Cross country ski lessons are offered free to our adult members. Lessons take place from January 4 to February 22 and run from 10:15 am until 11:45 am. Small groups are geared to your needs…we can cover it all:
You are welcome at any lesson – once, twice, weekely or whenever you can. For more information follow this link … adult lessons 2013-14
On October 10, 2013 the Ministry of Natural Resources held a Public Open House to discuss the trail network located on the Tarentorus Fish Culture Station property in Sault Ste. Marie.
At the open house the MNR officials stated that the authorized trails, including the Red Pine ski trail, do not encroach on sensitive areas and are not of concern to them. Their main concern was protecting the fish culture station’s water supply from potential threats as a result of the development of unauthorized trails.
MNR recently provided an update for citizens who expressed an interest in keeping informed on the progress of the planning project for the trails.
On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, the MNR met with representatives of the three clubs which have been most heavily involved in the management and use of the trails to date – the Kinsmen Club, the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and the Sault Cycling Club – to review the planning process that has been developed by MNR. All three clubs have agreed to participate on the Planning Team that is tasked with developing options for a sustainable authorized trail network. The first planning team meeting is expected to take place in January, 2014.
Once the options have been developed, likely in late February or March, the MNR will provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the options through a formal Class Environmental Assessment process. The general public will be notified of the launch of the Class EA process through advertisements in local newspapers.
The snow that arrived earlier this week has enabled Hiawatha Highlands staff to groom some of the trails. The 2km Kinsmen loop and the Pinder Trails have been groomed for classic and skating. There are still a few branches and the odd rock to watch out for but overall the trails are in good shape for this time of year. A few more cm of new snow will make a big difference. Get out and enjoy the winter.
As a result of the Sunday night (November 17) windstorm there were a lot of blow-downs (trees) on the Ski Trails. Hiawatha Highlands staff (Gil and Ted) and club volunteers should have the chainsaw work done by the weekend but there is a need to clear the trails of a lot of smaller branches. The ski club proposes a family friendly work bee for Sunday Nov. 24 to get this done. Volunteers can meet at 11 am at the KinCentre (it will be open from 11 am to 3 pm ). Doug Cuddy (705 945 8084) is the contact person.
Online registration for club membership and all lessons and programs (Jackrabbits, Bunnyrabbits, Racing Rabbits, Biathlon Bears, Junior and Senior Ski Teams, Para Nordic) is now available.
If you wish to register your children in one of the ski lesson programs, you must first register a club membership. A club membership is valid for all family members living at one civic address. For the purpose of the club we define a family as two adults and their dependent children under the age of 18 years (as of December 31 2013).
The club has moved to online registration only. Paper registrations will no longer be accepted. Classes are expected to fill quickly and space is limited, please register early to avoid disappointment.
Register online through Zone4
The November issue of the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club’s newsletter, Nordic News, is now available. Download your copy from the link below.
The Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and the Kinsmen are looking after repair work to the sections of trails damaged by heavy rainfall in September. Repair work was underway this week on the Crystal Creek trail system and Red Pine trail system.
The annual cross country ski swap will take place on Saturday, November 9. from 10 am to 3 pm. Come early because most of the sales take place between 10 am and 11:30 am.
Location: Westminster Memorial Hall, 134 Brock Street
For Sale: New and Used Cross Country Ski Equipment & Clothing, and baking
A pubic meeting was held Thursday night at the Water Tower Inn to discuss trail use near the Tarentorus Fish Culture Station. Close to one hundred members of the public attended the meeting with MNR officials. The discussion focused on protecting the most sensitive areas near the fish culture station. The MNR officials stated several times that the majority of the unauthorized trails are not a concern to them. The authorized trails, including the Red Pine ski trail, do not encroach on the sensitive areas and are not of concern either. The MNR said they would follow the environmental assessment process which includes more public consultation as they work to protect the sensitive areas. A fence will not be constructed prior to the completion of the planning process and environmental assessment.