Beaver Tails Nordic Ski Club

It was sunny but breezy and cool as we arrived at Oka on Sun morning.  The Swix thermometer outside said -10 C while our cars insisted it was -12 C.  There were a number of snow-clearing operations underway on the highways which caused delays in reaching the park.  People arrived in a steady stream between 9:50 am and 10:20 am.  But by 10:30 am we had no fewer than 25 skiers assembled and ready to go.
We broke into a number of smaller groups according to our desired speed and distance, and set out.  Most groups headed out on trail 3, which is 13 km long if one does the full length.  After a couple of winters of poor conditions, several members remarked that the conditions were the best they had seen in years.  The snow was fresh and plentiful, with no bare or icy patches.  It was a cool day, which we felt all the more when we turned back west into the wind.  But a keeping a steady pace kept us warm.  After a couple of hours, most skiers were back in the chalet after a vigorous ski.  Everyone reported having a splendid day.
It’s great to have an old-fashioned winter again!!