Friday, September 28, 2018

New website and posts September 28, 2018


The club has developed a new website and will be using it for future posts and conditions updates.

"We are now posting updates on the "What's happening?" page of our new website.  Please visit us at www.williamslakecrosscountryskiclub.ca. "



Thursday, April 5, 2018

Closed

It's official. The gate has been closed and ski season has come to an end. Thanks to everyone that came up and enjoyed using the facility, the season was pretty darn good.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

update

Conditions are pretty sad as the rain has iced everything up. No grooming has been done as the warm spring weather is upon us. The gate is still open but it is ski at your own discretion. The snowshoe trails are also icy under the trees and are a bit hazardous.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

conditions

Groomed up the skate lanes on the dog trails, Gun barrel, Cataline, BX, Wrangler. Repaied the holes left by the snowshoe tracks so should be safe to ski again, Conditions didn't allow to set any tracks so if you go ski, just be cautious. Enjoy

Snowshoeing Trails and Cross Country Ski Trails

Snowshoers please stay on the designated snowshoe trails.  Significant damage was done to the skate lanes on several trails during the warm weather.  Leaving 4-6" holes in the trail surface, making it very difficult and unsafe for skiers.

The snowshoe trail system starts by the lower parking lot at the large fir tree where a map is posted and trail junction marked as the beginning of the Maison Trail.  All junctions have maps and signs.  The trail is marked with yellow flagging tape and yellow snowshoe signs.  Snowshoe / Ski trail maps are available on the website and can be downloaded and used with Avenza Maps.  This app also provides GPS location so you know where you are.

Thanks for the great season so far and we will keep you posted on trail conditions.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Another Bluebird Day!

Conditions are excellent!  Get up there in the morning before it gets above freezing for the best ski.  Photo credit to Caroline Munich.

Reminder


Day users (non-members) please be sure to sign the Day Use Registry located inside the warming hut, and to deposit the day use fee in the drop box. 

Conditions are excellent!  


Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Condition update

Groomed in about 4cm of fresh snow on Gunanoot, Cataline, Gun Barrel, Wrangler and all the dog trails. Conditions are awesome so get out and ski. Snowshoe people, please stay on the snowshoe trails and not on the ski trails. Thanks a bunch.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Update

Set 2 tracks on Gunanoot but was snowing pretty good as I finished. Should be good. Heading back out tonight weather permitting. All the trails have tracks set with a bit of fresh snow on top.
Enjoy.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Conditions

 A  little bit of fresh snow that we are grooming in. Conditions are good with fresh tracks on the dog trails, Cataline, Wrangler, BX, Gun barrel. Grooming will be on going so keep checking in to see what get done next.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Ski tournament

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make our 4th annual kids ski tournament a big success. Teams from 100mile and Quesnel had nice things to say, their kids had tons of fun. Dale did another great job announcing, glen and Paul along with all their support crew handling our timing/results. Lisa and Sean for spearheading course and stadium setup, bev for planning out fun stadium obstacle course for fun team relay, Scott Gordon and Malcolm for grooming. Also Jen Clark and Lynn Samson for taking care of the fantastic food. Special thanks to Jim Simms for taking care of large warming tent which again came in very handy. Many thanks to all the others, without you we cannot host these great events and all the kids really appreciate it. Big pat on the back to all.

Adult Lessons March 3 @ 10am

A single adult lesson for classic skiing (advanced beginner - intermediate) is being offered this Saturday, March 3, at 10a.m. 

The lesson will be approximately 2 hours long and will be taught by Glen Davidson  for $15 (please pay at the lesson).

There is limited availability so please pre-register with Kirsty @ 250-398-5538 or contact us through our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/bullmountainxc/
or email us info@bullmountain.ca

Febraury 27, 2018 Conditions and Volunteer Thank You

Great weekend of skiing up at the hill.  Groomers worked hard to get almost all of the trails track set by Sunday morning and groom for the Williams Lake Ski Tourney.  The event was a good success with young skiers from Quesnel and 100 Mile attending.  Events included a classic distance race, sprint race and obstacle relay course.  For pictures and video look at the WL Tribune local sports section. 

Thanks to all the volunteers as we thank you for the success of this event every year.




Monday, February 26, 2018

WOW! Excellent conditions.


It was a bluebird day at the hill today!!  Many, many thanks to our groomers who have the trails in EXCELLENT condition.  Everything is tracked and packed except Gunanoot.  Get out and enjoy.....maybe a full moon ski on Thursday night?!



Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Conditions

Thing are moving along slowly as we are still down to one grooming sled. Every trail will have had the machine pass over it by the end of today, so bundle up and go ski. Also there is a kids race going on Sunday so expect some slight detours to avoid the crazy racing kids. Should be a fun event.

