Ski season on the horizon
After experiencing the first dusting of snow for the season on Monday, members of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club are itching to hit the trails.
After experiencing the first dusting of snow for the season on Monday, members of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club are itching to hit the trails.
"You get a little bit of snow on the hills, and people's interest starts perking up for skiing,鈥� Claude Chabot, the club's executive director told the Star.
About 30 ski club members attended the annual general meeting held last night at the Mount McIntyre Rec Centre, where a new board was elected.
Changes see Anne Kennedy become the new board president, Bill Curtis elected as vice-president, and Craig Thur in at board secretary.
Ian Robinson remains on as treasurer, while Pippa Lawson, Mia Lee and John Wright are board directors. Lee and Wright are newcomers to the board.
"It's good having new blood,鈥� said Chabot. "(Lee and Wright) are both very involved in the community.鈥�
Former president Tom Ullyett will continue to sit on the board as past-president while both Lorna Hutchinson, secretary, and Sue Meikle, last season's VP, retired from their positions.
"These people have done stellar service over the years,鈥� Chabot said. "In general, we've got an excellent strong board. We have a strong, longstanding tradition of skiing in Whitehorse at all levels.鈥�
Last year, the club's membership hovered around 1,300 as the sporting organization remains one of the strongest in Whitehorse.
"That's a very big club, given the size of the population,鈥� said Chabot.
"We have a massive trail system and a six-month ski system. You're spitting distance from downtown. That's part of the strength of the club.鈥�
The 90 km of trails far exceeds a typical club's territory, which Chabot estimated would be 30 km.
"It is expensive to maintain, and we can always use new members,鈥� he said.
In fact, the club ran a deficit last season. Unexpected mechanical problems to the main grooming machine, PistenBully, coupled with high grooming costs saw the club lose about $24,000 over the season with expenses totalling $390,000.
"We had a lot of snow last year, and a very early start to the ski season,鈥� Chabot explained. "We started grooming on Oct. 17. Then we lost a chunk of snow, but we basically had some skiing from then until the first week in May.鈥�
A 10 per cent increase in adult memberships 鈥� now $220 for the earlybird rate 鈥� has been implemented to offset some of the budget shortfall.
The PistenBully will be replaced this season through funding provided by Lotteries
Yukon and the Community Development Fund.
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