Nelson Nordic Ski Club would like to thank all our members, staff and volunteers for an excellent 2019-2020 nordic ski season.

Due to ongoing concerns related to Covid-19 and social distancing, we have decided to close the trails at the end of business today. We will not be grooming the trails any further this season.

We’d like to extend a huge and special thank you to all the volunteers who have donated an enormous amount of time and energy to support Club operations, youth programs, special events organization, fundraising and grant writing, mechanical support, parking lot marshalling, food preparation and much more! This club would not exist but for the incredible contributions of its dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, year after year! THANK YOU!

We are sad to be closing in the midst of a pandemic, when we can’t congregate to say thank you in person, but we hope that we can offer each and every one of you a big virtual hug for your services and commitment to the organization. You’re in our thoughts. Please stay healthy and safe over the coming weeks and months and we look forward to enjoying real connection with you sometime again before too long.

The Club would also like to take a moment to thank its sponsors for their ongoing support and generosity. These local businesses offer tremendous support to our Club. Please consider supporting them, especially during this difficult time:

DHC Communications Inc.
Gerick Cycle and Ski
Finley’s Bar & Grill
Lakeside Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries Clinic
Ellenwood Homes
Main Street Diner
RHC Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Vince DeVito Shoes
Nelson Police Department (Association)
Oso Negro
BIA BORO Boutique Nelson
ATCO Wood Products Ltd.
Valhalla Pure Nelson
Nelson Farmers Supply Ltd.
Maglio Building Centre – Nelson
Whitewater Ski Resort
Rokform
Nelson Ready Mix
Selkirk Paving Limited Hollis Wealth White Leblanc – Nelson
IG Wealth Management – Nelson
Nasmyth Morrow and Bogusz
Home Building Supply – Nelson
Nelson and District Credit Union
IODE
Alfab Manufacturing
Zarikoff Developments
Balfour Repair

We’d also like to thank the following agencies and organizations for their support:
Columbia Basin Trust
Recreation Sites and Trails BC
Regional District of Central Kootenay
City of Nelson, British Columbia
Cross Country BC
BC Community Gaming Grants Program

As noted in our communication of March 25, 2020, Nelson Nordic Ski Club has been granted permission to continue grooming trails, including those that are situated on Crown land. We have closed our buildings, including outhouses, and are no longer taking payments but our intention is to continue grooming the trails at least through this coming weekend (April 5) and longer if weather conditions will allow it. 

However, continuation of grooming is also contingent on our members and other trail users complying with social distancing measures as recommended by the health authority to keep themselves and our communities safe. It is imperative that trail users maintain a minimum 2 metres distance from each other at all times. Please do not congregate at trailheads or elsewhere on the trail system. Similarly, please consider distancing recommendations when parking your vehicle in the parking lots.

Finally, and most importantly, if you should be self-isolating, you should not be using the trails. Please stay at home. From the BC Centre for Disease Control:

People without symptoms are required to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms if they: 

• Have arrived in B.C. from outside Canada.
  
• Are contacts of a confirmed case, meaning they have been or could have been exposed to the virus but do not have symptoms.

Self-isolation means staying home and avoiding situations where you could come in contact with others. You may have been exposed to the virus and are at risk for developing COVID-19 and passing it on to others.   

Thank you for your cooperation. As long as members and other trail users continue enjoying the trails in a socially responsible manner, the Club will do its best to keep the trails groomed and accessible. We must all use an abundance of caution to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus, support our front line health care workers and help bring this pandemic to an end. 

The Board and management will continue to monitor the situation at both a provincial and local level and will provide updates as necessary.

Many of you may have heard that Rec Sites and Trails BC is closing ski trail facilities on Crown land, which applies to part of our trail system. However, since we have already closed our buildings and are not taking payments, we would like to reassure our members and the public that we have received permission to continue grooming for now. Hopefully the weather cooperates, and we can maintain grooming through the first weekend in April.

We continue to monitor the pandemic situation at both a provincial and local level.  Our staff are practicing disinfection and distancing measures as recommended by health authorities to keep themselves and our community safe. While caution is ramping up in our local stores and establishments, we’ll continue to keep the trails groomed and ready for your enjoyment for as long as possible while supporting all efforts to prevent transmission of the virus. 

First and foremost, health and safety is a primary concern for Nelson Nordic Ski Club. 

We continue to follow updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, and while we have no further programs or organized events scheduled for this season, the NNSC Executive Board wishes to confirm our commitment to provide ongoing grooming of our trails for our membership and community. 

It is, however, essential that we all follow guidance from Interior Health Authority on how best to protect ourselves and others from the spread of this virus. First, if you feel sick or are in self-isolation for any reason, please refrain from using the Club and the trail system. Additional efforts are being made by staff to sanitize common areas. For the safety of our staff and volunteers, we are taking measures to minimize direct contact with skiers and ask all non-members to deposit trail use fees (cash or cheque) in one of the depositories located at the sign-in kiosks at Apex and Busk trailheads. If you do not have exact change, it is permissible to put a cheque in the depository instead of cash.  

How you can help:

• Bring personal hand sanitizer with you if you intend to use outhouses, cabins and hut.
• Minimize social gatherings at the Apex hut, warming cabins(Euphrates & Clearwater), kiosks and trailheads.
• Practice social distancing by keeping at least 2 metres away from others.
• Be respectful of others.

We will continue to update you if stronger measures are necessary. In the meantime, enjoy the trails!