Skiers compete at the Western Canada Cup at theSovereign Nordic Ski Club.
Image Credit: Vanessa Garrison
February 15, 2024 - 4:30 PM
Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Club is a major economic driver in the region contributing $5.2 million to B.C.’s economy every year.
A new economic study has found the ski club’s roughly 50,000 visits a year have a significant impact on the provincial economy, according to a Sovereign Lake Nordic Club press release.
“We are so excited to share how much the club has to offer the community,” board chair Cyndy Flores said in the release.
The Nordic club is a non-profit that operates the trail network and cross-country ski activities within Silver Star Provincial Park including four major annual events.
“Some people might be surprised to learn what a destination we’ve become and the ripple effect that has on local tourism,” Flores said.
The economic study from Lions Gate Consulting shows the ski club draws in tourists who spend their cash at local hotels, restaurants and equipment shops.
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The club’s 2,800 members along with hundreds of skiers who travel to Vernon for events bring in vital revenue for local businesses.
The current Sovereign Day Lodge quickly overflows when the club has an event. Flores said a new and bigger lodge would bring more money into the local economy.
“We have the best conditions and if we had the lodge to match, in addition to serving locals, we could be hosting national races and world championships,” she said. “How exciting would that be for our community?”
Lions Gate’s study said a new day lodge could generate an additional $4 million in labour income, 37 person-year jobs and $712,000 in taxes during construction.
The ski club said its events and trails draw people from around the world.
“Just the other day I gave a trail map to a woman from Austria and she was taking it back to her cousin, who is coming here in April for the Sovereign 2 SilverStar Marathon,” general manager Wendy Shannon said in the release. “It’s an event people have come to love. For others, it’s the top-notch grooming.”
Last year, the club sold more than 15,000 day tickets, and had more than 48,000 total day visits.
“These numbers are also a reminder of our incredible local community outreach,” Flores said.
Click here to find out more about the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.
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