Martha Jeacle
The Rideau Winter Trail is a free recreational trail groomed from Donald Street to Bank Street for cross country skiing (skate and classic), walking, snow shoeing and fat biking.
It is run entirely by volunteers, with support from the City of Ottawa, the NCC, some government grants, amazing sponsors and donations from community members. Visit www.rideauwintertrail.ca to learn more.
Q&A with Peter Nor (aka Groomer Pete)
Trail prep starts well in advance of the snow falling, right? What does that involve?
Prep for next season starts during the current season. We are always looking for input on how to improve the trail by listening to users, skiing, grooming, and observing where wind is blowing the snow. Then we take a break and go do non-trail stuff!
In late summer we finalize our plans for the coming season and coordinate with our partners. Important preseason activities include grass cutting, tree and brush clearing, coordination with waste removal and snow clearing. Our partners at the National Capital Commission and City of Ottawa are great to work with!
How do you determine when you can do the first grooming of the season?
There are a couple factors mostly to avoid damage to the land around the trail. We look for at least 10cm of snow on the ground. In the early season we try to pack the snow as much as possible so that we have a good base that will last. This means that until we get enough snow we cannot set tracks for classic skiing without damaging the ground underneath the snow and our equipment.
When the snow is falling during the season, how do you decide when to groom?
That’s a tricky one and one that can often result in much discussion in the grooming shed. Generally, the snow needs a couple of hours to set after being groomed and before being used. Ideally, we look for temperatures to be in -1 to -10C range.
What kind of equipment does it take to groom an urban winter trail?
We have been improving our stable of equipment every year. Equipment we use for the RWT is considered light equipment and includes a variety of implements that are dragged behind an ATV or snowmobile.
For packing deep and fluffy snow we use a roller that is basically a very large rolling pin, two feet in diameter and eight feet long.
When snow is icy or compacted from being walked and skied on, the snow requires renovation by chopping up the hard snow and breaking it down to a nice power. This is where our light equipment has limitations compared to a snow-cat that you would see at a ski resort. But we are able to get really good results; sometimes it just takes more passes.
Once that snow is “just right” we form it into the nice corduroy pattern and, if we have enough snow depth, we set tracks for classic skiing.
How long does it take to groom the RWT from end to end?
This depends on which equipment we are using and the conditions. Heavy snowfalls and ice slow down operations significantly and a full groom can easily take six to eight hours.
How do you determine how to set the trail around the Hurdman Hills?
We have been refining the trail in this area annually and have some great improvements for this season. It is a balancing act that includes identifying where the snow accumulates, finding a good fall line and avoiding places where water flows and erodes the snow or the wind blows drifts.
For this season, we have a new trail added in this area which means a better loop and no need to cross pavement.
How do you deal with freezing rain that mother nature delivers on occasion?
Another factor that impacts when we start grooming. If we have snow turning to ice rain or vice versa, we wait until everything has fallen and mix it all together.
We are trying our best to avoid making “cement,” which could happen if we groom and then receive freezing rain. Even the heavy equipment at resorts has a hard time with this and our only option is to wait until it warms up if we end up with this situation.
Do you have a favourite part of the trail (although we know you love it all!)?
I have to say that grooming at night in the Hurdman Hills area is spectacular and I often see wildlife that I cannot believe lives in the city. That being said, meeting folks that are enjoying the trail anywhere makes me happy.
Anything interesting about the grooming process that Groomer Pete would like to share?
Don’t get me started. The engineer in me gets excited about the physics of snow and realizing that I have lots to learn. I love being outside and the snow is like a huge zen garden that I get to play with.