View from the Whaleback Jan 31/12 edition by Graham Oliver
Whaleback Having a Great Season Whaleback Nordic is having a very active season complete with lots of good snow and an abundance of new skiers coming in the door of the chalet to sign up. Although we’ve been blessed with regular snowfalls, we are still waiting for our perennial 30 cm plus snow storm and we are hopeful that it will arrive any day. Most of our snow has come in 5 to 10 centimetre accumulations and those regular deposits have kept us in business since December 12 which was the first day we groomed the trails. It is rare that we are able to ski on the trails from mid-December and right through the Christmas holidays without having a meltdown that strips away the trail base, but this year was an exception. Being open early and staying open has resulted in many new skiers joining our ranks. We have also seen an increase in night skiing and ski rentals. The 20% discount given to new members combined with free ski rentals for the first year has encouraged people to come out and give skiing a trial run for a season without having to invest in equipment. This special offer has been very popular and most first year skiers return the second year with their own equipment. Whaleback once again has a busy Calendar of Events for 2012. The Snowy Owl Classic was held last weekend and on February 10 and 11 we will be hosting the NL Masters. The Masters Championships are for skiers 30 years of age and over, however younger skiers may be permitted to participate, but their results are unofficial. On February 26, skiers from all over the west coast will come to Whaleback to take part in the Whaleback Loppet. This event is a 21 km tour of the trails that some skiers choose to race, while others choose to tour. Loppets have become very popular in cross country skiing as they accommodate racers and touring skiers on the same trail. Several courses will be offered in the loppet to suit the various abilities and fitness levels of the participants. Taking part in the loppet is a wonderful way to be WinterActive at Whaleback. Anyone interested in finding out more about Whaleback should drop by the chalet and speak to one of the chalet attendants or check out our website (www. whalebacknordic.ca) where conditions are posted daily . The freshly groomed trails in the ski park are open to members at 8:00 a.m., and rentals and day passes are available for non-members from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the week and from 10:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the weekends. Drop up to the chalet and sit around the woodstove for a chat and don’t forget to throw a log on the fire.
View from the Whaleback Feb 7/12 edition by Graham Oliver The Canadian Ski Marathon ... Can’t Wait Since first reading about the Canadian Ski Marathon forty years ago the event has been at the zenith of my Calendar of Events and the time has come to check it off my “cod trap” list. Three days after the ink dries on this column I, along with ski buddies Greg Noonan and Dan Rumbolt, will congregate with a couple of thousand fellow skiers at the pre-dawn start of the Canadian Ski Marathon. The CSM is a two-day, 160 km event which starts in Buckingham Que., near Ottawa and meanders through 80 kilometres of Quebec countryside to Montebello where trail-weary skiers will stop to take an overnight rest. The second day of the event also has a pre-dawn start and once again skiers kick and glide eastward, zigzagging through the Canadian Shield before reaching the finish line in Lachute, 160 kilometres from the original start line in Buckingham. Our event actually commences on Friday evening in Papineauville where four or five hundred Coureurs de Bois Bronze hopefuls will jam into a school gymnasium for registration and a giant sleepover. At 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning we will all hop out of our sleeping bags and trot off to a caloric extravaganza in the school cafeteria. And then it’s gather up gear and jump on the shuttle bus that will bring us to the 6:30 a.m. start. It is our objective to achieve the Bronze Award which is the entry level into the Coureurs de Bois Awards Program. To be successful we must first complete 80 kilometres on the first day. We must also make sure we make it past the 65 kilometre checkpoint before 3:00 p.m. on day one. If we fail to make the 3:00 p.m. cut-off at the end of leg four, our objective to achieve the Bronze will be denied. If we make the deadline, we can then ski blissfully down the trail to the finish of the fifth leg and then grab the shuttle back to the dorm. After a comfortable night on the gymnasium floor, those who successfully completed day one will once again arise at 3:00 a.m. and repeat the drill of the previous day and head off down the trail with a headlamp illuminating the frosty, 6:30 a.m. darkness of the Canadian Shield. There will probably be fewer Bronze participants on day two as many will be forced to take early retirement and will be back in their sleeping bags nursing sprains, strains and contusions from their first day of battle. Once again on day two the Bronze wannabees will be under the gun to make it to the 63 km mark at the end of leg four before the dreaded 3:00 p.m. deadline. Those who fail to make it must retire from the challenge and take consolation that they completed nine demanding legs of the longest ski marathon in the world. Will Greg, Dan and I be successful in our quest to become “Runners of the Woods” on February 11 and 12? While I cannot answer that question definitively, I can assure you that we will have the ski odyssey of our lives kicking and gliding through the Quebec countryside. Can’t wait for the command of “Allez!”
View from the Whaleback (March 28, 2011) By Graham Oliver Back Country Skiing It’s that time of year when old ... oops wrong word ... “seasoned” Whalebackers return to their roots. Back to the days when cross country skiing was all about touring and heading off to landscapes unknown, or visiting special places that were worth the effort. Last week we had a chance to revisit a tour that I have not done since 1989. Where have the last two decades gone? Jack Lamond and his old dog Tanner rallied a gaggle of us together for a tour around the Whaleback. The Whaleback was a favourite tour back in the 80s. Percy Pieroway, one of our founding fathers, spent countless hours developing a network of interconnecting trails in the region and his favourite project was the Whaleback. Interestingly enough, the rudimentary trails that Percy cut are still navigable and we were treated to an exhilarating, four hour tour complete with boilup in a sheltered grove on the edge of the Kippens Bog. Although more preparation is required when you step out of the ski park and head out into the backcountry, the rewards are well worth it. While skiing an undulating, perfectly groomed trail in the ski park is highly enjoyable, the change of scenery and sense of exploring that goes with ski touring makes the change to backcountry a fresh experience. The Bay St. George region offers a plethora of touring destinations and Jack Lamond usually tries to touch as many off-the- beaten-path routes as possible this time of the year. But even Jack is challenged to visit all the hills, valleys, mountains and bogs that lie beyond the boundaries of the ski park. Howard Skinner is another new aficionado of backcountry skiing. Howard led a group of Whalebackers on a tour into the Long Range Mountains last year and he will no doubt be planning another one for this year. One of Earl Hunt’s favourite ski tours is from Romaines River to Fox Island River. Colin Smith, a former Whalebacker and a well known leader of wilderness tours is coming out from St. John’s to take advantage of our great spring ski conditions and he too will have some exciting ski tours on his agenda. There are many places to ski and oh so little time to do it. Spring is advancing fast and it is a race against the sun to get them all in before the backcountry snow flows out into Bay St. George. All aboard the backcountry express! Now ... where’s my kettle, stove, compass, maps, First Aid kit, ridge rest, emergency fire-making kit, aluminum blanket, spare ski tip .... ?
