To understand the scope of the inspiration Sharon Firth provides to northern athletes and residents, one could compare it to the very sport she's been involved in for the past 20 years.

As Firth herself puts it, 'from the time you are born until you take your last breath, you can cross-country ski.' Similarly, people from the ages of five to 85 look up to Firth, as both a world-class athlete and world-class person.

The four-time Olympic athlete (1972, '76, '80 and '84) was a member of the Canadian national ski team for 14 years and holds claim on 37 Canadian championship medals, all of which were on display for the numerous spectators and admirers at the Kwanlin Dun Koyotes Ski Club in Mount McIntyre Tuesday night.

Firth, who hails from Yellowknife and has also received the Order of Canada, was invited to the Yukon by Conoco Phillips, with help from her employer in the N.W.T., where she regularly travels to all 33 communities and speaks to kids about healthy lifestyles, goal-setting and being the best they can.

As well as speaking at the Koyotes headquarters, she made her way to Carcoss and Teslin Wednesday, Lower Post and Watson Lake Thursday, and will be at Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse to meet with students today.

It's the first time Firth has been in the Yukon since she competed in a 1981 World Cup race held in Whitehorse.

'I'm just so happy to come to the Yukon. We've had a lot of people that were very supportive to our program, so this is one way to give back, to encourage up-and-coming young people,' she said, adding she was very excited to go back to Carcross, where the Canadian team has some of its training camps in 1981.

The most important message that Firth hopes to get across when she tours communities is for the children to believe in themselves, she said. Schooling is also key, she pointed out, and learning to make decisions and commitments at a young age.

'I think, both Shirley (her twin sister who was also a competitive cross-country skier) and I, because of our parents have always been dreamers. We were very fortunate to get into the sport of cross-country skiing, because what a perfect sport for the N.W.T. and the Yukon, because we have long winters.

'So getting involved in cross-country skiing, we had a proper program, we had a coach and we had our community behind us. When you have community support, your parental support, then it can go a long ways.'

Firth recalled the initial travel outside of the territory for skiing competitions, calling it 'mind-boggling' at times and overwhelming, because it was very different from the lifestyle she was used to.

'From growing up in the traditional way of life, then to seeing the bright lights and all that excitement,' she said. 'But because we had good coaches, they kept us focused on why we were down south.

'You represent yourself, you represent your family, your community.'

That's what it's all about, she stated, referring to family and community. If you make it to the Olympics, that's the icing on the cake.

'But not everyone is going to be an Olympian. So it's really important to have recreational skiers and ones that want to compete, because it goes hand in hand. You're as strong as your weakest link.'

Gary Baillie, the head coach of the Koyotes, met Firth at the 1981 races and was thrilled to be reunited with 'a kindred spirit.' Baillie caught wind that Firth was coming to the territory and jumped on the chance to recruit her for a night.

'She really inspired me and she totally reinforced everything I've been saying to my kids, about setting goals and healthy lifestyles.'

There were more than 80 kids hitting the ski trails around the Koyotes club this past year, he pointed out, which is a big increase from previous years and a great sign that the local youth are listening to the messages he has been trying to drive home.

'I have an open-door policy here. They're always welcome. This is not a performance-driven program, it's based on participation. It's mandatory to have fun here.'

Brittanee Laverdure, the Watson Lake wrestler who now trains and attends school at the University of Calgary (U of C), joined Firth for her tour of the Yukon communities, and seconded Baillie's thoughts on a great role mode and the great messages.

'I'm being inspired by Sharon,' she laughed, when asked what she's doing on the tour. 'I'm just going around with Sharon as a way to give back to the community. We talk about having a healthy lifestyle and being active, how it can create opportunity in your life.'

Both Laverdure and Firth are of particular inspiration to first nations women in the North Firth and her sister were among the first aboriginal women to compete in international skiing events and Laverdure said that's why it's so important they go back to the very same communities they hail from, to prove you can be successful if you put in the hard work.

'I'm from Watson Lake, my family lives there. I'm not just somebody in a book. I'm a real person and the kids can relate to that. They could be Prime Minister if they wanted to, it's just about them believing in themselves and working toward it.

'Sharon's always like, It was tough, it was hard, but you just keep working at it.' If you come to a mountain, you can look for ways to go around, but maybe the shortest way is over the top. It's not going to be the funnest trip, but you'll get there in the end and you'll be stronger for it.

'I always say the journey is more than the destination.'

Laverdure has certainly been on an exciting journey of her own in the past few years. She was named the U of C's top female athlete this year, after claiming both the Canada West and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championships in the 55-kilogram division.

Last weekend, she placed second at the Canadian senior nationals and made the national team for the next season. She also won the world university trials and will represent Canada in Mongolia in June.

'There will be a lot of fierce competition,' she admitted. 'The Asian competitors are pretty tough and also the eastern Europeans.

'I'm up for the challenge and I'm looking to be on the podium for sure.'

That attitude has always been a driving force behind Laverdure's success and it was a big reason Firth made it to four Olympics as well. It's the last message Firth leaves for the youth.

'Nobody can take away anything from you, as long as you know you've done your homework, you've done your training, you've done your preparation. And the most important thing, is having fun at what you're doing.'