17th Anniversary Newsletter & Membership Renewal Campaign

– December 6, 2010

Winter is on its way along with a much anticipated ski season. As with every year, the WCNSC trails will be ready! Our mandate still remains to be the production of quality trails at an affordable price. This newsletter will highlight the club’s direction for the upcoming year, including a new trail extension.

What’s New This Year

More trails to blaze this year – we have approximately 5 km of new trails to add to your skiing pleasure! Early on the perimeter trail you will be directed to an optional 5 km detour to extend your ski. This trail is just across Canon Smith Rd and is a nice mix of evergreens, hardwoods and some open spaces. There is also a small cabin for rent for those looking for a weekend away (special rate for members only) – see the Resources section of our website for more information. This is a classic trail only – please try it out and give us your feedback.

Trail Work

October 30th was our annual pre-season trail clean-up morning – many thanks again for the help of the volunteers who generously gave their time to prepare the trails for another great season. The new ATV acquired last year was used to pull the brush trimmer, producing a very clean and well prepared surface.

The trademark of the WCNSC – Quality Trail Grooming

Once again, the Bombi and the Ginzogroomer will be used to produce a consistent skiing surface, and a firm trail for skating. The Bombi will continue to be used to prepare surfaces after large snowfalls, and the ATV will perform the regular grooming and maintenance of trail surfaces.

Regular light grooming of a trail surface ensures that conditions are always as optimal as possible. You can count on re-grooming after significant accumulations of snow, usually 5 cm, and quite often grooming is completed on a Friday evening in preparation for heavier skier traffic on weekends.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL – still the best way to support this volunteer effort!

Last year the club had 119 registered members – the most ever. Thank you again for joining us. Don’t forget to tell family and friends about the club – or better yet, bring them out to kick off the upcoming holiday season.

Membership fees remain the same as last year:

• Adults $30
• Youth $15 ( under 18 on Dec 31, 2010 )
• Family $85 ( parents and kids under 18 )

Registration Process

There are two options for registering, but the preferred method is online as it reduces the time of processing registrations by hand.

1) Web Based Registration Process

This web based registration service is provided by an independent company called Zone4. You can get to the registration site by following the online registration with e-payment options link on the Membership page of our website www.wcnordic.com and follow the registration instructions.

This year all skiers registering for sanctioned clubs in the country are required to sign a waiver that releases the governing bodies from legal responsibility in the event of skiing-related accidents and has skiers recognize that there are certain risks involved in the sport of Nordic skiing. A part of the registration process is the signing of this waiver. If you pay the fees with a credit card and if the last name on the credit card is the same as the last name entered on the waiver form this will be taken as equivalent to a signature. If you opt to pay by other than a credit card (i.e. cheque ) you will be required to print, sign and remit the waiver form with your cheque to the club registrar. Only one waiver per cart is required – i.e. the registering adult can sign on behalf of all the individuals in his/her cart (i.e. family).

In addition to the club fee the following small additional charges occur. $2 for the first individual placed in a cart and $1 for each subsequent individual plus 3% of the total for credit card transaction fees.

The process is reasonably straight forward – however, if you need assistance, don’t hesitate to call Barrie Ashworth at 613-832-1685.

2) By Mail
If a paper copy of the registration form is preferred, you can pick one up from the parking lot registration bin. These need to be mailed to the club registrar for processing, along with your payment. Please ensure a signed waiver is included.

Register every time you ski!!!

Despite the fact that Fitzroy Park remains officially closed over the winter, ski club members, guests and day use skiers are permitted access to the park through the signed agreement with Ontario Parks. When a person or family supports the ski club by purchasing a membership, they are e-mailed 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 the register, located at the far end of the parking lot, 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 by contributing a donation in the box beside the sign-in register. Five dollars per skier per visit is suggested.

Please take the time to sign in – even if you are already a registered member. These statistics are important for the long term survival of the club. Accurate visitor information statistics are required by Ontario Parks and the City of Ottawa. This data is linked to funding submissions that we complete for the City.

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

The snow conditions you see from the kitchen or living room window are seldom the same as the conditions on the Perimeter Trail! The Park is quite a sheltered little enclave and it has its own microclimate. Snow accumulations and conditions vary greatly across this region and it is nearly impossible to predict the quality of the ski experience on these trails. Aggressive grooming creates a refrigeration effect that will protect trails through mild spells and extend the ski season.

If uncertain, check the website before you head out skiing. 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 and Special Events

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 @ 613-832-0627. We encourage our club families or individuals to plan an event that takes advantage of this facility. A ski outing followed by a potluck snack or meal is a great way to entertain!

Posted events on the website continue to be the only times the clubhouse is guaranteed to be open. It is worth noting that many of the vault privies within the park are open and can be used in an emergency. Don’t forget to carry a little TP in your fanny pack!

Waxing clinics, orientation for new members, and introductory lessons are available upon request. Call Bryan @ 613-832-0627.

Partnerships

Many thanks to Sherri Audet for the work she puts into the partnership agreement with the City. Her efforts help to ensure that we continue to be recognized as a volunteer club that is providing a valuable service for this part of the region. To support the long term sustainability of this partnership, we ask that you take the time to send in comments. In particular, we love to hear stories that recognize the quality skiing experience available at Fitzroy Provincial Park! E-mail or visit the “Contact Us” section of our website and complete and submit the contact form.

Additional “Kudos”!

Many thanks continue to be directed toward a few people that give up hundreds of collective hours to ensure the club runs smoothly. Members of the executive include Sherri Audet as treasurer, Jim Smedley as Secretary and Randy Belore as equipment manager. Randy continues to be very supportive with countless hours put into repairs and building of equipment. Additional trail grooming and maintenance volunteers include Steve Duffield, David Casey and Barry Beach, while Barrie Ashworth looks after membership registration and Tammy Meagher handles club communications. Thank you all!!

That’s all the news for now! I hope you will find the trails and facilities in excellent condition this winter. With any luck, “mother nature” will bless us with another ‘old fashioned Ottawa Valley Winter’. Please don’t forget that this is a volunteer organization! If you feel you have the time and skills to help – we would love to hear from you.

Bryan Dumouchel
WCNSC President
brypeg79 at gmail.com
613-832-0627

Newsletter written by Tammy Meagher