Greetings, everyone! It appears that winter is definitely approaching.  Slush has hit windows and snow has crept down the mountains and then receded like an unsuccessful cure for baldness, at least twice.  Oh yes, it’s on the way!

We had a very successful work party earlier in October.  Lots of people came out.  Wood was stacked, the old warming hut was skirted and great deal of junk was burned.  The out house steps are repaired and we cleaned out the ski cupboard and sorted things out.  We’ve decide to sell some of them as they never get used.  Check the Gear Swap section on the website – read the descriptions carefully.  Prices are $30 each, bindings are in good condition.  Call me if you’re interested.

Kelly and his lighting crew are finished and the lights all work (most of the time)!  You are advised to carry a  headlamp if night skiing this winter, in any case.  Night skiing is great, but lighting systems are a headache – no doubt about that.  Thank you, Kelly, for your time and talent this fall!  And thanks to Ken Earl who got us the grant to pay for it!!

We had a good turn out for the AGM.  About 30 great people (and me) turned out to eat and talk and a number of decisions regarding the Club were reached:

--As I mentioned in the last newsletter, it’s time to rewrite the 5 year plan and some goals were established.  We need to replace both the Pisten Bully groomer and the Alpine snow mobile that pulls the Ginzu groomer.  So stand by for some fundraising.

 

--The process to expand the dog trail has begun.  And, pass checkers on the Dog consider people who don’t buy their passes a fairly serious problem so we are looking at ways to solve it.  Changing the access to the trail and having a staffed ticket booth in the parking lot, are 2 options we will look at.  
--There was no interest in enlarging, moving or changing our present lodge so when the time comes to paint the building we will do so all in one colour so it looks more coherent.  Signs will be moved so it looks a bit tidier.  
--There was strong support for a properly designed children’s play park so we will be looking into getting that started.
--A large, covered area in the stadium to get the Rabbits out of the rain was also suggested along with a new section of trail to make a proper 2.5 km racing loop.
--Snowshoe and bike trails, and a biathlon range were also raised as possibilities but will be back-burnered until and unless a good number of Club members rise up to do the work.
--We also discussed ways of welcoming newcomers who will be arriving in the area, living in work camps and looking for something to do on their days off.  I will be contacting Bectel and/or Rio Tinto to see if we can work something out.  I plan to suggest that they buy about a dozen sets of skis and boots and take care of signing them out.  They can also buy a number of pass booklets and resell them on site – easier for us as we don’t have daily rentals available yet.
--Lastly, I informed the meeting that I would be going before the Joint Review Panel of the National Energy Board to give them my personal thoughts on the Enbridge Pipeline proposal.  I asked if they would like me to speak on behalf of the Club as well.  A unanimous vote gave me permission to do so.  My points will be as follows:

• If Enbridge goes through, it will help secure the oil economy for the next 40 years and the Green energy initiatives that have begun to make progress will die on the vine.
• If it does go through, one of the main objections to it is the corrosiveness of the product they’re pumping through the pipes.  Why not refine it first?
• How dare they allow the company to export all those refinery jobs to China?

If you have any objections to me saying this on behalf of the Club, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone (632-6055).  Otherwise, I will be introducing myself as the President of the Snow Valley Nordic Ski Club with 300 members supporting my statements.   In the meantime, I will continue to try to get a meeting with KLNG to discuss their plans for crossing our Dog Trail.  I’ve written one letter to two people, but so far there's been no reply.

As always, we held our elections and everyone was re-elected by acclamation.  The groomers will arm-twist one of their number to come to meetings, as Cliff will no longer be doing that.  And Mary Ann Shannon retired as Secretary.  So with thanks to Mary Ann for all her support and helpful thoughts,  I’m seeking a secretary and a facilities director.  I’ll be asking around.

So….the Executive consists of the following people:
Da Prez – Liz Thorne (me)
Treasurer – Nancy Reynolds
Secretary –
Facilities –
Grooming – TBA
Membership – Cathy Vandenberg
Athletics – Adrienne Vandenberg
Historian – Terry Brown
Racing – Cheryl Brown
Directors at large – Dustin Quezada; Dan McElheron; Dean Bergstrom
Past Prez – Brenda Horwood
Speaking of members (we were, weren’t we?), I’d like to welcome some very new members.  The Vandenberg family has expanded by 2, Yohannes and Abel arrived last week from Ethiopia and that makes 9 children.  And Chris Schooner and Debbie Helsdon recently adopted twin 7-year-olds from the Ukraine.  Now I call that going above and beyond the call of duty to bring new members into the Club!  Congratulations, everyone!  

On a similar note:  The All Club Ad Hoc Membership Committee is still functioning.  That means that everyone in the club is needed to bring friends and family out to the trails and get them skiing.  That way we keep prices down and the trails busy.

Rentals:  I’ll post on the web site the days when I’ll be at the trails to rent out skis for the season.  I’ll do the Rabbits on separate days from the adults.  Bev Engen has offered to help out and we’re going to try to have an evening or two when rentals are available for a couple of hours, as well as weekend days.  If more bodies came forward, we could do more.  Details will be announced.  Watch the website in the 2nd half of November.

Coming Events
Dec. 2-4 – McBike Smithers will be coming to McBike Terrace from 3 pm Friday to 3 pm Sunday.  For high-end gear and knowledge, this is the place to shop.
Jingle Bell Ski and potluck – before Christmas if there’s snow
Jan. 7 –  1-4 pm  Open House – volunteers needed for lessons, rentals, tours, “meet-and-greet”
Jan. 14 – 10 am ‘til noon - Rabbits and adult lessons start
Jan 28 – Snow Valley Open
Feb. 11 – Women’s Fest
Feb. 25 – Marathon

Week night adult lessons will be arranged when Geoff has a chance to talk to people.   Check the website for details about adult lessons on Saturdays and possibly other dates during the ski season.  We will also be posting waxing clinics.

The week night teen ski will be happening when teens have checked their schedules.

Watch for information on the new northern Spirit of the Snow race series.

Please feel free to contact me or any executive member if you have any questions or concerns about the Club.  Happy November, everyone!

Liz Thorne (da Prez)
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