Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 7:00pm
Location: Humboldt Collegiate Institute (615 17 Street) Come in the front door and follow signs directing to the correct room. Board positions open for nomination and election include: President (1 year term) Vice President (2 year term) Treasurer (2 year term) 5 Board Members (2 year term) 2 Board Members (1 year term) 1 Youth Representative (appointed) We welcome all those interested in the running of CTSC to attend. You can now register for the upcoming ski season and programming by going to Zone4.
Just a note about next weekend at Dixon. The CTSC is host to the Sask Cup ski races on Sunday, Jan. 15, an event that attracts racers from across the province. As a result, we will need to close some of our trails to the public on Friday and Saturday (trail prep for the races) and on Sunday (race day) as follows:
Friday: - South Trails - OPEN - North trails - A.M. - OPEN - P.M. - CLOSED Saturday: - South Trails - OPEN - North trails - CLOSED (NOTE - registered racers may access the race course from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Sunday: - South trails - CLOSED until 2:00 p.m. - North trails - CLOSED until 4:00 p.m. Ed Brockmeyer, of Humboldt – Dixon Saskatchewan has reached the age of 86, and has won gold! Ed marked his 50th year of cross country ski trail grooming this year (2022)!
Ed’s ski career began in 1972. At that time, the “new” sport and recreational activity called cross country skiing took north America by storm. People in the Humboldt area started buying skis and at first it was families and friends as they realized the fun and fitness factor. Trouble was, they really were not sure where they could ski at that point. Ed looked around and decided that his farm land was part of some of the best hills in the region. Later, with a bit of convincing, some of the adjacent “farmland” was also used and provided even better hills and a lot of “Wow” factor. In the beginning, it was just families and friends out for a ski. Someone was appointed the “lead” skier, and he/she decided where they were going to go that day. Didn’t go real fast but had a boatload of fun! The ski was interrupted along the way to partake of whatever was in those wineskins (did I mention that one of Ed’s passions is making amazing home-made wines—he has won several competitions). A bigger break was needed to have a wiener roast out on the trails. Everyone got home in great spirits, and with renewed passion for skiing. Ed is not one to be content with the “norm”, and so eventually, instead of bush-whacking through the snow for ski trails, Ed started to pack a trail with a snowmobile (yes, he often got stuck). This innovation added much to the enjoyment of skiing out at Dixon – and to the speed one attained going down the sizable hills. Now one could really fly! It wasn’t long before Ed discovered that people were actually using pull behind grooming devices. No such thing as going down to the local store to purchase a groomer. Ed carefully designed a pull behind groomer, and with a bit of welding and experimentation, came up with the first grooming device the ski group ever had – it cost 5 dollars! Later in the 1980’s Ed got a local entrepreneur into the game. Brockman’s Enterprises was a mining and agricultural equipment designer and manufacturer. They also began making a series of pull behind groomers that went from small and simple to much larger and full featured. The later models were capable of adjusting the depth of classic tracks, plowing and levelling snow on the trail as well as packing the trail. There are some of these groomers still in use in Saskatchewan, including the CTSC trails on the Humboldt Golf Course. Ed was involved at every stage from the design to the testing of these track setters. In 1976, the group of skiers in Humboldt and area took it to the next level and formed the Carlton Trail Ski Club. It became incorporated soon after and became a member of Cross Country Saskatchewan and Cross Country Canada. Ed was instrumental in the formation of the club and has been on the board of directors ever since it’s inception. Ed was also instrumental in getting landowners on board in terms of supporting cross country skiing, and allowing skiers to use and set trails on their land during the winter months. Most of the landowners became members of the CTSC and skied themselves. Soon, the members decided they needed a home base, and an old one room school house was located (built in the 1940’s). This sturdy building has been in use since then (1990). During the years, Ed continued to foster skiing in the Humboldt area, and when seeing