Doggy Trail Policy and Reminders

Friendly Reminder - Doggy Code of Conduct at Onion Lake Ski Trails This is a list of reminders for all of you who love to ski with your canine buddy.

This is very important: The Long and Short Dog Trails are firstly skiing trails. They are designed and groomed for skiers: classic skiers, skate skiers, young skiers, and not-so-young skiers; beginner skiers and the advanced skier who just wants a nice day out. As they are some of our easiest trails, they are often used by first time skiers, older skiers, families, and for lessons. As an added benefit, and privilege, you can ski here with your dog!! This comes with some added responsibilities as a skier…. Please, everyone, read the rest of the document here.

Adult lessons, some requests, some reminders Jan. 5/2023

Hey Skiers! Have you been out on the trails yet this season? We are full-on open, and lots of people have been working to get the season off to a great start. Thank you to the groomers, the rental shed volunteers, the coaches, the club directors, and the volunteers who have been shoveling snow and bringing in firewood!

ADULT LESSONS: every Saturday at 1 p.m. We have a dedicated group of certified instructors who can get you to the next level in your ski ability, for both classic and skate techniques, whether you are a raw beginner, or hate going up or down hills, or you have some skills but want to tweak a skill to make skiing more efficient or faster. We need to know how many skiers will be taking lessons each Saturday, so email Cathy to book a space. Indicate your ski level (beginner, intermediate) and the technique you want to learn (classic or skate). The cost of a lesson is $20, and is usually 1.5 - 2 hours in length. If you are not a member, be prepared to pay day fees as well, and if you need rental gear, come early enough to get that sorted out so we are ready for a 1 p.m. start. Meet at the lesson sign near the rental shed.

And a request. Well, actually two requests.

1. Photos. If you have some good photos of the club, volunteers, facilities, skiers, etc., please share them so we can use them in the newsletters and group emails, etc. We are missing two key photographers this year: Jim Thorne has been taking photos at the club for decades, but he has moved to the Island; and the couple taking photos and sharing them on Facebook for the last few seasons has also moved. Cross Country BC (our provincial organization) is always asking for photos from the clubs for their annual publication as well. Let’s send them some great shots of our wonderful trails and dynamic club members!

2. I would like to compile a document entitled “How to have a good ski season at Onion Lake Ski Trails,” or something to that effect. If you could send me your tips about waxing/not waxing, skiing in the rain, skiing with kids, social events, etc.—all the things that one needs to have a successful ski season at our facility and the reality of our winters—please send them to me (Cathy), and I’ll get it distributed for our entertainment and motivation!

A few reminders: —Snowshoeing only on the snowshoe trail. Do not snowshoe on the groomed ski trails. Do not ski on the snowshoe trail. —Dogs on the Doggy Trail only. If you ski with a dog on the Doggy Trail, keep to the direction indicated by the signs. —If you need to walk on the trails (hills too steep, or broken gear), stay on the outer edges of the trails, off of the classic tracks and definitely away from the middle of the trail where the skate skiers ski. Walking on groomed trails can make the trails dangerous for skiers. —There are trail maps in the lodge (above the microwave near the kitchen) and there are trail maps on our website. https://www.snowvalleynordics.com/trail-maps —The best beginner trails are the Doggy Trail, the Troll Trail, and the 0.5 km loop (follow the green dot signs that start at the rental shed). All other trails would be considered intermediate level trails, and involve navigating hills. (If going up and down hills is your nemesis/struggle, see “adult lessons” opportunities above! :)

See you on the trails!

update on trails and rental shed at Onion Lake

Merry Christmas, ski friends! If you are watching the BC Highway Cam at Onion Lake, you will see the we’ve received a heap of snow on the trails as a Christmas bonus! We’ve gone from 7 cm of snow on the ground to 75 cm, in less than two days. The groomers will be packing the snow on the trails as soon as they can get out there. As of this morning, the parking lot has not been ploughed. Lots of shoveling to be done around the lodge and outhouses and rental shed, if anyone is looking for exercise! Please wait for confirmation that the trails are ready for skiers before you head out there for a ski.

Rental Shed: Due to the present snow and highway conditions, and the lack of volunteers signed up for rental shifts, we are postponing our opening day until Friday, Dec. 30. Hours this coming weekend: Friday Dec. 30 1-4 Saturday Dec. 31 10-4 Sunday Jan. 1 11-4 Monday, Jan. 2 1-4

If you are into night skiing, we advise you to bring a headlamp. The lit trails have several lights that are presently out, and we are working on getting them working as soon as possible.

Remember that a ski pass (either a laminated member pass or a purchased day pass) must be worn (and visible) when you are skiing on the trails. We have volunteers who will be skiing around checking for passes.

PLEASE be attentive to the places that we can update you on grooming and ski conditions:

Nordic Pulse (download the free app)

Snow Valley Nordic Ski Club website (look under trail conditions)

Facebook

See you on the trails, soon!