View from the Whaleback March 21/11 by Graham Oliver
Jillian Forsey Has the Race of Her Life at the Junior Nationals The Junior Nationals is the most competitive event for young skiers in Canada and Whaleback has two skiers competing in this prestigious event this week. Jillian and William Forsey have been training and competing in selection races all season in preparation for the National Championships which are being held in Canmore, Alberta. Both William and Jillian have been skiing extremely well this season and recently returned from the Canada Games in Halifax where they skied against the best in the country. Before the Canada Games the Forsey duo was off to the Eastern Canadians, so they haven’t had much of a chance for rest and recovery this season. School work, travel, training and events have consumed most of their winter schedule. One of the highlights of the season for the sister and brother team has been Jillian’s fifth place finish in Canmore. For some, fifth place might not seem like such a laudable performance, but when you consider that Jillian is skiing against the best in your age group from all over the country, a fifth place finish is remarkable. Newfoundland and Labrador has had many top skiers competing at the nationals over the years and it has always been a far off goal to place in the top ten, so for Jillian to come fifth out of eighty skiers in her age class is an extremely high achievement and a personal best. William has also been doing very well in his age group, but certainly the highlight of his week was watching his little sister proudly march up to the podium and be recognized for her top placed finish. Bravo Jillian!! Bravo William!!
Snow West Coming to Whaleback I wonder whose coming to lunch? As I write this column, preparations are under way for the Equinox Tour and Boilup slated for Whaleback this coming Sunday. This event is part of Snow West activities, a festival that is designed to attract winter tourists to our area. The Whaleback gang is excited about participating in Snow West because it provides us the opportunity to showcase our ski trails and hospitality. This is the first year for this event and organizers of Snow West expect this festival of winter activities to become an annual event. And why not? The west coast of Newfoundland usually boasts an abundance of snow this time of the year and our hospitality is never in short supply. Hmmm ... so I wonder who I‘ll be sharing my homemade “lassie” buns and hot tea with this weekend?
View from the Whaleback March 14 edition By Graham Oliver Jackie Le Grow ...The Queen of the Course at the World Masters Jackie Le Grow is one incredible skier! As I write this article, Jackie is basking in the glory of just crossing the finish line after skiing the anchor leg for Canada in the 4 X 5 km relay at the World Masters Championships in Sovereign Lake, British Columbia. Jackie has every reason to be elated with her relay performance because she crossed the line just ahead of the Norwegians to win the bronze medal for Canada. The World Championships is no small event with over 1100 exuberant skiers from 22 Nordic countries competing for medals in their respective divisions. And yes, Whaleback’s very own Jackie Le Grow is out there on the course politely nudging her Nordic friends aside as she skates and strides her way to the podium. Over the years I have skied with many skiers and most are wonderful people with engaging personalities, but Jackie is special. The grandmother of three, whose age will remain a secret, is probably the most pleasant and humble skier on the Whaleback trails. And we have lots of humble skiers. Whenever you meet Jackie she is smiling and exudes an attitude of “life is sweet so let’s enjoy this glorious day”. On numerous occasions I have been in mass start events and have had the pleasure to ski beside Jackie on the race course. If Jackie is ahead and feels that she is impeding you, which is seldom the case for me, she politely steps aside and asks you to go on. If she sneaks up behind you and wishes to pass, she casually delivers a polite comment to you as she steps out and strides past. For Jackie to say, “TRACK!” the command used when a racer wants to overtake another skier, would never happen. She brings a presence to Whaleback that is enjoyed by all and she consistently establishes an ambience of humility and contentment with living actively in the Great Outdoors. So as Whalebackers, are we proud of her? You bet we are! Because it seems like only yesterday that Jackie was a volunteer leader in the Jackrabbit Program, dutifully bringing Jennifer, Renee and Teri to the ski trails and eventually, she even brought Bruce. She would take her Jackrabbits and go off and teach the young children how to ski and have fun on snow. During the process, Jackie actually fell in love with skiing and diligently worked on improving her fitness and technique in an unpretentious manner. When we took our Jackrabbits to local and provincial races, Jackie entered the races as well and it was clear that she had stamina and a fondness for fitness that soon propelled her to the top of the podium at the Provincial Championships, NL Marathon, Provincial Masters and Canadian Masters. But Jackie’s success on the race course has not swelled her ego. She has and I am certain always will, remain “Jackie”, just a regular skier at Whaleback ... who loves to “ski for the health of it” ... who is a friend to all and lights up the trail with her smile and infectious enthusiasm. And yes we’re proud of her and we’re extremely happy that she has achieved such greatness in representing her province, her country and most importantly, her beloved Whaleback in fine fashion on the World Stage. Jackie Le Grow’s Glowing Results at the Worlds Masters to March 9th: - 15km free technique - Canadian Silver and 5th in Worlds- 10km free technique - Canadian Gold and 4th in worlds- 4 X 5 Km Relay – Skied Anchor Leg and won the bronze medal beating out the Norwegians- March 10 he skis the 30 km Free Technique and Whaleback Nordic will be cheering her on
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View from Whaleback March 7/11 By Graham Oliver Whalebackers Are on the Move By the ink time dries on this newsprint, the 41st Colemans NL Ski Marathon and Festival of Skiers will be history. But as I click the keys, a legion of dedicated ski club members are running around behind the scenes making sure that the event will be a resounding success. And it will be! By nature, cross country skiers are an amiable crowd and all they want to do is get out and ski an exciting course and meet old friends. No doubt there are a few keeners who will be interested in how fast they can ski the course. But whether a skier is racing or touring the marathon, it’s all about waltzing through the backwoods of Cold Brook on a frosty morning and enjoying the vibrancy of “stayin’ alive”. But the marathon is not the only thing going on at Whaleback. Bruce Le Grow is president of the Canadian Masters Association and this year the World Masters Championships,are being hosted in Sovereign Lake, British Columbia. Bruce has been busily engaged in making sure that the event runs smoothly and that hundreds of skiers from all over the world are treated to a memorable event . Bruce and Jackie and Brian Dunphy will also be competing in the competition. Whaleback skiers have also clearly put their stamp on the Canada Winter Games this year with Erica Noonan earning two bronze medals in the competition and then proudly carrying the flag for our province in the closing ceremonies. Erica was accompanied by William and Jillian Forsey who also put in sterling performances at the Canada Games as key members of the NL cross country ski team. Neil Stokes and the Eckert family have also been very active on the biathlon scene at Whaleback this season as they have been preparing teams for both provincial and national competitions. The young local biathletes have established themselves high on the list of the top performers in the province. Recently John Deeley, another Whalebacker, took an excited team of young skiers to Labrador to compete in the provincial high school championships where they performed extremely well in both team and individual competitons. Once the Marathon, the World Championships and the biathlon competitions are over, Whaleback will go into the simmer mode and skiers will be able to forget about the long list of details that come with hosting and competing in events. But wait ... almost forgot! Whaleback has become part of Snow West which is a winter festival that stages a variety of events in Western Newfoundland that are designed to attract tourists. As part of this festival, Whaleback Nordic will be inviting skiers to visit Whaleback and take part in the Equinox Tour and Boilup on March 20. Yippeee ... more skiers coming to visit!
