Those clear nights still chill down the snowpack making travel across it an easy task compared to the deep powdery snows of December. Late February through late March are typically the best times to enjoy a ski or snowshoe.

The hard pack allows you to traverse most terrain, while the snow re-crystallized makes the going easy. Now is the time to break away from the groomed trails and find some adventure and new views out beyond.

Don't worry much about getting lost. At Fourth of July, Skip Truscott has signs and maps posted well out beyond the grooming and if you venture further you can always back track yourselves.

A tour through the Twisted Klister circuit last weekend demonstrated to me that the backcountry and snowshoe use in these areas is on the upswing. Trails that typically have a track or two had been well traveled. Trails newly opened this year are being used to make circuits on this side of the ski and snowshoe area.

As I pulled up out of the parking lot on Monday, President's Day, there were as many cars parked at the Skywalker Access, than down in the parking lot. Those of us who have cleared roads and placed signs out beyond the old limits of the area are gratified to see this uptick in activity.

We only regret that the December run of snow piled up so quickly that we were unable to get the Twisted Klister warming hut completed as planned. We plan to build it this spring as a test and then take it back down. The practice should make it easier to construct as the ski and snowshoe season starts next year.

The March meeting is set for Tuesday March 3rd. As usual the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the Forest Service's Fernan Ranger Station. Park in the back parking lot and enter by the lower rear entrance. Our March meeting is the annual business meeting for the club. This year we will have the revised bylaws to place before the membership. The Board is working toward nonprofit status (501c(3)) designation by the IRS. In the process we discovered the bylaws were some ten years out of date. These have been revised to update them. They will be placed before the membership for approval of the changes. In addition it is time for election of officers.

After the business meeting the fun will begin. Awards will be made for those "Ya I Du Ski" kilometers covered. Please get your Ya I Du Ski sheets to Roberta Truscott on or before Saturday, February 28th. I hope she will accept a few late ones from the folks going to Beaver Lodge the weekend of February 28th and March 1st. The annual Liar's Contest will then get started. Here is your chance to share your wildest tale (truth optional) with your fellow skiers. The most accomplished liar will be recognized as the annual champion. Typically, Ole makes an appearance during the contest to share a joke or two and possibly a witty observation. I hope to see you at the next meeting sharing your best story of the season.