by Cross Country Nova Scotia, Staff, Jan 21, 2022
GREENWOOD, NS: Scotia XC Ski Club is pleased to announce a new groomed trail location, spanning 6.5 km for cross-country skiing, at the Greenwood Golf Club. The village of Greenwood is located in the Annapolis Valley, 4 km south of Kingston. The new venue will provide grooming for both skate skiing and classic techniques, when conditions permit. Dedicated volunteers at Scotia XC Ski Club have worked diligently to form partnerships with the Greenwood Golf Club, to provide this opportunity. The 14 Wing Community Centre will be supporting and encouraging people to spend time outdoors enjoying the trails. Approximately 4,500 people reside in Greenwood, while 60,000 residents are located in Kings County.
Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the trails on cross-county skis – membership to the golf course is not required. If skiers enjoy the groomed trails, they are encouraged to join Scotia XC Ski Club to help support grooming expenses. Learn more about Scotia XC Ski Club membership information (click link). The club is 100% volunteer-powered.
Inaugural Groom – January 21, 2022
Lorenzo Caterini, head of grooming operations for Scotia XC, made the inaugural groom today, January 21, 2022. Trails were groomed for skate skiing and classic track was set. A Ginzu groomer with a double track setter will be used to set classic tracks, when snow depth is sufficient. This area receives significant snowfall. According to Environment Canada’s Daily Data Report, Greenwood has received 80cm of snow this month (click this link to view). The current snow depth is estimated as 30cm – 40cm.
Grooming will follow the layout of this links style course, which winds its way around the Annapolis River and through stands of pine and oak forests. The scenery is incredible! The trails are groomed over gentle rolling terrain and flat areas. There are also slight gradients. It is a beginner-friendly trail system. An overall “must-do” cross-country skiing experience in our province.
Scotia XC Ski Club has partnerships to groom 9 trail systems across Halifax Regional Municipality and western Nova Scotia. Due to construction projects, two of these venues cannot be groomed for cross-country skiing this year. The new grooming project is being led by Lorenzo Caterini. Cross-country ski trail expansion and grooming are among many volunteer contributions that Caterini has made to cross-country skiing. In 2020, he was named Nordiq Canada’s Volunteer of the Year (click here), along with receiving the 2021 Support4Sport Volunteer of the year award (click here).
“The trails are also great for families. Groomed trails are wonderful for getting out with kids or older family members. There are always some people who love breaking snow and heading out onto the back country, but these trails will be very skiable.”
LORENZO CATERINI | HEAD OF GROOMING | SCOTIA XC SKI CLUB
“This will be a destination,” says Caterini. “People will come from all over Nova Scotia, they’ll spend a couple days, eat out and ski. It should a wonderful venue, with good snow depth – we’re hoping to get four to eight kilometres of trail out of it.”
Jill Jackson is the community recreation manager. Jackson spoke with The Aurora News about the many opportunities these trails will provide within the community. “This is another outdoor pursuit, where people can be outside and be together,” she says. “We’re excited – on a Saturday, we could bring our centre’s snowshoes and skis over, and have staff here to pass them out to families to try. Maybe we do hot chocolate, or a moonlight ski – we’ll watch the weather and conditions and post on Facebook if we can plan some special events.”
Photos
Scotia XC Ski Club’s first groom, January 21, 2022.
Caterini grooming at Greenwood Golf Club. Photo credit, Aurora News. View post by Aurora News (click here).
Photos by H.Heim. First day on the groomed tarils, January 22, 2022.
Speed Limit 35 km/h
Greenwood XC Ski Club is located within the 14 Wing, Canadian Forces Base, which is the largest airbase in the East coast. Note that the speed limit on the roads is 35 km/h within the base property.
Skiing Only on Trails
No walking or skiing with dogs is permitted at this location. Snowshoeing will continue to be permitted on the course, though users are advised to stay clear of the groomed trails.
Parking
Please park at the Greenwood Golf Club. There will be no indoor facilities available.
Scotia XC Ski Club Webpage for Greenwood XC
Cross-Country Ski Loans
For information on sourcing cross-country skis, please contact community recreation at 902-765-1494 local 5341. Recreation departments in Middleton (recoffice@town.middleton.ns.ca) and Berwick (tboylan@berwick.ca) rent cross-country skis. View locations that rent or loan skis across the province by clicking the link below:
>Directory: Trails, Equipment & Weather
Course Layout
Grooming will follow the layout of this links style course, which winds its way around the Annapolis River and through stands of pine and oak forests. View the satellite photo below for a bird’s eye view.
Location
445 Thunderbird Way, Greenwood
Nova Scotia, B0P 1N0
>Google Map (click)
Planning Your Trip
The Aurora Inn is a family owned and operated property that has been welcoming guests to the beautiful Annapolis Valley since 1981. Pets are also welcome at the Inn. Rooms offer pillow top comfort with either one king or two queen beds, all the modern amenities… best of all it’s less than a 10 minute drive to the cross-country ski trails at Greenwood Golf Club. Scotia XC Ski Club members receive a discount. Visit Scotia XC Ski Club website for details (click here)
Restaurants
Support local as you plan your adventure to Greenwood XC. Check out The Roof Hound Brewing Company and the Green Elephant Cafe and Waffles.
Learn more the Roof Hound Brewing Company by visiting their website (click here).
Check-out the Green Elephant Cafe and Waffles, view their Facebook site (click here).
Scotia XC Ski Club
Check it out! Scotia XC Ski Club grooms nine trail systems across Halifax Regional Municipality and western Nova Scotia. This club provides lessons for youth through adult in classic and skate techniques. Scotia XC Ski Club also coordinates events, races, and social skis. Visit their website and social media outlets to learn more.
Links
Cross Country Nova Scotia 