On the ice, Vernon is more than just its hockey. 

Proof is in the winning Vernon Synchronized Skating team (called Skate of Mind), who came back to the city Western Canadian champions from the Mountain Regional event hosted in Richmond from Jan. 24-26. Skate of Mind won their fourth gold medal in five years (and eighth medal since 2016) at the event.

"We faced off against 10 other teams in the Adult 2 division," said Britney Powell, one of the team members. "After our first skate, we were in third place down by one point, but we made an incredible comeback in our second skate, winning by two points and taking home the gold."

The team started back in 2007 in Lake Country. It has since moved to Vernon, where the team trains at the Priest Valley Arena. 

Synchronized skating (or synchro), is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of eight or more skaters performing various group formations. The objective is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power and flow.

"Our members travel from all over, including Penticton, Kelowna, West Kelowna and even Kamloops," said Powell. "Now probably 50 per cent of our team is from Vernon, and the other 50 per cent from across the Okanagan."

The team of 20 consists of skaters as young as 22 and as old as 65.

"Our program even includes a challenging death spiral, which we've worked hard to master," Powell said. 

For many skaters, the idea of being surrounded by a team tempted them, rather than the more single-minded approach of figure skating.  

"Some of my best friends are on that team," said Powell. "It is a great excuse to hang out with the girls every Monday night, and we get two weekends away."

Team size throughout the team's history has fluctuated from 10 skaters to a maximum of 20 this year. Powell cites the rise of the sport to the potential inclusion of it into an upcoming Olympics, which has also sparked youth interest. 

A few younger skaters (aged 7-13) joined the team for the Mountain Regional event, competing in the younger STAR category.

"Vernon just started another team," said Powell. "The kid's team just competed for the first time at a competition in the Western Mountains, and they placed third, which is great. Our team is 19 plus, so this is a great (feeder) team for them."

The team is funded all out-of-pocket and fundraises by selling cookie dough.

"My mom jokes that she is still doing fundraising for me later in life," Powell laughed.

Those interested in joining the team can visit their (Skate Of Mind Synchronized Skating Team) or their . The season runs from  September to January.