Photo: Wapiti Nordic Ski Club Facebook page

By Shane Clausing

Wapiti Nordic Ski Club

Wapiti Nordic Ski Club seeing increased interest during pandemic

Dec 6, 2020 | 7:00 AM

The Wapiti Nordic Ski Club is up and running for another season. The trails have been groomed for just over two weeks now and according to Christine Rawlins, the Vice President of the Ski Club, things are up and running despite the new COVID-19 restrictions.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest in our sport because it’s obviously a form of outdoor recreation that is permitted under the provincial restrictions, and we’ve been very cognizant to adapt our programs and protocols in the lodge so we can meet those restrictions.”

While Rawlins didn’t have any specific numbers on people using the trails, she says that she’s noticed a much bigger increase in users compared to years past.

“We’ve seen a lot more interest in our memberships. We offer a 10 per cent discount through the month of November and we’ve seen increased memberships through that first month of the year.”

In order to use the trails at the Ski Club, you must purchase a membership or pay a daily fee. The membership fee pays for the maintenance of the facility, as well as 35 km of groomed trails, which are lit up at night.

With the club now open, lessons are getting ready to take place. While there are COVID-19 restrictions in place by the province, Rawlins says that this should not impact them.

“We’re going to be starting lessons here into December and they will all fit under the provincial guidelines in terms of the maximum of 10 people in a group with the distancing. The same with our rental of equipment, we’ll have to have cleaning protocols and we will be asking that people pre-book the rentals and that information is all coming soon.”

Any news regarding what is happening at the Ski Club can be found on their Facebook page.

All of their upcoming lessons and programs have been approved by Alberta Health Services.

“We’re very thankful that we’re able to function under the regulations,” said Rawlins. “We definitely encourage people to get outdoors and get some activity in for both their physical and their mental health during the pandemic.”