It struck me – suddenly it’s over.
Sitting in the chalet lacing up my boots for a mid-March ski last week, I looked around and gave thought to the passing of another ski season of myriad events and gatherings – over for now but with promise to bubble forth come next winter.
Memories of Jackrabbit Saturdays with parents serving hot chocolate to the gang of little folk mixed with the 90 Junior Race Team skiers who hit the trails Saturday mornings, plus Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Great memories of the very successful Lantern Ski in December where the chalet was chock-a-block with folks warming up after a ski in the -17 degree weather and partaking of the goodie table, along with hot chocolate and glog. So many visitors and local skiers over Christmas lunching in the chalet, taking in the spectacular setting and experience that is the Larch Hills.
Right after Christmas, hosting the Okanagan Cup with numerous volunteers milling about the chalet getting their marching orders and returning for lunch after completing their assignments when the races were fini.
A number of weeks in early January saw many local schools bring their students to the Larch Hills to have a nordic ski experience. The chalet was again buzzing with the enthusiasm of the many kids who had just had “The best time of my life!”
Then the hubub of preparation for the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet with the food and gear in the chalet getting ready for loppet day. Anyone in the chalet over that time would be impressed with the industriousness of the gals and guys supplying soup and cookies, etc. to the outdoor serving tents, and all the back-and-forth of supplies to the aid stations on the course. Upstairs, the nerve centre of the loppet, timing and results, was humming.
Not too many weeks later and the Pirate Loppet took over the chalet where the Lady Striders made sure each of the young 350-plus pirates was treated to a hot dog and a drink. Then things settled back into the rhythm of the coming and going of skiers who gathered in the chalet to link up with others or just found it a warm, comfortable place to put on ski boots and leave one’s winter boots to put on after. So here I was doing just that when all these memories flooded over me. Chalet of memories.
But the skiing isn’t over! Soft snow over a good, solid base. Both skating and classic were good this week. It appears spring is about to do a warm number on the snow pack so best to get out for those last skis. The backcountry has improved over the past week with the snow softening over the hard crust. One can ski virtually anywhere now.
There are a number of Larch Hills Nordic Society skiers competing in the Nationals in Thunder Bay this week. Wishing them all the best in their quest for the podium.
We certainly have appreciative visitors to the Larch Hills from afar. Pinned to the chalet door recently was a note from a family from Australia: “Thank you so much for your friendly words and encouragement – for your amazingly beautiful part of the world and for advice most needed.” (I guess someone had welcomed them and told them which trails to take.) The note ended with: “ . . .so many happy memories. A holiday highlight!”
Can’t beat that!
The LHNS AGM will be held on Tuesday, March 31 at the SASCU Recreation Centre.
Happy last few skis of the season!