30/10/2026
KAWARTHA NORDIC 50 Year Celebration
We usually wait until after Halloween to start talking about the ski season ahead, but this year, things got started a little early as we gathered last weekend (October 23) to celebrate 50 years of Kawartha Nordic!
And what a celebration it was!
Hosted by the ruggedly charming and historically KN-encyclopedic Hugh Dobson, the evening took us on a journey through five decades of skiing, community and camaraderie.
Dave Woodfine brought those five decades to life with a golden jubilee presentation exploring the people, places and moments that have shaped Kawartha Nordic.
A hotly contested team trivia competition ended in a tie between the Chickadee-Dee's and Klaebo, which may or may not have come down to whether a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever comes from Newfoundland and Labrador and/or the correct title of a Tragically Hip song. We're not naming names.
The Kawartha Nordic Race Team took to the runway for a fashion show of ski "looks" through the decades. From good old wool (sigh) to eye-searing neon (whoa!), the team modelled the fashions of yesteryear before peeling away the layers of history to reveal their stunning new race uniforms.
KN President Cathy Bolan recognized longtime volunteers and board members Dave Woodfine and Bruce Wurtele, whose years of dedication have helped make Kawartha Nordic what it is today. Because while the trails may be what bring us together, it's the people who have kept us going for 50 years.
Looking toward the next 50, Cathy and Vice-President Melissa Robillard officially announced the launch of KN's 50th
Anniversary Capital Campaign, which members will be hearing much more about in the coming months.
And, of course, there was food, music, a silent auction and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
A huge thank you to Bobcaygeon Brewing Company, The Food Shop, Wild Rock Outfitters and Adventure Outfitters for their generous support, and to the KN 50th Anniversary Organizing Committee for putting together such a memorable evening.
And, of course, thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! Whether you've been part of Kawartha Nordic for five decades or five minutes, you're part of the community that makes this place so special.
Fifty years of trails. Fifty years of memories. Fifty years of community.
Here's to the next 50!
Now, bring on the snow. We can't wait to see you on the trails!
