As the season ramps up, snowshoers and particularly skiers are finding their way up Dakota Ridge.
“It’s been fantastic, nice weather,” said Urs Pfaeffli, an avid skier who volunteers as a trail groomer at the recreation area. He says the holiday season has been a busy one. From opening day on Dec. 15 until Jan. 2, Dakota Ridge had received 1,350 visitors. For the month of December, 134 season passes were sold, compared to 124 sold last year.
A shuttle bus operated by Alpha Adventures was fully booked every day during the holidays, according to Ema Eden-Jones, manager at Alpha Adventures. “Extra people wanted to go but we’re full,” she said. “Last year through this time we didn’t have three shuttles booked and people still phoning for them.”
She speculates more people from the city are coming to Dakota Ridge because they want to avoid costly passes to Lower Mainland mountains, such as Cypress.
While snowshoeing tends to be more popular than Nordic skiing, Eden-Jones said that changed Christmas Eve. “All of our skis were out. It was incredible. For Christmas Eve, everyone was skiing… Every boot size was gone.”
The business also gave more ski lessons than snowshoe tours over the holidays. She said the trail signage has been upgraded, making trail navigation easier.
All cross-country and snowshoe trails are in excellent condition, according to the SCRD Facebook page, but the road up to Dakota Ridge remains icy and challenging for vehicles without chains and four-wheel drive. Snow pack remains lower than last year, with a base layer of 120 cm compared to 191 cm. “It’s still fairly low, but because it’s packed and there’s been no rain happening, it’s been really awesome,” said Eden-Jones.
And now that the holidays are winding to a close, avid and novice skiers and snowshoers can look forward to the third annual Sunshine Coast Loppet and Snowshoe Challenge, hosted by the Tetrahedron Outdoor Club.
The race takes place on Saturday, Feb. 3. Pfaeffli, chief of the race, expects upwards of 100 people to register. Last year, despite poor weather, 70 people participated.
Loppets are intended as participation races. “We call it a citizen race. Everybody can participate, it’s mass start, there’s no pressure,” said Pfaeffli.
People can register online via the Tetrahedron Outdoor Club website. The registration fee covers the cost of hosting the event.
For daily updates to road and trail conditions, visit the Dakota Ridge Facebook Page.
