Club Updates
Updating your Club Website:
Some planned enhancements include online submission of expenses, a classified section for your gently used gear, a forum, and an accessibility toolkit. We will also review integrating our accounting suite with Club Express, which should provide significant
We also intend to update the website's look and provide more helpful information to our members about their areas of interest. Please bear with us as our volunteers work their way through this.
Ski Sale News
Planning for the 2022 ski sale is well underway. Please sort through your ski gear for those unused, unloved items and consider consigning them.
Volunteer!!!
The Sale is a significant portion of our revenue and provides event subsidies and other Club perks. Please mark your calendars
to volunteer. Consignment is October 19th and 20th, and the Sale is October 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Rostering for volunteer positions opens in early September. Don't worry, we will remind you.
Key Positions
We are actively seeking volunteers for more senior operational roles in the sale. Currently recruiting for communications, signs, facilities among others. If you are interested please contact John president@calgaryskiclub.org
Club Express and Lumaverse:
Club Express, our Website provider, is now part of the Lumaverse group of companies. Lumaverse products include SignUpGenius, NonProfitEasy, TimeTap, Fundly, Membership Toolkit, AtoZConnect, Learning Stream, GoSignMeUp, Registration Max, Auction Frogs, and ClubExpress.
These operate as stand-alone brands within the Lumaverse platform while increasingly integrating into a suite.
We look forward to enhancements to our website with the integration of Lumaverse products.
Announcements
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Attention: All Downhillers and Boarders
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Due to the ever-increasing cost of skiing and the high inflation rate, a local ski hill has installed a new discount lift to cater to those of more limited means who still love to ski!
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See What the First New Hotel in Jasper in 40 Years Looks Like
Is it time for your glorious return to the Rocky Mountains? If you’ve been thinking about staying in Jasper, there hasn’t been a better time to get out than now!
We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite Jasper hotel partners and some new offerings that will make for something truly memorable. Whether getting out on the river just feet from your cabin or trying historic Jasper restaurants, these are a few you have to try.
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Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon
Hold a spot in your calendar!
We’re back for 2023! Register early and save money. The snow has not even left the mountain for the 2022 season, and we’re launching the 2023 season. The event format is similar to last year in that we will have two days with two distances starting at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and ending on Main Street in the Village at SilverStar. But we’re going to alternate Classic and Free, so in 2023 Free will be on Saturday, and Classic will be on Sunday. We’ll still focus on “Finishing is Winning,” as our greatest pleasure was seeing first-time event participants thrilled with their performance as they crossed the finish line. For those trying to go a little faster, we will also have the same medal categories, and prize money amounts as we did in 2022. Entry fees are at the same level.
And as a reminder of the event in 2022, enjoy these two highlight videos:
5 Tips to Know it's Time for a Service You Bike
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The easiest way to avoid major breakdowns is to know how to identify when your bike is due for a tune-up. Here are the top 5 tips from our service technicians so you can identify it is time for a service.
Top Tips
- Rasping, clicking or any abnormal noise from the drivetrain.
- Lagging or imprecise shifts.
- Loss of brake performance or levers less than a "finger width" from handlebars.
- Wheel rubbing brakes or wobbling.
- If it has been a year or more since your last professional check-up.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, we suggest booking your next service with Velofix.
Learn About Our Service Packages
Make sure you are ready to ride year-round.
It's Easy as1, 2, 3
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Follow us on Instagram and be entered to win aFREEGold Package Service!
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CPAWS 2021 Report Card
The Grades Are In: A Report Card on Canada’s Progress in Protecting its Land and Ocean
Introduction and Background
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) assessed how well Canada fared in delivering on its promise to protect 17% of its land and 10% of its ocean by the end of 2020, including the degree to which federal, provincial, and territorial governments each contributed to this shared goal. Our Report Card assigns grades to each government based on its contributions and highlights key successes and shortcomings.
It is essential to recognize that the 17% and 10% targets approved by the international community in 2010 were milestones towards what is ultimately needed to conserve biodiversity. Evidence shows that protecting between 30-70% of the Earth’s land and ocean will likely be required to reverse the decline of biodiversity and sustain a healthy planet. Canada is currently committed to protecting 25% of its land and ocean by 2025, on the way to 30% by 2030.
CPAWS is committed to helping Canada meet its targets by supporting the creation of effective protected area networks across the country. Using our first report card as a baseline, we plan to release subsequent Report Cards to track progress towards the 2025 and 2030 targets.
