Author: btnsc

I’m Calling It — The Ski Season is Over!

With the cold snap that rolled in yesterday, there was a chance of receiving enough snow to give us one last chance to get out on the skis.  But the snow did not materialize and besides I know that several of you already have over 100 km on your bikes!  So I am officially declaring the end of the Beaver Tails ski season for 2013-2014.
It was not such a bad winter for skiing in the end. We were able to get out in early December, but then hit some rough patches in late Dec and early Jan when it was too wet, then too cold.  It worked out fine for me, as I only started my ski season in mid-Jan when I returned from my extended travels.  From mid-Jan on, we managed to have a Sunday outing every week, right into April. We also managed to get out on Mount Royal on Wed evenings a few times.

I know that for our club members the amount of skiing accomplished ranged from setting-a-personal-record to “um, never did actually put the skis on”.  Several of you non-skiers nonetheless did join us on hikes, on snowshoes, on the weekends, or at parties.  And I know that some of you never managed to join as at all, but still enjoyed following the emails and the web site to keep tabs on what the club was up to.  You are all part of the Beaver Tails family!  And there is always next year.

In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, Mickey, Sharon and Dave Inglis share the credit for being the “last skiers standing” at the PTdN and CSJ on Apr 6.

End of Season Party

With a temperature of -14C today Feb 28 it is hard to believe we are talking End of Season Party, but this is an unusual year , starting in November2013 and finishing sometime in the future. However there is no reason to stop skiing and there is no reason not to have a social. So come to the Sometime End of Season Party, March 15.
This year we are going to the Ganges restaurant on Sherbrook Street. Reserve your spot before March 10 with Joanna C , email available on Members page
Details here  or Click on the Event on the right.

Canadian Ski Marathon

2014 02 08-09 OSM 02 We beginHelene C, Cheryl W and Anita P skied several stages of the Canadian Ski Marathon last week end. A few more photos have been posted. The lucky devils have good conditions, well done you guys.

“To the Mont Tremblant Weekenders… a message from our organisers.

“To the Mont Tremblant Weekenders…
2014 01 17-19 TremLH 20-sThis weekend couldn’t have been such a success without your presence and participation. It’s was our pleasure to have organize a weekend for such a fun bunch of people. We can always count on the BTer”s to pull out their snow shoes or skates to enjoy the weekend if the conditions don’t look so favorable for skiing. For those who skied… I think we were quiet surprised at how great the conditions actually were on Saturday. I know Cheryl and I enjoyed our weekend very much. I hope everyone made it home safe without too many delays on the road. Wishing you all a great and safe rest of season, skiing!
Cheryl & Helene

Jan 25 Ski Clinic

The ski clinic is only available for club members and is free however there is a limited number of places . There will be 4 sections, beginner, intermediate, advanced and skate. Each section will be limited to 10. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis, but a preference is given to those not having taken the clinic previously. It will take place at Morin Heights at 13:00. Interested participants should email Glenn  directly making sure they specify their level.  Do not forget.

Bois de Liesse Jan 2 2014

Report by Glenn K

Since I had to use a booster pack to start my car I decided to re-visit Bois-de-Liesse today.  Conditions (as in the trails) are slightly better than Tuesday.  However I would still rate them  as poor.  The tracks have been set, but the surface is so hard they are not terrible pronounced in many spots.  Moreover, off track is like being on ice (or plastic):  no stopping or turning to speak of.   If you lose your balance (never happened to me J  ), it’s like falling on asphalt.  May try Oka tomorrow.  They did state that all trails would be fully tracked today.  As for the temp, well……   My nose was a bit red for a couple of hours, and since I was trying to cover my face, I had to rest my glasses on the end of my nose and look above them.  Fortunately my eye sight is not that bad.  Without significant snow, it’s going to be more of the same.
NOTE: from Keith
Members are encouraged to write their ski reports on the forum, do not be shy

 

Orford Weekend Feb 21 -23 2014

DEADLINE TODAY JAN 20 sign up now!!!

This our second weekend away, the first being Tremblant. We are once again going to Orford with a repeat stay at last years hotel.BTNSC-Orford-Advert

Note Deadline for booking is Jan 20 2014
Click on image for details

 

Pot Luck Jan 4 2014, This Saturday !

2013 01 05 Pot Luck TV 16
Pot Luck Jan 2013

NOTE: Melrose Ave is 6
blocks west of Girourd Ave (west of Décarie Blvd) and Moniques home is north of
Monkland.
The Pot Luck is fast approaching. Jan 4. This is a popular event with activities on Mount Royal, so bring your skis, boots , snow shoes, skates, what ever turns you on,  in the morning followed by a Pot Luck at the home of Monique I . Bring along your favorite dishes to feed your friends and if possible let Monique know what you are bringing  Monique is very busy in the next few weeks so do not be surprised if you do not get a reply, and do not worry it is a POT LUCK after all. More details will follow soon.

Mount Royal Dec 8

Report by Keith R
We often forget how beautiful Mount Royal can be even when it is kinda cool and the paths are 2013 12 08 Mt Royal KR 10very icy, although there was a covering of grit. It was really great to see the ice skaters on what is now a very large skating ring and listen to the music, so much so we were tempted to spend all day sat in the café watching them, but we didn’t. No instead our gaggle of walkers, somewhere around 15, and including a runner Monique I, insisted on risking life and limb on icy paths, dodging numerous walkers, runners and crazy cyclists to complete a form of round of the Mount Royal Trails. As always the high lights were the heart attack provoking climb of the steps, some , Vivian H, Rick B did it twice, out of a sense of bravado, whilst the rest of us wandered off to the viewpoint. Indeed we went there twice , the second time because the sun was out and the city was looking very pretty. Common sense never left the group, except to feed the parking meters so we were soon all sat in the café bathed in sun light watching the skaters. A fitting end to the day.