The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The ground has been covered in that fluffy white stuff for what seems like forever. And while many are cursing the snow, the Flin Flon Ski Club is shaping up for a good season, says vice-president Dave Price. "Things are going well. We need more snow, but we have enough to get along with," he says. "The more (snow) we get, the better the trails will be." Price, who has been involved with the Ski Club for many years, says this year the club is looking at about 20 memberships right now. "That includes families and individuals," he says. "I'm not out there every day, but people are at the Chalet...and every day someone out there sees someone." This time last year, although Flin Flon had much more snow, the numbers were around the same. "It's looking comparable to this time last year. With the amount of snow and the number of people out there, we're looking like we're got a good season ahead of us," says Price. Aside from the leisurely afternoon ski, Price says the lights on the trails are on now, so those who work are able to enjoy a nice evening jaunt. "The lights are on a timer, so they come on at dark and stay on until 10 p.m.," he says. Many might be thinking that they would enjoy a nice ski, but don't have the equipment. That's not a problem anymore, says Price. "We've got rental skis at the Chalet for anyone who needs them," he says. The skis range in size from children to grandparents and everyone in between. As Price said, this year the trails haven't seen as much snow as previous years, he says they are working on getting all the trails ready to go. "We've got the trail closest to the Chalet packed and people are working on getting the remaining trails packed," he says, adding that while some trails are on the rocky terrain, those will have to wait until more snow flies. "We need more snow to cover the rocky terrain," he says, "so people don't scratch their skis. But the trails are in great shape." The Ski Chalet's recent Open House helped to bring in a few new faces along with some familiar ones, and Price says it's always nice to see new people out on the trails. "I think a lot of them are out there already," he says, adding that many people wait until the new year to start skiing. "But it's very encouraging. "And it's still early in the season, so we're expecting the numbers to climb." Cold weather certainly isn't a new thing for Flin Flon, so Price says as long as the skiers dress for the conditions, they shouldn't have any problems. And as for the snow sticking around, Price says he hopes to see people out in March, but "it depends on how much more snow we get in the season." Aside from the regular members, the Flin Flon School Division is hoping to get their students out after the new year and hit the trails. "There wasn't enough snow for them before the Christmas Break, but we're hoping once they get back to school they will come out," he says. The Flin Flon Ski Club will be seeing some new faces in March as well as they will be hosting the Revival Loppet, which will see skiers from Northern Saskatchewan clubs as well as other Manitoba clubs. Participants will start on Ross Lake for the mass start and ski around a loop. They will have the option of going around once or three times. "If a skier goes around three times, that will be equal to 24 kilometers," says Price, adding that that is for fairly enthusiastic skiers. As well, the club will see the Centaloppet return in February as this event is open to everyone. It also starts on Ross Lake with a nice four-kilometer loop. "It's a short ski aimed at everyone," he says, adding that the event is part of the Bust the Winter Blues Festival. For more information on the club, contact Dave at 687-8653 or Tim Spencer at 687-7768.
