The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - December 11, 2007
TRAILS IMPROVE AT CHINA RIDGE
How wonderful to wake up Tuesday morning to four inches of fresh powder snow...just in time for the start of the 2007/08 ski season!
Princeton's very own China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association has been busy with plans for an active season, with better and more comfortable facilities in the works. Made possible through generous support received from local businesses and individuals, this group has been working on several important upgrades.
You will no doubt enjoy our new rustic zigzag fence and spiffy metal gate, custom-made by Pat Hayes, at the entrance to the China Ridge trails! Much-appreciated donations from Keith at Princeton Post & Rail made this project possible.
CRCCSA was busy out in community over the past few weeks raising money and support for their Longhouse Project which will hopefully be matched by the Community Gaming Grant they have applied for. Strong community support proves the public warming hut combined with an equipment storage facility will be very welcome up at the trailhead.
The club would like to thank the following contributors: Princeton & District Community Forest, Town of Princeton, RDOS, Upper Similkameen Indian Band, Ministry of Tourism, Sport & the Arts, Princeton Rotary Club, All Purpose Roofing, Ty French Heating, Kabar Resources Ltd, Princeton Chamber of Commerce and Princeton Glass Company.
A very special thank you goes to Sharon Anderson who was 'Sleepless in Coalmont' many a night compiling the grant application requirements.
It was a real club effort and members dedicated many hours to ensure the feasibility of the project.
This year an intersecting trail has been developed so that the snowshoers can easily access the China Loop warming shelter.
China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association members are an active group of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy cross-country (nordic) skiing on over 24 kilometres of track-set trails. China Ridge is located only 7 kilometres from Princeton (turn at Deer View Estates, accessing Snowpatch Road from the Tulameen Road). The flat groomed trail around the Princeton Airport is just on the edge of town.
Our two excellent and quite different facilities are maintained by the volunteer work of dedicated club members. Both venues provide wonderful and varied opportunities for the enjoyment of our sport. The China Ridge ski runs are well marked with maps available at the trailhead and at various locations throughout the trail system.
We invite you to enjoy our trails boasting a variety of terrain for all abilities. China Ridge offers the skier many wonderful views of the surrounding hills and valleys. There are convenient warming shelters located on several trails.
China Ridge even provides us with a loop trail that is dog and snowshoe friendly, however the majority of trails discourage dogs in order to keep the tracks in tip-top shape for the enjoyment of all!
China Ridge Ski Assn. has many great events planned for the approaching winter season.
Our Annual Club Events include:
- Moonlight Ski Evenings with Potluck Dinners,
- Lantern Ski Evening,
- Group Ski Outings,
- Plus trips to join in neighbouring Okanagan Loppets (races).
We would love to have you join our club! Please drop by An Ounce of Prevention Natural Foods on Vermillion Avenue, or contact Shirley Campbell at (250) 295-3379.
Membership is $40 per adult, children under 19 $10. Family memberships are to a maximum of $100.
Why not come out, get a little fresh air, meet some new friends and join the fun!