Scott

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Event Volunteers Needed!


We are looking for  volunteers for this fun day.  We are needing course and stadium marshalls (no experience neccessary).....just a smile and enthusiasm!  Contact Rob Sutton @ 250-267-3086 or at skijackrabbit@gmail.com if you can help.


Work on the Bull Mountain Road Friday February 16, 2018

There will be a Dozer working on the Bull Mountain Road pushing the snow banks back to open the road up more.  The work will be happening Fridamorningy Feb 16, 2018  from 7:00am to 12:00pm.  Please use caution when driving up to Bull Mountain during this time period.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

February 13, 2018 Conditions

Well it was a tough weekend but by Sunday and Monday things were looking up.  We were down a big sled and had to borrow a couple of smaller sleds.  The grooming crew is proud to report that all of the trails were open and track set again as of Sunday morning.  It was a huge effort due to the heavy snowfall and over a dozen trees down on the trail.

Enjoy your ski and please thank your groomers if you see them on the trails.  They volunteer time early in the morning and work into the late hours of the evening and into the morning again.  This last snowfall required 83 hours of chainsaw work, sled packing, roller packing, trail cutting and finally grooming.  The end result is trail perfection once again.

Picture taken by Malcolm on Gunanoot on Monday morning.  Thanks for all the hard work guys.

Have a good ski!

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Conditions

The lit loops and the dog trails have tracks set, the rest of the trails have been packed except canyon view and gunanoot. Quite a few trees have fallen across the trails and has slowed the grooming process. I believe we have cleared them all. More track setting will be happening in the next day or two. One groomer is still under repair so we are a bit behind.
Enjoy what we have, saw lots of folks skiing even with the cold temperature.
Thanks

Scott

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

SNOWMAGEDDEN FUNDRAISER Feb 9, 2018


Be patient!


We'll post as soon as the trails are good to go.  We will wait for this snowfall to stop, and we'll be back packing and tracking.....

Monday, February 5, 2018

Conditions

Wow, what a lot of snow. We will be packing all this fresh snow so there are no tracks at the moment. Once the snow lets up we will be back setting tracks. I went around the snow shoe trails and cleared the down trees, the trails are good to go.

Scott

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Jackrabbits canceled

skiing canceled today due to cold temp

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Conditions

All trails have been tracked and skate lanes groomed except for Gunanoot, Canyon view, Little Britches and Kiwanis. Those trails should be done in a day or two. One of our grooming sleds is acting up so we are down to  one groomer at the moment. The conditions are fantastic so get out there and enjoy.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Thank you.


Update

All trails have been packed with the roller and track setting will begin Tuesday evening. Colder temperatures are helping....rain, not at all! Overall, conditions are pretty good and great skiing will be back again.

Monday, January 29, 2018

Trail conditions

Well, this warm trend has brought a halt to any grooming. Right now there is about 6cm of fresh snow on a solid base. I tried to get some grooming done last night but had to stop as the equipment was getting jammed up with wet snow. We will be back at it as soon as the temperature drops back down below freezing.

Friday, January 26, 2018

Trail Conditions

All the dog trails and lower trails including the lit loops have been groomed and track set for your enjoyment. Upper trails are in good shape and have a few cm of fresh snow on top of a nice groomed pack. Very nice to ski on. Gunanoot and Canyonview will see some grooming for the weekend.
Have a nice ski.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Lite Loops January, 24, 2018

The Lines are back up and lights are operational.  There will be additional work required in the next couple of days to get everything completed, we will keep you posted on when to expect crews on the trails.

Have a good ski!

Update Trail Report

Groomed and track set Wrangler, Cataline, Gun Barrel, BX, Rustler, Winchester, Boot hill, Spur, Anvil. Things are shaping up and well worth skiing. Lower trails and lit loops will be groomed once the electricians get the power lines back up. Hopefully today (Wed) or Thursday.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

January 23, 2018 Skiing

Fantastic ski tonight with the track attack group.  Skied Wrangler, BX Stageline, Gunbarrel, Cataline, Little Britches, Spur and Cataline back to the lodge.  Groomers were out last night and freshened up the lower and side trails.  Trails had 1cm of fresh snow on top of soft pack.  Super long glide for skate, just the right conditions.  Tracks didn't looked good and the crew is resetting tracks as they go.

Groomers were working the mid level trails tonight and Scott will probably report tomorrow.  But well worth the drive up to ski.

Have a Great Ski!

January 23, 2018 Update

All trails have been cleared of trees and branches, thanks to Glen Davidson and crew, Scott Gordon, and Andy Turner.  We have started grooming again to pick up and work in the finer debris.

Work on the lighting system will start Wednesday AM. So please avoid the area of Cataline from the intersection of mouse trap to whipsaw while crews are working. 

