The four snow making guns have been blowing snow all week and we now have a good solid base of snow in the Brunello bowl. Last weekend, the race team was able to do 10 kilometers going round and round the loop in the pouring rain. While conditions were not ideal, they were able to get in their ski on our artificial snow. The base is solid so we hope for continuous skiing into March.

Canada Ski Marathon

There were fast conditions, freezing rain and fourteen Nova Scotians at the Canada Ski Marathon two weeks ago. They flew across 160km of tracks set through Quebec's Laurentians. Cathy Tutton of Dartmouth reported that her family did all 10 sections and enjoyed the clear, cold overnight at the Gold Camp. Photo shows Cathy and her daughter Rosy at the Camp. Michael Tutton earned a Bronze by skiing all 10 sections! Other Nova Scotian marathoners were Elise Huet, who coaches in our adult program, Jamie Lamond, Steven Allen, Brenton Miller, Andrew Waugh and the whole Leslie family - Stefan, Heidi, Annika and Mattias! Congratulations on participating in this epic Canadian ski event. Individual results at: https://skimarathon.ca/2019-results/2019-individual-results/

Halifax Nordic skiers had some impressive finishes at last weekend's Gatineau Loppet - Canada's largest cross country ski event. There are seven different races over the weekend, but the 51km freestyle race which traverses the entire Gatineau Park top to bottom was the preferred race for our crew. Lorenzo Caterini was 2nd in his age category, finishing 29th overall.  Stu Harden was 4th in his category, as was Darlene Chapman. Mark Campbell, Paul Newton, Pierre Roy and Ron MacDougall all finished the gruelling 51km in frigid temperatures. Our lone classic skier, Kris Doyon was the 6th finisher in his category and 32nd overall in the 51km classic - especially impressive knowing how hard it was to get in any long skis this winter. Photo 1 shows Kris still strong coming into the finish at Mont Bleu. Mark Campbell at the start in photo 2. Full results at: https://east.sportstats.ca/display-results.xhtml?raceid=100477

Nova Scotia was also well-represented at the OUAs in North Bay last weekend.  Colin Ward and Maggie McClure ski for Carleton and helped their team win the women's title and second for the men. Mariah Hudec skis for Guelph Gryphons who were the second women's team.  Maggie's best finish was 3rd in the 12km classic and Colin anchored his 3x3.75k freestyle relay and gave his team the win in a very exciting photo-finish. Full results on zone4.

Looking for skiable snow outside HRM? A reminder that the Facebook Page NS XC skiers searching for skiable snow carries ski reports from skiers across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This site is a great way to follow ski conditions outside of HRM. Join their Facebook Group to follow skiers from around the province. Skiers were reporting good conditions in Victoria Park in Truro, North Highlands Nordic as well as other areas.

Cross Country Nova Scotia's Facebook page has updates on clubs and trails around the province as well as lots of new features from athletes, stores and other venues.

Wostawea 's annual loppet in Fredericton, NB is this weekend. All skiers are welcome.

DATE: Sunday, February 24, 2019

LOCATION: Killarney Lake Rotary Centennial Lodge, 1600 St. Marys Street, Fredericton

STYLE: Classic

DISTANCES: 3 km, 6 km, 9 km, 15 km and 30 km 

MASS START :

10:00 am / 10h00 - 30 km

11:00 am / 11h00 - other

distances 3 km, 6 km, 9 km, 15 km

REGISTRATION: 

In advance :  ZONE4.CA

Online registration

closes February 23 at 8 pm

In person / en personne : 8:45 to 9:30 am / 8h45 - 9h30 at Killarney Lake Rotary Centennial Lodge 

Our NS cross country skiers are off to Red Deer to compete for Nova Scotia in the Canada Games. You can follow races and results through the Canada Games site.

Today's snowfall looks good for the trails this weekend. We will be posting grooming updates on our Facebook, Twitter and Website.