Introduction
With funding and support from the Experiences Canada’s Youth Exchange Program, cross-country ski clubs Nakkertok Nordic and Bulkley Valley Nordic got to have the chance to participate in an exchange across the country this winter, from Ottawa to British Columbia. Athletes from the Nakkertok Nordic ski club, made up of members from both Quebec and Ontario, left Ottawa in December 2024 to travel to Smithers B.C. for a week-long exchange. They were welcomed into the homes of their partners across-Canada, where they stayed for the duration of the trip. They engaged in various activities that brought the clubs closer together and created lasting bonds with team members.
Small-town vs. big city life
The scene and daily life of the athletes from Ottawa underwent a drastic change as they left their capital-city perspective and took on a simpler small-town rhythm. They were “fiddled in” to the Smithers airport – a unique musical welcome! The mountains in Smithers were snow-capped and picturesque, perfect for the cross-country and downhill skiing activities that the clubs enjoyed while there. The athletes engaged in activities that took them all over the town, such as a scavenger hunt, where they were able to visit historic sites like the former train station situated there. They also got to enjoy a horse-pulled carriage through the woods, sledding, and lunch with snacks alongside the animals at a farm they visited.
Ottawa
As for Ottawa, Canada’s capital city also showed its fair share of history as the athletes explored famous buildings such as the grounds of the Parliament, the halls of the Senate, and the Museum of Nature. Having engaged in another scavenger hunt, this time in Ottawa, the youth had a chance to learn about the history of their country, the unique architecture of the capital’s buildings, and the various statues around the Peace Tower. They had the opportunity to skate on the world-famous canal and enjoyed the well-known Beavertails afterward. The youth also explored the large Rideau mall and spent time shopping and browsing in the afternoon, with some returning home with keepsakes and clothing from the maze of various shops and stores offered there.
Skiing
While in Smithers, the groups went cross-country skiing often, and participated in Bulkley Valley Nordic’s Ski Camp, for all the cross-country ski clubs in their area. In Ottawa, athletes raced in Skinouk’s skiathlon, where the types of skis and technique are switched mid-race. The next day, everyone participated in ski sprints on a short course. The competition was followed by rock-climbing, where the youth learned the amount of strength and safety used for the sport, all while having fun. They also skied at the Nakkertok’s ski club, participating in their practice and potlucks in their chalet.
Snow day
To bring an end to the adventure in Ottawa, the exchange clubs had a snow day, where they went on an hour-long snowshoe through the forests around the Nakkertok ski club’s terrain in Cantley, Quebec. Following their outdoor snowshoe excursion, the clubs fatbiked through the snowy hills and forest trails in various groups, testing their biking limits and through the up-and-down, sharp-cornered trails. After the exercise, they warmed up while roasting multiple bags of marshmallows over the center campfire near the winter activities center.
At-home fun
For the stay, the Nakkertok members welcomed the Bulkley Valley athletes into their houses in and around Ottawa, which gifted the opportunity to get to know each other better and bring the groups closer together. The various groups made memories, cooked together, watched movies, and explored their neighbourhoods, spending fun outdoors. They played board games and enjoyed meals together in their households, staying together in their free time between club-wide activities. For some BC athletes, they experienced urban transit for the first time, with rides on the city bus or light-rail train.
Gatineau Park
During one of the days of the athletes’ stay in Ottawa, they spent the entire day outdoors on a long ski through Gatineau Park, one of the biggest provincial parks in Quebec. The trails in the winter are known for their scenery, and the clubs got to really experience it firsthand through their day-long ski. They stopped at multiple chalets during their adventure, and snacked and warmed up by the fireplaces situated there.
Conclusion
This exchange was all about meeting people and making cross-Canada connections, and that’s exactly what these two cross-country ski clubs did. They blended their two languages of French and English seamlessly and got to experience what living in different conditions was like in a journey that took them far from home. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure full of fun and outdoor activities broadened the reach of Ottawa ski clubs to the center of British Columbia, and let the youth enter each other’s lives across the country along a path of discovery and learning.
Written by Ella Sorenson-Ekici, Experiences Canada Youth Exchange Participant & 2011 Nakkertok Athlete.
For almost 90 years, Experiences Canada has been offering youth opportunities to explore Canada in ways they never imagined. Youth Exchanges offer life-changing experiences: enabling young Canadians to build personal skills and self-confidence; form new connections with peers across the country; deepen their knowledge of a second language, of other histories and cultures, and inspire them to become more actively engaged in their communities.
Discover the transformative power of experiential learning! Apply today to secure your spot in a 2025-2026 Youth Exchange: https://experiencescanada.ca/exchanges/.
Experiences Canada’s Youth Exchange Program is generously funded by Canadian Heritage.