View From the Whaleback (Feb. 28, 2011 Edition) By Graham Oliver Marathon Fever Hits Whaleback I caught up with Doug Fowlow on the trail today and he told me that his fax machine is starting to hum as registrations start rolling in for the 41st Colemans NL Cross Country Ski Marathon that we are hosting on March 5. This will be a busy week for the host committee as there are trails to groom, timing systems to set up, bibs to sort, volunteers to recruit for the kitchen, meals to cook for the banquet, food stations to set up on the course, First Aid to arrange, computer registration to collate and a mosaic of other details to look after. Looking after details is not always enjoyable, but it is all part of the process of hosting a big event and the time expended attending to the details is well worth the effort. The marathon is the flagship event of CCNL and by being hosts, we are given the opportunity to entertain old ski friends that we have not seen since the last marathon. On Saturday morning our parking lot will be jammed and skiers will anxiously rush into the chalet with great excitement. Some will arrive without their ski boots while others will be short a ski pole. These things happen when you’re excited. But friends will lend them what they’re missing and everyone will snap into their bindings at 10:40 and head out for a warm up ski before being summoned to the stadium for the start. There will be laughter and comments traded back and forth and with a sudden burst of energy and a series of rapid double poling, a large gaggle of skiers will head into the forested hills of Cold Brook and have the ski tour of their life. The truth be told, every marathon you complete is the “tour of your life” because you can’t take it for granted that you will be around for the next one. Life is short ! Embrace it while you can. But I digress! When skiers finish their chosen course, they will dodge into the chalet and trade stories with friends over a bowl of homemade soup and later that evening they will be treated to a wonderful meal put on by the members of Whaleback. Of course after the meal, there will be awards. But at the marathon, the awards are always overshadowed by the social event itself. The marathon is about celebrating healthy active living in the Great Outdoors ! But not so fast! It’s not over yet! After the banquet and awards everyone will head out to the chalet for wicked good kitchen party that will last to the wee hours of the morning. The marathon is an experience that dedicated skiers flock to every year. If you miss the marathon and the social accoutrements that go with it, the season is incomplete. Now if you think I’m telling fibs, then drop out to the chalet on Saturday morning at 10:30 and take a look at the crowd that has assembled and judge for yourself what the gathering is all about. I think you’ll be impressed. Better yet, bring along a pair of skis, or rent a pair at the chalet and join in the fun. Skiers love meeting new people. And you may just become a disciple of the marathon.
View from the Whaleback (Feb.21) By Graham Oliver Alf Parsons Is One Incredible Athlete Last weekend Whaleback Nordic hosted the NL Masters Championships and it came as no surprise that Alf Parsons of Menihek Nordic in Labrador City led the field on both days of competition. Alf has just moved into the Masters 4 category (60 plus), but despite moving up in age his speedy time on the course just remains the same. On Day 1, Alf’s time of 36:53 on the 10km classic course was a full three minutes ahead of the next fastest time posted by Brian Dunphy of Whaleback and Brian is ranked as one of the premium skiers in the province. Alf blasted out of the start in the 10 km skating race on Day 2 and posted a blistering time of 33:20 on a course that was soft and with windy conditions prevailing. What makes Alf Parsons special is not the fact that he is a fast skier. An athlete’s speed, or prowess in an event has never impressed me. Being in the field of physical education for over 35 years I have met a number of superlative athletes and some of them I do not wish to meet again. Ego often dominates the personalities of elite athletes, but not so with Alf Parsons. Alf has time for everyone and he is a truly a gentle and warm individual who is a key member of the Menihek club where he coaches young kids, grooms the trails, helps organize events and sometimes you’ll even find him in the clubhouse kitchen flipping steaks. Recently Alf was recognized for his sport’s prowess and was inducted in the NL Sports Hall of Fame. It comes as no surprise that Alf excels in a variety of sports. He plays a four handicap in golf, is a speedy cyclist and triathlete, has been a multiple gold medalist at the Labrador Winter Games on numerous occasions, and the list just goes on. I personally think that one of his greatest athletic achievements was highlighted last year on CBC’s Here and Now. The story goes likes this ... Alf was heading out for a brisk run on the ski trail and while running through the woods he encountered a black bear who clearly stated that he owned the trail and a standoff ensued. The bear made his move and cornered Alf behind a big black spruce. Mr. Bear was not budging and things got a bit tense. Alf calmly surveyed the situation and said, “Enough is enough!” He reached out and gave the bear a firm tap on the snout and sent his adversary off into the woods and Alf continued on his way. That’s Alf ... always in control and able to handle whatever situation that may arise. Alf will be part of a big contingent of NL skiers who will be heading off to the World Masters in British Columbia later this month. He is no stranger to the podium at World Masters and he will once again be in medal contention with the Russians, Scandinavians, Americans and fellow Canadians. Whaleback also wishes luck to a strong contingent of skiers from Whaleback who are heading off to the World Masters. Bruce Le Grow, who is president of the Canadian Masters Association, will leading the charge from our club and he will be accompanied by Brian Dunphy, Jack White and Jackie Le Grow who will also be competing in a number of events over a 10 day period. Upcoming Events: Whaleback Loppet on Saturday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m. and NL Marathon on March 5 at 11:00 a.m.
View from the Whaleback (Feb 14/11) By Graham Oliver
Beginner’s Lessons Popular at Whaleback Last Saturday we held two lessons for beginner’s one in the morning and another in the afternoon and the response was overwhelming. Taking a lesson is a great way to start your season, especially if you haven’t skied before, or if you have been away from the sport for a number of years. Cross country skiing is like any other sport, there are simple tips that can make the sport much more enjoyable. This is especially true when it comes to climbing and descending hills. Learning a few simple techniques can provide a new skier with the right tools to make their first ski tour an enjoyable experience. We are fortunate at Whaleback to have a variety of trails and several of them are designed specifically for beginners. Beaver Tail Flat is one of our more popular novice trails. This trail is scenic and very flat and therefore, a great venue for new skiers to hone their skills and develop confidence. Beaver Tail Flat winds through the Crooked Brook Valley and continues in 2.5 km to the base of the Saddleback where you have the choice to head off to Oliver’s Twist, another one of our novice trails, or you may wish to return to the chalet by the same route. Beaver Tail Flat is often groomed with two sets of classic tracks and skiers are able to ski side-by-side and chat as they stride through the forest. If you are a new skier, come out and give BTFlat a try and you should also keep an eye out for the next beginner’s lesson. Marathon Slated for March 5 Plans are being made for the 41st Colemans NL Cross Country Ski Marathon which we are hosting on March 5. The marathon will feature a variety of courses ranging in length from 2.5 km to 40 km and we are extremely pleased to have Colemans Food Stores once again sponsoring the event. The marathon is actually a tour that some people choose to race and it focuses on healthy living and playing in the Great Outdoors. It is open to the general public so if you haven’t skied a marathon before, you should give it a try. The trails for the marathon are groomed for both classic and skating and there are refreshment stops along the way. So circle March 5 on your calendar, select a marathon distance that suits your ability and start practicing. For most skiers, the marathon is all about sharing the trail with fellow skiers and enjoying the benevolence of Mother Nature, so come out and be one of the gang as we all celebrate one of the longest running cross country ski marathons in Canada. See you at the START!
