The Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club (WLCCSC) was finally able to open some of their trails at Bull Mountain on Jan. 20, but who knows for how long.
Forecasted warming trends mean the club will likely be asking skiers to stay off of the trails starting this Saturday, Jan. 28, unless something changes. Daytime highs are so far forecasted to go up to 9 or 10 C Sunday and Monday, which puts the low snowpack on the trails at risk.
But it was a beautiful weekend of skiing Jan. 20 and 21, and while freezing rain did fall on Saturday evening, fresh snow fell on top, making for good conditions for the first day of youth programs like Jackrabbits, Bunnies and Track Attack.
“We had a great Sunday,” said Robin Dawes, WLCCSC chair. Dawes said the kids had fun and parents were all enthusiastic.
The new daylodge made for a comfortable, social afternoon for parents and participants, and it was hard not to enjoy having a wood stove to warm yourself by.
Monday was also then the first day for Ski School programs, with classes from Nesika Elementary coming up to try out the trails for the first time this season.
Dawes said the instructors relayed it was a success and the kids loved it.
There was again some rain in the afternoon, but Dawes said it was brief, though the warming temperatures do lead to some concern.
She said the club has been working hard to get a schedule set up for ski rentals and programs which Dawes is able to update regularly on the club’s website.
“The only thing we can’t plan for is the weather,” said Dawes, she noted the late start is disappointing, but the club is excited to get things underway.
This week the Ladies Night ski will start up at 6 p.m. on Thursday night, and on Friday, ski rentals will also be starting and be available at 6 p.m., with open times on both Saturday starting at 11 a.m. and Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m. as well.
She suggests anyone looking to ski or access programs should have a look at the Facebook or check the website trail report to know what to expect. The long-term forecast does give some uncertainty about how conditions might be later this week, as warm temperatures threaten the low snow pack.
A direct link to the latest trail report is available here: https://www.williamslakecrosscountryskiclub.ca/ski-area/trail-report/
The direct link to their events calendar, showing when programs or ski rentals are available is at: https://www.williamslakecrosscountryskiclub.ca/calendars/
READ MORE: Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club to host open house
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