the need, would help to fill it. Accordingly, Ed became a level one Cross Country ski instructor, took part in cross country ski official’s courses, taught countless numbers of people how to ski, and even taught his dog how to pull him on skis along the trail – we even have video! Ed has been listed as “chief of course” on many of the CTSC Sask Cup Races held at the Dixon Trails. One of Ed’s biggest achievements was his leadership in procuring one quarter of land (complete with large hills) which was paid for by many community and ski club members, and bears the title of the owners – the Carlton Trail Ski Club. All this time , Ed faithfully set cross country ski trails every year at the Dixon Trails. He continued to innovate, and experiment with different trail grooming equipment, and produced much of it in his own shop. He created drags, and levelers and even rollers (large culverts were perfect!). Ed continued to foster improvements encouraging signage on the trails(much of it containing wonderful positive messaging, the naming of large hills (Telephone man’s hill – complete with old phone on top, Eiger mountain, Big White, and Grouse Mountain). At one point in the early 1980’s, Ed (who was also a Scouts Canada leader at the time) brought a group of scouts and ski club members to the top of one of the larger hills —“Bald Butte” on the CTSC Trails. He organized the group, and a short while later, they had constructed a sturdy ski ramp and lookout tower. This extra elevation created a lot more momentum going down the hill, and provided many a thrill for skiers daring to use the ramp. While the ramp has been dismantled in recent times, the lookout tower still stands, and is a landmark for miles around the ski club. Ed was never a quitter, and never complained as he set trails snowfall after snowfall, in good weather and bad, and continued to get himself out of jam after jam – at one point suffering a heart attack getting himself unstuck with the snowmobile and trail groomer. He was almost always out on the trails by himself and never took a cell phone (“what would you want one of those for – they won’t get you unstuck”). He was often around the ski trails, especially on weekends when he would go out and get the heat on in the clubhouse, and feed the deer! He generally still had his wineskin around too -just in case! Don’t get the idea that Ed has slowed down. In 2019 Ed took part in instructing a grooming clinic held in Humboldt and sponsored in part by CCS. He provided wonderful insight into the world of grooming, and more importantly – how to groom excellent trails. Yes, he has retired this year from his position as head groomer out at Dixon Trails, but he still gets out and skis regularly. Just last year (2021) the CTSC renovated a new warm-up shack at the far end of trail 3. It has a great wood burning stove and hot chocolate in the tin. It is called Ed’s Inn. A fitting tribute. So Ed Brockmeyer has truly struck it rich, he has achieved gold. Fifty years of skiing, of innovation, of grooming , of fostering skiing in Saskatchewan, and especially in Humboldt. He is loved, and appreciated by all. He is hard working and loyal. Thank You Ed. Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 7:30pm
Location: Humboldt Collegiate Institute (615 17 Street) Come in the front door and follow signs directing to the correct room. Board positions open for nomination and election include:
The Race Team is looking for help coaching for the upcoming 2022-2023 season. We want to be able to continue to offer race team training for a wide age range of athletes, but need help to do so.
Primary responsibilities include assisting with drills and working with the U10 and U12 athletes at practice. Practices are Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 and Sundays 1:30-3:00 from beginning of September to the end of February. Attending race weekends are not required but encouraged. Basic ability in classic and skate skiing (or the desire to develop) is necessary. Coaches are required to have a CSC/VSC completed and obtain an Intro to Community Coaching Certification. Costs will be covered by CTSC. 2023 is a Saskatchewan Winter Games season, so we hope to be able to offer competitive ski training to as many youth as want it, but we need volunteers to make it happen! If interested, please email Troy at [email protected] by August 1st, 2022 Although we are a ski club who grooms trails for cross country skiing, we do have a number of Members and non-members (day pass trail users), especially snowshoers, who have our blessing to responsibly utilize the packed and groomed ski trails for other means of conveyance.
