CANORA - Even after the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions, it seems that the popularity of cross-country skiing continues to grow.
According to Darryl Stevenson, Good Spirit Cross Country Ski Club president, the club is enjoying a full and active ski season.
“An abundance of snowfall early in November created excellent skiing conditions,” said Stevenson. “In excess of 50 club memberships have been registered on Zone4.ca, however many more skiers have been utilizing the trail system.”
The ski trails received a couple heavy snowfalls prior to the first of the year and it was discovered that the dry, fluffy snow was not suitable for packing.
“The Yorkton Sno-Riders Club trail setting equipment was again brought in this season in early January to pack and condition the trails,” reported Stevenson. “This undertaking provided a solidly packed base to set perfectly groomed ski trails. In addition, this year almost all of the trails are double tracks throughout the park and are enjoyed by many while gliding along together.”
Stevenson said provincial park staff, supervised by manager Brian Dudar, do an excellent job of weekly trailing grooming.
“Trail conditions are updated Thursdays on their website and on our club social media. Minimal snowmobile damage has occurred this year and skiers are quick to report any resulting loss of ski trails via social media."
Members of the Good Spirit Cross Country Ski Club have recently been certified to assist with trail grooming, according to Stevenson.
“New procedures brought in last year required the park staff to complete a snowmobile safety course. This year, volunteers were required to complete the Sask Snowmobile Safety Course and evaluations, prior to being allowed to operate the park's equipment.”
Club members are once again preparing for the annual Lamplighter Loppet, coming up at Good Spirit Lake on Saturday, Feb. 11.
“The trails will be set! The bonfire will be going and the hot dogs will be hot and ready for all our hungry skiers,” advised Stevenson. “Refreshments will be served in the awesome warmup shelter. Participants can hit the trails at 5:30 p.m. and ski to your heart's content with your head lantern leading the way.”
The fireworks show is slated for 7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring family and friends, “and enjoy a great evening of skiing fun at Good Spirit Provincial Park. Please register on Zone4 under ‘Lamplighter Loppet 2023,’” indicated Stevenson.
“Let's hope the temperatures are mild for that night but cancellation may occur if it drops well below -20°C.”
At press time, the long-range weather forecast was for comfortably mild weather across the region for the Lamplighter Loppet
