Halifax Nordic Ski Club Newsletter
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In this week's newsletter:
- Snow Making
- Halifax Nordic Trails
- Lesson Wrap
- Honeypot Loppet
- Club Rental Returns
- Update from the Trails
- Nationals
- March Break Skiing
- FIS Cross Country World Cup Final- Quebec City
- Toques
- Trail Conditions
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The snow bowl at Brunello with artificial snow is holding up well. We are grooming most mornings around 10am, as soon as the snow softens. We are excited that we can now have this area available for skiing.
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We have had yet another year of fantastic skiing in March, last weekend, MacDonald Sports Park, Brunello as well as Smileys had good conditions.
The snow that fell early in the week was quickly followed by rain, but the day's rest and drop in temperatures meant that the trails that were untouched provided amazing skiing mid-week: Smileys, Dollar and Brunello all opened up for skiers.
Looking to tomorrow, if you are sticking to trails near HRM, Dollar Lake should hopefully be good (sometime after 9:30) and the Brunello Bowl is your best bet if you are looking for a spot close to the city. The loop is small, ~250 meters, but there is plenty of snow.Tomorrow's rain may change conditions so check directions, trail details and updates on trail conditions on our
Facebook,
Twitter and
Website before heading out.
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Session Wrap
Last weekend was our last day for lessons and there were plenty of smiling faces on the trails. MacDonald Sports Park has a lovely ski to the island where families enjoyed roasted s'mores around a snowy campfire.
The Brunello group was able to ski the 3 km trail around the new snow loop, down the wooded road and out onto the driving range. At the end of lessons, they too had a nice camp fire set up with snow benches.
Feedback on Programs
As programs wrap up after a tough-snow-season, we will be looking for feedback on how to adapt our lessons for next year. Participants will be sent an email survey in the coming weeks, and coaches are having a de-brief/planning session Thursday March 14th at Brunello Clubhouse from 7:00 to 8:30. We welcome all input, fresh ideas and volunteers!!
Thanks to all of the volunteer coaches, who had to be nimble on planning lessons for challenging and changing conditions. Special thanks to coordinators David Hubley, Nick Cardone and Jack Solomon who too often had to make tough safety calls on cancelling lessons. A new generation of skiers appreciates your commitment and time!
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This past weekend, the weather finally cooperated for the first time in a few years and the Honey Pot Loppet returned to the Nova Scotia race calendar. This loppet is one of the oldest loppets in Nova Scotia; it first started in the late 1970s and was run on the trails behind the hostel in Wentworth. The loppet was initially founded as a fundraiser for the Nova Scotia provincial ski team, with tubs of honey given to every participant—a tradition that continues still.
The loppet this year moved to Victoria Park in Truro, where there is great support for XC skiing and it was a chance to showcase skiing in the park. Skiers completed as many 3.6 km laps as they could in 90 minutes. Plans are afoot for next year’s edition to showcase even more of the groomed trails that the town of Truro maintains in the park.
Nearly 50 skiers participated in this year’s Honey Pot, including skiers who were younger than 10 years old as well as skiers who might be into their seventh or eighth decade. More than $1,200 was raised, which will be shared between the provincial ski team and the Bryan Scallion Memorial Fund.
Over the past 40 years, the Honey Pot has changed location and formats, but it still remains a family friendly ski event that encourages participation and competition. This was evident in the battle that played out for the win, but also in the draw prizes as many names of different family members (from the same family!) were drawn from the bucket. Some of Nova Scotia’s finest skiers and families made their presence known in supporting the event.
It was incredible to see so many skiers out, and heart-warming to know that the Honey Pot legacy still continues. Pierre Roy paid a lovely tribute to Honey Pot founder, Bryan Scallion, raising a can of coke and a handful of ju-jubes in his honour. Bryan and Pierre were very close friends and skied thousands of kilometers together (mainly fueled by ju-jubes and coke). It means so much to the Scallion-Powell family to continue to see Bryan’s memory and legacy honoured in such a wonderful and fitting fashion as new generations of skiers continue to grow the sport in the province.
Thank you to all the skiers who supported the event, to Pierre Roy for organizing it, to all the volunteers, as well as the sponsors and supporters, including: Hub Cycle, Helly Hansen, Bike Monkey, Scallion & Powell, Jennie Mae Roy Photography, Susan Scharpegge (for the lovely hand-made medals), Town of Truro (especially groomer Brian), Halifax Nordic, Leana Todd RMT, and everyone else who helped out.
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Club Rental Equipment Returns
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Now that we finally have some snow, keep using your club rental equipment! Later in April Geoff Bennett will notify renters by email to select dates to return their rentals. It is expected that skate skis will be waxed for storage. If you don't have wax and and an iron, Geoff will have a wax stand set up and show you how when you return them. Thanks to Geoff for looking after the Club's rental program.
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Halifax Nordic is represented at the 2019 Canadian Ski Nationals in Nakkertok by the following skiers: Ogen Newcomb, Grace McIntyre, Fiona McClure, Maggie McClure and Colin Ward. They are racing in the Gatineau this week and their results to date are posted below and full results can be found on
Zone 4 Results.
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March Break - where to ski in NS and NB
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Looking ahead to next week and March Break, you may be looking for a spot to ski and wondering where to stay for a night or two. Several spots offer discounts for Halifax Nordic members so see our website
http://halifaxnordic.ca/membership/ for full details. There are often Airbnbs available if you find accommodations are full. We reached out to several members and asked where they would recommend, here is their list.
Nova Scotia
- Ski Tuonela - may be fully booked - but worth looking into.
- North Highlands Nordic - Highlands Hostel for accommodation.
- Keppoch - Antigonish hotels
New Brunswick
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Kouchibouguac National Park- L’Ancrage B&B close by and the King George B&B in Miramichi.
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Bathurst, the Gite L’Etoile du Havre B&B is lovely.
- Charlo, the Herons Nest Cottages are very convenient.
- Dieppe's Rotary Park and Moncton's Centennial Park - many nearby hotel options
- Killarney Park and Wostawea's woodlot trails in Fredericton – lots of hotels
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FIS Cross Country World Cup Final- Quebec City
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If you have plans to be in Quebec over the March Break, be sure to take in
the FIS Cross Country World Cup Final. It will take place during a three-day event (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) March 22 to 24, 2019. There will be one sprint and two distance races taking place on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.
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We have sold out of the black pattern and have just a few of the green toques left. If you are interested in picking up a Halifax Nordic toque ($30) this season, they are available at the Brunello Pro Shop while supplies last.
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Thank you to our club sponsors, we are grateful for your generous support of our club and growing the cross country ski community.
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Halifax Nordic Ski Club |Halifax | www.halifaxnordic.ca
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