Social media platforms allows all trail users to submit and share trail info, or images and videos that display our ski network and its users at their best. The Sandilands website is a valuable place to find official news and information regarding events and trail conditions. However, it is limited in that content is only uploaded by a single webmaster. 

The ski club is pleased to welcome a new President, as the longstanding, former President, Laurie Silversides has decided to retire. Chris Duester will retain his webmaster duties and takes on the new role of leading the executive. Details can be found at the following link – https://steinbachonline.com/articles/the-sandilands-ski-club-has-a-new-president-

It may be hard to believe, but volunteers clocked a total of 300 hours of labour just to get the trails ready for winter. Thanks to the works of many volunteers (some who put 32-50 hours of trail work in) all trail work was completed before the start of the ski season. Before and after trail prep, thirteen volunteers put in 160 hours of volunteer work including: hill work from erosion, mowing the trails, cutting fallen trees and scouting out work to be completed on trail prep day, posting you are here and trailhead signs.

Thirty- six volunteers helped with trail prep., six which were from Charleswood Ski Club or FPAC. Jobs were divided out and most of the volunteers present focused their attention on trimming back brush and rerouting a couple of very eroded hills. Volunteers enjoyed a day of working in the bush and spending time with others of the ski community. 140 hours of volunteer season prep work was performed on trail prep day.

Sandilands just missed out on the early season dumping that graced Birds Hill Park. Nevertheless, our groomers the flat sections of the trails in Sandilands groomed by Christmas day. By January 02 much of the trails systems in Sandilands, Quarry Oaks and Steinbach Fly In golf courses were groomed.

Keeping the road to the equipment shed in Sandilands proved to be a huge challenge as it seemed we had Alberta Clippers come through weekly in January/February and that changed to weekly Colorado Lows later in the season!  The abundance of snow and wind made it difficult to keep trails groomed. The extra workload was exhausting to our groomers.

Last year we saw very little interest in the Jackrabbit program. Coach Brent Manke is hoping interest picks up for 2022.

There was enough interest in an all-ages “learn to ski” clinics that Sandilands Ski Club ended up offering two Saturday lessons during the ski season. The attendance at the first lesson was low due to inclement weather. The second session was well attended by approximately 12 relatively new skiers and was a success.

Our coaches would like to offer two to three afternoon learn to ski sessions this year with an opportunity for a wax clinic early in the ski season (may be throughout January – early February).

Approximately forty- four skiers enjoyed a great ski, excellent home- made food and visits with fellow skiers at the Sandilands Ski Day in late February. Ken Reimer spoke at the event as we celebrated our 30th year as a ski club. The cloudy day with temperatures hovering around 13 degrees made a perfect day for the ski and the celebration.

Last season, select members of the club executive worked tirelessly applying for grants in hopes of funding further trail enhancements. In May 2022 Sandilands Ski Club was awarded a grant of up to $5750.00 from “Manitoba Building Sustainable Communities Program” on the basis that Sandilands Ski Club would match the grant contribution. These funds are to be used to purchase a box scraper ATV attachment, enhance ski trail facilities, to upgrade existing trail including widening and rerouting portions of trail, and to purchase trail signage.

We are looking for volunteers who are willing to provide their time, skills and knowledge to help make these improvements happen!