YKSC Remembers Ski Club Founder

Jetmund Bendiksen
1931 to 2022

Patricia Bendiksen reported on her Facebook:
“Today, March 20, 2022, my beloved husband, Jetmund, passed away quietly and peacefully at Kvaefjordheimen Hospital at Borkenes, Norway.  Jetmund was almost 91 years old and was a fantastic husband, father and grandfather.  He will be deeply missed by his entire family.”

Jetmund was a founding member of the Yellowknife Ski Club. Pat and Jetmund arrived in Yellowknife in 1967 to teach at Sir John Franklin High School.  In early 1968, Jetmund put a notice on the Hudson’s Bay bulletin board for anyone interested in a ski club to call him and the response was terrific.  Jetmund started teaching downhill lessons in February 1968 at the Jackfish Lake Hill and the Yellowknife Ski Club was formed in May1968 with Al Gamble as the first president. Jetmund wanted to be technical director and focus on ski lessons.  Jetmund’s real passion was cross country skiing.  He and others cleared the first trails around Jackfish and Frame Lakes and packed them with their skis.  The trails moved across the highway to the Niven Lake area in 1972 with both downhill and cross country skiing.
 
Jetmund was a force behind skiing in Yellowknife, contributing to the sport as president, technical director, coach, newspaper columnist, ski rentals and sales outlet and Chief of Race for the inaugural 1970 Arctic Winter Games to name some of his contributions.
 
Jetmund and Pat departed Yellowknife in 1982 and retired to their family farm in Flesnes Norway.  They last visited Yellowknife in 2015 and were impressed with the facilities and trails.
 
The Bendiksens are celebrated on our trails with the corner called Bendiksen’s Bend.

Congratulations to Frostbite 50 Participants!

A big congratulations to the winners:
Men’s 50km solo: Thomsen D’Hont
Women’s 50km solo: Julia Gyapay
Team ski: Heather Scott and Julian Kanigan
Team snowshoe: Javarunners

And here are a few photos from the Frostbite 50!

Photos by: Heather Scott, Katrina Kierstead, Ben Linaker, Erin O’Rourke and Ashley Janes

Yellowknife Gold Loppet Volunteer Opportunities! 

More start/finish line volunteers are needed for the 2022 Yellowknife Gold Loppet! Please reach out to sabeattie23@gmail.com or alyssa.f.titus@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering for the big event. Even a 2-hour commitment helps!

The 2022 Yellowknife Gold Loppet is also looking for wood donations for the Banting tent (priority) and for the finish line (a nice-to-have). If you have wood to spare, please reach out to sabeattie23@gmail.com or alyssa.f.titus@gmail.com for more information.

Need the best possible glide for the upcoming Yellowknife Gold Loppet (April 3)? 

Let the HP Ski Team set you up for success with a just-in-time hot waxing service.

WHEN: Thursday, March 31 (drop off between 5 and 7 pm) – pick up at 9:00 pm (or by arrangement)
HOW: You must make an appointment by emailing roxanepoulin@gmail.com before noon Wednesday, March 30.  *** spots are limited, so don’t wait ***

COST: $25 or use your punch pass 

NWT Territorial Championships

The  NWT Territorial Championships are taking place Saturday & Sunday April 9 & 10. Racers from across the north will participate in this fun event.  Register by Wednesday, March 9th on zone4.ca. Read the race notice for full details here.

Only a couple weeks left for SKIGO BINGO

Have fun setting new goals and checking off your card for activities you have completed between January 25th to April 11, for a chance to win some exciting prizes donated by Overlander Sports and Canadian Tire!! 

Download your card here and the junior card here, then get outdoors and get skiing!! 1line = 1 entry, 2 lines = 2 entries, etc… blackout = 10 entries!!! Submit your card to skigoyellowknife@gmail.com by April 11. Share your fun on social media and use #skigo @ykskiclub.

Some more trailvia for you…

The Wolverine Trail has some sections with extra history. Take Elevator for example. Very few signed trails officially use that steep climb, although Wolverine does. But did you know that earlier on Elevator was a downhill section, not an uphill? Think  about it the next time you’re at Caribou Crossing looking down. And be thankful for that small mercy. In addition, the Wolverine section after Elevator down to Back Bay Ramp is only officially signed for that trail.  A unique experience, but you’re allowed to use it even if you’re not chasing the wolverine. Great views!

YKSC Welcomes Baby Annie