CALEB NICKERSON
MANSFIELD ET PONTEFRACT Feb. 18, 2019
A group of local students are busy preparing for an arduous, three-day trek by cross-country skis from their high school in Fort Coulonge to Parliament Hill.
Organized through the Canadian Ski Marathon’s Ski at School program, the dozen teenagers have been putting in mileage on the track at their school since December, according to Pontiac Ski in School ambassador Guillaume Lavoie-Harvey, who has been helping them train.
The group was at the Patro on Feb. 18 for the next step in their preparation for the trip, which will take place Feb. 24-27.
“Today we’re doing our long-distance trial so they’re going to ski 25 km and keep it within three hours,” Lavoie-Harvey said, explaining that they’re building up to the nearly 40 km that students will be expected to travel each day of their trek.
The students will be accompanied by five adults and will stay at community halls along the way. Pontiac MP Will Amos is planning to join the students for the final leg of the journey.
Outdoor education teacher Martin Bertrand said that the skill progression he’s seen in the group has been astounding.
“It’s a challenge because most of these kids have never skied before,” he said. “They might not have the best technique but they have the biggest heart. I truly believe we can succeed and make this happen.”
Bertrand noted that each student is required to put in a certain distance on their skis and many take to the track on their lunch breaks and after school.
“It’s really, really impressive to see them,” said Lavoie-Harvey. “They’re doing really well.”
