After extensive efforts by the Local Organizing Committee, Nordiq Canada, and community partners, the Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials will be relocated from Prince George to Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre near Vernon, BC. The competition will proceed on the original dates of December 13-16, 2025.
The decision was made to ensure the world-class racing conditions that Canada’s Olympic-bound athletes deserve as they compete for spots on the team heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy (February 6-22, 2026).
Current snow conditions at Caledonia Nordic Ski Centre have made it impossible to guarantee the quality of courses required for an Olympic qualification event, despite the best efforts of volunteers, snowmaking crews, and organizing committee members who have worked tirelessly to prepare the venue. With no flexibility in the competition timeline and Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre having sufficient natural snow accumulation, the difficult decision was made to move the trials to Vernon.
“This is heartbreaking for our club, our volunteers, and our entire community,” said Kevin Pettersen, Event Chair for the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. “We have spent months preparing to showcase Prince George on the national stage and to provide our athletes with an unforgettable Olympic Trials experience. Our organizing committee, our funders, our sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers have poured their hearts into this event. Unfortunately, the one element we cannot control is Mother Nature, and she had other plans this year.”
Pettersen emphasized the community’s resilience and continued commitment to high-performance Nordic sport. “While we are deeply disappointed, we remain incredibly proud of what Prince George represents in the Nordic skiing world. This setback doesn’t change our status as a premier destination for world-class competitions, and it doesn’t diminish the support we’ve received from every corner of this community.”
Prince George’s selection to host the Olympic Trials marked a historic milestone as the first time Olympic Trials in any sport had been hosted in Northern BC. The community rallied behind the event with unprecedented support from the Government of British Columbia, the City of Prince George, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Tourism Prince George, Northern Development Initiative Trust, and presenting sponsor Canadian Tire Prince George.
“This has been an exceptionally difficult decision, and one we did not make lightly. Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, along with its volunteers, partners, and the City of Prince George, has invested tremendous effort and commitment into preparing for these Trials,” said Beckie Scott, CEO of Nordiq Canada. “We are deeply appreciative of the time, resources, and collaboration that went into this event. Caledonia remains one of Canada’s premier Nordic venues, with an outstanding record of hosting major competitions, and we fully intend to return for future events. Our gratitude to the entire community is sincere, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership in the years ahead,” added Scott.
The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has established itself as one of Canada’s premier Nordic venues, having successfully hosted the 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships and World Cup Finals, the 2023 Nordiq Canada Selection Trials, the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, the 2015 Canada Winter Games, and multiple Canadian National Championships. The club’s track record of excellence in organizing major competitions remains unblemished.
“To our volunteers who were ready to give their time and energy, to our sponsors who believed in this event and our community, to our funding partners who provided crucial support, and to everyone in Prince George who was excited to welcome Canada’s Olympic hopefuls – thank you,” said Pettersen. “Your support has meant the world to us. This may not be our moment this year, but Prince George will have its day on the Olympic stage.”
Nordiq Canada and the Local Organizing Committee is working with all stakeholders to manage the transition and ensure that Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, located in Silver Star Provincial Park near Vernon, is fully prepared to host the Olympic Trials. Sovereign Lake is one of Canada’s premier Nordic centres, featuring more than 50 kilometres of trails and world-class facilities.