- 1 line = 1 entry
- 2 lines = 2 entries
- Blackout = 5 entries
Submit your entry to: skigoyellowknife@gmail.com.
There’s a junior SKIGO card too! Download the PDF for both cards here.
Submit your entry to: skigoyellowknife@gmail.com.
There’s a junior SKIGO card too! Download the PDF for both cards here.
We’ll celebrate World Snow Day on Sunday, Jan. 17, with free trail use for non-members. In lieu of a chalet gathering, we’ll have free snacks for pickup at the trailhead. Normally, we also offer free ski rentals courtesy of Overlander Sports and YK1. We won’t be able to do that this year. Instead, Overlander has kindly offered to discount their regular ski and snowshoe rentals from $25/day to $15 for the day. Please help us spread the word!
We are also seeking volunteers to ski the trails that day with people new to our club. If you have some free time and would enjoy showing someone around, get in touch with Kerry Wheler: ykskiclubevents@gmail.com.
A quick reminder that our Covid exposure plan asks all our members to minimize use of the chalet this holiday season, and to:
Thanks to everyone for helping us keep the chalet open!
This Sunday is a special Candy Cane Forest Ski! Trails are free all day and you may come across Santa on the trails between 1 and 3. We’ll also have a bonfire going.
The candy cane forest is on the 1 km loop. Please dress for the weather as chalet use is still limited. BYO hot chocolate and snacks. Thanks to Cross Country NWT and the Recreation and Parks Association for sponsoring this event.
This might be a good time to introduce Lianne Plamondon, who has recently volunteered her graphic design skills and who made this delightful poster. Welcome Lianne!
Our 30th annual Blachford Lake Lodge Spirit Awards went to several young skiers last weekend.
The Blachford Lake Lodge Jackrabbit Spirit Award was created in 1989/90 by the original lodge owners, Freeland and Bob Stephen. Both men had children in the program and saw a need to recognize young athletes who demonstrated spirit and positive attitude and attendance. We believe these are the longest continuous awards in the N.W.T. ski community.
This year’s winners for Anya Marshall and Barrow Wray for Bunnies; Quinn Vander VEen Kielstra for Level 1; Finn Marshall for Level 2; Vaida Marrai and Leah Stephenson for Level 3; Jack Lyall for Level 4; Ana Maria Villegas for Mixed Ages; and Carys Lyall for Go Ski. Yes, those Lyalls are siblings. Props to Devin for having such great kids.
Thanks to all our volunteer coaches for making last year a great ski year. (And to Alex Lothian for the photo of our Level 2, 3, 4 and Mixed Ages winners.)
Our annual Herringbone Award, which goes to a business that contributed in-kind services to the club in the past year, went to Canadian Tire this year for their generosity in donating $1,000 towards our brand new ski club uniforms, as well as another $1,000 in in-kind donations for much-needed chalet equipment (including a brand new coffee urn!). This award also marks our appreciation for their Jumpstart program, which offers grants to help families buy sports equipment for their kids. Thanks to Karen Butorac et al for all their help! (And to Alyssa Titus for the photo.)
In honour of winter arriving, and the ongoing need for socially distanced activities, our board voted to extend the early bird membership rates this year. Early bird rates will now run until Nov. 15.
Rates are:
And make sure to sign up for our newsletter to learn the latest about our youth programs, adult lessons, events and trail conditions.
The board discussed and approved a plan Nov. 2 for carrying on with our season while preventing the spread of COVID-19.
You’ll find our full Exposure Control Plan here. This document will be reviewed and updated as needed. It will also be posted on the bulletin board inside the chalet.
I’ve listed highlights below.
Chalet highlights
Good news; the chalet will open soon with new signage! Members are welcome to use the chalet to change and leave gear/equipment in while skiing.
However, we are asking members to please limit their chalet usage, especially on Saturdays between 10 and 3, when our programs are running.
Members are also asked to:
We will continue to rent the chalet to user groups who demonstrate adherence to CPHO guidelines.
Program highlights
Our program leads will send details to all participants, but here are a few of the high notes.
As mentioned, these rules will be updated to follow the latest public health guidelines.
Big thanks to programs director Bernadette Knox, facilities director Credence Wood, volunteers coordinator Alyssa Titus, treasurer Tania Hercun and all-around volunteer John Stephenson for working hard on this plan!
Registration is now open for the 2020/2021 ski season!
Early bird fees apply until Nov. 9, 2020.
Families who need some extra help to cover program fees and equipment are invited to choose the option to apply for a Kidsport grant, which we can then help you with. Kidsport NWT will provide families up to $300 per child to cover program and equipment costs.
An alternative option is Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, which offers up to $300 per child two times a year for registration fees, equipment and transportation.
What about COVID-19?
While we have outlined some broad strokes for our COVID-19 season plan, we have not yet defined what exactly our programs will look like. So far, we know that:
When we do have a full plan developed, we’ll share it with our members and post it here on our website. Our programs director, Bernadette Knox, is taking the lead on this. Thanks Bernadette!
Snow Show a no go
Due to COVID-19, we will not be holding our annual Snow Show and used ski equipment sale.
In lieu of the Snow Show, we invite anyone who wants to learn about our club to call up one of our ski ambassadors to learn more about our programs:
In lieu of our annual used ski gear sale, we invite people to make use of our Yellowknife Ski Gear Sell/Swap Facebook page, or call any of the above ski ambassadors for advice on how to find skis.
Member perks
In addition to access to our trails, our chalet and wax room and our social events, however those look this year, ski club members get a 10% discount on ski equipment and related accessories at Overlander. (Conversely, people who rent skis at Overlander are entitled to use our trails for free for the duration of the rental.)