News for Fall 2018

As winter approaches (hopefully), we have been doing some work on the trails. Three items are noteworthy:
1. A new trail has been added in the central area of the network, running north/south from Westside Story (5) to Hockleycrest (3), and also intersecting Central Park (6) and Field and Forest (10). This is an easy trail through pine plantation and across a regenerating field where a lot of cherry trees are found. It has been named Black Cherry, and numbered 23.
2. The section of Mainline (1) trail in the southeast corner of the network east of Tamarack, has been modified so that it is now skiable in both directions. A bypass route has been built around a steep twisty hill, so this trail can now be skied northbound as well as southbound.
3. The skate trails are being discontinued. These trails added a lot of effort on maintenance, and the section on the open field near trail #12 was almost impossible to keep groomed because of constant drifting. Only one skier was using the skate trails, and he has gone away to university, so there is not much point in maintaining them.

Otherwise, the network will be much the same as last year. We have been busy mowing grass and whacking weeds, and some levelling of the trail platform has been done in a couple of spots.  Protruding rocks have been removed where possible, and wood chips have been spread in a couple of places to cover obstacles.

Now all we need is snow and consistent cool temperatures. I sure hope the weather will be better this year than it was last year.

April 15 - Back in Business

Well, we could have been open for skiing today, if anybody could get here on the treacherous roads. With about 8 cm of fine grained ice pellets on the ground, we have a good firm base, with just enough loose granules on the surface to give good control.

March 29 - end of season

It's almost the end of March, and we have no snow left. Over the weekend, I will begin taking down ski trail signs. The section of Bruce Trail that was closed to hikers over the winter will re-open for walking. All ski-only and snowshoe trails are now closed until next winter.

Sunday, March 18

We had a little bit of new snow Friday morning, but as soon as the warm sun came out it disappeared. Sorry, but trails are still closed, and it looks like we may be done for the season.

Sat. March 3

The little bit of snow we received all disappeared with yesterday's sunshine. Trails are closed for skiing until further notice.

March 2 - new snow, but not enough

We've received a little bit of new snow, but it's not enough to re-open the trails. If we get more, and conditions become skiable, I will advise in an update.

Wed. Feb. 21 - Snow gone

Recent warm temperatures have melted all our snow. Trails are closed until further notice.

Trail #3 this morning