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
Today
1-3 Days Ago
4-6 Days Ago
7-10 Days Ago
11-14 Days Ago
14+ Days Ago
Closed / Unknown

ABC Distance OpenLast Groomed/ TracksetTrackset
Biathlon
0.36km
GMar 29, 8:01 AM
TMar 29, 8:01 AM
Mar 29, 8:01 AM
Biathlon Bypass
0.24km
GMar 5, 9:23 AM
Birch Bend
2.47km
GMar 28, 9:24 AM
TMar 28, 9:24 AM
Mar 28, 9:24 AM
Bullseye
0.19km
GMar 28, 8:05 AM
TMar 28, 8:05 AM
Mar 28, 8:05 AM
Canada Cup
0.72km
GMar 29, 10:14 AM
TMar 29, 10:14 AM
Mar 29, 10:14 AM
Caretaker Hill
0.32km
GMar 29, 8:15 AM
TMar 29, 8:15 AM
Mar 29, 8:15 AM
Chute
0.92km
GMar 18, 10:48 AM
TMar 18, 10:48 AM
Mar 18, 10:48 AM
Cranbrook Climb
0.49km
GMar 29, 10:06 AM
TMar 29, 10:06 AM
Mar 29, 10:06 AM
Dog Bypass
0.19km
GApr 1, 8:08 PM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Dog's Ears
0.25km
G
Dogonit
2.18km
GApr 3, 8:37 PM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Dogpatch
2.71km
G
T
Eh Climb
1.12km
GMar 28, 10:57 AM
TMar 28, 10:57 AM
Mar 28, 10:57 AM
Fingers
3.56km
GApr 3, 8:38 PM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Firthur Up The Creek
1.13km
GMar 13, 11:50 AM
TMar 13, 11:50 AM
Mar 13, 11:50 AM
Gravel Pit
0.91km
GMar 29, 9:26 AM
TMar 20, 7:56 AM
Mar 20, 7:56 AM
Greenway Corridor
1.18km
GApr 3, 8:37 PM
TMar 29, 10:22 AM
Mar 29, 10:22 AM
Hickory Wing
1.6km
GMar 29, 10:01 AM
TMar 29, 10:01 AM
Mar 29, 10:01 AM
Hickory Wing West
2km
GMar 29, 9:44 AM
TMar 29, 9:44 AM
Mar 29, 9:44 AM
High Five
1.28km
GMar 28, 10:46 AM
TMar 28, 10:46 AM
Mar 28, 10:46 AM
Homecoming
0.11km
GMar 29, 8:52 AM
Iceman
0.56km
GApr 3, 8:37 PM
TMar 29, 8:59 AM
Mar 29, 8:59 AM
Iceman Cutoff
0.3km
GMar 29, 8:18 AM
TMar 29, 8:18 AM
Mar 29, 8:18 AM
Inner 5
1.06km
GMar 18, 10:29 AM
TMar 18, 10:29 AM
Mar 18, 10:29 AM
Jackrabbit
0.36km
G
T
Junior National
1.56km
G
Junior National Connector
0.13km
G
Larch Loop
1.91km
GApr 3, 8:37 PM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Lit Loop
0.13km
GFeb 20, 10:06 AM
TFeb 20, 10:06 AM
Feb 20, 10:06 AM
Lynx
0.79km
GMar 28, 9:48 AM
TMar 28, 9:48 AM
Mar 28, 9:48 AM
Nite Rider
1.26km
GApr 3, 8:37 PM
TMar 29, 10:14 AM
Mar 29, 10:14 AM
Northern Lights
2.55km
GApr 3, 8:38 PM
TMar 23, 9:20 AM
Mar 23, 9:20 AM
Old Biathlon Loop
0.25km
GMar 28, 9:04 AM
TMar 28, 9:04 AM
Mar 28, 9:04 AM
Old Sawmill Loop
1.83km
GMar 17, 10:27 AM
TMar 17, 10:27 AM
Mar 17, 10:27 AM
Paranordic Cutoff
0.12km
GMar 28, 10:11 AM
TMar 28, 10:11 AM
Mar 28, 10:11 AM
Penalty Loop
0.16km
GMar 16, 8:22 AM
Pine Flats
1.46km
GApr 3, 8:38 PM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Pond Cutoff
0.12km
GFeb 23, 12:12 PM
TFeb 23, 12:12 PM
Feb 23, 12:12 PM
Race Maze
1.8km
GApr 3, 8:38 PM
TMar 29, 8:44 AM
Mar 29, 8:44 AM
Raven's Col
2km
GMar 28, 9:31 AM
TMar 28, 9:31 AM
Mar 28, 9:31 AM
Ridgerunner
1.45km
GMar 28, 9:45 AM
TMar 28, 9:45 AM
Mar 28, 9:45 AM
Santa's Cabin Connector
0.21km
GMar 28, 9:09 AM
TMar 28, 9:09 AM
Mar 28, 9:09 AM
Stadium
0.26km
GMar 29, 8:51 AM
TMar 29, 8:51 AM
Mar 29, 8:51 AM
Sun Dog
1.11km
GApr 3, 8:38 PM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Supersprint
0.22km
GMar 29, 7:28 AM
TMar 29, 7:28 AM
Mar 29, 7:28 AM
Teaching Area
0.11km
GMar 29, 8:02 AM
Teardrop
0.51km
GMar 29, 7:32 AM
TMar 29, 7:32 AM
Mar 29, 7:32 AM
The Hub
0.24km
GMar 29, 8:44 AM
TMar 29, 8:44 AM
Mar 29, 8:44 AM
Tigger
1.85km
GMar 30, 6:43 AM
TMar 30, 6:43 AM
Mar 30, 6:43 AM
Top Dog
1.6km
GMar 29, 7:19 AM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Under Dog
0.8km
GApr 3, 8:38 PM
TMar 29, 10:00 AM
Mar 29, 10:00 AM
Up the Creek
0.54km
GMar 29, 9:45 AM
TMar 29, 9:45 AM
Mar 29, 9:45 AM
Upper Parking Lot
0.12km
GMar 29, 10:22 AM
TMar 29, 10:22 AM
Mar 29, 10:22 AM