If you're an adult aged 55 and older and want to try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club would love to turn you on to one of the best recreational sites the city has to offer.
Otway Nordic Centre is home to 55 kilometres of groomed ski trails and about 10 km of single-track snowshoe trails. Starting in January, the club will begin offering free lessons and guided tours on those trails for skiers/snowshoers of all abilities with its Explore More seniors program.
"We want to introduce people to the wonderful facilities at Otway for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and our target group is 55-plus," said Caledonia club instructor Kathi Hughes.
"For the next three months we will be offering guided tours for all levels. If you're a skier who always skis Pine Flats, you can go out with an instructor and try something new. The idea is to try to build confidence and explore more of the trails at Otway. You choose where you want to go."
The club's senior 55-and-older instructors will be on to conduct a free classic technique ski lesson on Monday, Jan. 8 from 1-2:30 p.m. Interested skiers must pre-register before Jan. 3 by calling the club at 250-564-3809.
"We have to cap the lesson at 40, said Hughes. "The tours we don't cap."
Guided ski tours will be offered at the same times on consecutive Mondays, Jan. 15, 22 and 29, for all interested adults. No pre-registration is required. Seniors are eligible for 50 per cent discounts on trail passes ($7.25 plus GST) and rental equipment ($7.50 pus GST). The cost for skiers younger than 55 will be $14.50 plus GST for a trail pass and $15 plus GST for equipment.
The free snowshoe lesson is on Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 1-2:30 p.m., with a Jan. 6 deadline to pre-register by phone.
Snowshoe tours are scheduled for consecutive Wednesdays at the same time on Jan. 17, 24 and 31. No pre-registration is required. The cost for seniors is $3.25 plus GST for a trail pass and $7.50 plus GST for equipment. Non-seniors will pay $6.50 plus GST for a pass and $15 for equipment. Senior-aged snowshoers will receive 50 per cent discounts on trail passes and rentals Monday afternoons in February and March.
Participants for all lessons and tours are asked to arrive at 12:30 p.m. After each session, tea and goodies will be provided in the Rotary Lodge.
All Explore More tours are free to club members, provided they have their own equipment.
