President’s Message
Snow at last!
Our favourite season has begun! Several club members have already donned their skis and headed out on to our snowy trails. Track-setting has begun on the level racing trails and will continue on the touring trails as soon as conditions permit.
There has been a change on the Board. Neil Price has been elected as a director, to replace Pascal Beaudoin who is beginning an especially demanding study program. We wish a warm welcome to Neil and the best of success to Pascal in his new adventure. Neil will take care of the youth programs, with the full support of Benita Stoyel, who was the program coordinator for several years.
The club programs (Bunny, Jackrabbit, Challenge, Biathlon, Adult lessons, Touring) will begin on Saturday, January 5. This year we are also introducing a new program – Arrows, for kids eleven and up – that focuses on performance and skiing techniques. We owe this initiative to Benita’s enthusiasm and determination, and it has come at just the right time, as enrolment in our youth programs is quite high this year.
The start of the season is also the time to remind parents of the importance of getting involved as volunteers in their children’s programs. Think about it: until just recently, your child was calling out “Hey Dad, wait up! Mom, wait for me!” and struggling to keep up with you. But believe me: after a few years in the Viking programs, that young child will be way ahead when you are out skiing as a family, and it will be you calling out “Wait up!” Parents who volunteer get the chance to closely follow their children’s progress. It’s a wonderful opportunity you really shouldn’t miss!
Our favourite season has begun! Several club members have already donned their skis and headed out on to our snowy trails. Track-setting has begun on the level racing trails and will continue on the touring trails as soon as conditions permit.
There has been a change on the Board. Neil Price has been elected as a director, to replace Pascal Beaudoin who is beginning an especially demanding study program. We wish a warm welcome to Neil and the best of success to Pascal in his new adventure. Neil will take care of the youth programs, with the full support of Benita Stoyel, who was the program coordinator for several years.
The club programs (Bunny, Jackrabbit, Challenge, Biathlon, Adult lessons, Touring) will begin on Saturday, January 5. This year we are also introducing a new program – Arrows, for kids eleven and up – that focuses on performance and skiing techniques. We owe this initiative to Benita’s enthusiasm and determination, and it has come at just the right time, as enrolment in our youth programs is quite high this year.
The start of the season is also the time to remind parents of the importance of getting involved as volunteers in their children’s programs. Think about it: until just recently, your child was calling out “Hey Dad, wait up! Mom, wait for me!” and struggling to keep up with you. But believe me: after a few years in the Viking programs, that young child will be way ahead when you are out skiing as a family, and it will be you calling out “Wait up!” Parents who volunteer get the chance to closely follow their children’s progress. It’s a wonderful opportunity you really shouldn’t miss!
Challenge Program Looking Forward to a Great Season Ahead
The Challenge Program filled up quickly this year, with many returning skiers and some new -- both graduates of JR 4 and new additions to our club. The Extreme Team, as coach Rick Nesbitt calls it, will be seeking to get the most fun and adventure out of winter: skiing on and off trail, playing handball on frozen ponds, camping out in late winter. The program will run on Saturdays, from January 5th to March 9th, from 10:00 - 3:00. Let it Snow!
Gordon Cohen has organized the 2013 Viking adult touring season
cancelled
January 12 Lac Brulé Bill & Diane Pollock
January 19 Wentworth Nord Dave & Eleanor Clark
January 26 Piedmont, Shawbridge Brent McCosker & Marie-France Allard
February 2 Viking Club Various tours on club trails for all members
February 9 Valdurn, St.Faustin Chris & Linda Lyle
February 16 Lac Gustave, Crown South Don & Anne Heatherington
February 23 NO TOUR We concentrate our efforts on the Viking M-H Loppet
March 2 Ste-Marguerite, Lac Pilon Philip Harrison & Marie-Claire Skrutkowska
March 9 Ste-Adèle to Mt-Gabriel Eric Lepage
March 16 Lac Notre-Dame Spring Picnic Gordon & Sorel Cohen
A detailed description of each tour is posted on the Viking website.
Nota Bene
For both Saturday and Thursday tours.
1) Let the leader/ host know that you will participate.
2) Bring trail snacks, lunch and liquids.
3) Dress warmly in thin layers and bring an extra sweater.
4) Be ready with your skis waxed to start skiing at 10am.
5) For last minute details on any of these tours, call the tour leader or Gordon Cohen.
Watch for last minute changes announced in our weekly e-bulletin. To subscribe send Gordon an email to the address: [email protected]
January 12 Lac Brulé Bill & Diane Pollock
January 19 Wentworth Nord Dave & Eleanor Clark
January 26 Piedmont, Shawbridge Brent McCosker & Marie-France Allard
February 2 Viking Club Various tours on club trails for all members
February 9 Valdurn, St.Faustin Chris & Linda Lyle
February 16 Lac Gustave, Crown South Don & Anne Heatherington
February 23 NO TOUR We concentrate our efforts on the Viking M-H Loppet
March 2 Ste-Marguerite, Lac Pilon Philip Harrison & Marie-Claire Skrutkowska
March 9 Ste-Adèle to Mt-Gabriel Eric Lepage
March 16 Lac Notre-Dame Spring Picnic Gordon & Sorel Cohen
A detailed description of each tour is posted on the Viking website.
