Friends of Ellenwood Park

The ski conditions are good out at the Park today.  All trails have been groomed and track set.  With more snow on the way, it looks like an ideal Family Day weekend to try cross-country skiing.  Introduce your Valentine to a new love at Ellenwood:-)

The trails will all be groomed by this afternoon with some ski tracks set, but the walking path will ‘not’ be plowed.  Ski conditions today are reported as ‘fair’ with sticky snow.

February is Heart & Stroke Month and the Friends of Ellenwood Park want you to Love Your Heart this Valentine’s Day! 

You’re invited to hike down to the ski cabin for a heart-healthy day of winter fun! Why not give cross-country skiing a try? It’s free!  We have skis, boots and poles for the whole family to borrow and groomed ski and hiking trails that will leave you breathless. Come on! Explore your natural resources at Ellenwood between 10 am and 4 pm this Valentine’s Day.

**Special Valentine’s Day gift for first time skiers and children while they last!

The ski cabin will also be open on Saturday, the 13^th  and again on Family Day, Monday the 15^th from noon until 4:00 pm.

Skis are loaned on a first come first served basis. Cross-country ski equipment is also available from the Yarmouth Recreation Department in Hebron 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Call 902-742-8868 for more information.

The ski cabin is open this weekend for all of you walkers, photographers and fresh air lovers!  There are still a few icy patches so please watch your step. As I’ve said before, there are lots of ways to enjoy Ellenwood and the blue sky and sunshine makes it a perfect day to get out and get active. Stop by and say, “Hi.”  We’ll have the wood stove all warmed up for you!

It’s 4 degrees out at Ellenwood today – and it’s a beautiful place to be.  That having been said, the ski conditions aren’t the best. There’s crusty snow and wet ice which means it’s skiable for veterans , but definitely not for newcomers!  We want to ensure that everyone has a happy and SAFE ski experience so icy conditions need to be taken seriously.  Those who are new to the sport or who want to try it for the first time are encouraged to wait for fresh snow. There’s still plenty of great winter weather ahead… No need to rush! Even walking can be hazardous when there’s ice. The cabin is open from noon ’til 4 pm today.  Please be careful today if you hike or ski down to pay us a visit.

Stephen has been out grooming the trails this morning and was surprised to find less snow on the ground at Ellenwood than he expected.  The areas outside the cabin and around the campsite loop are only thinly covered. He is reporting ski conditions as “fair and fast”… probably not ideal for skiers new to the sport.  The cabin will be open from noon ’til 4:00 today for skiers, walkers, snowshoers and photographers too.  The temperatures are mild and the sun is trying its best to shine!

Today is Australia Day and the folks down under are experiencing rain, humidity and 25 degree temperatures. Whew!  I bet that more than one of our Aussie friends are wishing they could be here at Ellenwood enjoying the great track conditions today. (Okay… maybe not, but the ski conditions are very good!) Don’t wait for the weekend.  Skis are available to borrow from the folks at the Recreation Department in Hebron all week long. Bring them out to the Park and be glad you’re not in Melbourne!  If you do plan to join us at the cabin this weekend, remember…

Our skis are free to borrow, but Ellie, our wonderful groomer depends on your donations to keep gassed up and doing her job throughout the season. Consider bringing along a few dollars or be an FOEP supporter ($10 for individuals or $15 for a family). Support forms are available at the ski cabin. And as they say down under, “Thank you!”

It was wonderful to see so many first-time skiers out at Ellenwood yesterday and to be able to offer such great track conditions for their inaugural runs! Today promises to be every bit as fun – so it may be time for another quick safety tip or two.

Tip#1 On a 2-way track such as Ellenwood’s, descending skiers always have the right of way. Skiers on a downhill run should yell, “TRACK” to alert folks to their approach.                                                                                                                                  Tip #2 Do not stop where you may obstruct a trail or are not visible to others. Move off the track quickly if you fall or during rest stops.                                                         Tip #3 Four-legged friends are welcome to use the plowed walking path on the left. To ensure SAFE walkies for you and your buddy – always keep them on a leash!

Thanks for telling your friends about our free ski lending service! The word is spreading and winter will be a whole lot more fun for folks, thanks to YOU!

“Ellie” our groomer needs your support to keep her running reliably throughout the season and setting those perfect tracks.  So the next time you visit the cabin, please consider bringing along a dollar or two.  Or better yet, become a Friend by filling out a Support Form at the cabin for yourself ($10) or your family ($15).  Happy trails!

Ellie, our trail groomer.

Thank you to Stephen who has been out grooming the trails and setting ski tracks for all of our cross-country ski enthusiasts.  Hey!  Maybe you’re one of them and you don’t even know it yet!  The conditions are prime at Ellenwood these days.  The only way to find out if you are an undiscovered cross-country ski buff is to head out to the Park and join us!  Not sure whether you’ve got what it takes?  We have a solution!  First, come on out to Ellenwood and just walk through the trees and rolling terrain. See what’s what and check out the lay of the land. Trust me, it’s gorgeous. Next, borrow some skis, boots and poles from the cabin this weekend and retrace your steps. Simple! Unplug your X-Box and forget ‘virtual’ fun. We have the real thing at Ellenwood – and the hot chocolate’s on us;-)  The ski cabin will be open from noon to 4:00 on Saturday and Sunday if the conditions permit.

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful – So the skiing is delightful!”  Every new layer of powder on ground just makes the ski conditions better and better!  It’s worth the trip out to Ellenwood, trust me.  We love saying “Hello” to new faces on the trails.  If you are new to the sport, there are some things you need to know. Call it ski etiquette… 

• Yield to faster skiers or downhill skiers. Step off to the side of the track to allow faster skiers to pass.  (…otherwise they might crash into you;-)