The holidays offer a perfect time to get outside and make cross-country skiing part of the family’s holiday tradition, according to the president of the Lakeland Cross-Country Ski Club.
“Burn off some of that turkey and join us with your skis,” said Pierre Lamoureux, noting the conditions are perfect to glide on some powder. Lamoureux is one of several local ski enthusiasts that was pleased with recent snowfall. “The snow has given us a two week jump on the season as compared to last year.”
Volunteers use a quality snow machine, purchased with the support of Power Merchants, to make trails at two locations, the St. Paul Golf Course and at the Cooknells’ land north of the Town of St. Paul. Last year, the club had some problems with unauthorized vehicle access, ruining the tracks, and Lamoureux once again asked people to be aware of ski trails and not to use motor vehicles on lands where trails are laid.
He also reminded the public that the club needs its users to pay membership fees to support ski activities. “People are very good at understanding that ski trails don’t get track set on their own and at no cost,” he noted.
Club membership also gives people a chance to participate in various fun activities. A few events have already been tentatively scheduled for next year, contingent on weather and temperatures staying above -20 degrees Celsius with the windchill.
For instance, on Jan. 8, there will be a basic kick-waxing workshop on “kick-waxing that works,” scheduled for 11 a.m. at the St. Paul Golf Course clubhouse, said Lamoureux. A classic technique workshop is also penciled in for Jan. 15. The nominal fee for either workshop is $10, but a person has to be a ski member to take part, he said.
A moonlight ski schedule is in the works, while a daytime ski event is tentatively scheduled to take place on Sunday, Jan. 23. The club is hoping its first annual Iron Horse Trail Ski Tour will see people come out to St. Paul’s staging area to take in a “nice gradual downhill” glide down to Armistice Hall, where refreshments will be served, said Lamoureux, who notes there will be a nominal entry fee for this event as well.
But the ski club is, as always, expanding its wings beyond St. Paul and members are heading out to test their ski mettle at the Canadian birkebeiner at the Blackfoot Grazing Reserve on Feb. 12. “Last year, 10 members went and we’re hoping to double that,” he said. Club members are also welcome to join a road trip for a mountain weekend in Canmore, Kananaskis on Feb. 26 and 27. Both events offer great family fun and skiers can participate at any pace with which they’re comfortable, he said.
People who are new to the sport and who don’t have the proper equipment often ask about borrowing skis to try out the sport, noted Lamoureux. “It’s something the club is prepared to consider, but we don’t have an inventory in skis.” He recommended people invest reasonably in properly fitted ski equipment to enhance their ski experience, adding that Track n’ Trail in Edmonton is one quality dealer.
The investment is well-worthwhile, in his opinion, to take part in the sport of cross-country skiing. “It gives you aesthetic physical activity. It’s like yoga or ballet on skis,” he said, adding, “You can do it with your kids, you can do it into your old age.”
The cost of participating delivers good bang for the buck, with memberships costing $25 per individual or $50 for a family, he said. Memberships can be purchased in St. Paul at Lamoureux, Lawrence and Culham Law Office, 4713 50 Street, or at the Town of St. Paul Recreation Office, 5101 50 Street.
For more information or to check activity times and dates, visit the club’s website at www.lakelandxcski.ca.
