Conditions for February 17, 2025

Chanse is out grooming away in the Husky. Conditions will be soft today with all the new fresh snow. Classic skiing is the technique of choice today. You will find things snow-covered and drifted in some spots. Back Red, Woolner and Teal’s Tango are your biggest culprits. It will take a few days for the trails to firm up. Maybe take this opportunity to demo skins if you havent tried them before. We have a selection of Fischer Superlites and Salomon RC10. The Snow Squall warning continues so take care on the roads. Have a happy Family Day!

One fun addition we just added to the Conditions Page is our total snow fall this season. We have been keeping track but hadn’t added it up. I knew it was going to be a lot but boy that is a big number! Someone suggested we put this into perspective a bit.

• I am 163cm tall, which means that the snow fall we have seen this year is over 3 Kellys!
• Teal is 64cm tall from her front paws to the top of her head. The snowfall we have seen this season is over 8 Teals!
• The tallest skate ski in the ProShop is 192cm. That is 2.79 skate skis!

Feel the love sale is back Big sales on clothing and ski equipment on now until February 23. Newly added items to our Snow Squall Sale to give you 33%, 40% and 50% off select clothing. Take 25% off a number of ski equipment models as well. Big discounts with the same terrific ski fitting service!

Please take a minute to refresh your memory on the Highlands Nordic Trail Etiquette.

What would I be wearing while on the trails in the cold?

Top, 3 to 4 layers: my warmer base layer, merino baselayer that I use for a mid layer, maybe a light fleece (for me I find a fleece too much for a solo ski, although would have keet it if I was skiing with others) and jacket on top.

Bottom, 2 layers (I never wear more than 2 just change the weight): my warmer base layer, and heavier outer pants. Proper underwear makes a difference too! The no cotton holds true to underwear just as much as your base layer.

Accessories: warm hat (Sauce Chill Toque), regular weight buff, warmest mitts (Auclair Gigatex, again I find these too much for a solo ski but good if I was skiing with someone), and my Lorpen socks. I usually put on some vaseline on my cheeks and lips to help cut the wind and add a layer of protection. It won’t specifically help with frostbite but it helps with wind burn.

Bottom line don’t let the cold scare you off! You may discover you can enjoy being outside even when it is cold.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 22: Family Winter Adventure Day! A day of fun for the whole family. Participate in shelter building and learning how to make a fire. We will teach you how to read a map and explore the trails on snowshoes. Join in on a beginner cross country ski lesson and go for a ski after! Don’t need the lesson, go have fun on the trails!

Cost: $35 per person or $115 per family. Lunch and snack included! (up to 4 people, 1 adult required, maximum of 2 adults).
*Rentals available at a discount

Click here to register.

March 2: See the sunrise from a different perspective…on skis! Sunrise is at 6:44, building doors will open at 6:15. Get out the door to see the sunrise at your favourite spot on the trails. When you are done your ski come in for a warm up with a drink and some homemade cinnamon buns

GET ACTIVE CLUB

Looking for some company on the trails or need help learning the trail system to navigate on your own? Whatever your reason you can meet us Monday’s at 2PM for Get Active Ski Club and we can hit the trails together! Skate, classic, fast or slow we make it workEveryone is welcome to join us.

A long time Season’t Pass holder and friend has offered to Get Active SNOWSHOE Club Monday’s at 2PMas well! Join Angie on a snowshoe this week.

NIGHT SKIING

Wednesday and Friday’s we will be open until 8. Since conditions can be variable we will make a call each Wednesday and Friday morning if we feel it is safe to go ahead with Night Skiing. Best practice will be to check before you come out to ensure there hasn’t been a change through the day. We haven’t been getting a lot of sunshine lately so bring your headlamp to ensure you have light coverage on your ski.

FACILITY HOURS

Regular Trail Hours are between 8:30 and 4:30. Please come off the trails by 4:30 so the building can close at 5. Staff will wait to ensure all vehicles have left the property safely. Cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday; 10 to 3.