ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 never a bad time to go for a ski in Yellowknife in the winter, even if you think itSA国际影视传媒檚 too cold to do so.

But the Yellowknife Ski Club opened its doors once again to the city at-large to give people a chance to hit the trails and take in the scenery.

NWT Ski Day happened at the club on Feb. 13 with free trail usage for the entire day to anyone who wanted to strap on a pair of skis. It was on the house, courtesy of funding from the NWT Recreation and Parks Association through the Active, Resilient, Connected Grant Program.

SA国际影视传媒淭he grant allows groups to put on three events for the community and this was our third one,SA国际影视传媒� said Kerry Wheler, the clubSA国际影视传媒檚 events manager. SA国际影视传媒淲e combined it with some ValentineSA国际影视传媒檚 treats, cookies and some hot chocolate.SA国际影视传媒�

Skiing and goodies

Katherine Ades was the organizer for the day, she added, and got everything together.

As Wheler mentioned, there were plenty of goodies inside the clubSA国际影视传媒檚 chalet but skiing was the name of the game and that included some who may have been out on the course for the first time. To help with that, Overlander Sports jumped on board and provided 15 complete sets of gear free of charge to people who signed up early enough.

SA国际影视传媒淲e recognize that one of the factors holding people back from skiing is gear,SA国际影视传媒� said Wheler. SA国际影视传媒淲e offered up the free gear for the day, courtesy of Overlander, and people signed up by contacting myself and we put them on a list.SA国际影视传媒�

One of the big highlights, said Wheler, was the double-track sets, side-by-side grooves so people could ski beside each other if they so desired.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur groomers did such a great job and we thought it would be nice with ValentineSA国际影视传媒檚 Day or for some friends to ski together,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Skiing and resolutions

Another one of the activities on the day was the adult lessons led by instructor Rob Mathews and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 where you would have found Mayor Rebecca Alty and her sister, Kierra Alty.

Her Worship said taking proper lessons was something she had always thought about doing.

SA国际影视传媒淚t wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 a resolution but I do up a list of of things to do each year and one of those things was ski lessons,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been skiing for the past couple of years and I was worried about it being February and being so cold. You can get cold standing around but Rob is really good and kept us moving and youSA国际影视传媒檙e warm in no time.SA国际影视传媒�

Mayor Alty figures once she gets this skiing thing down, she and her sister are going places.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were joking that once we get the technique, whatSA国际影视传媒檚 stopping us from being Olympians?,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淣o one is taking us seriously, especially with the hot chocolate and two-bite brownies we were having.SA国际影视传媒�

But in all seriousness, Alty said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 happy to see so many people out and enjoying the trails in all areas of the city.

Skiing and that personal connection

SA国际影视传媒淩at Lake is the hidden gem of sorts with the tent out there for people,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he residents of Range Lake have been clearing snow and itSA国际影视传媒檚 just great to see lots of people taking advantage of the trails around.SA国际影视传媒�

Around 70 people went through the club that day, said Wheler, and they were all met by people who were familiar with the surroundings.

SA国际影视传媒淛ohn Stephenson and some volunteers were there greeting people, showing them how to navigate the trails,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t was that personal connection and it means a lot to someone whoSA国际影视传媒檚 there for the first time.SA国际影视传媒