Massie Hills - Groomed wilderness trails

Category Archives: Massie Hills News

How to ski for free in January and February

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Trail exchanges start this Saturday!

As a member of the Owen Sound Cross Country Ski Club, you get to take advantage of Trail Exchange Dates every year. Three area clubs allow us to ski for free at their trails during specified weeks. Here are the year, the special trail exchange weeks

Sauble Beach Cross Country Ski Club
Saturday, January 21 to Saturday, January 28, 2017 (including both Saturdays)

Bruce Ski Club
Sunday, February 5 to Saturday, February 11, 2017 *

Glenelg Nordic Ski Club
Sunday, February 19 to Saturday, February 25

But you can’t take advantage of this great opportunity to sample area trails unless you’re a member. Join today.

Trail Update January 13, 2016

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Greetings:Owen Sound Ski Club – 2016 Temporary Trail Closures

The snow has finally arrived!

The word from our Trail Chief is that he plans to track-set the trails on the morning of Saturday January 16. The process involves snowmobiling around the trails several times without the groomer to pack down all that fresh snow. He has already done that once this week. That is followed by a few times around with the groomer and track-setter to lay down one set of tracks where it is narrow and two sets where it is wide enough. The steeper hills are groomed without using the track-setter so you can safely snowplow down the hills.

It seems that the cold weather did not arrive soon enough to allow the logging contractor to finish the operation before the snow came. As a result Grey Sauble Conservation has decided to do some of next year’s work this year and minimize the disruption next season. You will see on the accompanying map that the north (back) entrance to the trails is not accessible and you will have to use the main entrance. At this time is does not look like we will be able to use the back entrance this season. We regret the inconvenience but I am afraid that much like the weather it is beyond our control.

Those familiar with the trails will know there is a long steep downhill run if you head straight in the main trail but a series of gentler slopes if you take the first left on the red loop. Those new to the trails should certainly take the first left until you get to know the terrain.

I look forward to seeing you on the trails.

Thanks,

Chris

 

Sharpen your skiing and support the Georgian Bay Nordic Ski Team

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On Sunday, January 24, enjoy an “Awesome Adult Afternoon” ski lesson and other activities while supporting the Georgian Bay Nordic Ski Team. There’ll be snacks, drinks and door prizes. Equipment’s included, if you need it, and there’s free babysitting!

Time: 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Early Bird Rate
Before Jan. 16 – $35 After $50
($5 discount for BSC members)

(Book in advance) 519-534-3222

Registration form

Back Entrance Temporarily Closed

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Greetings:

We are desperately hoping for snow, although this long fall has helped with getting some of the outdoor chores done.

We have been informed by Grey Sauble Conservation that a logging operation at the north (back) entrance to the Massie Hills Trail has run into a bit of a snag in that it is too sloppy wet to get their logs out. We are told that once the ground hardens up with the frost they will need seven to ten days to finish up. Until that time the back entrance is closed to all traffic including our trail grooming equipment. There is no impact to access from the main entrance and a majority of the trails are still available.

We are taking this in stride as the Massie Hills are a shared resource and we need quite a bit of snow before we can groom the trails in any event. We anticipate that the logging operation will wrap up with minimal impact on our ski season.

Thank you for your patience, we will keep the membership up to date as the situation develops.

 

Thanks,

 

Chris Hughes

Club President

 

Colpoy’s Bay Loppet

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Greetings:

Our friends at the Bruce Ski Club are inviting one and all to participate in a loppet at their Colpoy’s Bay ski trail on Monday February 16 (Family Day). For more information please check their website at

http://www.bruceskiclub.ca/bruce_ski_club.html

Thanks,

Chris