New2Nordic

New Grooming Reporting System

We are currently testing out a Grooming Reporting system developed by a company called Nordic Pulse.  It is quite new and we are pretty excited about it. It has a lot of features specifically designed for Cross Country ski areas and would make our grooming reports available on the Nordic Pulse website almost as the grooming is done.  If we decide to proceed with the system the grooming data could also show directly on the CSTC website. IOS and Android cell phone apps will available in the near future.

CSTC Grooming Report

There is a list of trails that have been groomed and you will see some names you have never heard before. To make the system work, we had to name all trail segments between junctions with other trails so that the GPS could track them. Some had names already such as Birch Bench, some had nicknames that were unofficial but are descriptive such as Siberia. A way of combining them into loops for reporting purposes is being worked will be available in the future.

The program uses a cell phone GPS to track where the Snowcat or snowmobile has groomed.  This data is transmitted to Nordic Pulse website by cellular data if the phone is so equipped or, alternatively, saved and transmitted over Wifi when the Groomer comes near the lodge.  The website then updates the map and trail list. In our first trial this morning the grooming data was up on the website as soon as the data was transmitted near the lodge.

Please take a look and let us know what you think of the Nordic Pulse system.  If you are heading out for a ski tomorrow or for the next week or so check the site again to see what has been freshly groomed.

Lodge Upgrade Project

The club can now host professional visual presentations with a large screen, high quality sound and comfortable seating, no more hard wooden benches!  The upgrade included 85 padded chairs, 135” motorized projection screen, high definition projector, wireless speakers, acoustic panels on the ceiling and a security alarm system.

The CSTC would like to thank the major sponsors for the lodge upgrade including the Quesnel Community Foundation, Northern Development Initiative Trust, and a partnership with ABC Communications. The total cost of the upgrades was $18,619 and of this amount NDIT contributed $7,319, QCF contributed $9,500 and the CSTC contributed $1,800 in volunteer labor with a total of 186 hours. Thanks to ABC for their contribution of internet bandwidth for the 8 months of the year that the lodge is closed which allows the club to monitor the security of the lodge via the internet.

Important Information for XC skiers and snowshoers – update Jan.26

Our season is well under way and although this is a great outlet for us all, we must be vigilant to keep us all safe. This is the current situation for us during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please Note:

Temporary Revision – December 3/20

As per the temporary PHO Guideline update mandated December 2/20 province-wide directing youth sport to return to ViaSport Phase 2 and canceling all adult team sport, all youth program participants are required to maintain three (3) meters distancing between one another, not participate in competition or race events, ski in smaller groups, and not have spectators. The club will not operate with greater than 50 participants at a time in a program. These changes will primarily affect the Biathlon, SDP/TA and Yeti groups. Coaches and organizers will update participant families of the new protocols required to meet updated provincial health information.

1.   Parking

• Avoid crowding in the lot and maintain 3 meter distancing between family groups. Carry a mask and wear it if within 3 meters of others.

2.   Lodge

• The lodge, when open, is only for emergencies and to access rentals. No loitering please. The outhouses to the South of the lodge are Covid equipped.
• There are Covid protocols in place for the use of the lodge that must be followed including the wearing of a mask and following the flow control entering, while inside, and exiting.
• Use your vehicle for changing and for warm-ups if needed.

3.   Skiers

• Maintain 3 meters distance from anyone outside your household or wear a mask when this is unavoidable.
• The FSR is now usable and good to the entrance to Canis Lupus past the corrals. Trails for skiing are now mostly usable with the skate tracks being very good and the classic tracks fair to good. The South Dog loop is usable throughout but thin in the pastures between the entrance to Canis Lupus and Kurta’s corner. The North trails have classic tracks set to the 7.5 km trail, and skate tracks through to the 10 km trail. The marathon and 15 km trail are not ready yet past the 10 km bypass.
• For skate skiers an enjoyable long ski is possible by doing an out and back on the North marathon return from the junction with the South marathon loop. It is possible to skate out a total of 7 kms (14 return) from the lodge.
• *All this will improve even more with more snow. Are you doing your snow dance?
• Ski racks at the lodge are spaced and each household should use a separate rack.

4.   Snowshoers

• The Bigfoot Snowshoe Trail can be accessed before the yellow gates at the end of the parking lot.
• Wally’s Way can be accessed through Pancake flats and along the fence before the Biathlon loop.
• (The Lakeside Trail is not usable yet?)

5.   Dogs

• The two dog-friendly trails are the South dog loop and Canis Lupus.
• Access these trails directly from the parking lot when skiing with your dogs.
• Please maintain control of your dog with a leash if necessary.
• Please also be diligent about cleaning up after your dog. Carry poop bags and use them. There are poop bags and a garbage can available at the yellow gate exiting the parking lot. Another garbage can will be placed at the gate exiting Canis Lupus a further 1 km past the parking lot.