Halifax Nordic Ski Club Newsletter
In this week's newsletter:
  • Membership
  • NS Provincials
  • Smiley's Loppet
  • Social Ski
  • Halifax Nordic Sled Fund- Go Fund Me
  • Halifax Nordic trails
  • Skiing tomorrow
  • Brunello update
  • Ski waxing fundraiser
  • Maritime Cup recap
  • Skijoring
  • Cross Country Nova Scotia
  • Volunteer with Halifax Nordic
Jan 23, 2020
Gift a Halifax Nordic Ski Club Membership

If you have not picked up your 2020 Halifax Nordic Ski Club membership, the season is just starting. For full membership details and pricing visit our website . Purchase this year's membership on Zone 4.
Nova Scotia Cross Country Ski Provincials
Halifax Nordic is hosting the Noca Scotia Cross Country Ski Provincials.
          
Location: Oakfield Golf and Country Club
6055 Nova Scotia Trunk 2, Enfield, NS
Date: February 1 – 2*
 
All welcome – from novice skiers to seasoned racers.
Prizes and free entry for children under 12.
 
Saturday, Feb 1: Freestyle (Skate) technique, mass start races in each category begin at 2pm
Sunday, Feb 2: Classic technique, individual starts begin at 10am.
*Alternative date if there is rain or no snow is Feb 22-23. 

Race Distances and Categories
CategorySkate races (Feb 1)All genders
Classic races (Feb 2)All genders
Citizens 5k (open participation)5km5kmPara Nordic (open participation)1km + 3km1km + 3kmSpecial Olympics—1kUnder 61km1kmUnder 81km1kmUnder 102km2kmUnder 122km2kmUnder 144km4kmUnder 166km6kmUnder 188km8kmOpen10km10kmMasters (35-59)10km10kmGrand Masters (60+)10km10km
 
Registration:
Registration link (Zone4) on the Halifax Nordic Website: Link to Zone 4 will go live Thursday January 30th.
  • Children 12 and under: Free registration (but you still need to register in advance)
  • Youth 13-18: $5 per race
  • Adults (19+): $25 per race
 
If you would like to volunteer, send us an email at info@halifaxnordic.ca.

*Deadline to register is Friday, January 31 (11:30pm). Due to Nova Scotia’s always uncertain weather and snow conditions, registration will open on our website on Thursday, January 30th.
 
*Skiers who are not members of a CCNS-affiliated club must purchase a 1-day membership when they register for the races (Under 12: Free, 13-18: $5, 19+: $20). We also encourage you to join one of our clubs – check them out on the CCNS web page:  www.crosscountryns.ca
First Halifax Nordic Loppet of the Year @ Smileys Sunday at 9ish.
This is a wait and see loppet as we are dependant on the weather.

You can register regardless of if you race as payment will be at site -if cancelled or you chose not to attend no big deal. The final decision and details will be made Saturday at 7pm. Check Facebook or our website for updates.

Simple format for the race mass start 4km loop then ski for 1 hr plus a lap for the fastest person then everyone completes their lap they are on and you are done. Cyclocross style

At present Smiley's is great but thinning each warm day. Stay tuned and register on
Snow making update
What a difference a week makes. The weather has been consistently cold and we were able to take advantage of the cooler weather to fill the snow bowl at Brunello. The Brunello team were out on those cold -15 nights fine tunning the equipment and making snow. The snow bowl was filled, and snow moved to create the snow bowl. We are pleased to say it will be open for lessons tomorrow.
Social Ski
We will be hosting social skis on Tuesdays 7-8 pm throughout the ski season, check our Facebook Event for details and updates. Bring a headlamp if you are skiing trails.

Have a friend who wants to try skiing? This is a nice way to introduce them to the sport. We have introduced a $20 Tuesday night rental and pass if you would like to bring along non-member and introduce them to cross country skiing. You will be able to rent classic or skate skis from the Brunello Pro Shop ( (902) 876-7649). Call to confirm equipment availability. Thanks to our social ski partner, the Trail Shop.
Halifax Nordic Sled Fund
Halifax Nordic Ski Club has expanded its network of trails and has been finding partnerships to help with grooming. Grooming relies on reliable equipment that can be deployed quickly to trails when snow falls. HNSC has six trails to take advantage of the microclimates around HRM. Our grooming team works magic attempting to preserve existing snow and groom the trails in a way that will increase our "skiable days".

We just received great news that a grant request to improve our grooming equipment has been approved. The Valley branch of Community, Culture and Heritage has approved a grant request for HNSC. We are eligible for a $3700 grant towards a purchase of $12,100. The club would like to purchase a newer sled to upgrade our original 2005 Skandic. HNSC hopes to raise $2500 from our members so we can make the purchase immediately and utilize the grant.
We have a devoted core grooming team at HNSC that are out late at night and early in the morning when snow falls so that trails are ready for skiers. These upgrades improve our equipment and make for better and easier grooming. HNSC is 100% volunteers and non-profit.

To date, we have raised 20% of our $2500 goal, please consider supporting the sled fund.
Halifax Nordic Trails
What a week with our trails; Smileys was open, Dollar was open and Oakfield opened for the first time. Skiers claimed spectacular conditions on all three trails. It is a reminder of the microclimates around the city. While Brunello, Graves Oakley and MSP quickly turned icy, the trails a little further out, were fine. Be sure check trail conditions before heading out as they can very day to day and place to place.

If you have not skied Smiley's it is worth the trip to Windsor as the trails are nestled in a valley and tend to trap the blowing snow.
Ski Waxing Fundraiser!
Thank you to all who took advantage of the Monday night waxing fundraiser at Brunello to support the Provincial ski team. They may have others through the season, so if you find your skis not quite right for the conditions, keep an eye on the Facebook page or the Newsletter for the next one.
Maritime Cup Recap  

This year's Maritime Cup in Fredericton was not for the faint of heart. The snow fell, and fell and fell.

Those who skied Sunday's race and felt like the snow would never stop falling will remember that race as "THAT' race. It is those times where as a skier your head goes down and you ski through the thick falling snow, trying to find the classic track, at times, just trying to see in front of you!

Shout out to all who made it for the NB race and skied through a very cold race Saturday and a blizzard Sunday.

Skijoring at MSP
We have received lots of requests over the years from members as well as the skijoring community to include trails for onleash dogs, and specifically for skijoring. HNSC is going to try something new for the rest of January at MacDonald Sports Park, on a trial basis we will allow skiing with dogs on leashes/tethers. This is a multi-use park so caution must be exercised by all users. Based on feedback from users and the WAAA a decision will be made on the dog skiing policy at the end of January. Check out East Coast Mushing for more details on skijoring.
Cross Country Nova Scotia Website
Cross Country Nova Scotia (CCNS) has been busy updating their website and have lots of great information for NS cross country skiers, check their website and Facebook page for news as well as upcoming events for nordic skiers.
Ways to volunteer with the club
We are looking for a range of volunteers to help us run this year's club. Looking to volunteer? We have many rolls: coaches, event volunteers, join the Halifax Nordic Board, grooming , etc. Send us an email and we would be happy to find a role for you.
Thank you to our club sponsors, we are grateful for your generous support of our club and growing the cross country ski community.