Kelowna Nordic plans exciting winter season
The executive and members of the Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club are getting excited as a new season is about to begin.
They have many reasons for that excitement, notably a second snowcat and a new backwoods cabin — bringing the total number of winter shelters to four. But volunteers have also completed a number of other projects and want to share their achievements with new members.
Kelowna Nordic has teamed up with Mountain Equipment Co-op in Kelowna for a membership drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17-18. The club is encouraging everyone “to come out and talk to members to learn about the benefits and the fun in belonging to Kelowna Nordic with its outdoors focus on cross-country skiing (classic and skate) and snowshoeing.”
Those attending can sign up and pay membership fees there. As well, there will be a limited supply of the new Kelowna Nordic tuques on sale for just $10 for members.
“We want to increase our membership so that we have a strong base from which to plan for a sustainable future,” explained director Lisa Howard.
“Membership creates new opportunities for friendships and encourages participation in the club events and volunteer efforts. We would like to encourage pay-as-you-go users to become members. Members have a voice and a vote in the organization. More voices will ensure that our Nordic club facilities and programs meet your needs and increase your enjoyment of this very special place.”
Memberships are also available through the website, kelownanordic.com.
Last year’s members and new members can download the membership form, print it, fill it in and mail it in. Early-bird pricing is available until Dec. 1. Fees are the same as last year.
Those who can’t make the membership drive can find out more about the club and what’s new at its annual general meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan (EECO) in Mission Creek Regional Park, located on Springfield Road in Kelowna.
All or most of the directors will be present. Some special resolutions will be sent to members beforehand. Light refreshments — coffee, tea and snacks — will be provided.
“We managed to dodge the forest-fire bullet yet again, and have been doing lots of trail work and safety logging,” said club president Ryland Garton.
The building crew is working steadily to finish the new cabin on Backcountry Connector, named the Hoby Cabin for now. The outhouse is already completed and the main structure is in place, he said.
“We used the excavator and bulldozer extensively to remove rocks and stumps, drain mudholes and smooth out the trails. Some culverts were installed, but we have more to do.”
The club has already held a succesful Firewood Day on Oct. 28, which followed the collection of logs on Oct. 21. When the weather co-operated, members also did slash burning to get rid of piles accumulated from safety logging.
The club has also finalized the purchase of a second snowcat, which is scheduled to arrive in late November.
“Grooming will be every day, but only on a portion of the trails Monday-to-Friday with all trails done Saturday and Sunday,” said Garton. The groomers are expected to be finished around 8.30-9 a.m. each day.
“Heavy snowfalls may see more extensive grooming during weekdays. The Kallis carpark will open to members only,” said Garton.
“I always look forward to winter because of X-C skiing,” said Howard. “So many people fly off to hot places to escape winter, but I embrace it and it is primarily because I love X-C skiing. The Kelowna Nordic trails are my favourite. The terrain is great for both classic and skate skiing.”
Her connection to the club goes back to the 1970s when she was in high school.
“In those days, grooming was done with a snowmobile by some very dedicated volunteers like Lieuwe Weiranga, who is still a member at the age of 80-something. He knows the real story of why one of the trails is named That Damn Trail; it may or may not have to do with beavers,” she said with a laugh.
In the busy years when her kids were young, the family couldn’t afford downhill skiing, so “we went cross-country skiing as a family. There were always hot chocolatey smiles involved afterwards.”
Marshall Moleschi of Kelowna has been a member of Kelowna Nordic since he moved from Toronto a few years ago.
“I love to hike and bike, and Kelowna is great for that eight months of the year. But come November, I wanted to do something other than sit around waiting for winter to pass. I searched the internet, found Kelowna Nordic close by and joined,” he said.
“At first, I joined to keep fit and be outdoors. Soon, I discovered the friendships that come with doing things with others, being active together, meeting new people in a comfortable and safe environment, and experiencing nature through snow.
“I discovered that snow is your friend, enabling you to glide at speeds of biking, to walk trails like one is hiking. Amazingly, I found a way to maintain fitness through the winter, even becoming more fit. And more importantly, I now enjoy the winter months.”
Kelowna Nordic has activities for all abilities and all ages, he said.
“It was amazing how easy it was to learn to be active in snow, to learn and develop skiing and snowshoeing abilities to better enjoy winter. Yes, these activities enable fitness and fun under bright sunny skies or magical moonlight. Yes, a membership at Kelowna Nordic is a cost-effective way to be active in winter. But it is much more. A winter club like Kelowna Nordic is a forum to become involved in winter, to become involved in nature and to become involved in people.”
Situated in the hills 20 minutes east of Kelowna, the Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club has provided a ski experience since 1977.
Rustic facilities and 75 kilometres of beautiful wooded ski trails are coupled with state-of-the-art grooming and track-setting. The icing on the cake is 75 kilometres of snowshoe trails, many with panoramic views.
Dogs are welcome on all snowshoe trails and 23 kilometres of ski trails.
Close to the main cabin on McCulloch Road is a toboggan hill for kids.
The cabin at the main trailhead and the three other cabins on the trails all have woodstoves and toilets.
New and existing club members can enjoy a free ski lesson. Out-of-town visitors can make arrangements for a club member to accompany them on a tour (email ahead). The club also hosts a variety of social events.
Daily-use trail fees are $5 for snowshoers and $12 for skiers. Collection boxes are located at all trailheads.
The club does not have ski or snowshoe equipment rentals. Skis can be rented from Fresh Air Concept in Kelowna. Snowshoes can be rented from Fresh Air Concept and MEC in Kelowna.
Accommodation can be found nearby at Idabel Lake Resort.
More details about Kelowna Nordic can be found at kelownanordic.com.
***** In last weekend’s column, a biking-hiking buddy expressed concern about the removal of portapotties from the Okanagan Rail Trail between Oyama and Coldstream coinciding with overnight freezing temperatures.
Lake Country communications officer Karen Miller posted it on the district’s Facebook page and “it had a lot of uptake from citizens and questions about portapotties.
“Just to let you know, the portapotty at the Woodsdale Packinghouse Park (tennis courts) and the one on the Oyama isthmus at the boat launch parking lot and rail trail access point are permanent placements with year-round servicing. There is also a permanent outhouse structure in Pioneer Park on Trask Road just north of the Oyama Community Hall. And a year-round portapotty will be placed along Pelmewash Parkway in the next week or two (likely near the large pullout with the dog park/ beach, picnic tables and bike repair station).
“I’ve asked the GIS technician that worked on the Okanagan Rail Trail GIS map to update it to indicate which portapotties on the trail are only seasonal placements, so it is easier for rail trail users to manage expectations around available facilities. This is just the beginning.”
J.P. Squire, aka the Hiking, Biking, Kayaking and Horseback Riding Sheriff, is a retired Okanagan Weekend reporter. Email: jp.squire@telus.net.