NWT Ski has named Team NT for the 2019 Canada Winter Games taking place in Red Deer, Alberta this February.
They are: Nicolas Bennett, Jack Panayi, Ella Kokelj, Clair Littlefair, Jack Kotaska, Kea Furniss, Ruby Piggot, Rae Panayi and Donny Boake (but not Spencer Littlefair or Makoa Kokelj, as previously, and incorrectly, reported).
Every one of these skiers was nurtured at our very own Yellowknife Ski Club. Thanks everyone for supporting them!
All trails are now groomed at the ski club and tracks are set where there’s enough snow.
Heather Scott (pictured here with skiing family) has kindly stepped forward to take on the role of president and, barring unforeseen scandal, will be officially appointed by the board at our next meeting, Monday Dec. 3.
Heather has been involved with the ski club for several years as a coach and all-around volunteer and has two children taking part in Jackrabbits and Track Attack, respectively. In her 15 years in Yellowknife Heather has served on several boards, including the Multisport Club, and is past chair of the YK Playschool and the Northern Territories Water and Waste Association.
The board meets the first Tuesday (or occasionally Monday) of each month at 7 pm at the chalet. All are welcome. Find past meeting minutes here.
Registration is now open on Zone4.ca for two series of adult ski lessons in January.
Lessons are $80 per set of 4, plus a $40 trail use fee for non-members. (If you have any difficulty registering, contact info@skiyellowknife.com and we’ll sort you out.)
We’re also planning an afternoon of $5 drop-in lessons on Sunday, Dec. 9 starting at 1:30, for both members and non-members. (Trail use Dec. 9 is FREE to non-members thanks to NWT Recreation and Parks and the Get Active program.) Participants are encouraged to stick around for a potluck dinner at the chalet starting at 5:30 and followed by Christmas carols.
No registration for Dec. 9 is required but feel free to let our programs director, Steve Reitsma, know you are interested: ykskiclubprograms@gmail.com.
Read more about our plans for adult ski lessons in 2019 here.
From our trails director, Chris Hotson: “The grooming crew continues to pack snow and develop the base as snow accumulates. All trails have been packed at least once and will be freshened up again on Friday evening. There is still not adequate snow to set track but we are in good shape for this time of year.
“Your rock skis are probably still a good idea but there is lots of skiable trail available and the lights are on for night skiing.”
We’re offering a two-day classroom and on-snow workshop for volunteers wishing to coach our programs Nov. 17/18. The course runs Saturday from 9 to 4:30 and Sunday from 9 – 3:30 with Karen Johnson instructing.
Our annual Wax and Wine event takes place Thursday, Nov. 15 at the chalet from 7 to 10 pm.
This members-only event combines complimentary wine and snacks with the opportunity to have your skis waxed ($25 a pair or $20 for multiples) by the High Performance Ski Team. It’s always a nice gathering with fellow skiers!
Note: While babes-in-arms are welcome, this is an adults-only event.
Thanks to all who turned out on Saturday Nov. 3 for our annual Snow Show. We had great snow, great turnout and great fundraising.
Thanks are due to all the volunteers who came out to cook and serve chilli, contribute to the bake sale, help to size and sell used ski equipment, help people register for membership and programs and who generally made this a fun event. Thanks also to the City of Yellowknife for clearing the snow out of the parking lot after that huge snowfall (the city regularly clears snow from our road and parking lot, but was kindly able to do so early Saturday morning ahead of this big event).
Our High Performance Ski Team and the ski club were able to raise over $8,000 through the silent auction, ski waxing and the 50/50 draw. A giant thanks is due to all who donated items items to the auction.
After its wonderful makeover, our chalet got a lot of use this summer, with bountiful praise for the renovations, new paint and excellent kitchen.
The chalet hosted the NWT Film Gala, the Indigenous Language Teachers’ Conference, FOXY/SMASH, Northern Youth Leadership, the Stanton Foundation Mud Run, Bush Kids, YK2 Community Foundation, Yk Circus Group and several Multisport events, weddings and other celebrations.
Bookings for this extremely versatile site are made through the city facilities clerk at 669-3457. (Thanks to the City of Yellowknife for managing our bookings at a nominal fee.)
As usual, our early bird membership fees are in effect until midnight the day of the Snow Show (Nov. 3). For the first time since 2013 our fees have gone up slightly:
Please note: KidSport grants are available to parents to cover the cost of skiing.
KidSport provides $300 per calendar year to pay for fees or equipment. Anyone wanting to access this program can sign up as usual on Zone4 and let us know through that form that they’ll be applying to KidSport. KidSport then pays the club directly so no money is needed up front.
Find more details on how to apply here. And please help us spread the word!