WCNSC Newsletter – December 2011 | West Carleton Nordic Ski Club

18th Anniversary Newsletter & Membership Renewal Campaign

Bears can ski

– December 6, 2011

With a ridiculously warm November, the upcoming ski season may not be the top of your mind, but winter will soon be on its way. 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.

Trail Work

The trademark of the WCNSC – Quality Trail Grooming

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

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

Registering online is simple, just click on the Membership page of our website www.wcnordic.com and use the link “online registration with e-payment options” which takes you to the website of our registration partner Zone4 and directly to the registration form.

You will be asked 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).

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 to include a signed waiver.

Membership fee increase for paper registrations

Through the hard work of several volunteers, we strive to keep membership fees at a very reasonable rate. As a not-for-profit club, all membership fees go directly back into the club for operations and maintenance/repairs of equipment.
For the upcoming season, the fees for on-line registration remain the same as in past years. For those of you wishing to register using a paper, mail-in format the fees have been increased.

	Online Registration	Paper form Registration
Adult	$30	$40
Youth	$15	$20
Family	$85	$100

Note: the on-line registration adds $2-3 of processing fees depending on the method of payment.

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 in 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 register -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.

Also note there are 2 cabin rentals on the newer 5km loop of the trails if you would like to spend more than just the day – see the Resources page of our website for more information.

Kudos to all our volunteers

Many thanks continue to be directed toward a few people that give up hundreds of collective hours to ensure the club runs smoothly. Special thanks to Sherri Audet, the club’s treasurer for looking after the financial side of the club and for the efforts she puts into the partnership agreement with the City. This helps to ensure that we continue to be recognized as a volunteer club that is providing a valuable service for this part of the region.

A special thanks also goes out to, Jim Smedley as Secretary and Randy Belore as equipment manager. Randy has been busy repairing the bush hog and Skandic, as well as regular maintenance to the Bombi. Thanks as well to Steve Duffield who put in a day to get several new parts installed on the Skandic. Additional volunteers include David Casey, Barrie Ashworth who looks after membership registration and Tammy Meagher who handles club communications. Thank-you all!!

Your Feedback is welcome!

Over the years we have received very positive feedback from club members – and an increasing membership is testimony to that. Let us know how we can improve your outing or how the experience surpassed your expectations. Please continue to give us your comments and spread the word about one of “the best kept winter secrets” in West Carleton. We’d love to hear from you – just click “Contact Us” on our website. Also, please remember that this is a volunteer club, so if you feel you have the time and skills to help – we would love to hear from you. Hope you have a snowy and enjoyable 2011-12 ski season!

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

Newsletter written by Tammy Meagher