Volunteers have been hard at work all week carving a moguls course into the Catskinner Run on Blackcomb Mountain after organizers decided to relocate the 2005 B.C. Freestyle Ski Championships from its usual home at Glacier Creek Lodge. The lack of snow on Davies Dervish, as well as at the jump site behind the lodge, were factors in the decision.
According to Blackcomb Freestyle Club head coach Marc McDonell, the decision to relocate the course was made weeks ago, prompting the club to relocate the moguls course to the terrain park. "There’s a little dog’s leg in the course, which we usually try to make as straight as possible, but it shouldn’t be too big a problem for the skiers," he said. "We’ll be using the jumps in the terrain park for the big competition, and they’re about as perfect as you can get. It should be a pretty good competition."
The Sprite Park Riders Sessions slopestyle on Sunday will also be incorporated into the provincial championships. There won’t be a halfpipe event this year.
At least 70 skiers from around the province are expected to attend, including large contingents from freestyle clubs at Silver Star, Apex and Big White. The Blackcomb Freestyle Club will also be well represented, including several defending provincial champions in various age groups.
The B.C. Freestyle Ski Championships will run through the weekend, March 19-21, with single moguls on Saturday, dual moguls on Sunday and the big air on Monday. The Sprite slopestyle takes place on Sunday.