April 6, 2010
View from the Whaleback by Graham Oliver
Diane Hanratty’s Excellent Adventure Diane Hanratty is one persistent lady. For the past two years she has been pleading with the backcountry gang to take her into the wilderness: “I want to go backcountry skiing with you guys and you won’t take me! Please ... can I go? Please!” This has been Diane’s mantra whenever we see her. Finally, Dan Rumbolt, said, “Graham b’ye, enough is enough! Will ya put that lady out of her misery and take her on a tour for God sake!” Well, on the twentieth day of March, in the year two thousand and ten, Missy Diane got her way and she became “Queen of the Mountain”! Once we firmly established a date for the tour, Diane transformed into an evangelical as she tried to recruit as many as possible to join her in the glorious ascension to the summit. “What about Sally Sue, can she go? And Mary Joe, what about her? And Molly Moe? Can she come too!” Diane is a formidable force when she locks on to a cause. This being said, not everyone wants to kick and glide and herringbone their way to the top of an unyielding mountain. And furthermore, they don't relish the thought of stumbling and falling and face-planting and rolling all the way to the bottom once the summit has been achieved. But Anne Sparkes, Diane’s loyal ski buddy, was also up to the challenge. And what an addition she made to the tour! Anne came well-fortified with no less than 14 pieces of dark fruit cake to pass around at the boilup. But Missy Diane was not to be outdone by Anne’s tasty boilup spread, as she too, had a backpack bursting with baked goods. In fact, Tanner (Jack’s trusty old dog), followed her all day gobbling up freshly baked tea biscuits that kept falling out of her backpack. Fortunately, Diane had a copious supply and still had a couple of dozen left over to pass around when we stopped for lunch. The backcountry destination for “Diane’s Excellent Adventure” was Big Lookout, affectionately known as “1801”, a name that dutifully reflects its elevation. The tour was an arduous, six-hour trek that started at 10:00 a.m. and originated approximately 1.5 km northeast of the village of Cold Brook on the forest access road. From the trailhead, we proceeded northeast up the valley. After enjoying 8 kilometres of excellent skiing in brilliant sunshine we arrived up on the high bog at the base of Big Lookout. From the bog, the climb to the top of 1801 was a diligent exercise of gaining elevation by contouring back and forth through a minefield of tuckamore before finally reaching the icy summit. Once on top (1:10 p.m.), it was a hundred metre dash to the windswept cairn to take a few pictures to record the moment and before quickly making our descent to a more favourable environment. By 2:00 p.m. most of the gang were nestled away in the shelter of an old growth forest, patiently waiting for the kettle to boil on Jack’s Whisperlite stove. Enter Missy Diane: “What’s this ... a boilup without a fire? I thought you guys were going to have a REAL boilup with a REAL fire,” blurted Diane. And her ski buddy Annie was just as saucy. The backcountry gang all looked up in disbelief. It was obvious that our sturdy armour had been pierced. Both Diane and Anne exclaimed that the boilup was nothing but; “ a facade, a fake, not real, a farce ..... a reasonable facsimile”. Ms. Annie said, “When I have a boilup, I like to have the smell of wood smoke in my cup of tea. I’m disgusted with yee crowd!” Not to be outdone, Missy Hanratty chimed in, “Yeah, we want an inferno of blasty boughs with great big flankers!” And with that, the backcountry gang were sent scurrying, collecting birch bark and dry wood. Our integrity and noble honour were on the line. Before Carter Powers could say; “Pass me another tea bun”, Anne Sparkes and Missy Diane were smelling like smoked capelin and were grinning from ear-to-ear. “Now this is a boilup!” said Annie. “Yeah, with REAL blasty boughs too,” said Missy Diane. With full bellies and forty-five minutes of laughter under our belts, we buckled up our backpacks and headed southwest across the bog with the wind on our quarter ... destination Cold Brook Valley. The return trip was a relaxing 1000 foot descent that flashed by in just over an hour. What a day on the trail! A big thank you goes out to Missy Diane and Annie Sparkes for teaching the backcountry gang (Earl Hunt, Jack Lamond, Dan Rumbolt and Graham Oliver) how to have a REAL BOILUP. Thanks goes out to Derek Lomond for giving us an expert lesson on telemark skiing , and to Carter Powers for also joining us for a mug-up around the fire. Life is sweet .... make sure you share it with good friends!
View from the Whaleback March 16th edition By Graham Oliver
Whaleback Owns Podium at the Masters
What a racket there was in the Blow-Me Down parking lot this morning just before the start of the Canadian Masters 10 km skate race! For a while, it was doubtful that anyone from Whaleback was going to make it to the start line. Being steeped in a Fair Play attitude, I had been enthusiastically promoting the idea that Whaleback Nordic would "Own the Parking Lot" at the Canadian Masters Championships being held in Corner Brook; meaning of course, that we would recruit more participants for the event than any other club. I thought it was an extremely noble goal and we would rule.
Whalebackers have been signing up in record numbers and before ya knew it, we had over a dozen skiers registered. The plan was working like clockwork ... that is, until we started unloading our ski bags in the parking lot at Blow Me Down this morning. Carter Powers marched up in a state of consternation and confronted me. "There's no way that I'm drivin' all the way into Corner Brook just to 'Own the Parking Lot.' Who ever heard of such of such a ridiculous idea?" said the emboldened Powers.
Powers was adamant. "I want to stand high on the podium! Whaleback should 'Own the Podium'! Not the parking lot! Who in cares about how many cars we have parked in front of the BMD lodge?" said the animated Powers. Don Cormier and Howard Skinner had to settle him down because Carter started to tremble and was getting all excited. It was doubtful that he would be able to answer the call of the starter’s pistol in such a state.
Before long, serious cracks started to spread through my “Own the Parking Lot” strategy. Brian Dunphy and Faron Young arrived on the scene. "We're goin' for the Gold!" said the exuberant Crossing duo in unison. And then Judge Bruce Le Grow and Jackie happened by and they were totally discussed with the lowly objective of owning the parking lot. “Whaleback is not a second hand car dealership!" snapped an agitated LeGrow. "This is a ski club! Wise up! We're goin' for the Gold!"
I was crestfallen. Within moments of the verbal attack I found myself slumped in a heap behind Earl Hunt’s pickup sobbing in a state of uncontrollable pathetic emotion. And then Earl, our wise and sober voice of reason approached me. "Graham boy, what's the difference. We already own the parking lot. Just look at the crowd of Whalebackers who’ve signed up for the Masters. Why not let them have their way and maybe we can 'own the podium' too."