Nota Bene
For both Saturday and Thursday tours.
1) Let the leader/ host know that you will participate.
2) Bring trail snacks, lunch and liquids.
3) Dress warmly in thin layers and bring an extra sweater.
4) Be ready with your skis waxed to start skiing at 10am.
5) For last minute details on any of these tours, call the tour leader or Gordon Cohen.
Watch for last minute changes announced in our weekly e-bulletin. To subscribe send Gordon an email to the address: [email protected]
The 2013 Morin-Heights/Viking Loppet
By Derek Wills
First off, potential event participants, and much welcomed volunteers, should scratch Sunday, 24th February 2013 on their calendars for the 41st running of this popular annual winter event for classic style x-c skiers and snowshoers alike.
If you have never heard of this event, and are wondering what it is all about, then click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LRTIioivaE to “get the picture”.
First off, potential event participants, and much welcomed volunteers, should scratch Sunday, 24th February 2013 on their calendars for the 41st running of this popular annual winter event for classic style x-c skiers and snowshoers alike.
If you have never heard of this event, and are wondering what it is all about, then click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LRTIioivaE to “get the picture”.
We are indebted to a young Viking member – Loïc Bellmare-Alford – who created this first ever video version of this event.
Now, what’s in a name…..”Loppet” simply means “The Race” in Swedish, a reminder of how some of the club's Scandinavian members created this event way back in 1972. However, “Loppet” can easily morph into “Limping!” by those crossing the finish line……or even “Sloppet” to describe the event under melting snow conditions!
This graph shows how the Loppet event has grown in popularity over the years.
Now, what’s in a name…..”Loppet” simply means “The Race” in Swedish, a reminder of how some of the club's Scandinavian members created this event way back in 1972. However, “Loppet” can easily morph into “Limping!” by those crossing the finish line……or even “Sloppet” to describe the event under melting snow conditions!
This graph shows how the Loppet event has grown in popularity over the years.
For complete information and registration details for the event, please go the Loppet dedicated website: www.skiloppet.com .
In a nutshell, the Loppet event offers easy, less easy and challenging classic x-c ski courses of 10, 20 and 33 km distances, plus a recently introduced and challenging 5 km snowshoe course. Although originally just a Viking Ski Club event, it is now a joint venture run event, the club having partnered with the Municipality of Morin-Heights so that resources can be pooled to facilitate a more expanded family community event.
Starting in November 2012, Viking Board members Wilma Wiemer, Doug Bowes-Lyon and Derek Wills meet monthly with their Morin-Heights municipal counterparts Catherine Maillé, James Jackson and Leigh Macleod to plan and organize the upcoming February 2013 Loppet.
The continued success of this event is highly dependant on volunteers, which runs into around 100+ being needed both outdoors…..typically for parking/bus co-ordination, road crossings, feeding stations, at the start and finish lines; and indoors, typically for registration, school lunch catering. Viking members who do not wish to participate in the race can consider Loppet volunteering as counting for their membership volunteer contribution….Viking volunteer co-ordinator Wilma Wiemer would love to hear from you!!! Note that volunteers are rewarded, post event, to attend City Hall to partake of light refreshments, and have the chance to win local sponsor contributed prizes in a draw!
In a nutshell, the Loppet event offers easy, less easy and challenging classic x-c ski courses of 10, 20 and 33 km distances, plus a recently introduced and challenging 5 km snowshoe course. Although originally just a Viking Ski Club event, it is now a joint venture run event, the club having partnered with the Municipality of Morin-Heights so that resources can be pooled to facilitate a more expanded family community event.
Starting in November 2012, Viking Board members Wilma Wiemer, Doug Bowes-Lyon and Derek Wills meet monthly with their Morin-Heights municipal counterparts Catherine Maillé, James Jackson and Leigh Macleod to plan and organize the upcoming February 2013 Loppet.
The continued success of this event is highly dependant on volunteers, which runs into around 100+ being needed both outdoors…..typically for parking/bus co-ordination, road crossings, feeding stations, at the start and finish lines; and indoors, typically for registration, school lunch catering. Viking members who do not wish to participate in the race can consider Loppet volunteering as counting for their membership volunteer contribution….Viking volunteer co-ordinator Wilma Wiemer would love to hear from you!!! Note that volunteers are rewarded, post event, to attend City Hall to partake of light refreshments, and have the chance to win local sponsor contributed prizes in a draw!