12th Anniversary Newsletter & Membership Renewal Campaign

Preparations for the upcoming winter, WCNSC’s 12th season, are well underway. No doubt, the early arrival of snow has prompted you to think of the approaching ski season. People support this non-profit volunteer effort for many reasons. For some, it is the access to quality groomed ski trails, at an affordable price and within a reasonable drive from home. For others, it is the sense of community created with others that share similar interests. Whatever the reason, we hope you will be supporting us this year by renewing your membership for the 2005-2006 ski season.

The Executive will be meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the club’s operations for the upcoming season. If you would like to be involved, please send an email to bryan(at)wcnordic.com. Details will be forwarded to you.

Trail Work and Grooming (The heartbeat of the WCNSC!)

For the sixth year in a row, a tractor equipped with a bush hog, has been used to clear brush from trails. The damp conditions this fall have delayed this work and made it necessary for several small trail sections to be cleared the ‘old way’. If you have access to a gas trimmer with a blade or similar device, and are willing to spend a few hours on an upcoming weekend, please call Bryan @ 832-0627.

Maintaining older grooming equipment continues to be the biggest challenge for our small ski club. An investment was made into repairs for the ‘Bombi’ this year, hopefully eliminating the need for troublesome trail repairs over the winter. Many thanks to the volunteers involved in trail maintenance and grooming this year. In particular, club member Peter Sawyer, who continues to put extensive hours into the driving of the Bombi and Skandic to keep the trails in tip-top shape.

Don’t try to second guess trail conditions by looking out your window!

The view from the kitchen or living room window is seldom the same as the view while skiing on the Perimeter Trail! Conditions vary greatly across this region and it is seldom possible to predict the quality of the ski experience on these trails. Aggressive grooming creates a refrigeration effect that will protect trails through mild spells.

Very few members took advantage of the snow phone last year. Consequently, this taped report of current trail conditions in the park will no longer be offered. Instead, our efforts to maintain this service will be managed exclusively through the website. The conditions are posted after every grooming or significant weather event. Please recognize that you may see an older date on this “Current Conditions” part of the site – this simply implies that the conditions have not changed since the site was last updated.

Clubhouse

We are very lucky to have use of a building within Fitzroy Provincial Park. The facility is equipped with a kitchen, washroom, fresh water and an area for ski waxing and tuning. Executive members will have a key and will try to have the facility open when skiing. If members want to use the facility at times that it may not be open, please call Bryan @ 832-0627. Otherwise, posted events on the website continue to be the only times the clubhouse will be guaranteed to be open.

It is worth noting that many of the vault privy’s within the park are open and can be used in an emergency. Don’t forget to carry a little TP in your pocket!

Walking on Ski Trails

The number of visitors to Fitzroy Provincial Park that walk on ski trails is relatively low. However, members occasionally encounter people that are not actually skiing down the trail.

As a reminder, WCNSC agreement with Ontario Parks does not entitle skiers to have exclusive use of any part of Fitzroy Provincial Park. Fees remitted to Ontario Parks are to offset park expenditures to operate the club house.

Park Visitors recognize the ongoing efforts that the club puts into maintaining a quality skiing experience. As a sign of courtesy they choose to walk or snowmobile on the non-groomed trails and roadway.

It is our goal to educate and promote to the community this wonderful winter experience, the sensitivity of ski trail grooming, and the volunteer efforts put forth to provide quality outdoor recreational opportunities.

It is through these volunteer efforts over the past twelve years that the ski club has become an established part of this community, a relationship we hope will continue to develop over the years to come.

MEMBERSHIP – Renewal and New Members

NOTE: Becoming a member supports the ski club more directly! All membership $$ go directly to the ski club to offset trail maintenance and programs. Please complete and mail the registration form/waiver(s) from the website. A separate/signed waiver is required for each member of the family. When your completed/updated registration form is received a parking pass will be promptly mailed out.
Spreading the good news!

Please pass on the word about one of “the best kept winter secrets” in West Carleton

Parking/Day Use Pass

The City plow maintains the main parking area at the park gatehouse/office. Despite the fact that Fitzroy Park remains officially closed over the winter, ski club members, guests and day use skiers are permitted access through the signed agreement with Ontario Parks. When a person or family supports the ski club by purchasing a membership, they are issued a vehicle pass that should remain on their vehicle dash when in the park. Also, vehicles displaying an annual Ontario Parks Pass are permitted access to the park. ALL SKIERS are required to sign in the register, located near the gatehouse, for every visit. Please record the date, skier name(s) and vehicle license number. Day Use skiers are asked to support the efforts of the WCNSC and place a per skier donation in the attached receptacle. Four dollars per skier per visit is suggested.

NOTE: Please take the time to register your skiing in this manner. These statistics are important for the long term survival of the club. Accurate visitor information statistics is required by the Ontario Parks and The City of Ottawa. This data is linked to funding submissions that we complete for the City.

Special Events

The calendar of events will be posted on our web site: www.wcnordic.com. These will include waxing and instructional clinics and a candlelight ski. Additional ideas for membership events are welcome.

That’s all the news for now! I hope you find the trails and facilities in excellent condition this winter. With any luck, mother nature will bless us with an abundance of snow. Please don’t forget that this is a volunteer organization! If you feel you have the time and skills to help – I would love to hear from you.

Bryan Dumouchel
WCNSC President
bryan(at)wcnordic.com
832-0627