Sunday, Jan. 21 is World Snow Day. As usual, that means a big celebration at the YK Ski Club. This year we’re also marking our 50th anniversary. That’s five decades of skiing in Yellowknife! 

The chalet will be open to the public from 10 to 5. Free pancakes will be served from 10 to 2 with hot drinks continuing into the afternoon. 

And get this: we’ll be offering free ski and snowshoe rentals (courtesy of Overlander Sports) from 10 to 4 as well as free mini lessons. 

We’ll need a few volunteers to help make this happen. If you can pitch in, please sign up here or contact kerrywheler@gmail.com.

This is a great chance to meet some fun folks, or introduce some you already know to the wonderful world of skiing! 

Due to popular demand, we’ve introduced a new series of beginner adult ski lessons, starting Saturday, Jan. 6 — just in time for those New Year’s resolutions!

Sign up on Zone4.ca. 

Four series/times are available.

• Saturdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, 1:30-3:30 pm with Karen Johnson, $80.
• Sundays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, 1:30-3:30 pm with Rob Matthews, $80.
• Wednesdays, Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, 7-9 pm with Rob Matthews, $80.
• Tues. Jan 9, Thurs. Jan 11, Tues. Jan 23, Thurs. Jan 25, 7-9 pm with Kevin Durkee, $80.

Non-members must also pay a trail use fee for 4 days, $40. 

And big thanks to Steve Reitsma, our programs director, for organizing this!

Cross Country NWT has named its roster for the 2018 Arctic Winter Games after territorial trials last weekend in Fort Smith. 

The full list includes 19 skiers and one alternate. All but four of the kids on this list are part of the amazing Yellowknife Ski Club!

The biathletes are Ruby Pigott and Spencer Littlefair for ski and Effie Lockhart for snowshoe … three more Yellowknifers!

The games take place in the South Slave region from March 18 to 24. Biathlon will be in Hay River and skiing will be in Fort Smith.

The downstairs of the chalet is beginning to take shape with new cubbies, new carpeting and gorgeous new windows.

You can still donate to this rather large project (and there’s still time for legacy sponsorships) directly through Zone4.

New board member, past board member

The energetic Steve Reitsma has joined our board as programs director, leading all of our programs as well as reviving adult ski lessons — details to come. 

Kevin Durkee has resigned as volunteers director in order to focus on volunteering as a coach, leaving an opening for someone who’d like to take on this role. 

We are also seeking volunteers to take on the roles of vice-president, director of fundraising and director of facilities. 
 

Wanted: Loppet coordinator

And one more thing: we still need a coordinator for the 2018 Yellowknife Gold Loppet on April 8.

This is our flagship event: a fun, sociable, long-distance cross-country ski for all ages and abilities that draws about 300 people a year and continues to be one of the most amazing mass skiing events North of 60. 

We already have a long list of volunteers and event supports, but lack an overall coordinator. If you’re interested, even just a little, please contact Chris Joseph (ykskiclubpresident@gmail.com) or Kerry Wheler (kerrywheler@gmail.com).

And if that sounds like a bit much, but you’d still like to help out, we’re also looking for volunteers for World Snow Day (Jan. 21) and for the Yellowknife Ski Races committee (Feb. 24/25). Contact Kerry Wheler (above). 

This little beauty is now part of our grooming fleet thanks to Aurora Dodge Yellowknife and Arctic Cat! 

A big thank you to Ryan Wourms, Wayne Willis, Jayson Weber and Chris Hotson (and test drivers Jacob Weber and Oliver Reitsma, why not?) for making it happen, and showing it off at our Snow Show!

Now … if you wanna drive it, you’ll have to join our crew. Contact Chris Hotson, trails director, at 867-445-3396 for details on our next grooming workshop,  Dec. 17.

Don’t miss our annual Snow Show at the chalet on Sat. Nov. 4 from 10 am to 1 pm. 

This is your chance to get a peak at the new paint job and kitchen in the chalet, and more!

• Gear swap
• Sign up for programs
• Silent auction
• Chill on a bun & bake sale
• Early bird discounts

Know somebody new to skiing or new to town? Bring a date!

Head to Zone4 now to take advantage of our early bird rates. 

Membership fees:

Family – $280 ($260 Early Bird)
Individual Adult – $120 ($100 Early Bird)
Individual Youth (5 – 18) – $40
Individual Child (<5) – $10

Early bird rates are in effect until after the annual Snow Show, planned for Saturday, Nov. 4. Come on out from 10 to 1 pm for our gear swap, program registration and chilli on a bun.