and activities director for SPR Tim Foster spoke to the group on behalf of SPR and recognized chief marker officer Aaron Macdonald’s contribution to the project before introducing Jason White who thanked Macdonald as well, for negotiations and ensuring a return on investment for Powder Ventures Excavating.
After thanking the operators and designer of the course, White added, “Powder Ventures and our group … will always have built this forever, and that’s the most important thing to us.”
Greene Raine’s speech followed, with a special thanks to Serwa, for appearing to cut the ribbon at the start line and racing alongside Jason White to break in the course.
“This course that’s been built isn’t just for the hardcore, big time athletes….” Greene Raine said. “The beautiful thing about what’s being designed is it can be kind of quieted down a little bit and made fun for every single person on the mountain.”
After the opening ceremony closed, the course became the site of training for the TNGAC and the race location the day following.
It’s now open for the public to experience at whatever pace they choose, located to the left of Sundowner.
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