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A Contest: Who in the Calgary Ski Club will Spot a Calypso Orchid on a Calgary Ski Club Hike?
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the land of “unique adaptations,” the fabulous Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa) stands out. This lovely little flower (it’s only about 1” tall, on a 4” stem) grows in damp to dry pine forests, sometimes alone but often in little (or large) clumps (the photo to the right is a huge clump). It has a single large leaf and a large bulb underground. It is very delicate; step on it, and it will probably die. On account of the shoe-like shape of the flower, itis also known as a Venus or Fairy Slipper.
The Flower is Lying
This beautiful flower is quite misleading. It has no nectar, and insects can’t get at the pollen very well because the flower’s bowl is so deep. But it fakes insects out by looking and smelling like something they should visit. In particular, new juvenile queen bees (who don’t know better) climb inside looking for food and visit a few until they figure out there’s no reason to visit anymore. But by then, they have cross-pollinated other flowers. The flower wins; the bee wastes its time.
To add to the bee’s confusion, Calypsos change colour and aroma over time and between individual plants. You can see the different colours in the photos, yet all these photos were taken within days. This colour and aroma change further misleads the bees. And… it turns out the Calypso is exactly the correct size to squeeze in the rather large Golden Northern Bumble Bee – who happen to be out at this time of year.
Cool Adaptations
So this explains why the Calypso blooms so early: to get the young, inexperienced, early emergent queen Golden Northern Bumble Bee, who comes out in May looking to set up her hive location. And for the Golden Northerns, only the queens survive the winter, so there are no workers around at this time of year.
Sometimes, nature is just too incredible for words.
Meet more of the pretty flowers of K-Country
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By the Light of the Strawberry Moon:
Sandshoeing New Mexico's
White Sands National Park
Yes! Yes, to Snowshoe Sandshoe 5K Challenge!And we know the perfect place: White Sands National Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Like all our national White Sandsworth the trip, located along US-70, this extraordinary park was the deal breaker for our decision on where to retire. Happily, we live 13 miles away and visit as often as possible. From November through March, we can sandshoe White Sands National Park (WSNP) on Saturday, then snowshoe the Osha trail, located 45 minutes up-mountain from Cloudcroft, on Sunday.
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But first things first, let’s look at the challenge, which began July 1st, 2021. Our suggested distance is 5k, and our surface sand is gypsum. Over 5kms, we have some soft, packed sand, never water but several high and mighty dunes. We amped up our workouts for this challenge and sandshoed, starting with a 1-mile trip and then gradually adding miles to this fun new sport.
As suggested by Snowshoe Magazine, we captured our experiences in three ways: my husband Darrel took lots of pictures, and I talked about what we were seeing, doing, and experiencing into a voice recorder on my phone. I use Samsung Voice Recorder, a free app. Just type voice recorder into your app store and choose what’s best for you.
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Excerpted from the June 2022 Edition of the Norseman Newsletter.
It’s summer now ... right?
It looks like maybe the Rockies have other plans.
July may be just days away, but 2022 is not looking much like a normal summer. Heavy winter snow and continued snowfall in the mountains is setting the stage for an atypical season. Snow is going to persist in the high mountain passes for a lot longer than usual, and that means that we all need to take a lot of extra care in the mountains.
There is currently still so much snow in the Banff area, high in the mountains, that Sunshine Village is planning to open for skiing on Canada Day and until July 3rd, which hasn’t happened for 30 years.
But it’s going to be truly beautiful, so take advantage.
Head out, but plan ahead, and look after each other.
For more information, visit their
Website.
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Be Bear Aware
It Bears Repeating
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When recreating in bear country and on our un-bear-ably great trails, remember to be bear-awareby watching for signs of bear activity, such as droppings, tracks and feeding areas. Inform yourself about bear behaviour, stay vigilant and keep exploring!
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Did You Know?
Courtesy of whererockies.com
by Kate Barker
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The town of Banff is surrounded by mountains, but the town has one smaller mountain right in the center that boasts a popular hike and has sparked many conversations about its name.
So-called Tunnel Mountain was officially named when the CPR thought they’d have to tunnel under it to complete their trans-continental railway. They found a way around it, never actually digging the tunnel, but the name became the official title of this small but impressive peak.
