Prince George, BC – Today's Winter Festival at the Otway Nordic Centre is a chance for all city residents to take in the splendour of the local cross country ski and snowshoe trails…

Photo at right courtesy of the club's Facebook page

You can fuel up with a pancake breakfast starting at 8am, then use your own equipment or rent from the on-site shop, grab your free pass, and test out the trails.

Special events during the festival include a 10am chocolate race; beginner ski lessons at 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm; snowshoe tours between noon and 1pm; a hot dog roast at the gravel pit between 11am and 2pm; and a biathlon try-out between 1:30 and 2:30pm.

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club put in a new biathlon facility this summer in preparation for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, and will host the 2014 Western Canadian Biathlon Championship the first weekend in February as a 'test' event for the games.

For more information on today's festival, you can call the rental shop at 250-564-3809.  To volunteer for the Western Championships on February 1st and 2nd, click here.