Hi Nordic Skiers,
Welcome to all of our new members—incredibly, we have almost 200 members!!
Thanks to everyone for attending the potluck—we had lots of good food and even managed a little business. Here’s a synopsis of what we discussed:
Kid’s Day: The Fernie Nordic Society will host a Free Children’s Cross-Country Ski Trail Orientation Day on January 26th between 10:00 and 12:00. It will be for children in grades 1-7. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Ski gear can be checked out from the schools. We will have several highly qualified skiers on hand to coordinate the skiing. Please sign up at school or let us know by Wednesday, January 24, if you/your child will be participating.
Valentine’s Day Fete: We hope to have a Valentine’s Day Extravaganza (well, maybe that’s not the right word) on Wednesday, February 14th at the Best Western Hotel. Details will be sent out next week.
New Trails: There are some potential trails on the land where the future Blackstone Golf Course will be built and when these are lain out and groomed, we’ll let you know.
Big Blue: We are buying a trailer for Big Blue in order to move him around to a few more areas.
Wish List: As we start applying for grants for next year, we are seeking some input from members as to what you want the Fernie Nordic Society to provide for you with regard to capital expenditures – both next year and in the future. Please take a moment to let us know what your priorities are. You can just add your comments to this post.
-More Trails
-Hut System
-Nordic Center Building
-Other
GROOMING REPORT: The classic trails at the golf course are pretty good. Don’t bother to skate there until we either have new snow or our new grooming equipment arrives (end of January of beginning of February). The skating lane is icy and lumpy and there is nothing we can do about it until the Yellowstone Track Systems Ginzu Groomer arrives.
The skating and classic skiing on the Island Lake Lodge trails is really good. Their fancy groomer lays down an absolutely beautiful track and perfect corduroy. You can drive up to the gate and park in the Island Lake Lodge parking lot (the road is plowed), cross a snow berm and start skiing uphill – a gentle climb until the trail intersects with the main road (also perfectly groomed). To make about a 5 km loop, just turn right and descend the main road back to the parking lot. For more of a workout, you can do the 6 km climb up to the Lodge—the ascent (and descent!!) is pretty steep in spots, so you might want to avoid it if conditions are icy. There are also about 5 km of trails at the Lodge. Island Lake will be hosting a ski for the Nordic Society and we’ll let you know the details when we have them.
The Snowmobile Club is supposed to be grooming some of the roads up Coal Creek Valley every Thursday night. We will ski up there on Friday and let you know how it goes. There won’t be a classic track, of course, but it could be pretty good skating if you get out there first thing on Friday morning. A good place to park is at the intersection of River Road Extension and Coal Creek Road.
OTHER EVENTS: If anyone would like to suggest/plan an event such as a ski or snowshoe tour, trail work, etc., please let us know and we’ll send out a notice and get it posted on the website. You can just send a short description of what you want to do, where you want to meet and when.
WAIVERS & BUTTONS: We still have a number of people who haven’t picked up their buttons and signed their CCC/CCBC Waivers. You can get them from Cheryl & Doug, 13 Park Crescent, 423-7324 or from Patrick Burke, 802 4th Avenue, 423-3091. We can also mail them to you if you live out of town.
If anyone wants to volunteer for anything and we haven’t yet contacted you, please reply to this email and we will find a job for you. Thanks again to everyone for your faith and support.
Happy skiing!!