Suddenly, I realized that Earl had a point. After all, we did “Own the Parking Lot”. Whalebackers were out in full force with smiles on their faces. I quickly dried up my tears and after several moments of reflection, I conceded that I too, would follow Captain Carter’s lead in what I thought to be a less noble goal of “Owning the Podium”.
And the rest is history ... Today, Whaleback "owned both the Podium AND the Parking Lot" at the Canadian Masters.
(Taken from WB Newsletter 71% fiction)
View from the Whaleback (Feb. 23/10 edition) by Graham Oliver Missing an Old Friend to Break the Trail When I arrived at the ski chalet yesterday, I could just wiggle my way into the parking lot. During the morning, 18 centimetres of dense, wet snow had fallen and the grooming machine was not making a dent in the clammy accumulation. I was faced with only one option and that was to grab my old waxless touring skis and head out Beaver Tail Flat, breaking trail as I went along. Within a few strides I was in the zone and I began to reminisce about my early days in Stephenville when I would often meet my good friend John Maddock on the very same trail. Beaver Tail Flat is actually an old abandoned logging trail that skiers have been touring since cross country skiing came into vogue in the late 1960s. The trail has not changed much, but I am very sad to say John passed away last June. In “them days”, the Cold Brook Trail was an out-and-back narrow path that was not machine groomed. If you were the first one there after school, or on a frosty Saturday morning, you became the designated groomer for the day and broke trail. On many occasions, John Maddock was my track-setter. John and I would meet on the trail, exchange pleasantries, discuss the wax of the day and be on our way. It was not long before I realized that John was a trail blazer in a variety of areas and a wealth of information. By the time I arrived on the scene in 1975, John Maddock was already well established in the fabric of Stephenville. He was an ardent supporter of cross country and alpine skiing and was a founding member of the original Stephenville Ski Club. John and I would often swap stories about ski touring and places to boilup along the trail. He loved to boil the kettle and back then; his two eldest boys, Ian and Colin, were often right beside him. But John was not only involved in cross country and down hill skiing; he was a man for all seasons. He was actively involved in the Scouting Movement, was an avid canoeist and was very much at home in the Great Outdoors. He was also an enthusiastic educator who loved literature and especially “poetry”. Did I say “poetry”? No one could say the word “poetry” like John Maddock could. His Scottish accent brought the word to life as it waltzed off his tongue. John was a great lover of the arts. I have fond remembrances of John and Bernice leading a giddy crew of house guests through a lively set of Lancers followed by the Gay Gordons. He was a founding member of Bay Theatre and was both a director and a leading actor in numerous plays that were staged by the local drama group. One of my fondest memories of John on stage was when he acted as the snarly old Fagin in Oliver Twist. I can still see Fagin herding together the Artful Dodger and his slick gang of delinquent pickpockets. John acted in several roles in the play and if I am not mistaken, directed it as well. More recently, John combined with a clutch of talented musicians, including his son Michael, to host an evening of dinner & Scottish entertainment at the Holiday Inn. Dressed in his kilt and wielding a sweet and pure Scottish accent, John was in his element. John loved to celebrate his Scottish heritage and often performed delightful recitations by his beloved “Rabbie” Burns, the favourite son of Scotland. John Maddock was an enormous contributor to the arts, education, sports and recreation and to his church, to name but a few. He had a wide circle of friends who miss him, and his fervent love of life, dearly. It is sometimes difficult to break trail without him leading the way.
View from the Whaleback (Feb. 16/10 edition) by Graham Oliver
Being WinterActive at Whaleback
Every other day there is another article in the newspaper telling us about the shocking level of physical fitness amongst our youth and these statistics, although not as critical, follow right up through to Mom and Dad. The predictions are dire as many researchers postulate that parents will soon be outliving their children if radical changes in lifestyle do not occur. How did we ever get to this state of inactivity? Being active is usually a conscious decision that is propelled by a desire to do something. Nike said it best with their slogan, “Just Do It!” Well today most parents don’t do it, they watch it. Spectator sports have become the main event these days. Parents often take their children to minor sports and watch from the sidelines. But watching from the sidelines is just not good enough. If children are going to be active, they must have role models who blaze the trail. What better way for parents to set a physically active example than to head out to Whaleback Nordic and snap into the bindings with the rest of the family. Family memberships at Whaleback have been reduced to $170. and the discounted price entitles first year members to free rentals for the rest of the season. The cost of outfitting the entire family with ski gear is prohibitive to some families, so by providing free rentals the financial obstacle is eliminate. The next stage in becoming WinterActive at Whaleback is to take a beginner’s lesson to learn the basics and then it’s time to head out on the trails with the entire family. Whaleback offers a variety of trails from the Bunnyhop, a 1 km loop on gentle terrain, to more demanding trails that will test the edges of the most experienced skier. One of the most rewarding family experiences at Whaleback is to head out to the pentagon and have a boilup. The pentagon is a wilderness hut located 3 km from the chalet and is humbly equipped with a stove, table, benches and a sleeping loft. It’s a wonderful little oasis in the forest where families can snuggle in and share a lunch and a few stories around the fire. But first you have to build the fire! If you are really adventurous, you can even book a night at the pentagon and the cost is “sweep the floor when you leave”. Being WinterActive with your children is a very important component in a healthy family lifetyle. Some of the best experiences of my life have been sharing time in the Great Outdoors with family and friends. No doubt getting everyone out the door takes some planning, but becoming WinterActive at Whaleback has its rewards . And oh yes, when you spend the night at the pentagon with the kids, don’t forget to autograph the Pentagon Wall of Fame.
View
from
the
Whaleback
(
February
9,
2010
edition)
by Graham Oliver
Whaleback to Host a Series of Events When winter settles in, skiers at Whaleback become happy! What a difference a week can make. It started snowing last week and hasn’t let up since and the trails are piling up with snow. Thanks to a recent shipment of snow that came in off the Gulf, we can start preparing in earnest for a series of scheduled events on the Whaleback Calendar. By the time that the ink dries on this column we will have already hosted the Snowy Owl Classic which is a mass participation event aimed at celebrating Healthy Living and raising funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The Snowy Owl is a great event for everyone to become Winter Active in the Great Newfoundland Outdoors. On February 13 and 14 we will be hosting the NL Masters. The Masters attracts male and female skiers 30 years of age and older. Skiers are registered in age class divisions and compete in both classic and free technique events. For many skiers, the NL Masters will be a warm up for the Canadian Masters which are being held in Corner Brook in early March. Jack White, Bruce Le Grow and Dave King will be using the Masters to fine tune their racing techniques for the World Masters which will be held in Sweden later in February. Whaleback will also be hosting the second annual Whaleback Loppet on Saturday, February 20. The loppet is a 20 km mass participation event designed to attract skiers who wish to rise to the challenge. And what better challenge can a person have than to head out on an enthusiastic 20 km tour though the backwoods of Cold Brook. For some skiers, the loppet will be a race against the clock, however for most it will be a wonderful occasion to waltz through the all the trails in the Whaleback Nordic Ski Park and celebrate fitness with fellow skiers. What a difference a few generous snow squalls can make in the daily life of a skier. In the middle of January skiers were lamenting about the lack of snow and this week we’re off to the races! Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Whaleback has drastically reduced it’s membership fees for the remainder of the season. Drop by the chalet and ask about the ski program offered at Whaleback. We’d love to see you on the trails and the club will even provide free ski rentals to new members for the entire season.
