Thursday 22-May'25.

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RAKE, RATTLE & ROLL!
It’s that magical time of year again—hiking boots are stomping, bike tires are spinning, and nature is throwing just enough shade to keep things interesting.
First off, a massive high-five (and maybe a back-pat, if they're into that) to our slightly wild but wonderfully dedicated volunteers who’ve been out there battling fallen branches, rogue logs, and the occasional squirrel side-eye to clear the trails after winter and spring had their messy way with them. Legends.
 
But hey, Mother Nature’s got a sense of humor, so don’t be shocked if a windstorm redecorates your favorite corner of single track overnight. Always keep your eyes peeled for sneaky debris lying in wait like it’s auditioning for a prank show.
 
Now, here’s your chance to shine: rakes have been sneakily stationed along the trails like garden gnomes (look for the fluorescent urine coloured handles) with a purpose. If you spot a trail looking like a leaf explosion happened, feel free to rake it out! Then, just pop the rake somewhere visible for the next good samaritan. 
And speaking of care—got a lonely toonie jingling around in your pocket? Send it on a meaningful journey to one of our bright yellow donation boxes near the lodge. Bike trails don’t pay for themselves (yet), so every little bit helps keep things rolling smoothly.
 
Thanks for being awesome. Now get out there and make some dirt fly—in a responsible, trail-loving way.
Reported on May 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM by Snow Scribe

NEWSLETTER

For those rare and mysterious individuals who somehow resist the irresistible charm of Otway’s newsletters—packed with thrilling updates, enticing offers, and all the latest happenings—fear not! You can still redeem yourself. Click here to catch up on current and past editions. We won’t even judge you (much).

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PLANNING AHEAD

There are no old skiers at Otway. None. Not a single one. However, we do have a few who have enthusiastically redefined the limits of “youthful vigor” (some might say stretched those limits like an overused ski boot liner). If you’re thinking ahead to the day when your enthusiasm for skiing remains boundless, but your balance and joints politely disagree, check out what one particularly stubborn lifelong skier did to keep gliding. Click here—because planning ahead is way cooler than just face-planting into the future.

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GROOMING

Ever wondered how ski grooming works? Some folks assume our snowcats just zoom around the trails playing tag, or, on the narrower routes, a thrilling game of hide and seek. And yes, on the steeper sections, there may be some sideways surfing involved (purely for entertainment purposes, of course). When things get dull, the operators occasionally engage in synchronized stadium laps to see if one snowcat can outwit, outplay, and outrun the other. But alas, this is merely a snow-fueled fairy cat-tale.

If you actually want to understand the real logic behind grooming—where, when, and why it happens—click here while your second cup of coffee is brewing. Bonus tip: If you’re one of those mesmerized souls who obsessively watch the trail map change colors, click on the blinking snowcat icon. That will show you the speed:

  • 2–5 km/h: Slow and steady, battling nasty ice

  • 8–10 km/h: The dream—10 cm of fresh, dry powder on a solid base

  • 14–18 km/h: Skidoo + Ginzoo magic when early-season snow is deep enough to groom but not quite enough for the full snowcat treatment

Basically, grooming is part science, part strategy, and part extreme sport.

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LENGTHY SNOW REPORT

If you think this Snow Scribe can get a bit long-winded in the Grooming Reports (gasp!), then you might get a kick out of Lucy Welsh’s 1,264-word snow report for Sugarbush Resort (Vermont), dated March 1, 2025. It was, shall we say, thorough. Unfortunately, it didn’t stay published for long. Let’s hope she still has a job.

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If you prefer near-local literary value over snow grooming rants, check out this article from Morice Mountain, where the writer waxes poetic about the deeply personal joy of Nordic skiing. Some people really know how to write. Click here and be inspired.

Updated Apr 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM by Snow Scribe

Weather:

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CNSC's year-roundweather station (South side of the Stadium)

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Weather guesses:

Environment Canada

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Weather Network

Accuweather 

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Weather Net

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Weather Channel

Updated Apr 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM