The Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area will be more accessible this winter thanks to road improvements allowing it to be plowed all the way to the trailhead parking lot.
"The final waterbars are going in now," said Sunshine Coast Regional District parks planning co-ordinator Sam Adams, who's been overseeing road work since mid-August. Work was contracted through four separate requests for proposals (RFPs) covering road improvements, brush clearing and tree falling to a 4.5-kilometre section of the road. A separate RFP has been sent out for the road-plowing contract and is due back today (Nov. 14).
Four-by-four vehicles with chains will still be required to reach the end of the road.
Plowing will occur every time more than 10 centimetres (four inches) of snow falls this season, Adams said. Last year's plowing program was run by Jaydan Excavating, for about $50,000. This year's cost will be higher, as last year's plowing extended only as far up the road as lot B.This winter, fees will be charged to use the cross-country trails. Day passes will cost $10 for adults, $5 for youth (aged 13 to 18) and $20 for families. Kids 12 and under are free. Season passes run $99 for adults, $50 for youth and $199 for families. Snowshoe passes will likely be about half the cross-country fees, added parks planning co-ordinator Rebecca Porte. The fee schedule was approved by the SCRD board in May 2006.
Cross-country trails will be groomed four to five days per week this year, by both SCRD staff and volunteers, Porte said. Some volunteers will also be required for "human grooming" on the snowshoe trails - simply walking on them to break trail after fresh snow has fallen. Dogs won't be allowed on most trails, but a 1.5-kilometre section will be opened to dogs who are under control, though not necessarily on a leash.
A ski host meeting held Nov. 4 at the SCRD's offices drew more than 20 people keen to volunteer at the winter recreation area once the snow flies. At least eight volunteers will be required on weekends, with others possibly needed during the week. Duties will include greeting, trail monitoring and applying first aid level one skills. In exchange, volunteers will get free season passes.
Application forms and other Dakota Ridge information can be found by clicking on the Dakota Ridge link on the SCRD's website, www.scrd.ca. The volunteer roster will be determined by the end of this month.
