The previous season started with great promise when an early, heavy snowfall in October blanketed the trails with five inches of snow. This set the stage for what we thought might be an early start to the skiing season, but instead, it created challenges during our trail prep day. The beautiful sunny skies on trail work day were deceiving as the snow disrupted our usual preparation.
Normally, we mow the trails to ensure all the grass and brush are trimmed low, but with snow already covering the ground, this was impossible. Additionally, our efforts to widen the trails through brush cutting were hampered by snow-laden limbs. Volunteers worked hard, trudging through snow to make the best of the situation, but it wasn’t the smooth prep day we’d hoped for.

Unpredictable conditions throughout the winter had a noticeable effect on our membership numbers. Membership was less than half of what we typically see, which directly impacted the club’s revenue. With fewer skiable days due to inconsistent conditions, many regular skiers opted not to renew their memberships.

Despite the challenges, the Quarry Oaks trail system remained a popular spot. In fact, nearly half of all trail users now favor Quarry Oaks, and we’re excited to announce that the club has invested in a new groomer to dramatically improve track-setting there. This investment will ensure higher quality track setting for the coming season.

Our Learn to Ski program also felt the effects of the poor weather. While we planned three Saturday sessions, only one was able to run due to the challenging conditions. However, the enthusiasm of the participants who did attend was a positive note in an otherwise difficult year.

One of the season’s biggest disappointments was the cancellation of our annual Sandilands Ski Day due to unpredictable snow conditions. This event is always a highlight for our members, and we hope that next year will bring more stable weather so we can enjoy this event once again.