In March 2018, the world’s circumpolar spotlight shone brightly on Canada’s Northwest Territories as the Arctic Winter Games (AWG) returned to the region for the first time in four decades. This historic 25th anniversary event was unique: co-hosted by the South Slave communities of Hay River and Fort Smith. While Hay River buzzed with the excitement of the opening ceremonies and indoor events, Fort Smith became the epicentre for the enduring spirit of Northern winter sport, proudly hosting the entire Cross-Country Skiing competitions.
The success of the Nordic events—which drew nearly 2,000 athletes, officials, and cultural performers from nine contingents, including Alaska, Greenland, Yukon, Yamal, and Team NT—was not a matter of luck. It was the direct result of years of meticulous planning, unwavering local government support, and, most importantly, the tireless dedication of the Fort Smith Ski Club members and the wider community of volunteers.
The Fort Smith Ski Club: A World-Class Stage
The Fort Smith Ski Club’s extensive trail system, renowned for its challenging terrain and stunning boreal forest scenery, was the natural choice for the AWG cross-country venue. Preparing a facility to host an event of this magnitude—a spectacle often dubbed the "Olympics of the North"—is a monumental task, especially given the strict international standards required for elite competition.
For the Fort Smith Ski Club Executive and its cadre of committed volunteers, the process began long before the snow fell. It required course mapping, infrastructure upgrades, and a commitment to maintaining a pristine, competition-ready surface regardless of the erratic spring weather.
The work was divided among various specialized roles, all filled by dedicated club members and local residents:
The Groomers: These volunteers were the unsung heroes of the Games. Operating the club’s specialized grooming equipment, they worked through the night, battling temperature swings and fresh snowfall to ensure the classic tracks were perfectly set, and the skate lanes were rock-hard and fast. They prepared dozens of kilometres of intricate race loops for the interval start, mass start, and relay events, all while making sure the public loops remained pristine for residents.
The Course Officials and Technical Directors: Led by local Fort Smith resident and veteran organizer Patti-Kay Hamilton, who chaired the cross-country skiing events, this team managed the logistics of race timing, course security, and emergency preparedness. They navigated the complex rules of international Nordic competition, ensuring fairness and safety across all categories.
Site and Facilities Volunteers: From setting up heated tents for waxing and timing to establishing critical checkpoints and managing parking and transportation, this massive group created a functional mini-village at the Nordic Centre.
As Hamilton noted to media in the days leading up to the Games, the effort was a whole-community endeavour: "Just about every human being in this community has been involved in some way in preparation. Whether it’s digging up snow or setting up porta-potties, everyone’s busy." This singular focus encapsulated the Fort Smith spirit and its commitment to excellence.
Competition and the Northern Spirit
From March 18th to the 24th, the Fort Smith Ski Club trails hosted intense competition across junior, juvenile, and midget age categories, with events ranging from sprint freestyle races to longer classic distance courses. The atmosphere was electric, blending competitive intensity with the unique cultural exchange the AWG is known for.
The trails came alive with the vibrant colours of the competing teams: the gold of Team Alaska, the red of Team Yukon, and the blue of Team NT. Skis sliced through the perfectly groomed snow as athletes pushed their limits, spurred on by the enthusiastic cheers of local spectators who had volunteered to line the courses.
Local pride was particularly high as several Fort Smith skiers represented Team NT on their home trails. These athletes, many of whom learned to ski on these very loops, were able to compete in front of their families and friends. Their participation, alongside other NWT team members from communities like Yellowknife and Inuvik, reinforced the success of the territory’s grassroots development programs.
The events held in Fort Smith included:
Classic Interval Start Races
Freestyle Mass Start Races
Classic and Freestyle Sprint Events
Classic and Mixed Relays
Medals, known as Uluit (singular: Ulu), were fiercely contested, and Team NT skiers delivered powerful performances across the Nordic disciplines. The games provided a vital competitive experience for the NWT’s young athletes, exposing them to international-calibre competition and the unique training methods of their circumpolar peers.
A Lasting Legacy of Volunteerism
Hosting the Arctic Winter Games was always about more than just a week of competition; it was about investing in the future of the community and its infrastructure. The 2018 Games left a substantial legacy for the Fort Smith Ski Club. The necessity of preparing for the Games prompted crucial upgrades to the trail network, ensuring that the grooming, lighting, and course standards were raised to a permanent, high level. This legacy continues to benefit every member who enjoys the club today.
However, the most profound and lasting legacy was the demonstration of community collaboration and volunteer power. The challenges of co-hosting an event across a significant distance were met with ingenuity and overwhelming local support. Over 2,000 volunteers stepped up across the South Slave region to manage everything from transportation and security to billeting and officiating. In Fort Smith, the Ski Club was at the heart of this mobilization.
Club members, who usually spend their time fundraising for a new piece of equipment or organizing the annual Thebacha Loppet, temporarily became international-level technical officials and site managers. Their commitment to giving back to the sport, particularly their work behind the scenes as groomers and course crew, ensured the playing field was flawless for every athlete, from the gold-ulu winner to the last finisher.
The 2018 Arctic Winter Games were a defining moment for Fort Smith. It was proof that a northern community, when united by a passion for sport and armed with the dedication of its volunteers, can successfully host the world. The echoes of cheering fans and the glide of skis on perfectly set tracks remain a proud memory in the history of the Fort Smith Ski Club.