What do you get when you combine Canmore’s winter carnival with two major world cup Nordic events? You get the next six weeks of community, culture and sporting events in Canmore.
World cup enthusiasm specialist Sara Renner is hard at work stoking the fire of excitement in the community leading up to the launch of the Winter Carnival – World Cup Edition on Monday (Feb. 1).
“We are starting it all off with the Winter Carnival kickoff at the Nordic Centre,” Renner said. “Bring your ice skates, bring your fat bike, bring your kids – it will be a really fun family event.”
The opening event runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. and will include a barbecue, hot chocolate and live music as part of the event. Two days later, on Wednesday (Feb. 3) IBU World Cup Biathlon opening ceremonies will be held downtown on the pond beginning at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks at 7 p.m.
Renner said that event will include live music, the parade of nations, a Stoney Nakoda First Nations prayer, drumming and dancing, and fireworks. She said teams have already begun arriving to train in Canmore, as the snow levels in Europe this season are terrible. Thirty teams are registered to compete in the major sporting event over the four-day schedule of races. With media requests and interest ramping up leading into the biathlon races, Renner said the exposure from it and the following cross-country races is huge.
“It is huge, especially because there is no snow in Europe right now,” she said. “The fact is we have incredible scenery and we actually live winter in Canmore, we have a world-class hosting venue with the Nordic centre and when it is on live TV, it sells itself so well,” Renner said. “There will be a lot of incredible competitions at the Nordic Centre and a lot of stuff going on downtown; it will be a really vibrant place, especially for these first races.”
During race events, Renner said it is really important for residents to know there is no public parking at the Nordic Centre. However, there is public transportation to the venue from downtown. Buses can be taken from the Roam Transit stop on Ninth Avenue (behind the visitor information centre and the Civic centre) every 15 minutes on race days and every 30 minutes otherwise.
But of course, those wanting to watch the races can also make their way to the Nordic Centre via the public art walk. The route will be marked and group tours of the art display offered an hour and 15 minutes before each race. Renner said the route follows Canmore’s well-known trails along the Bow River and up past the TransAlta Hydro Plant to reach the Nordic Centre. She recommended those taking the walk or tour use winter ice cleats on their shoes – available at various local retail outlets.
The first lantern parade takes place on the Friday (Feb. 5) and arts events begin to be offered at artsPlace as well. There is also ice carving beginning that Saturday (Feb. 6) at the Civic Centre Plaza.
The ever-popular Kid ‘n’ Mutt races are held on Feb. 20 at the Nordic Centre and an international pot luck on Feb. 12.
The number and variety of events can be found on www.canmorewintercarnival.com along with further information about all Winter Carnival and world cup activities.
