NEW TRAIL CONNECTIONS FOR 2015/2016 SKI SEASON

I've just received approval from the Taoist Tai Chi Society for a couple of new trail sections. They are the owners of the property immediately north of the 5 Sideroad.
A new link will be added starting at the south junction of Mainline and Harmony, heading west and then north to connect with Around the Pines. This section will pass through a pine plantation and will have very gentle hills on it. Another short link will extend Gazebo trail southerly to connect with the first one. This will feature a short, steep hill for those who want to add a little excitement to their outing.
It is hoped that these 2 new links will help to reduce conflicts with the maple syrup operation in the later part of the winter.

Starting work for the winter of 2015/16

After a summer away from the trails, I've begun my preparation for the coming winter. Over the past weekend (September 12 and 13) I cut grass on many of the trails, and cleared fallen trees in 4 locations. There was a vicious wind storm back in July that brought down some really big trees; fortunately, only a couple landed on the trails.
I've also made some small revisions to the trail route near the north end with the hope that we can avoid the snow-drifting problems that were prevalent here in the past.
I'll be going out tomorrow with earth-moving equipment (i.e. pick-axe and shovel) to try to remove a couple of boulders from the trail on the Tai Chi property.
I've also made a couple of improvements to the groomer to help it hold a straight line on a cross slope. Time will tell whether this is effective. At least it will be much stronger than last year.

NEW FOR THIS YEAR
I am going to try grooming a figure 8 loop for skate skiing this winter, particularly for anyone who would like to do a bit of skate training. I've been mowing the grass to a 3 metre width, and will do the same on the soybean field, once the beans have been harvested.

Summer prep for winter fun

Work goes on throughout the year to make our skiing experience better once the snow comes. I've been out on the trails making improvements to the trail surface in a couple of locations.



This section of trail #3 Hockleycrest, adjacent to Airport Rd, was too narrow to groom. It has now been widened and flattened, so I will be able to groom it next winter
 

New bridge on trail #3 is wide enough and strong enough to carry the groomer
 

This part of trail #12 Southfield was very uneven and had a serious cross-slope. It has now been levelled and flattened.

Thurs. March 19 - No skiing today

I've had a chance to look at more of the trails, and my conclusion of yesterday is confirmed. Skiing is basically finished for this year. We do not have sufficient snow cover, and where the ground is covered, it is more like ice than snow.
I am starting to think about things I can do to improve the trails for next year, for instance widening one or two spots which will allow me to groom where I could not groom this year.
To those of you who came this year, I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing you again next year.

Wed. March 18

I've been away for a few days, travelling in northern Ontario. On Sunday, I skied at Stokely Creek Lodge near Sault Ste. Marie, where there is still plenty of snow. In fact, there had been a fresh snowfall of about 7 cm on Saturday, making for very scenic skiing through a winter wonderland.
Meanwhile, back here in the Orangeville area, the snow cover has been reduced dramatically. I had a very quick look at the trails last night, and we definitely have some major bare spots. Right now I would NOT recommend skiing.
It is possible that we may still receive another significant snowfall, which would bring back reasonable ski conditions, but I don't see anything big in the forecast for the next week. Without significant new snow, skiing will essentially be finished for this year.

On the trail at Stokely Creek Lodge, March 15, 2015

Friday - disappearing snow base

We have lost a lot of snow over the past 2 days. The open fields toward the north end have large bare spots on them, although the trails are still covered. Nevertheless, the snow base on trails is getting thin in spots. A couple more days of warm temperatures will probably result in bare spots on some trails. Unless you are a real die-hard skier, I would pass on skiing this weekend.

Wednesday - sunny and soft

The sun is shining strongly and the temperature is +6. Maple sap is running and that means the beginning of the end for skiing. The trails (other than #7) are still well covered with snow, but the surface is very soft and wet. I set some track in the central part of the system this morning, but it won't last long because of the melting that's taking place, especially in the sunny places. Shady areas will hold up a bit longer and are firmer and faster.