Greetings fellow nordic ski enthusiasts!

If you're like me, you've been thinking about getting on the snow for the last couple of weeks. Rollerskiing, running and ski-walking are getting stale and you're getting antsy about putting in time on snow so that you'll be in shape for upcoming races and loppets. So, where's the snow?!! Alas, the news is not very encouraging at this point. The latest national snow coverage map shows that there is almost NO SNOW anywhere below the 60th parallel, with the exception of BC and Labrador. The Coast Mountains of BC are setting early season records for accumulation and early season meccas like Sovereign Lake and Silverstar are reporting great conditions. Canmore Nordic Centre was open in October and has a limited loop available for skiing. But the rest of the country remains dry. Even the normally reliable Foret Montmorency in Quebec has had to resort to snow making just to maintain a 1km loop (and has just cancelled the annual Rouge et Or race scheduled for Nov 28/29).

If you're thinking about trying to find some early season snow, here's a quick survey of conditions at major destinations that are open for nordic skiing across the country (excluding the far north). Sadly, it's a pretty short list. Everyone in the RoC (rest of Canada) - keep up that snow dance!!

Whistler Olympic Park, BC - 8 trails open and groomed, mostly intermediate to advanced

Sovereign Lake, BC - all trails open and groomed, excellent conditions

SilverStar, BC - all trails open and groomed, excellent conditions

Canmore Nordic Centre, AB - a 2.5km stadium loop is open, snowmaking in progress

Black Jack Nordic, Rossland, BC - 54cm base, about half their trails open

Caledonia Nordic, Prince George, BC - beginner & intermediate trails open

Lake Louise, AB - variable conditions, packing and track-setting underway. Watch out for the grizzley near the Lake O'hara parking lot!!

Kananaskis, AB - good early season conditions at Mount Shark, Chester/Sawmills and Peter Lougheed trails, but expect vegetation, drifting and trail-breaking


Foret Montmorency, QC - a marginal 1km loop of mostly manmade snow

Checked a few clubs in Nfld and Labrador, apparently nothing open yet.

Watch out for the Moose on the Silverstar upper trails!
Encountered on upper Paradise trail yesterday and on Aquaduct today.