Marcia Beckner
If you bundle up, the recent cold weather should not keep you from skiing these days.
The packer and ginzu groomer have been out doing their magic and making tracks from the chalet up Larch Hills Road to Cec’s cabin, around, and down.
Covering the face in -12 C conditions is recommended. And not skiing too far out in the system; there will be lots of time for that as the ski season progresses.
The chalet is kept warm and cozy by our caretakers Pauline and Deeana, so short forays out on the trails works.
I remember back in the day when the chalet was located down in the forest on Salmar where it was built in 1985, west of the parking lot.
Since we had no caretaker and the chalet was somewhat remote, we did not have the option of a warm spot in which to recover after a cold ski. So we’d arrive in the parking lot, throw on our gear, go out for a ski, come back to the car and quickly get the car going so we’d have some heat.
I’m sure many of you remember those days.
The chalet was used for events such as the Reino-Keski Salmi Loppet and Fun Race. Some race team camps were held in the chalet, plus fun year end events. Otherwise, daily use of the chalet did not happen.
The decision to move the chalet to its current location adjacent to the parking lot in 2007 was stellar. With a caretaker and proximity to the parking lot, the chalet gets daily use. And now it is so well used by all the Larch Hills Nordic groups we are expanding the chalet.
Speaking of chalet expansion, Dancing with the Shuswap Stars was a roaring success and raised $22,000 for the expansion project.
Plans are to dig the foundation next spring.
Go to the website skilarchhills.ca to check out the proposal.
The event was such a success it will be held again next year. Put Nov. 17, 2017 on your calendar.
There are many events on the LH calendar.
The popular Lantern Ski will be held Thursday, Dec. 29. The crew has already been working hard cleaning the lanterns, checking the wicks, and making sure all chimneys are in good shape.
The week before the event the lantern hangers are set out on the trails, arranged along the five-kilometre and two-km routes at distances that give light all along the route.
The morning of the event the lanterns are hung.
Then at 4 p.m. a crew of lighters goes out to light all the lanterns, trimming the wicks as we go to try to eliminate the smoking up of the chimneys.
At 5 p.m. folks arrive to experience the Lantern Ski until 9.
The chalet is the hub of activity with hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and goodies brought by everyone taking part in the ski, a magical evening.
But it doesn’t end there – all the lanterns and hangers have to be retrieved the next day and taken into storage for the next year.
On Saturday, Dec. 31, there will be an orienteering event during the day.
Everyone is welcome to come try out the unique sport of orienteering.
The annual Fun Race is happening Sunday, Jan. 1.
Good warm-up for the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet Saturday, Jan. 14.
As well, the LHNS will host the BC Cup 1 and 2 on Jan. 7 and 8.
With 110 skiers on the junior race team, with 19 coaches, and 140 kids in the Jackrabbit program, with a plethora of coaches, and the rest of us that just love to ski and snowshoe; we have a vibrant club.
At 911 members already we are well on our way to once again breaking 1,000.
Think snow!