Bull Mountain was a busy place on Sept. 29 as Williams Lake Cross-Country Ski Club (WLCCSC) volunteers split and stacked wood to warm skiers and raise funds.
Volunteers for the ski club were prepping for the season with a firewood work bee, both to prep wood to warm visiting skiers as well selling loads of split wood to help raise funds to get the club back in the black after a winter with very little snow.
People can purchase loads of split firewood for $150 for a six-foot pickup load or $200 for an eight-foot pickup load.
The club is working hard to get things ready, submitting grants and fundraising to help make sure the club can continue to provide a recreational resource for the community and region.
In an email to their membership, the club acknowledged what a tough season the 2023-24 winter was for members as well as the directors.
"We have our brand new lodge, brand new grooming equipment (Piston Bully and Alpina) that didn’t even get out of our brand new storage shed?! I can’t even begin to emphasize the amount of work it took our board and committees to bring to our community a world class facility and brand new grooming equipment," said the email from the WLCCSC board.
But the newsletter email also brought a healthy dose of hope, as the weather shifts into a "La Niña" pattern promising colder temperatures and hopefully, more snow for the coming season.
"All our fingers and toes are crossed to be back to our usual snow-filled season with great groomed conditions throughout," said the board email.
While the prices will have to go up as a result of the new lodge and equipment costs, which they were not able to recoup last season due to the lack of snow, the club is freezing the rates for for friends and community members until Dec. 31 at 2022 rates.
Members from last year will also receive an additional discount in recognition of their support through "one of the worst seasons that any of us can remember" said the board.
Season pass holders are eligible for a KalTire event discount on winter tires as well. An adult individual pass is $140, with family rate discounts available by contacting lisayoung1971@icloud.com.
"Don't forget, cross-country skiing is one of the most healthy, and least expensive winter sports there is," said the WLCCSC newsletter.
The group will be hosting another work bee and their AGM on Oct. 27 and will hold their annual open house in late November.
Registration can be done online through Zone 4 and more information on the club can be found at: https://www.williamslakecrosscountryskiclub.ca/
For firewood and other inquiries, email: info@williamslakecrosscountryskiclub.ca
The new lodge was also being used on Sept. 29 as the base for an orienteering event. The Cariboo Chilcotin Orienteering Club hosted, with 23 controls placed in the forest for participants to find using a map and compass.
Orienteers could walk or run the event, and it was a score event, where people could find a few or as many controls as they wanted within a time limit of one and a half hours.
Orienteering events are suitable for individuals and families of all ages.
To find out more about the Cariboo Chilcotin Orienteering Club, email cariboochilcotinorienteering@gmail.com.
