After competing in the 41st FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld, Austria, Yukon cross-country skier Dahria Beatty is back in Canada and preparing for two upcoming events in Canada.

After 75 days spent in Europe, Beatty said, it’s nice to be home to relax and prepare for the upcoming events.

"It is very nice to be home," said Beatty. "I had a ton of fun in Europe, but you begin to miss the creature comforts of home. It is nice to cook my own meal and sleep in my own bed and really get excited about this last chunk."

Although she may back and enjoying the comforts of home she is still training, fine-tuning on the details before the next competitions.

"The bulk of training is done in the summer and fall," said Beatty. "At the start of December, it is about fine-tuning within the week. Now, instead of travelling, I can have a week of consistent training and get the race mentality going.

"Right now, I am muscle training and muscle resistant training. I have gone for three-hour skis in altitude, easy long distances, just reminders for the body."

The first competition will be the 2019 Canadian Ski Championships at the Nakkertok Nordic Ski Centre in Gatineau, Que. She is excited about these races because she will get to see the skiers from Whitehorse.

"It has been a while since my schedule has allowed me to race at the Canadian Ski Championships," said Beatty. "It is always great to go and see the younger athletes it is important to be at nationals."

While at the Canadian championships, she will be apart of the Yukon ski team, and is excited to assist the team any way she can.

"It is always fun to see who is coming up from Whitehorse," said Beatty. "I will help them where I can."

The second competition held in Canada in March will be a World Cup event in Quebec City. Beatty said the races she has had early in the season has her feeling ready for the races in Quebec.

"It will be an advantage because we won't have to travel," said Beatty. "I'm really looking forward to racing in Canada. I didn't have my best races in the championships, but I have had lots of good races so far (this season)."

It will be the first world cup event in Canada this season but not the first time Beatty has competed in a world cup event in the country.

"The races done in Quebec and Canmore are some of my favourite race memories," said Beatty. "They are something special. It is the same feeling as when nationals were held in Whitehorse. The energy was great throughout the race."

Racing in Quebec differs from the events in Europe because the races are held at the Plains of Abraham, a historic park right within the city.

"Racing in Quebec, there is incredible crowds," said Beatty. "The sport culture in Quebec is so strong and there is a strong ski culture in the east. It is really exciting because it is not the norm for racing. Every race is really exciting."

After the races are over in Canada, Beatty is still undecided about whether she will do some of the upcoming races in the U.S.