View from the Whaleback (January 26/10 edition) By Graham Oliver
Whaleback Nordic is enjoying a very good ski season despite the fact that snow storms seem to be rather shy about dropping in for a visit. December rolled in like the snow storm express. The trails were groomed by December 14 and cross country skiers were enjoying an unprecedented early start to the season. However Mother Nature proved to be the Grinch this Christmas and put a great big mild spell in every skier’s stocking. Although we lost most of our snow in the Christmas thaw, we did manage to preserve a solid trail base and thanks to a few meagre snowfalls and diligent grooming we have managed to keep ten kilometres of trails in reasonably good condition. While the snow has been scarce over the past few weeks, we have been blessed with an elongated stretch of sunshine and calm weather and loyal Whaleback members have been responding which has resulted in club membership being on par with previous seasons. The Whaleback Jackrabbit Program is also off to a robust start with a good roster of young skiers signing up. Coordinator Charlotte Alexander is doing a sterling job at spiriting the young skiers into their groups and recruiting leaders for the program. Charlotte is a great organizer and brings an infectious enthusiasm to the program. Last Sunday, as I watched Charlotte scurrying around the chalet at the first Jackrabbit session I asked myself, “Where have the years gone? It seems like yesterday that I was teaching Charlotte in the Jackrabbit Program and now she is coordinating the program!” Dare I say, "I’m getting old"? But years do fly by and as a result, the many faces of Whaleback Nordic are literally changing. For quite some time we have been dancing to the tune of noted demographer Dave Foot who forecast that the baby boomers would grow older, move into retirement and eventually their children would take over the reigns of organizations. I have been membership chair of the ski club since 1977 and for the first time in years we are having a record number of young people joining our ranks and what a pleasant addition they make to the club. While they are not boisterously pushing the old guard aside, the day will come in the not-too-distant future that the boomers will move on to points unknown and the operation of Whaleback Nordic will be left in the competent hands of our sons and daughters. I am confident that it will be in good hands. However, in the meantime, the trails are singing a song of “come hither”, so I’m going skiing!
March 24, 2009 Edition
The Social Side of Whaleback
While many join Whaleback for the fitness and fresh air, others sign up to buy a share in the social interaction that comes with the membership. Yesterday, I skipped into the chalet after a tour of the trails and when I walked by the counter and there was a plate of fresh, homemade tea biscuits, compete with raisins. Beside the plate was a sign saying, "Help yourself!" A gregarious member of Whaleback who was volunteering for chalet duty had very thoughtfully made a pan of biscuits to treat hungry skiers coming in off the trails. The fresh offerings had a counter life of about 10 minutes as one skier after another took advantage of the welcoming display of hospitality. The day before, the benevolence of the day was a plate of freshly baked partridgeberry muffins. Reaching out to fellow members with small acts of kindness is becoming a regular practice at Whaleback and the social interaction that accompanies the hospitality is the molasses that keeps the Whaleback batter together.
Since last year, the weekday chalet operations at Whaleback has been taken over by an enthusiastic group of twenty club members and the laughter and conversation that is infectiously promoted by these volunteers certainly adds a warm and cozy dimension to our club. We are also very fortunate to have three excellent employees who make a point of getting to know club members and they are always willing to provide assistance when necessary.
This year our membership has swelled to 330 members and while many members have known each other for years, there are others who have recently come into the club not knowing anyone, but by the end of their first season they have shared smiles and chats with almost almost all the members. There is no doubt that enjoying the fresh air and motion of the trails is first and foremost in a skier's mind when they head out on the trails, but there is more to skiing than cruising the trails. I for one, head out to the trails for the tea buns, the laughter, the conversation and the boilups. I can go for a ski by myself anytime, however the sincere enjoyment of being a member comes from the numerous small acts of kindness and comradeship that occur daily. Now who's turn is it to bring the bring the date squares next week? Maybe it's mine!
Come join us! The more the merrier! Anyone who joins from now until the end of the season will also have a valid membership for the 2010 season. The club also offers a 25% discount to new members and free rentals for the entire season. Whaleback encourages everyone to come out and be Winter Active and Socially Interactive at Whaleback!
View from the Whaleback March 9, 2009
And We're Off to the Marathon
Well ... the bags are packed and the skis are waxed and it's off to the Marathon we go. Last week Dan Rumbolt and I were pondering how we were going to share one set of fast skis over a 40 kilometre marathon course. But fortunately that problem has been solved thanks to a speedy courier and my new skis have arrived. So we have no excuses for how we place in the marathon because we're both skating on premium skis. But then again, we really don't care about how we place! Life's just a Big Tour, so why not enjoy it!
The "Marathon" is about sharing the trail with old friends and experiencing a simultaneous feeling of satisfaction and exhaustion as you emerge from the black spruce after 40 kms of trail and then head to the line of termination. The St. Anthony gang are wonderful hosts and they are known for treating their guests like royalty so there is a great deal to look forward to. There will be après ski socials and a wicked good kitchen party that will go late into the evening. I can assure you, that exhaustion will reign supreme when the final curtain falls on Saturday night, but Whalebackers can handle every bit of it and we'll be just fine!
Now many will go to the marathon with their Personal Best Time registered clearly on their cranial monitor and they will be trying their absolute best to better last year's performance. They'll wax well into the night, test three pairs of skis and select the pair with the optimum glide as they strive to stand high on the podium. Others will grab their old waxless boards and tour the course with their objective being to cross the finish line. They will stop at all the feed stations, meet new friends and have lots of laughs and create a wholesome bibliography full of fresh stories.
Like many others, I have also established a noble objective for the marathon. I want to see a polar bear. Now I know that such a wish may sound incredible, but why not wish BIG? St. Anthony is prime polar bear country this time of year and if you're making a trip to the far north of the island, you may just see one. Picking up a medal is a nominal token of participation compared to facing a polar bear as you round a bend in the trail. I only hope that if I do encounter the big white one, that we make eye contact on a downhill section of the course. They say polar bears can't run very fast down hill and with my new slick skaters fresh from the waxing horse, Mr. Bear doesn't have a hope in hell of catching me.
