The Jackrabbit instructional program at the Birch Brook Ski Club concluded a successful season on March 6, 2010. In spite of unusual weather conditions, 10 volunteer coaches helped 45 children and youth improve their skills and have fun over the course of eight lessons. Jackrabbits also made use of the new ski chalet at the ski club. During the final session, Jackrabbits enjoyed an outdoor fire and received their year-end reports and achievements. Program co-ordinator Carlos Marques extended appreciation to parents and the club for supporting this season’s program.

Fred Eidt and Muna ar-Rushdi led a group of snowshoers on two separate excursions on Feb. 5, 2011 on the Birch Brook Nordic snowshoe trails.

Fred Eidt led a group of 25 snowshoers on a hike on the snowshoe trails on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. The moon ducked behind some cloud cover, but it was nevertheless a beautiful night and an enjoyable outing. Thanks to the Katimavik group for cooking up chili and soup for the hungry group. Thanks to Steve Gregory for the photos.

Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club was the scene of a celebration on Saturday, Feb. 26 as the first-ever Learn to Ski program came to a successful conclusion. Instructors John Bookalam and Graham Moorhouse were impressed with the advances made by the skiers as the six-week program progressed. Congratulations to everyone on a job well done.

The trail network at Birch Brook doesn't end with the Games Trail and the Rabbit Run. A short run through the birches brings skiers to the McLean Lake and Colin's Hut trails. These photos were kindly provided by John Bookalam.

John Bookalam was accompanied by Jim Shouse and John Houlahan on a ski to Colin's Hut this week. They report excellent snow conditions. "There was good snow beneath our skis - especially needed on the rather quick downhill segments of the elevated trail," says John Bookalam. "There`s nothing better than skiing to our crown jewel."

John Bookalam snowshoed into the McLean Lake Cabin on March 14, He was pleasantly surprised by the amount and quality of new snow, in spite of the rain deluge just two days earlier. He says the result is the capability to proceed with grooming on the back country trails as long as conditions allow.

Instructor Keith Nicol delivered a Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI) course to eight members of the Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club on March 19 and 20, 2011. Photos courtesy of John Bookalam.

The closing Jackrabbit session for 2011 took place on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Co-ordinator Carlos Marques presented badges and assessments to Jackrabbits. He thanked parents, instructors and the Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club for their help and support during the season. The session ended with a bonfire and refreshments.

John Bookalam provided these photos from a ski and trail grooming excursion he did on Friday, April 1, 2011. Trail conditions are excellent. Click on this blog posting to get an update on trail conditions.

Photos taken on April 7, 2011 show spring skiing conditions at their best. With repairs to the Pisten Bully completed, Sam Fequet was busy getting the trail network in great shape for the weekend. Photos courtesy of Anne Marie Fequet.

The annual Birch Brook Trail Run, organized by the Trappers' Running Club, was held on Monday, Sept. 5, 2011. Thirty runners took on the 5.25 km Games Trail under cloudy skies and a temperature of 12 degrees Celsius. Thanks to the volunteers for their help and to Steve Gregory for providing these photographs.

Photos courtesy of John Bookalam show the results of grubbing on Robin's Route and the Jackrabbit Loop, Oct. 10, 2011.

On Oct. 14, 2011, excavator operator Nicki Hickey fully grubbed and partialy grubbed the Gosling View, McLean Trail and McLean Re-route backcountry trails,. With his final highest elevation achieved atop the McLean Re-route Trail, he established a new distance record of 2 km and an approximate elevation of 250 feet. The McLean Re-route Trail terminates adjacent to the intersection of McLean Lake Trail and Birches Run. Thesed photos illustrate how dramatically rugged backcountry trails can be totally transformed by an experienced operator. Thanks to the Hickey brothers et al, for demonstrating their loyalty, generosity and patience to fit us in to their already taxing work schedule. As a result of their efforts, grooming, skiing and snowshoeing will be a lot easier and for sure more fun. Now let`s pray for a meterological miracle - a winter with lots of snow. Photos courtesy of John Bookalam, Oct. 14, 2011.

Club members and the general public are advise that the backcountry trails are now very easily accessible to all who possess a modicum of adventure in their spirtual souls. Photos courtesy of John Bookalam, Oct. 15, 2011.

Photos show access to the Robin`s Route trails that have been entirely grubbed and chipped from just below chalet to Oh My God Hill. Members should gain an appreciation of the labour intensive work required to maintain and improve the club's facility. Photos courtesy of John Bookalam, Oct. 23, 2011.

A dump of 20+ cm of snow today was a welcome sight for skiers. Members are advised that grooming will commence in the very near future. See the photo gallery for photos, courtesy of John Bookalam.

Monday's snowfall was enough to enable groomer operator Sam Fequet to begin grooming the trails on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Close behind were a couple of skiers anxious to hit the trails. Go to the gallery and see other photos from today's excited skiers. Photos courtesy of John Bookalam.

Wood cache at McLean Cabin, Dec, 14, 2011. Photos submitted by John Bookalam.

I hope Christmas is going well, with family, friends & food - the three Fs. Sam has packed 75 per cent of the Connector Trail from the summit of the Games Trail to Chaulk`s Run, a distance of approximately two km. I have packed with snowshoes and groomed the remaining 25 per cent with the small groomer. Attached are pictures to view the interim results. Now skiers can go to the backcountry as far as McLean Lake and Colin`s Heritage Trail and do a loop ski on the Chaulk`s Connector/Chaulk`s trails. Get out and enjoy the great ski and snow conditions before the snow and wind that is expected to arrive mid-week! Submitted by John Bookalam

A mid-January ski to Colin's Hut. Clear, cold and brilliant sunshine. Photos courtesy of Lorna Acreman