Halifax Nordic Ski Club Newsletter
Halifax Nordic has snow.... come out and ski!

In this week's newsletter:
  • Membership
  • Brunello- come ski!
  • Lessons
  • Wax demo
  • New partnership announced Oakfield Golf and Country Club
  • Purchasing new skis
  • Looking for used gear.
  • Skiing outside of HRM
  • Winter nights at Brunello
  • Volunteer with Halifax Nordic
Jan 9, 2020
Gift a Halifax Nordic Ski Club Membership

There is lots of snow on the ground and the trails are spectacular. Come out and ski as it won't last for long. For full membership details and pricing visit our website . Purchase this year's membership on Zone 4.
Brunello is beautiful!
Brunello
Get out and ski!
Come for a ski tonight. Brunello cart paths have been groomed for skate skiing and the trails are beautiful. The plan is to set a classic track on the back nine tomorrow. Check in with the pro shop when you arrive and they will provide updates and directions.
If you are skiing tonight, don't forget your head lamp for the trails. Also, please make sure you follow the directional signage we have posted as there are quite a few hills and we do not want collisions on the trails.
Click on the video above to see the trails- look at all of that snow!

We are still working through many of the details with Brunello, so stay tuned, and have posted the following FAQs to help answer questions:
FAQs about Brunello for Halifax Nordic Club Members

What does it cost for HNSC Members to ski at Brunello?

~ Nothing for the cart paths, it is included in your membership fees.
~ There is an option to sign up for the snow bowl to cover the additional costs- $30 ind; $75 family.

Can a friend who is not a HNSC Member join me?

~ Yes, day passes are available at Brunello for $10 for 2 hours, $20 for 4 hours.

What hours are the trails open?

~ 10am-10pm. The snow bowl will have lights. For all other trails, skiers should have a headlamp after dark. You MUST check in with the clubhouse before/after heading out on the trails.  

Can I rent skis there?

~ Yes, Brunello has a limited number of classic/skate sets available ski/poles/boots available. Consider calling first to confirm availability.

See link below for rates: 


  Can I classic ski on the skate trails?

~Yes, when snow depth is adequate a separate track will be set on “The Back Nine” but if not classic skiing is permitted on the skate trails.

What else can we do at Brunello?

LOTS!! Check out this link for other fun winter activities!!


Clubhouse #- (902) 876-7649
McDonald Sports Park has been groomed.
MacDonalds Sports Park was groomed last night and given a grooming with the roller to flatten the snow. Again expect soft conditions. Check http://halifaxnordic.ca/trails/msp/ for trail directions and details.
Lesson spots still available

There are still spaces left in lessons if you have friends looking to take up skiing. Check Zone 4 for details.

If you are signed up for lessons on either Saturdays or Mondays an email with additional information has been sent out to everyone signed up for lessons.


Youth Lessons
Halifax Nordic offers cross country ski lessons based on Cross Country Canada’s Skill Development Programs for Children. The overall objective of the program is to assist children in the development of a love of the outdoors, a healthy lifestyle, excellent technical skills and a good level of physical fitness.

Saturdays, January 11 – February 29 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m   at Brunello.
Mondays, January 13 – February 24 from 6:45-7:45 at Brunello .
Program Fees:  $65 for Sat, $40 for Monday plus  Club Membership


Adult Lessons
Come out and learn to cross country ski. Halifax Nordic offers a variety of lessons to help get you out on the snow this winter.

January 11 – February 15  at  Brunello Links.
Saturday mornings & Monday evenings.
Program Fees : $85 plus  Club Membership

For more details on ski lessons visit our : website .
Wax Demo
Ike waxing skis
Ike Whitehead (Trail Shop Wax Tech), will be doing a wax demo at Brunello Saturday January 11th, the first day of lessons (9:30 – 11:00 a.m). Do you have questions and are looking for wax tuning tips? Ike will be happy to share tips and techniques.
Oakfield Golf and Country Club partners with Halifax Nordic
Halifax Nordic Ski Club is pleased to announce that we will be adding Oakfield Golf and Country Club to our XC venues. At present we are planning a 5km loop on the grass between fairways allowing skiing in low snow conditions. Oakfield staff will be doing the grooming using HNSC equipment Monday to Friday and the parking lot will be accessible 9am to 5pm with off hours access from Acorn Drive. We expect to be operational by Monday Jan 13th. Oakfield staff are being trained by the Halifax Nordic groomers to groom and maintain these new cross country ski trails. We are very excited with the golf course partnmerships and vision form the clubs to have their venues as winter use.

HNSC is fortunate to have such great partners as Brunello Estates and now Oakfield Golf and Country Club but none of this would be possible without the support of HRM, NS Community Cultures and Heritage, Cross Country Nova Scotia, and especially our membership.
Purchasing cross country skis?
Were you out skiing this week in 20 year old gear and are looking to upgrade? Try out some of the more comfortable and warm new boots as well as lots of upgrades in ski technology. If you are searching for new waxless skis or a pair of skate skis try one of our club partners: The Trail Shop and Hub Cycle. Support these locally owned businesses that have experienced staff and have many options for purchasing equipment.

Mention you are a Halifax Nordic Member and you are eligible for a 10% club discount.
The Trail Shop:
6112 Quinpool Rd., Halifax NS
info@trailshop.com
902-423-8736
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Truro
59 Inglis Place, Truro, NS
truro@trailshop.com
902-842-2777
H ub Cycle : 
33 Inglis Place
Truro, NS, B2N 4B5
902-897-2482
Used cross country skis and gear to buy or sell?
We are getting lots of inquiries around buying and selling used gear. Try the Facebook group NS XC BUY/SELL/TRADE . it was set up to put folks in touch with each other.
Skiing outside of HRM?
There are many great spots to ski in and around Nova Scotia as well as in neighbouring New Brunswick. I would recommend joining the Facebook group NS XC skiers searching for skiable snow to check for snow conditions in outside of HRM and NB. Kejimkujik, Keppoch, Victoria Park, North Highlands Nordic, Wentworth are a few of the ski areas around the province.
Winter nights at Brunello in 2020
CTCT-20190207_130231
We have lights installed at Brunello in the snow bowl and are making snow now that the cold weather has arrived. The bowl still needs more snow before we open.

We are very excited with all of the new developments at Brunello as we can now plan scheduled activities taking place at Brunello through the week: lessons, social skis as well as races.

Weather permitting, we are planning for Monday night lessons 6:45-7:45, Tuesday social skis 7-8 and pop up races- likely Wednesday night races (check FB for details). The Tuesday night social ski is sponsored by the Trail Shop and we will be announcing details next week om Facebook and http://halifaxnordic.ca/news/ for more details. Our snow making infrastructure, new lights and a larger bowl should get more members out to Brunello during the week. The clubhouse will also be open evenings, so there is a spot to warm up after your ski.
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.