View from the Whaleback March 3, 2009
It's Great
to Have
Friends with
Fast Skis
View from the Whaleback (February 24 Edition)
Whaleback
To Host
High
Schools
and
Whaleback
20.5
Mini-Loppet
Whaleback
will be
hosting
two big
events this
weekend
with the
Provincial
High
Schools
slated
for
Saturday,
February
28 and
the
Whaleback
20.5
Mini-Loppet
scheduled
for March
1. A
number
of teams
will be
coming
in from
other
parts of
the
province
to take
part in
the high
school
races
which
are
scheduled
to get
under
way on
Saturday at
10:00
a.m.
with the
welcoming
of competitors
from
visiting
schools.
The
first
race
will be
the
junior
girls
2.5 km
classic
event
which
starts at
11:10
a.m. The
junior
girls
will be
followed
by the
junior
boys 5
km race
at
11:40.
At
12:15 the
senior
girls
will
compete
in the 5
km
event,
while
the senior
boys
will
compete
in the
7.5 km
classic
race at
1:00
p.m.
The team
relays
are
scheduled
for 2:00
p.m.
and once
they are
completed
there will
be
a banquet
and
awards
ceremony
which
will be
held at
the
chalet.
Rosemary
Ryan-Forsey,
convener
for the
event,
said
that she
is
excited
to see
teams
coming in
to
participate
in the
races
and she
is
especially pleased
to see
such a
large
number
of
skiers
from the
Stephenville
area
taking
part in
the
event.
All high
school
races
will all
be held
on the
Fox Trot
and for
this
reason there
will be
no
interference
with the
regular
ski
activities
for
Whaleback
members.
Members
and day
pass
users
will be
able to
access
all
other
trails
in the
ski
park via
Beaver
Tail
Flat.
President
Fowlow
encourages members
to come
out and
ski
their
favorite
trails
as usual
on the
weekend. As
Fowlow
said,
"Whaleback
is all
about
being
Winter
Active
and
there is
plenty
of
room on
the
trails
for
everyone."
Whaleback
will
jump
right
into
action
again on
Sunday
afternoon
with the
hosting
of the
first
Whaleback
20.5
Mini-Loppet. In
the
mid-80s,
Whaleback hosted
the 27
km
Around
the
Whaleback
Mini-Marathon
on an
annual
basis.
The
Whaleback
20.5
Mini-Loppet
will
have the
same
philosophy as
the
Whaleback
500 as
the
event
will emphasize participation
and rising
to a
challenge.
Members
and
friends
of Whaleback
are
encouraged
to get
out and
join in
the
fun. Several
course
distances
will be
offered
to
participants
ranging
from
short
courses
(2.5 - 5
km) for
children,
to
medium
length
courses
(10 km)
for
those
who
would
like a
longer tour.
The
biggest
challenge
will
be the
20.5 km
course
which is
a tour
of all
the
trails
in the
ski park
that are
groomed
for both
skating
and
classic.
For
those who
wish to
ski the
course
at top
speed
the
reward
will be
a smiley
face
cookie
when
they
cross
the
finish
line and
the same
prize will
also be
awarded
to
skiers
who
slowly
tour any
of the
other
courses
featured
in the
event.
All
funds
raised
through
registrations will
go
towards
the
Whaleback
Woodstove
Fund. This
event
is open
to all
skiers
in the
region
and
participants from
other
clubs
are
expected to
participate.
View from the Whaleback Feb. 17, 2009
by
Graham Oliver
The Joy of
Travelling to
Ski Events
Recently I
chatted to Bruce
Le Grow about
the 2009 Masters
World Cup, a
series of
races that was
recently hosted
in the small
resort village
of Autrans in
the French
Alps.
According to
Bruce,
the residents of
the tiny
community that
is snuggled
into the
mountains embraced
the 1167 masters
participants and
they all were
treated to wonderrful
hospitality. Jack
White, Dave King
and Bruce were
joined by Alfie
Parsons from
Labrador City
for the week
long
competition.
They were part
of an eighteen
member
contingent from
Canada that
competed in the
event.
While the
main focus of
the trip was to
compete in
a series of
classic and free
technique races, the
Whaleback Gang
and Alfie also
had an excellent
opportunity to
sample the
magnificent
culture and
cuisine of rural
France. With
Labrador Jack as
their
translator,
they navigated
their way
through the
highways, the
language and the
trails with
remarkable
finesse. One of
the highlights
of the trip was
witnessing
fellow
Newfoundland and
Labradorian Alf
Parsons win the
bronze medal in
the 45 km free
technique
event. This was
a remarkable
achievement considering
the elite level
of competition.
"To see Little
Alfie stand tall
on the podium
was indeed a
special treat."
said Bruce.
Over the
years, Bruce,
Jack, Dave and
Alfie
have competed at
the Masters
World Cup in
Idaho, British
Columbia, Italy
and France. In
addition, they
have attended
numerous
national
championships in
various parts of
Canada. They
have also had
the
opportunity to
invite their
masters friends
to ski on their
home trails when
Whaleback Nordic
hosted the Canadian
Masters
Championships in
2005. Bruce
indicated that
participating in
masters events
is a great
opportunity to
meet with old
friends and to
share trails and
stories of past
events, while at
the same time
making plans to
meet again at
future events.
Travelling
to cross country
ski events and
meeting old
friends is
certainly one of
the highlights
of cross country
skiing. One of
the earliest
events that
pointed cross
county skiers in
the same
direction in
this province
was the first
Newfoundland
Marathon which
has its humble
beginnings
dating back to
1968. The first
marathon was
hastily put
together and was
hosted by a
gaggle of skiers
on a series
of old logging
roads near
Springdale. But
since that point
of origin, cross
country skiers
from all across
the
province have
been heading off
to "The Marathon"
on the first
Saturday in
March in hopes
of meeting old
friends and
skiing new
trails. While
rural
Newfoundland and
Labrador isn't
the Alps of
France, the lure
to travel to
events and met
old and new
friends is still
the same.
This year
the Marathon is
in St. Anthony
and as I click
the keys my mind
is madly dodging
off in all
directions. Did
I confirm the
booking at the
B&B in St.
Anthony? Did I
book a van to
travel up the
coast with a
yaffle of
friends who will
laugh out loud
as they tell the
same old
stories? No one
in the group
will win medal
like Alfie did
in the French
Alps. But we'll
meet up with old
friends, ski new
trails and
attend a banquet
and a wicked
good kitchen
party after we
get off the
trails. And
that's the story
of travelling to
cross country
ski events ...
40 kilometres of
sub-arctic ski
trail followed
by elongated
hours of
socializing with
warm-hearted ski
friends. Oh the
joys of skiing
... I can't wait
for the sound of
Allez
on March 7!
Sort of has a
French Alps ring
to it!