The mountain is more than local trivia. It is an important landmark for many First Nations who frequented the area before colonization. Banff was a common ground for hunting, foraging in the abundant wilderness, and trading with one another. The Siksika, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, called the mountainIinii Istako, which roughly translates to Sleeping Buffalo, a common colloquial name for the mountain among Banff residents.
The Îyârhe Nakoda people also had a namefor this iconic mountain:Eyarhey Tatanga Woweyahgey Wakân. Translated as Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain, this name reflects the journey of the Îyârhe Nakoda People, who followed the spirit of the buffalo to find a place to call home. When the buffalo spirit lay down to rest, they knew they had found their place. The mountain looks over the waters, herbs, and medicines in the area.
Viewed from the east, either approaching Banff on the highway or travelling along the Bow River, the outline of the buffalo is clear. For anyone who frequents the area, the sight of the buffalo marks the entrance to this natural wonderland, and its presence has a sense of coming home.
And How Was It?
Member Trip Reports
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Cycle from Bow Bottom (Burnsmead) to Ralph Klein Park
Saturday, June 18
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Our group of three hardy souls decided to chance the weather.We had a pleasant climb up to the Mackenzie District, a nice run through New Brighton and Copperstone, and into the natural open area with the sloughs and stormwater drainage ponds. It was interesting to note that the drainage ponds had water in them after our heavy rains but were still not full.
Arriving at impressive Ralph Klein Park, we had a lovely lunch in the sunshine – the weather was starting to build however.
A quick trip back, but by the time we were back to Mackenzie, we got a bit wet!
By the time we got back to our vehicles, the shower was over.
Yes, one can wear a poncho while cycling!
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Grass Pass / Boundary Pine / Marston Col
Wednesday, June 22
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Our happy group of five had a very nice day, hiking up to Grass Pass and then turning right towards the region of Marson Col and Boundary Pine.
A bit breezy up top, we had lunch with an outstanding view!
Returning, the views of the hikers far below were impressive.
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Jumpingpound Ridge Summit via Lusk Pass
Monday, June 27
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The day was beautiful for a hike—lots of flowers and an excellent group of hikers, which included a new member.
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Indian Graves Ridge
(in place of Moose Mountain)
Wednesday, June 29
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As there was the possibility of a thunderstorm, the hike was changed to Indian Graves Ridge (south of Longview).
We had a brief shower as we arrived at the trailhead, so we just waited it out for about 20 minutes.
The rain stopped and stayed stopped! All agreed that it was an excellent hike with impressive views and lovely flowers!
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Kimberley Biking, Golfing and Hiking Weekend
Friday, July 1 to Sunday, July 3
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Just not enough words to express my pleasure to see everyone having fun. On Friday, before our biking return trip to Kimberley, we stopped for Ice cream at the Happy Cow in Cranbrook and returned to the Trickle Lodge in Trickle Creek for check-in and dinner together.
On the second day, seven people were golfing, which was amazing. A beautiful golf course, a bit challenging but playing for fun was awesome.
The rest of the group (five) hikers, with an experienced leader (Lori), went to the Kimberley Nordic Center for a 9.2-kilometre hike and the weather was beautiful. During our adventures, some of us took advantage of the pool and hot tub that seemed to please everyone.
After a wonderful long day, we all meet at the Buckhorn Restaurant at the Trickle Lodge for dinner and drinks. The group was excellent, and the participation was outstanding.
I enjoyed my weekend and am happy to be a Calgary Ski Club member!
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Watridge Lake and Karst Springs
(In Place of Chester Lake)
Wednesday, July 6
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As the Chester Lake Trail was closed due to the well above average snowpack and the low snow melt in April and May, we decided to hike Watridge Lake and Karst Springs instead.
The weather was perfect for the hike, and the sun even made an appearance. We had two new members of the Club on the hike and a few members from the Downhill side, which was nice to see.
On the way to and the return trip home to Watridge Lake, the wildlife sightings did not disappoint us. Some of us saw a Grizzly Bear, a Black Bear and her cubs, a snowshoe hare, a fox, some deer, a martin and several herds of Rocky Mountain Sheep.
All in all, it was a great day!
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Member
Submissions
Grass Pass / Boundary Pine
Jumpingpound Ridge Summit via Lusk Pass
Indian Graves Ridge
Kimberley Biking, Hiking and Golfing Weekend
Watridge Lake and Karst Springs
BC Kayaking Adventure / Event Album
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Upcoming Events
Please check the Events tab on the website for a full listing of events.