FAQ

Got questions? We have answers. Here are some frequently asked questions we receive:

For more information please send us your questions.

Are guest passes available for people to ski the trails that are not members? I was wondering if your organization offers day-passes since at this particular point it would not be worthwhile for us to buy a season pass?

A $10/skier trail fee is requested from all non-members every time they ski. Please sign the register when you ski. The $ drop box and register are located at the end of the parking lot.

What hours does the provincial park hold over the winter? Is it 24/7 so long as there is snow and a groomed trail? Will park staff ever close a gate that would keep me from leaving if it was after 10 pm?

The park is officially closed for the winter. The Superintendant is the only ocassional staff. The ski club runs a volunteer effort to maintain the trails. Skiers are asked to sign in when they enter.

I am brand new to the sport and will try skate skiing as cross training for my biking and running. Are your trails beginner, intermediate or expert in nature? I am hoping they are more gentle in nature as I learn the sport.

The trails are predominantly beginner/intermediate. There are no steep decents or climbs; especially sudden turns on descents.

The carp ridge/fault slices right through the park. Starting on the perimeter trail, a gradual descent, you only have the long climb at the end to get back up to the same level as the parking lot.

As far as training is concerned, you will really enjoy the cross-over nature of ski skating. The campground loop has been designed as a training circuit with multiple turns, climbs and descents. As a beginner I recommend you get some pointers. Give me a call sometime and we can plan a ski together.

Cheers
Bryan Dumouchel
President WCNSC

 I was wondering if I am able to bring my dog with me to the club?

Unfortunately, the club has a no dog on trails policy. We have visited the issue many times and have, for liability reasons, maintained this stance. For safety reasons, dogs are NOT permitted on the ski trails.

We are new to the area and looking for a winter activity to do with the family. Do you offer lessons?  We were thinking of the family membership but we would like to know if there is a way to accommodate adult lessons but then have our kids take their lessons as well.

The West Carleton Nordic Ski Club does not provide lessons to children or adults. Our mandate for the past 20 years has been to provide our members and paying guests with a well maintained trail system, for both skate and classic skiing. As a small club, we have not had the membership base to support diverse programming.

As a former ski instructor I have offered informal lessons to new members and, would do the same in your case. Several families with children currently enjoy skiing these trails, making the family outing the priority over the structure of lessons.

As an alternative, the Kanata Nordic Ski Club, a much larger organization, offers lesson opportunities. The trail system lacks the scenery and quality that we boast of at Fitzroy Park.

Good luck with your decision and feel free to call for more advice anytime.

Bryan Dumouchel