To ensure safe, courteous, and responsible shared trail use for all methods of trail use employed and enjoyed by our Members and our non-members (day pass trail users), we invite you to read through the policy statement found here. *NOTE* - just in case you weren't certain, the 8 to 12 foot wide packed and completely flat trails on the golf course trails and on some of the Dixon trails are actually ski trails as well, and are used by skate skiers. As such, we need all non-skier traffic to stay to the extreme outside edge so the surface stays smooth for the intended (skate ski) users. On the golf course especially, we have noticed many people have been walking down the middle of the skate ski trail and have damaged it with their footprints. It is our pleasure to provide our Members and our non-members (day pass trail users) with packed and groomed trails for their use and enjoyment. Thanks for reading, and happy trails! 1. SOCIAL DISTANCING. Cross country skiing is an outdoor activities with plenty of room and opportunity for social distancing, and thus involves very low risk for the spread of COVID-19.
2. FUN. Once you get out there, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself. 3. SOCIAL. It can be extra fun (and motivating) when you’re with others (properly socially distanced, of course), and the Carlton Trail Ski Club (CTSC) facilitates a number of opportunities to get together with others through lessons, outings, and possibly events. 4. FITNESS. Cross country skiing is the number one aerobic exercise. Skiing at a moderate pace, a 175-pound person can burn as many as 750 calories in an hour. Circulation improves. Blood pressure lowers. Every muscle group is used. It is low-impact. It is one of the best things you can do for your body. 5. Easy access to quality FACILITIES. CTSC grooms trails in Humboldt at the golf course. CTSC also grooms trails out at the Dixon site, 18 km NW of Humboldt. The Dixon site also has a clubhouse (heated on weekends; not yet certain how accessible it will be this year due to COVID-19). There are also other great places not too far from Humboldt with groomed trails. 6. ALL AGES. People can start cross country skiing when they are two years old and continue into their nineties. One of Humboldt’s regular skiers a few years ago was in his late eighties. You can ski at your own pace and your skiing session can be as long (or short) as you choose. 7. LIFETIME activity. Cross country skiing is an activity you can continue to do indefinitely in your lifetime. 8. EASY TO LEARN. Cross country skiing is a lifetime sport that won’t take a lifetime to learn. A lesson or two at a cross country ski area and you’re off and gliding for the rest of your life. 9. AFFORDABILITY. Although people have to pay to use the CTSC (or other) facilities, the CTSC fees are very affordable. Adult season memberships are $65.00 and child/youth season memberships are $40.00 for the first child and $25.00 for each of the next children. Child and youth lessons are another $35.00 for the season for the first child and $30.00 for each of the next children. Even the daily trail fee for non-members ($10 Dixon; $5 golf course) is less than half the national average. CTSC has even removed the cost of equipment as an obstacle. CTSC lends equipment to its Members for the season for FREE (based on availability). Should you choose to buy newer, lighter, more advanced equipment, a person can get into a good used set for under $200 if they look hard enough, or a good new set for under $400. Think of it as an investment in your health and enjoyment. 10. WINTER ACTIVITY. Many people are more sedentary in the winter. Cross country skiing works for your mind and spirit, as well as your body. Here is a great way to get outdoors during the winter months. 11. FAMILY. Cross country skiing is a great way to engage the whole family in a healthy, fun, social activity. It can be part of family travel plans, or part of a romantic couple’s getaway. In the spirit of our CTSC challenges, we are resurrecting the CTSC Ski Bingo this year for our child and youth members. Here's the rules: 1. Open to any CTSC member high school age and younger. 2. Print off the attached Bingo card. 3. Mark off each square as you complete that task. 4. Submit your bingo card in March (we will send a reminder with a firm date for submission). Only one bingo card per child. 5. You do not need a “black-out” to submit. Each square marked off as completed equals one entry into the draw barrel. 6. At the end of the season, names will be randomly pulled from the draw barrel for prizes. Have fun and enjoy your skiing!
This spring the ski club sent out a survey to its trail users asking for their opinion of various topics. The results of the survey can be found in the attached pdf file. Thanks to all those that participated!
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