Manitobans are inured to death-gripping cold that typically blows in from the north in January, but last week — including the weekend — really went beyond the pale when Mother Nature tested our resolve with multiple days of bone-snapping temperatures and wind chills between -40 and -49 Celsius in parts of the southern region of the province.
With a reprieve in conditions expected this week, cross-country skiers in the Gimli area can break out their skis, heat up the wax and hit the nature trails in Camp Morton Provincial Park.
Gimli Cross Country Ski Club president Craig Mackie said they’ve seen an increase in club membership numbers and they’re planning a number of events this year.
“[This] will be an exciting year as we have new grooming equipment, a 15 per cent increase in membership and several events planned,” said Mackie.
The club is a non-profit organization with an executive that oversees programs, trail grooming and finances. It hosts events and social functions for its membership and maintains 20 kilometres of trails along the shore of Lake Winnipeg.
Trails are usually groomed on Saturday mornings or on holidays. The club posts updates about trail conditions on its website.
Club membership supports the maintenance and further enhancements of the trails and facilities. People from away are welcome to use the trails.
There are a number of trails of varying lengths on the west and east sides of PR 222 to accommodate skiing, snowshoeing and other winter sports including skijoring. Snowmobiles are not permitted on Camp Morton trails.
The trails — which are groomed by the club — run through forest, along the lake and along a creek bed. The trails are a five-minute drive north of Gimli.
For more information about trails, parking areas, trail maps and warm-up areas, visit the Gimli Cross Country Ski Club online.
