VA3TJP Skiing
- If you live in Canada, then you gotta enjoy snow and ice. In the right place, that is.
- The right place for snow is on a hill and under either a pair of skis or a snowboard. Well, yes, I know there are people out there who make a big thing about cross-country skiing and there are some who like to skate, but horizontal snow and ice just doesn't cut it.
- We don't have big ski hills very close to Ottawa but we sure have lots of little ones and you don't have to go too far to find those bigger hills in the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships, Vermont or New York State.
- Within an hour's drive of Ottawa there are Mont St. Marie and Calabogie Peaks if you're looking for challenging longer runs; there are Camp Fortune, Edelweiss and Mont Cascades for a quick dash out of the city; and there is Mount Pakenham for the beginning skier; these are only half of the ski hills in the immediate vicinity.
- If you're a strong skier (that doesn't mean a fast daredevil or even a super-stylish skier, just one who is competent and comfortable in all sorts of skiing conditions) then why not consider joining the Canadian Ski Patrol ? Shirley-Anne and I have been ski patrollers for the past ten years or so and we both enjoy the activity. What do ski patrollers do ? First and foremost, they promote safe skiing - by ensuring there are not undue hazards on the hills. Nevertheless, skiing is inherently a hazardous sport and so we are also trained and practised in aiding accident victims, primarily in getting them to the emergency medical services without additional hazards to themselves or others. Secondly, ski patrollers have a great deal of fun. And thirdly, they do a great deal of skiing.....
- C.S.P.S., The Canadian Ski Patrol System, runs First Aid courses for would-be patrollers. These are generally held in the Fall of each year, require a total 60 hours of your time with a twice-weekly attendance, some additional on-hill training and most importantly a comittment of time, usually two full days alternate weekends throughout the ski season. If this suits your style of life and so on, then contact:
CSPS, Gatineau Zone, P.O.B. 2792, Station D, Ottawa ON K1P 5W8
(613) 860 2777
You can get a lot more information at www.csps-gat.org
