A skier enjoys the snowy trails in La Mauricie National Park, Quebec. A bluebird day for telemark skiing at lake Louise. Photo: A. Sullivan
March is coming in like a lion. It has been snowing in the West and remains cold and snowy in the East. What a crazy winter. Will we be skiing in April? This is my favourite time of year. Whether or not it has been a good winter, this is the time of year when upper-level courses produce newly certified Level IIIs and IVs. It is exciting to see the hard work and perseverance pay off. On that note, I'd like to congratulate: • Chris Clarke, Michel Tessier and Charlie Schrama for achieving the CANSI XC Level IV certification at Canmore, Alberta. • Jean-Sebastien Thibault for (re?)certifying his CANSI XC Level lV at Orford, Quebec. • Katrina Froese and Ihor Barwinsky at Windsor Park, Manitoba, along with Colin Funk, David Ariano and Phil Shaw at Sovereign Lake, B.C., for achieving their CANSI XC Level lll certification. • Mae Hooper for achieving her CANSI Level lll XC course conductor certification at the same time. • All the new Level II instructors and course conductors. You are the backbone of what CANSI does. Stay on the path! I also want to send big thanks to: • Jessica Stichelbout and Carmen Archambault for their outstanding efforts in managing many of the Level IV certifications. • Larissa Pitton for her hard work in making telemark skiing more accessible. Larissa has run Discover Telemark courses all over Alberta, B.C. and now in Dawson City, Yukon. Larissa also achieved her CANSI Level ll telemark course conductor certification at Cypress Mountain, B.C., in January. Way to go, Larissa! • Former CANSI National Vice-president Mario Fillion and Mario Petrone for the successful telemark refresher at Bromont, Quebec, that brought together 15 participants! And to all the new Level I instructors, welcome to CANSI! Like I said, it's my favourite time of the year. I am so proud of everyone mentioned above. CANSI continues to grow through people like these new Level Is, IIs, IIIs, IVs, and course conductors. May the torch continue to be held high! I hope it's dumping snow where you are. I'm gonna go shred me some pow pow!!
CANSI