View from the
Whaleback
February
3, 2009 Now many of my friends have looked at my old duct-taped boots and pleaded with me to buy a new pair. My wife being the most ardent subscriber of that plea has often said, "Graham, it's embarrassing to see you wearing those old things! I'm buying you a new pair for Christmas!" Others have looked at me and said, "How cheap are you anyway? You're boots are gone b'ye ... get a new pair!" No doubt, I have many character flaws, but cheap I'm not! Just ask my three daughters who are certainly well financially fortified as they weave their way through what seems to be an endless series of post graduate degrees. And I can assure you, that more than once I've dug deeply into my pocket and bought a round for my friends in need at a Friday evening happy hour. So no, I'm not cheap. I just love my boots! There are many at Whaleback who are downright embarrassed to even ski with me claiming that they don't want to be associated with a homeless Whalebacker. Bert Young for one, heads in the opposite direction whenever I stop on the trail for a chat because he's afraid that I might ask him to ski a few laps with me. Don't get me wrong ... I have enough character to handle the rejection and buddy Dan Rumbolt has supported me every dilapidating kilometre along the way and has never once denied me the privilege of a tour of the trails because of my shoddy footwear. However on several occasions Dan did tell me that skiers seem to be whispering in our wake and they often point downward in the direction of my boots. On Sunday Cycle Solutions set up a demonstration of the latest ski gear at the chalet and while lacing up my trusty old skaters I noticed a fancy new pair of Madshus skating boots perched on the display table. And oh ... were they attractive! Shiny and new, workable zippers, new age insulation and festooned with the latest colourful graphics. They were dandies in the true stylish sense of the word. And furthermore, they could be mine for a mere $400. plus tax. What more could a retro-skier like myself ask for? As I caressed the "new and improved" skaters, I could feel a sobbing coming from the "soul"of my feet, the sort of sobbing that a parent hears as they stand outside a child's bedroom when the child has been barred up for being naughty. My boots seemed to be pleading with me and saying, "Master, can I have just one more year to prove my worthiness?" Immediately, I placed the "new and Improved" Madshus S5 677s back on the table and proceeded out the door to the ski rack and as I snapped into my bindings the mournful sobbing vibrations in my feet subsided. As I skated Herringbone Hill I started humming "Rise Again .... Rise Again", the lively lyrics from the Stan Rogers' tune "The Mary Ellen Carter". You know, the tune about the ship resting on the bottom and hoping that it will one day rise up to the surface and be given another chance to ply its native waters. Was it coincidental, or were the lyrics symbolic .... "Rise Again! Rise Again!" ... Ah what a sweet ski it was ... boots that fitted like an extremely well-worn glove .. well-ventilated but a little drafty at times .... damp when wet snow penetrated the porous side panels ... But oh so comfortable! Cycle Solutions called today. "Graham, you know those boots you were looking at on Sunday? We have a pair in your size. When would you like to pick them up, or would you like me to send them out to you." said Pete, the Cycle Solutions man. " Well Pete, thanks for the call, but I've changed my mind .... my old boots are just fine for now .... maybe next year." I just found a new roll of silver duct tape. and as Red Green would say, "the colour sort of matches the boots."
Edition - January 27, 2009
Snowy Owl
Classic Slated for
Saturday
Whaleback Nordic
will be hosting the
Annual Snowy Owl
Classic on Saturday
at 1:30 and the
event is expected to
be one of the
highlights of the
season. The first
Snowy Owl Classic
was hosted in the
late eighties and
was created to
ensure that
traditional classic
skiing would always
hold a prominent
place
in Whaleback's
Calendar of Events.
The Snowy Owl is a
mass participation
event where skiers
can choose to ski
any one of a number
of trails
ranging from .5 km
to 8.5 km in length.
Three teams will
be vying for the
Snowy Owl Cup this
year and the Kippens
and West Crusaders,
winners of the 2008
cup, are expected
to once again be
the favorites. A
spokesman for
the Stephenville
and East team said
that they will be
calling upon their
brothers and
sisters from Noel's
Pond, Stephenville
Crossing and St.
George's as they
attempt to unseat
the saucy Kippens
Crowd. The
Blow-Me-Down
Blowouts from Corner
Brook are
also expected to
mount a noble effort
as they try to carry
the Snowy Owl Cup
back
to their chalet.
Team scores for
the event are
determined by
combining
the lengths of each
team member's
skis. A skier with
170 cm skis will
accumulate a total
of 170 points for
their team. Bonus
points will also be
given to children
who
participate. Usually
the team that can
gathers the most
participants is
given
the opportunity of
raising the Snowy
Owl Cup high above
their heads.
Although the Snowy
Owl is first and
foremast a mass
participation
gathering in the
Great Outdoors, it
is also a favorite
event for classic
racers who
are invited to line
up toe-to-toe at the
front of the pack
and race around the
challenging 8.5 km
Snowy Owl course at
break-neck speeds.
In keeping with
Whaleback's
philosophy of Active
Healthy Living, a
large portion of the
funds raised at the
Snowy Owl Classic
will be donated to
the Heart and Stroke
Foundation. The
cost of registration
is $10. per
family and $5.00 for
adults. Skiers who
are not members of
Whaleback are also
encouraged to
participate. There
will be no day pass
fee charged for
non-members who join
a team. Team
captains will be on
hand at the chalet
to make sure that
everyone who
registers is placed
on a team roster.
So all skiers in the
the region are
encouraged to come
out to Whaleback on
the afternoon of
January 31 and ski
for the "heart of
it". And bring a
friend! Your
Participation will
be appreciated.
View from the Whaleback April 1, 2008 by Graham Oliver Edition - January 13, 2009 View from the Whaleback by Graham Oliver Forty years ago I stepped into my first set of three-pin bindings and headed off down a secluded woods trail. I can still remember the excitement of the day. A great deal has changed over the years, equipment has gone through at least five generations of refining, tweed and knickers have been traded in for synthetic styles, trail systems have become elaborate networks and grooming is a rather sophisticated process. In fact, trail grooming didn't even exist in my neck of the outback in the "winter of '69". In the three-pin binding days, I was satisfied to head off down a woods trail with my $19.95 wooden touring skis, bamboo poles and a leather wine ski filled with refreshment of choice. Not so today. This morning when I stepped into my profile bindings mounted on Fischer skating skis, I headed out on a firmly packed skating trail that was carefully prepared by a $200,000. grooming machine. The skating lane was as flat as a ping-pong table and beside the skating lane was a carefully molded set of classic tracks designated for traditional diagonal stride skiing. Today, most of the trails at Whaleback are five metres wide and are free of stumps and obstructions so that we can start skiing after the first major snowfall. Although much has changed over the years, cross country skiing is still good old fashioned cross country skiing. Whether I am gliding along an Olympic standard skating track at Whaleback, or diagonal striding my way through a secluded backwoods trail with a gaggle of touring buddies, the feeling is the same. Blood pumps, scenery changes, cool air filters through the nostrils, perspiration condenses on the back of my fleece and I am lost in thought. Cross country skiing is the sweetest sport in the world and we live in a northern climate that creates exceptional ski conditions. So what are you waiting for? Come out to Whaleback Nordic, ask for a pair of rentals and give it a try. If you like it, Whaleback will provide you with free rental skis for the season and if you are a new members you will also receive a 25% discount on their membership. For a mere $165. your family can ski for an entire season. See you on the trails.
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