Author Archives: ginaunger

Meet at Assiniboine Park duck pond/ditch area today.

Usual time of 1:30-3:00.

Should be fun with warm weather and some hay bale jumps being made too.

Bring hot chocolate mugs, too. 😀

For the more adventurous and/or advanced skiers in our group, please note that there are some exciting ski races going on this weekend at Falcon Ridge Ski & Recreation Area!  (Visit CCSAM to view all info re: the CCSAM Provincial Sprints.)

The registration deadline (which was originally tonight) has been extended to tomorrow, Thursday January 26 at noon.  The reason for the registration extension is due to changes from classic to skate (freestyle) technique.

https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=14596&lan=1&cartlevel=1

The CCSAM Provincial Sprints will showcase an exciting new sprint format known as King’s Court which has been used in cup races in Canmore and Thunder Bay.  Again, visiting CCSAM will inform you of all details.

If you are interested in this event and have additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask the coaches for more details.

P.S.  Rumour has it that Windsor Park was amazing last night for skiing!  Groomed beautifully and super fast!

1. Photos from the Jamboree are now posted… under the “Photos” menu link.  If you took any photos that day and would like to share them with our group, please feel free to email them to me and I will gladly add them to the collage.

2.  I am sloooowly adding our new family pictures to our “directory”.  Due to the size of APJ this year, I only have pictures of 24 out of our 44 families!  To help me out, please forward me a family photo if you don’t see yourselves pictured within our APJ Families link.

3.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26 is our club photos date.  Stafford Studios will be taking individual/family photos as well as a large group photo.  That date is also the day when we will be doing our 2nd annual Cookie-Sprint-Relay.  It’s a super fun time with tons of cookies (we had so many leftover last year that I think we’ll need to begin devouring them right from the start this time around!)

4.  For families looking to get involved in some exciting ski events… CCSAM has all the details.  (Pinawa Loppet this weekend: Jan. 21;  Falcon ski with Biathlon Open-House: Jan. 28-29;  Boundary Trails Distance Challenge:  February 24-25;  Riding Mountain Loppet: March 4-5…)  If you have any questions about these ski events, just ask.  We’ve been there and we’ll be happy to tell you more!

This past Sunday was the annual Jackrabbit Jamboree at Windsor Park.  With temperatures rising to a balmy -7C by the afternoon, it was a glorious day to be outdoors!

We had 29 APJ kids participating in the day’s activities which included a scavenger hunt, prizes, games, lunch, group photos, races, big ski, and an awards ceremony.  Lots of skiing and lots of fun!

More shots of the day will soon be posted under “Photos”.

Some of our APJ members at the 2017 Jamboree this past Sunday

Last call for registration for the Jackrabbit Jamboree which takes place this coming Sunday January 15 at Windsor Park Nordic Centre.  There are 16 spots remaining and the deadline is noon of Thursday January 12.  Registration and details here. 

For those who are new to attending this annual event, please know that it is a very fun time and non-threatening for new skiers. Temperatures are predicted to be quite pleasant.

For the young ones, the morning is filled with a scavenger hunt (followed by prizes), fun games (with more prizes), and then a hot dog/chips/drink lunch.  The afternoon is fun for those who like doing all kinds of different, short races on the grid (chocolate given after each race).

If you are debating about attending because your child doesn’t know how to ski very well yet, this event might just be the turning point and get your child to love the sport!

Alternatively, if the Jackrabbit Jamboree is not calling your name quite yet, Fort Whyte Alive is offering their annual SnowTrek on Sunday January 15 from 11:00 to 4:00.  Free admission.  Details here.

What a hearty bunch of Manitobans!  Despite the icy winds that blew today, we had 80 club members/parents out skiing at the park this afternoon… 50 of which were the kids!

Give yourselves a pat on the back for getting out the door with your family…not to mention toques, mitts, Buffs, scarves, jackets, snow pants, plus all your ski gear and those precious hot chocolate mugs.

Thank you to all parents/caregivers who put forth a tremendous effort in showing up to the park today.

