Cross-country ski season underway, but trail options limited
Mike Lawrence - Staff Writer
Another season of cross-country skiing is here, and according to Ron Laverty, President of the Sioux Lookout Nordic Nomads cross country ski club, it’s already off to a good start. As Laverty explained, “Someone told me we have about as much snow now as we had all last winter, so any snow we get from now is going to be a bonus.” While many of the trails are currently not ready for use, there are options for those itching to get out on the trails, as Laverty explained. “Right now, we have the golf course trail groomed. All the other trials have been packed but they haven’t been groomed because there’s still quite a bit of heat in the ground,” Laverty paused, then clarified, “You could ski on it if you wanted. I just went around the Oslund loop this morning. There’s still some water and ice from the melt from the ground heat, but I think the next good snowfall that we get, over the really good base that we have right now, we’ll be able to groom it.” For those planning on skiing beyond the groomed golf course trail, Laverty offers this advice. “It’s groomed from the golf course to the Oslund Trail, and then we groomed part of the dog (friendly) trail, back to Cedar Bay to the stable. That’s groomed, and that’s quite a big chunk. It’s still good enough for skiing on, but its not the greatest skiing. What I tell people is bring your rock skis, the skis you don’t care if you damage the bases, because there are still some exposed rocks that you’re going to run over.”
Local membership to the club wound up topping 350 people last year, which Laverty believes is an all time high, with this year’s memberships now available for purchase online at https://bit.ly/3I3qb3c.
The Youth Ski Program is also opening registrations up beginning December 5. This program offers cross-country ski instruction to youths from four-years-old into their teens. Classes for this program will be on Sundays beginning January 9 and will run until February 27. Individuals who do not have skis are eligible to borrow ski packages for the season, distributed on a first come, first served basis.
People interested in registering or assisting with the Youth Ski Program are encouraged to contact Tom Sayers at 738-2311 or via email at tomsayers@yahoo.ca.
For those interested, the Nordic Nomads will be doing a ski waxing clinic on December 5 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., at the Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club. The fee for ski waxing will be $25.
