Work is underway to make one of the runs at Revelstoke Mountain Resort into an International Ski Federation (FIS)-level giant slalom (GS) course.
The Revelstoke Ski Club, in conjunction with RMR, Speers Construction and Sure Haul transportation are re-developing the section of Cannonball run that feeds into Feller Buncher.
“This is a 100 metre vertical extension that will allow us to run from the Last Spike where it cross Feller Buncher at the highest point, to where it crosses the timing hut at the bottom of Feller Buncher,” said Cam Molder. “It will extend us into a full level FIS GS course and training centre.”
The work will extend the course length to 280 vertical metres from 185 vertical metres, making it suitable for high-level races.
Currently, the ski club hosts high-level races on the Hollywood run on the upper mountain. Molder said the new facility will move the races away from the busy trails, onto a quieter part of the mountain.
“It will allow more separation between racers and skiers,” he said.
The work involves contouring the terrain with the ski racer in mind.
Last year, the club used funding from the Resort Municipality Infrastructure Fund to buy 75 safety nets to help with hosting races and separate skiers from racers. They also received funding from the Columbia Basin Trust for a storage container. Speers and Sure Haul donated three days of equipment time to do the work. Downie Timber supplied wood for a results board that will be posted at the bottom of the course.
Molder thanked all the supporters who helped make this happen.