Cross-country skiing enjoyed a boom winter

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This article was published 31/03/2021 (1646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winter has officially come to an end, and a memorable winter it was, as the season saw many Manitobans struggling to find ways to stay safely active during the ongoing pandemic.

The popularity of cross-country skiing, for example, soared this past winter; a fact likely attributable to the fact public health officials continually stated that outdoor fitness activities were safest.

“Our membership was up by about 30 per cent, which means more people (became) members of ski clubs this season,” said Karin McSherry, executive director of the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba.

“We certainly hope to see the same numbers of people skiing and joining clubs next year. Time will tell how many became ‘hooked’ on skiing and how many will go back to their usual winter activities next year,” she said.

“In the meantime, we are preparing for a lot more people than average wanting lessons and traveling to trail destinations all over the province.”

The CCSAM is a partner of Sport Manitoba, which governs all sport in Manitoba, and Nordiq Canada, which governs cross-country skiing in Canada. It is a volunteer-based organization that provides leadership and direction towards athletic excellence, individual achievement, and also promotes broad participation in the sport. It boasts approximately 24 ski clubs and 2,000 individual members from across the province.

At a time when residents were spending increased days, weeks and months indoors, getting out for fresh air and exercise meant cross-country skiing became the winter activity of choice for many Manitobans. Despite a somewhat shorter season because of this year’s early melt, the mood-boosting, calorie-burning, muscle-strengthening sport enjoyed marked increase in skiers and use of services was recorded.

“Spring came quickly this year, as sometimes happens,” McSherry said.

“Overall, it was a good ski season. Some areas of the province received lots of snow and others received hardly any (which was a disappointment for them). Here in Winnipeg, Windsor Park Nordic Centre had record-breaking usage, despite the clubhouse being closed and equipment rentals and lessons not possible due to COVID precautions,” she added.

CCSAM will continue to do the work necessary to make skiing an appealing option for Manitoba residents, encouraging skiers to explore different trails in various parts of the province.

“We are forging relationships with other trail groups such as Winnipeg Trails, Manitoba Trails and Manitoba Parks and strategizing how best to communicate with trail users and support trail stewards so that as many people as possible can enjoy winter activity outdoors for years to come.”

To learn more about CCSAM, visit www.ccsam.ca