Fri, Jan 18 2013, Sat, Jan 19 2013, Sun, Jan 20 2013 - X-C Ski/Snowshoe Weekend at Bondi Village (View Original Event Details)
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Most people left around 4 PM from GTA, we drove up to Bondi through falling and blowing snow and thus the drive for some of us took much longer than usual.
Ralph and Sharon were the first to arrive at Bondi Village on early Fri afternoon and have done some skiing on various trails at the resort and thus were able to provide scouting report on the trail conditions. This being the first weekend after January thaw, some sections of the trails (particularly downhills) were in the need of fresh snow and also of some grooming. However, while the snow kept falling round the clock, due to wet snow conditions, grooming could not be done. Thus on Saturday the group decided to head out to Fen lake trails in Algonquin. We were forewarned at the West Gate that the trails were wet and also not groomed due to conditions. It turned out that the trails were in pretty good shape. The snow was indeed a bit sticky but if you kept gliding, you kept moving at a decent pace. Everyone decided to ski at least up to the warming hut (5.8 km, one way). At the warming hut, after some lunch and rest, some decided to complete the loop (smaller 6.6 km or larger 7.1 km), while others decided to come back (retracing the steps). Overall, while temp was well below zero, the day was comfortably warm (even too warm, once you were moving), overcast with alternating periods of light snow and light drizzle. It was hard to keep the camera dry for all the falling precipitation :) Everyone was off the trails by 3 PM (after about 3-4 hrs on the trails), and we headed back to Bondi village to relax and rest in front of the gas fireplace awaiting dinner.
APRES SKI: While some of us packed snowshoes, Shoreh brought her own table tennis (ping pong) racket and took Alex on in series of ping pong matches, while Janice lead some folks in yoga stretches to stretch out the tired and stiff muscles. After dinner a group of adventurous folks decided to head out for night-time snowshoe/walk around the resort, while the author of this narrative went to catch up on some sleep - and thus, not sure what time 'the party' broke up :)
We woke up Sunday to bright sunny morning - and crispy cold! After breakfast, Ralph and Sharon headed up to Arrowhead while the rest of the group split up for activities at the resort. One group went on the snowshoe/hike up to the lookout point while the rest went out to ski the various trails. Reports back from both groups were that the trails were beautifully picturesque, particularly with the trees being covered in snow from the previous day's snowfall. Everyone enjoyed about 2 hrs worth of activity before returning back to the lodge for lunch before heading home..
Overall, it was a great weekend of skiing and snowshoeing with friendly and cohesive group of outdoor enthusiasts. The weather was great as was the scenery. Thank you to everyone for coming out and for sharing the food preparation and clean up activities. Thank you to Sarah, Galina, Sylvia and Ralph for driving!!
$8.50 in voluntary donations were collected with thanks!
See you again soon. Galina
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.