This season’s Cross Country Canada toques/Buffs were distributed during our hot chocolate time. They are a keepsake for your skier – new designs each year based on an art contest. (details here)

NOTE:  If your skier did not receive his or her toque/Buff today, here are your options:

a) pre-arrange a pick-up time with me (email or phone) (i.e. come to my house OR notify me just prior to a Sunday session that you’ll be attending so I can bring it along with me)

or

b) wait to receive it at the wind-up party in March

Interested in purchasing extra toques?  Visit the CCC online store (or purchase through Coach Ihor – he has a few extras).  FYI: the hot chocolate toque fits larger than the others (i.e. adults can wear it).

Last but not least… don’t forget about registering for the Jackrabbit Jamboree.  It takes place next Sunday January 15 at Windsor Park.  Details here: Register by noon January 12

For those of us who are skiing with our kids at Windsor Park tonight (i.e. usually the Track Attackers)… bring your excess Christmas goodies along to share with the group after, if you’d like.  Maybe some hot chocolate, too?

See you at 6:30.

For those who are new to APJ… skiing usually goes until 8:00ish.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to order your FREE 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass.  This deal ends December 31, 2016.

Did I mention that it’s FREE?!

Click here to order….http://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/ProductDisplay?storeId=22953&categoryId=216870&catalogId=53407&productId=524527&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&top_category=216870&parent_category_rn=216870&langId=-1

For all of 2017 this pass gives you unlimited opportunities to enjoy National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across the country!

Please note:

• You only need to order one pass for your group or family if you are all traveling together. A 2017 Discovery Pass is valid for everyone arriving in the same vehicle at a national park, or arriving together at a marine conservation area or historic site.
• The Discovery Pass is only accepted at national historic sites which are operated by Parks Canada.
• Activities such as tours or parking that normally carry a separate fee may not be covered by the Discovery Pass.
• Camping fees are not included with the Discovery Pass
• Validity Period: January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2017.
• Display: The 2017 Discovery Pass must be hung from the rear view mirror of the vehicle facing forward or it can be placed on the front driver side dashboard facing up.

If you have questions regarding the above information, please contact our National Information Service at 1-888-773-8888 or information@pc.gc.ca .

Coach Katherine has opened up the APJ storefront, Podiumwear.  If you are interested in purchasing any APJ clothing (i.e. those bright, orange-coloured jackets), visit this link and follow the prompts.

Please note the following:

• cut-off date for purchasing APJ clothing is Tuesday December 20, 2016, midnight.
• clothing ordered will be in your possession by end of January 2017 (due to orders going through the US, etc.)
• child-size APJ hat fits very small… best to order adult-size hats
• ask coaches if you need a fitting prior to ordering
• the “Coaches Softshell Jacket” is strictly available only for coaches
• all orders are in US dollars
• password to log in to PodiumWear is Winter2016

For more details, visit “Marketplace” in website menu.  Additional questions?  Feel free to email any of the coaches.

APJ registration will be closing this Sunday, December 18, 2016.  Please make sure you register by this date if you’d like to join our ski club.

ALSO, a reminder that some parents have forgotten to register themselves!  You did a great job registering your kids, but we also need your own name on the list for liability purposes.  Please complete that process prior to Sunday December 18, 2016.

RE: the potential purchase of APJ clothing… please email Gina if you are interested in ordering our APJ club clothing.  You can view the clothing orders under the “Marketplace” link on our website.  Coach Katherine will open the store for orders if there is enough interest.  Please let us know.

A number of members have purchased the APJ jackets and they are AWESOME in all respects!  They are well-made, practical, and, let’s face it – the colours are eye-catching and pretty cool, too!

If you have questions re: clothing orders, sizing, etc. please email any of the coaches and/or ask your questions at our Sunday session.

CCC TOQUES for all members:  once registration closes, we will know the total number of APJ registrants for 2016-17 and an order will be placed for Cross Country Canada toques and buffs.  These particular toques/buffs are part of your club registration fees… you do not need to order them.  They are totally different each year (designed by kids across Canada) and are not to be confused with the orange/blue APJ toques.  We will be distributing the CCC toques to all club members in January 2017.