It was a sunshine and snow kind of Saturday for the 2024 Wells Gourmet Ski Tour on Feb. 17.
The 16th almost annual event saw another sold out crowd get into the spirit of the tasty tradition, held each year to help raise funds to support the Wells and Area Trail Society, which maintains the non-motorized trail network in and around the historic town of Wells, B.C.
Many areas of the Cariboo have scarcely been able to ski at all this year, but Wells is nestled in the snow belt of the region, and while the town does have far less snow than usual, conditions were great for the gourmet tour.
Skiers signed up and checked in and then headed out onto the trails, a map guiding them along a route which is adaptable, depending on whether your focus is on the food and festivities or the snow and skiing. Four food stations on the network can be visited for gourmet samples of a variety of cuisines.
This year, chefs prepared a range of international fare, from Mediterranean to Thai to Dutch and Norwegian.
Some surprises for the gourmand included the novel experience of Gjetost, also known as Brunost. The Norwegian favourite is a sweet cheese which looks and tastes somewhat like caramel and is eaten for breakfast in the Scandinavian country.
Once skiers had made their way to as many stations as they choose, including extended options to seek out unmanned treat stations for more time on the trails, they finished up with a final dessert station at the Frog in the Bog after checking back in.
Then everyone gathered for prizes, a celebratory beverage of their choice and a group photo at the Jack O’Clubs pub and restaurant.
Costumes are encouraged, but not mandatory, and participants came from Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Prince George and beyond.
The costumes were comic and copious. There were forest-themed costumes, crowds of fairies, a group made up of sheet-based clever costumes, each one a different play on words and a group of 10 beach bums who had lost their way en route to the water from Williams Lake and ended up on the trails.
No one would blame them for confusing the season in Williams Lake, but luckily they had their skis on board to make the most of Wells.
Prizes for the costumes were awarded thanks to the support of businesses from Williams Lake, Quesnel, Wells and Prince George, and each prize category matched those in attendance —such is the magic of Wells.
Last-minute cancelations meant some tickets did become available in the days leading up to the event this year, but the event often sells out within hours of tickets going on sale, and it isn’t hard to understand why. A Winter Film Festival is offered in the evening for those staying over in Wells and not too tired from the day of skiing in the sunshine.
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