The heavy snowfall Whitehorse received on Monday wasn’t all bad for some people – including the Yukon’s cross country ski team.

“The snow was a blessing,” said Cross Country Yukon coach Alain Masson. “It means we can start all of our programming. There has been lots of grooming for the competitive and recreational athletes.

“This is the best start for snow since I’ve been here and I’ve been here over 30 years.”

Masson said here in the Yukon is about the only place in western Canada that has enough snow to begin training on.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the skiers were unable to compete in the final races of the season – including the 2020 Arctic Winter Games which were to be held in Whitehorse beginning March 15. The Games were cancelled on March 7.

The older skiers lost out on the opportunity to travel and vie in nationals.

Even as the calendar nears 2021, the competition schedule still remains in limbo.

“We are waiting, hoping to attend events in B.C. because we are in the bubble and it is still possible to travel,” said Masson. “We are waiting on the status for one meet in December and one in January.

“The greatest challenge is planning with any certitude but it is the same for everyone.”

Masson said they will wait and see how the events, if they happen, go in December and January before any decision is made about whether the club will attend nationals in Quebec.

“Everything is up in the air,” said Masson. “If the situation stays the same there then nothing will happen in Quebec. Still, fingers are crossed.”

Despite the competition calendar being in purgatory, Masson said the skiers will take advantage of the healthy dumping of snow and keep training.

“We will do everything as if races are happening,” said Masson. “But, we will adjust accordingly if things change. Right now we are entering the pre-competition phase and are increasing intensity.”

If things go according to plan and the COVID-19 situation doesn’t worsen, the ski team’s first competition Outside will happen the weekend before Christmas.

Until then, they do have a local race, the Don Sumanik, to look forward to on Dec. 5 and 6.

“It will be great to get in that local race,” said Masson.

The team does have contingency plans if they are unable to travel Outside.

“Regardless if we can travel or not we will try to have local events to keep the skills sharp,” said Masson.