Thanks,

Have a Good Ski.

We are looking for volunteers to walk the snow shoe trails to let us know of trees that are down and to clear branches.  You can contact myself or Scott Gordon at Barking Spider if you have time,

Monday, January 22, 2018

January 22, 2018 Condditions Update

Hydro crews have the line back up to bull mountain, so there is power to the lodge.

Crews worked last night to clear some of the blow down off of the trails.  Crews will be starting work this afternoon to ensure that all trails are clear.  There will be snowmobile traffic on the trail system over the next couple of days.

The lite line is deenergized and will not be turned back on until it is repaired.  Cataline lite line is off three poles at whipsaw and prickly pear junction, so skiers using the trail will need to ski under the line and beside the line or avoid this area. Please do not ski on the lines.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Road Access, Trail Debris and Trail Lights

The ground line is currently across the road on the Bull Mountain Access road. 

Several trees came down onto the trails this afternoon and will require work crews to remove them.  There is a lot of debris that has been blown onto the trail so if you are skiing use extreme caution as there are needles, sticks, branches and small trees.  If you are available to give us a hand that would be appreciated you can contact me at the number on the website.

The trail lighting will not be working until it is repaired, a tree ripped the line off of three poles.  It may take several days to get this repaired, so we will keep you posted.

January 21, 2018 Conditions

Groomed centers this morning, nice sunny day but windy. Centers not groomed are Canyon View, Gunanoot and Rustler which were done yesterday.  Conditions are good and we had a fantastic day yesterday for the family fun day.

Expect debris such as needles and lichen in the tracks.  Tracks will be reset with cooler weather and more snow.

Friday, January 19, 2018

Fresh Grooming

The dog trails and lower trails, including the lit loops have been freshened up. We will be heading out this evening to get the upper trails groomed.
Happy skiing

Monday, January 15, 2018

Grooming conditions

With the warmer weather, grooming will be a bit of a struggle, all trails are groomed and 2 tracked at the moment. Once the temperature drops back down we will be back out there making skiing great again.
Get out and enjoy, see you on the trails

Scott

Wellness Day ( Family Fun Day)


Friday, January 12, 2018

January 12, 2018 Conditions

New tracks set last night, we packed Gunanoot and it will be track set Friday night or Saturday morning depending on how much snow we get overnight on Friday.  Tracks from January 9 on the lower trails are still in good shape with a skiff of snow on top of them.  Lite loops were also reset last night.
Be aware there is a warming trend into early next week.  So on warmer days watch for snow falling out of the trees and obstacles on the ski trails.


Have a great ski!

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Ski Challenge Series or Fun Friday

If you are interested in challenging yourself over the season we are hosting a series of mass start time trials followed by a social potluck.  The intent is not to race but to focus on self improvement over the season using individual times on designated loops as a measure.  The series is open to all age groups and we encourage members to come out and participate.  We will be incorporating intermediate to advanced technique coaching for both skate and classic in future sessions.


We will be running the first event on Friday January 12, 2018 starting at 6:00pm.  Hope to see you there.

January 10, 2018 Conditions

Well as Scott eluded, we want colder weather to groom but -25 is a bit chilly.  Groomers braved the cold last night prepping the trails for tracksetting on Thursday and Friday.  All trails are packed with the exception of Gunanoot and lower trails were trackset on the 9th.




We ask that people do not hike or jog on the ski trails as this causes a safety hazard for skiers by having an unexpected person on the trail and also damaging the trail base causing uneven terrain for skiers which requires additional volunteer hours to groom foot prints out.  The snow shoe trails are a good option for people wanting to get out and stretch there legs.  We have 7km of snowshoe trails available to pass holders and day users.


Have a Good Ski!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Grooming Update

From Scott...

Grooming has been tough in these warm conditions, be careful out skiing.  We will get the grooming up to world class again once the temperature drops a bit.

Friday, January 5, 2018

January 5, 2018 Conditions

Good evening of grooming.  The weather has warmed up and it is good to see lots of use on the ski trails.  Bucked a tree off Cataline last night and all the other trails appear to be clear.  We will be resetting Gunanoot and Canyon View Friday and resetting and tracks throughout the weekend.  Conditions are fantastic so come up and ski!

Jack Rabbits and Track Attack start on Sunday at 1:00pm so there will be lots of people.  We have built a roadway connecting the two parking lots and there is a lodge skiway for easy access to the lodge for signing the day use registrar and day use fee payment. 

Snow shoe trails are accessed via the lodge skiway off the parking lot fence and the entrance to the network is by the lower parking lot where the Maison trail head sign is.  New for this year is the Stampede trail and trail maps at junctions.

Remember if you are skiing with your dog please cleanup after your friend.

Have a great Ski!