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2025 Bill Gairdner Masters National Championships

The Whitehorse Nordic Centre is thrilled to be hosting the Bill Gairdner Masters National Championships from February 19th to 23rd 2025. Come experience the spell of the Yukon on your skis and learn why so many world-class skiers call the Yukon home! 

And local skiers: gather your friends and sign up for this unique opportunity for friendly competition and to socialize with folks who share your passion for skiing from across the country.

 

Why come to the Yukon for the Bill Gairdner Masters National Championships?

 

Our 95 km of professionally groomed trails are situated in the centre of the most “urban” small city in Canada’s North, on the ancestral lands of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council. The trails and our chalet are easily accessed by car, transit and bike from downtown or on foot or skis from nearby neighbourhoods. Built for North America’s first ever World Cup cross-country ski race, the chalet features heated waxing areas, a hot waxing hut, a ski supply/rental shop, washrooms, saunas and a lounge/bar.

 

The trails feature loops that are homologated to FIS standards for both skating and classic, all groomed with two Pisten Bully 100. There are 5 km of lit trails for night skiing. Our ski season runs from late October to late April, with more than enough snow and reliably cold weather. Having hosted the Canadian National Championships in 2010 and 2016, our volunteers and trails are ready for you! Timing for all events will be led by Zone 4 staff. 

 

How do I get to Whitehorse?

 

It’s much easier than you think! You can connect to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary or Victoria on discounted flights with Air North, Yukon’s Airline. With two free checked bags, snacks and warm cookies, find out why this is the airline Yukoners love to brag about! See Travel and Accommodations section below for more details.

 

What else can I do when I’m in town?
 

When not racing, there are endless opportunities for epic outings on our groomed trails, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. If you need a break from the trails, the whole city becomes a ski resort. Enjoy superb cafes, restaurants and bars, relax in stylish accommodations or take in unique tourism experiences at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre and the MacBride Museum. 

 

Whitehorse has so much to offer on top of our world-class Nordic ski trails. We have partnered with local businesses to get discounts on activities like Northern lights viewing, dog-sledding tours and more so you can get the most from visiting our beautiful territory.
 

As a way to discover our entire trail network in your downtime, consider the option of  participating in the Air North Challenge. This popular activity has skiers hunting for ‘controls’ placed along on the trails during the month of February. Find all controls and be entered in a draw to win return airfare to Whitehorse with Air North.  

 

Another option is to try kick-sledding or fat biking around the 5km trail at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, getting up close to many species of Yukon fauna in their spectacular winter coats. Or you can rent fat bikes from Icycle Sports to explore the extensive network of groomed winter bike trails within the City’s forests. 

 

And while you’re in town, it will be hard to miss the the antics and festivities of the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, a local celebration of winter featuring music shows, performances, family activities, a snow sculpture competition and numerous eclectic contests like the flour sack carry, the chainsaw chuck and the log toss! Enter a contest if you dare…

Travel and Accommodations

 

Whitehorse is served by Air North with flights from Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Victoria and Vancouver. Air North, Yukon’s Airline is offering a 10% discount on flights for participants. You may also wish to consider a “connector fare” if traveling from another location in Canada or abroad - Air North offers “connector fares” to and from Whitehorse for as low as $99 each way (no discount code required).

 

Flight times are approximately 2-3 hours from the main cities of Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, with Vancouver having the greatest number of daily flights and the shortest flight times. The Whitehorse airport is a 10 minute taxi ride from downtown and is also served by hotel shuttles and transit.

 

There are numerous hotels and other accommodations in Whitehorse, including vacation rentals. The newly renovated Sternwheeler Hotel, the official race hotel, is offering a special rate of $145/night to participants. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown near coffee shops, restaurants and the Main St. shopping area. 

 

Neighbourly North, a local vacation rental business, is offering a 15% discount to race participants.

 

Another accommodation option is the Yukon Ski Lodge, conveniently located right next to the ski trails.

 

You will receive discount codes and procedures after you register. You will also receive discount codes for various activities and events.

Getting Around in Whitehorse

 

The Whitehorse Nordic Centre is located in Whitehorse at 200-1 Sumanik Drive, next to the Canada Games Centre.

 

The Whitehorse Nordic Centre can easily be accessed by City transit. The best stop is at the Canada Games Centre, which is a 50 meter walk to a staircase to the Whitehorse Nordic Centre chalet.

 

Bus routes 101, 202, 301 and 402 stop at the Canada Games Centre. City of Whitehorse transit information page. You can transport your ski equipment on the bus if it’s in a ski bag.

 

If you wish to rent a car, there are several options. The Whitehorse Nordic Centre has ample free parking.

 

Taxi can be a fast and convenient way to circulate around town from a pick at the airport to a ride from your hotel to the Nordic Centre (if you are traveling with a ski bag or case, make sure to mention it during your taxi reservation).

  • Yukon Cab: 867-333-4444

  • Whitehorse Taxi: 867-393-2227

  • Yellow Cab: 867-668-4811

  • Friendly Taxi: 867-393-3399

The City of Whitehorse has a multitude of paved, maintained multi-use trails if you would like to walk to the Whitehorse Nordic Centre. See the City of Whitehorse trail map. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk to the Nordic Centre from downtown.

 

Race and Event schedule

 

Wednesday, February 19: Evening race - 5 km classic

Thursday, February 20, 2024: Evening race - 5 km freestyle 

Friday, February 21 - Rest day with complimentary wine and cheese at Harvey’s Hut

Saturday, February 22: 20 km classic and 10 km classic (for M09/F09 and above)

Sunday, February 23: 25 km freestyle and 12.5 km freestyle (for M09/F09 and above)

Sunday, February 23: Closing banquet

 

A light hot meal will be served after each race, included in your registration.

 

How to Enter: 

 

Registration will open online through zone4.ca by November 15th, 2024. Please note that www.zone4.ca only supports Visa and Mastercard.

 

Payment must be made at the time of registration. Tickets for the Sunday evening banquet can be purchased at the time of registration.

 

All competitors must have an active membership with the Canadian Masters Cross Country Ski Association in order to participate in the 2025 Canadian Masters Championships. Memberships ($30) can be purchased online at www.zone4.ca when registering or through your provincial director.

Race Registration and Fees

 

You can register for the full 4-race package or for individual races.

 

 

 

Registration includes trail fees from Wednesday February 19 to 23, a light hot meal after each race, hydration and race snacks on Saturday and Sunday and a complimentary wine and cheese event on Friday afternoon. The Sunday evening banquet will have a cash bar.

 

Optional Nordiq Canada Masters Race License

 

As an option, you may also wish to purchase the new Nordiq Canada Masters race license. This is an exciting new opportunity offered by the Canadian Masters Association in collaboration with Nordiq Canada that allows masters skiers to see how they rank virtually against their age-group competitors from across the country participating in dozens of events. For more information and to purchase this optional race license go to: Racing Licenses - Nordiq Canada.

Waxing

 

The Whitehorse Nordic Centre has a ventilated hot wax room for glide waxing with 8 stations (all having one iron each) as well as 10 stations for kick waxing inside the main ski chalet.

 

The Sternwheeler Hotel will be providing a room for waxing (details to come) but if you plan to use this room, you must bring all your waxing equipment.

 

Whitehorse Nordic, Icycle Sports and Coast Mountain Sports all provide professional waxing services.

 

Note: Whitehorse Nordic Centre’s trails and facilities are fluoro-free. Fluorinated waxes are not allowed in the waxing areas or on the trails.

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