Clearing the track for cross-country skiers
Stinging cold and ankle-deep snow are no match for Brian Sullivan.
It’s part of his job for the Town of Truro, as he dons gloves and helmet and snowmobiles down the trails of Victoria Park, smoothing out snow for crosscountry skiers and clearing away downed trees.
“I feel really, really happy that I can help the town supply this service,” said Sullivan. “I get so much appreciation from the people that it makes it all worthwhile, no matter how cold it is. It is a warm feeling when you get the high ves and the thankyous.”
After a major snowstorm, Sullivan drives his snowmobile down the 30 km-long ski trail network, using it to pack down snow beneath. Attached to the snowmobile is a small raker used for grooming the trail. He then packs snow down along the path’s edges, an hours-long process to make it t for skiers.
Often, he comes across trees downed by heavy winds or dangerously bent over under the weight of snow and ice. These are cut away and their trunks and branches dragged over to the trailside, giving skiers a clear path.
Sullivan keeps a set of tools, including a saw, as well as a rstaid kit in his snowmobile’s storage compartment to help him do his job.
While patrolling Victoria Park’s forests, he may come across deer, that usually run away as soon as they spot his snowmobile.
Some skiers borrow equipment from the Douglas Street Recrea- tion Centre before hitting the trails.
“ e grooming brings a lot of people out to get some winter exercise,” said Sullivan. “I’ve actually had people from Maine who will stop. Everyone’s very
friendly. It’s a very thankful job.”
While trails must be kept wellgroomed for skiers, the summer season brings out bikers and walkers. Less trail work is needed at that time of year, but town sta must still keep a lookout for anyone breaking re or littering bylaws, especially if the weather is hot and dry.
“We have a crew on in the summer that will do all the maintenance and we just keep an eye out for any possible signs of re,” said Sullivan. “We have come across a few in the past where some people will start a little camp re not knowing that they’re not supposed to.”