Winter Tracks

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Feb. 6, 2015

Just us winter critters, out exploring the fresh snow. Consistent cold temperatures have produced excellent skiing conditions.  Lots of powdery snow atop a hard, crusty base.  I'm in heaven.

Spring is in the Air?

Upper Kingsburg, NS

January, 2013

This morning, while waiting in the lobby at the Lunenburg Fisherman's Memorial Hospital, several elderly gents hobbled in and sat down.  One of them commented, "it's a good day to be alive, ain't it?  Spring is in the air."  I couldn't agree more.

But, sadist that I am, I do love my winter and if I'm lucky, a winter that comes with lots of snow.  

Here's a shot from the intrepid Upper Kinsburg Nordic crew out for an XC ski expedition after a fresh coating of snow.  The wind was making its way through our jackets, our fingers and faces were cold.  The dusting of snow on the trees and the gorgeous clouds in the sky that day were our reward for enduring a classic Canadian winter outing.  

The piping warm thermos of choclatey chai tea, slurped down in the shelter of a millionaire's new hilltop house under construction, made for a pleasant break from the cold winds.  

It was a good day.

Occupy Keji: Skijor, For Sure.

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

While I was skiing my way back from Big Dam Lake I ran across this guy skijoring with his dog.  

Do you have a dog that likes to pull (i.e. Husky)?  Can you ski?  Find a dog harness and let your pooch help pull you up those hills!  Or heck, on the flats too.

I haven't tried it myself but it looks like a lot of fun, check out this guy skijoring with 12 dogs!

Occupy Keji!

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

Here's a shot of a band of skiers at Keji out for a tour during the Occupy Winter/Keji event on January 19th. I tagged along with them until we reached the turn off to Big Dam Lake. If you squint, you can see two additional skiers in the background.

The 'event' was part of a national campaign to have people participating in winter events at national parks across Canada. These parks are all affected by the Conservative cuts to the department, cuts which have closed all but 3 national parks for the winter season.

These park closures are extremely disappointing to those who enjoy using the parks throughout the year, including our 4th season.

Turnout was excellent, organizers tallied ~120 visitors on Saturday and ~100 on Sunday, despite the warm and rainy conditions.

Participants came from all over the Western end of the province, including Halifax, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and various communities through the Annapolis Valley and South Shore.

Ski conditions on Saturday were near perfect, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark and fresh snow falling for most of the morning and early afternoon.

The atmosphere in the Mill Falls picnic shelter was jovial as skiers and snowshoe'rs stomped inside to dry off and warm up. Rick Swain entertained with tall tales and a local painter read poetry to the attentive crowd.

It was heartening to see Eric LeBel, park superintendent, in attendance. He was chatting up the visitors and also helped supply the firewood for the wood stoves in the shelter. Park staff helped make the event possible by plowing the road to the shelter as well as unlocking it so the participants had a place to gather and stay warm.

More pics to follow from a great day of enjoying winter and showing support for our national parks system.

Snow Day! (Wish I were skiing)

Kejimkujik National Park

Maitland Bridge (?), NS

Jan. 19, 2013

This is what the park looked like on the weekend.  Deserted, snow covered roads and lots of cross country ski tracks!

More shots to follow from the weekend's Occupy Winter/Keji activities!  

In the meantime, please read and sign this petition, calling for winter services to be restored to all national parks!

Spring in the Cape Breton Highlands

A shot from Ski Tuonela, taken TODAY. According to owner, Chris Law, they received 25 cm of pow pow last night, 35 cm since Sunday! Hard to believe they have so much snow up there. If you love skiing, get up there to catch the white stuff while you still can..

Tuonela sauna door detail

A closeup shot of the entrance to the wood fired sauna at Ski Tuonela

Tuonela Lodge

One of the many buildings at Ski Tuonela, hope they still have some snow this weekend.

Stanburne nordic

Winter ain't over yet! Thanks to All Good! submitter David Lindsay for this great self portrait XC shot. Lookin' good, David!
Check out David's recent article about energy wood in Canadian Geographic.

My prayers have been answered!!!

We finally have snow down by the shore, and more to come this week. HUZZAH!

Until recently, I had to travel inland to get my snow fix. This video was shot in the hill/field behind my buddy's place. I like how you can see some snow flakes at the beginning.

I tried shooting this one handheld, so I could hold the camera close to the ground.

Hero(es) of Telemark!

A telemark skier heads down the telly hill at Ski Tuonela, shot last weekend.

Sure, you 'could' spend $100+ on skis...

....Or, you could visit your local second hand shop and find a sweet set of skis and poles for 5 bucks!

Bindings by Norweigan manufacturer, Rottefella (literally "The Rat Trap").

I love the write up on the skis, describing the many laminate layers, awesome!

Photo shot at Ski Tuonela last weekend. Have I mentioned it's awesome? ^_^

Now the people will know we had snow...

The grass might be showing 'down south', but there is still plenty of the white stuff just outside of Baddeck!

This week, I'll be posting pictures from my recent trip to Ski Tuonela. If you love XC, backcountry, telemark skiing and cabin lodging, you MUST check this place out!

The resort is incredible, you will not be dissapointed.

Thanks Chris and Ann, I will be back next season!

I heart snow..

The woods of Lunenburg County looked like Santa's Village last weekend!

Sure made for some glorious XC skiing conditions!










Long live skiing!!!!

Pics kindly provided by Jeff Doran