The sun couldn't have come at a better time. We've finally broken out of our cloudy, wet pattern that lasted throughout February and into early March. The snow on the course has really "set up" with the cold night time temperatures and cool days.
It has been difficult to keep the track in good enough shape to skate ski and it seems that visitors are ignoring our signage and venturing all over the course as the snow has been hard in the mornings. We are please asking that everyone restrict travels to the track. This time of the year we are not concerned about damaging turf but more concerned about wildlife interaction and safety issues that come with leaving the track and skiing in areas that aren't marked. There are so many ditches, ponds, bunkers and other hazards that get "soft" before the flats and can be dangerous to skiers that leave the track. In addition, the hooved animals will break through the hard snow in their travels. I recently read an article published concerning a moose that had to be put down because it got spooked, took off running and broke a front leg in similar hard snow conditions. The picture below is of a mom moose and her yearling laying on #6 tee box today. The cross country track is well away from this area and keeps the possibility of a negative interaction to a minimum. This particular pair has been moving around the course and mom's with young are potentially the most dangerous animal you can encounter this time of the year. Please stay safe and continue to use the property responsibly. If we get the couple of inches they are predicting tonight we will groom the track tomorrow morning so it will be in shape for skate skiing as well as setting a track.
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Mom and young on #6 tee box, Teewinot in the background. |
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