Outdoor recreation options are set to expand on the Sunshine Coast in mid-December with the opening of Dakota Ridge winter recreation area.
“We are aiming to open Dakota Ridge for the season on December 15, weather permitting,” Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) communications officer Cecilia Garcia told Coast Reporter in an email.
About 30 cm of snow have accumulated at the warming hut as of Nov. 17. The Squamish Main Trail has an accumulation of 60 cm.
Eleven “enthusiastic volunteers” participated in a work party on Oct. 30 to assist with trail maintenance, firewood stacking and cleaning the warming hut, among other tasks according to the SCRD.
The SCRD operates the 620-hectare recreation area above ts'uḵw'um and is responsible for maintaining 20 kilometres of ski trails, seven kilometres of snowshoe trails and a tobogganing hill and warming hut.
The typical season runs from mid-December to the end of March.
In preparation for the opening, the SCRD is hosting an information session to recruit volunteers on Nov. 22.
The SCRD needs trail hosts, who “act as ambassadors for the SCRD during weekends and holidays,” according to the Dakota Ridge Facebook page.
Discounted seasons passes are available until Dec. 15 and can be purchased online or at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre.
Register for the volunteer information session via email: [email protected]
