Ski season in the Larch Hills has begun!
With the recent snowfall, combined with the previous rains, which were snow at higher elevation, we have a good base – good enough for the PB to be taken out on Tuesday to trackset most of the trails.
Happy faces in the chalet on Tuesday, having skied much of the system. It was the third time up for Jim and me, working at clipping our adopted trail Ermine Frolic. Last Tuesday, with Larch Hills Road now closed to traffic with a barricade at the chalet, we took to our skis to get to Ermine Frolic. We were treated to a driving hailstorm followed by rain and finally snow. Came back to the car soaking wet but glad to be out on the trail. Winter wonderland now with the snow cover!
The Larch Hills Nordics have been gearing up this fall for another busy ski season. The ski and snowshoe trails have been pruned by a dedicated group of guys/gals, the chalet has been made ready for the season, the junior race team has been training all summer/fall for their coming race events – local and away, the committees for the myriad events hosted by the club are in place, the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet committee has met and looks forward to our 32nd annual loppet, and a successful ski swap was held in October.
The Larch Hills Nordics Junior Race Team now numbers 108 skiers and 17 coaches. All are training conscientiously for the various events coming up. Those that qualify age-wise, ie. 14 to 15 year olds, will be trying out for a spot on the Zone 2 team to compete in the 2016 BC Winter Games to be held at Nickel Plate, Penticton, Feb. 25 to 28.
Well, I remember the first BC Winter Games held in Kamloops in February 1979. I was coach for a team of Zone 2 speed skaters at this inaugural event. Our team did well but, more importantly, the BC Winter and Summer Games have continued to give athletes the experience of a multi-sport event. Some have carried on the Canada Winter Games which for some can lead to the Olympic Games.
A small group of guys and gals is gearing up for the Nationals in Whitehorse in March. To this end they did some great fundraising this fall which we were glad to be part of. Teams of athletes, and in some cases their parents, offered their services for yard work, funds raised to go to travel expenses to Whitehorse. The team of four that showed up at our place to help with our clean-up worked hard for four hours and we were so happy to have the various jobs done. Perhaps they will consider a spring clean-up gig?
The Chalet Expansion Committee presented their ideas to the Larch Hills Nordic Society general meeting in November. The question will go to a vote at the next meeting on Dec. 8, 7 p.m., recreation centre, room #1. All current and prospective members welcome. Check out the Chalet Expansion Report at www.skilarchhills.ca.
We look forward to having the soup and coffee gals back on the hill on weekends!
Think snow!