Just under 80 ladies from the 100 Mile House community put on their fancy hats and pearls for high tea at the 100 Mile Nordics Ski Club on Jan. 5. The lodge was transformed into the Empress Tea Room for the day.
“It keeps on getting bigger and better,” said Karen Johnson-Puckett, one of the organizers of the 6th Annual Ladies High Tea and Ski event. “We were happy to showcase our newly renovated kitchen, the Nordic Nook, just in time for the event.”
The event was created to encourage women to come out to the club and have some fun.
“We wanted to put this out so women who are maybe a bit fearful of coming out can learn how to ski or snowshoe can do so in a comfortable atmosphere and just have fun being a little bit girly and foolish with the high tea and put on some airs and having fun with it,” said Johnson-Puckett. “Some women feel intimidated, just like in the gym and whether there is too much testosterone in the room. This way, it’s just don’t feel embarrassed if your flailing. Everyone is very accommodating and relaxed.”
A larger crowd of younger people than previous years also attended this year’s event.
Johnson-Puckett said the club has been looking into ways into drawing the younger adults and their families into the club, which she called a natural meeting place.
The club has been planning a large number of events and has been advertising them on Facebook and Instagram, where there is a younger audience.
In early December, the Nordics also won a Cross Country BC membership competition after registering 195 people.
RELATED: Nordics win Cross Country BC Club Membership Contest
“The club is growing again. This was a huge club in the past,” said Johnson-Puckett.
Before tea time, instructors from the club donated their time to teach beginners how to ski for free. Afterwards, beginners and alike met at the lodge for crumpets, tea and a bunch of donated baked goods like cookies. Door prizes donated by local businesses were also handed out to lucky club members.
According to Johnson-Puckett, $480 was donated to Nordics programs and charity funds.
Some upcoming events are the Teen Learn to Nordic Ski (every Tuesday until Feb. 12) and Chicks on Sticks Ladies Night (every Tuesday at 7 p.m. until March 5).
