Things are a bit more bitter than sweet for a ski club southwest of Portage la Prairie. The Bittersweet Cross-Country Ski Club trails received significant damage during the July 20th Tornado, which also struck Long Plain First Nation. The number of trees down is described as astronomical by one of the ski club's members, and it's going to take no shortage of time or people to help prepare the trails for the season. Ardythe McMaster is a ski club member who lives on site and says they were shocked to see the extensive damage at Long Plain First Nation. However, she says it didn't take long to realize the damage in their own back yard. 

A gnarled tree

"I walked most of the trails, we have 33 kilometres of trails and found that we have over 400 trees down across the trails. That's astronomical, that's more trees than were cut to make the trails in the first place."

She says they want to have the trails available before the snow falls, but says that's no simple task. McMaster says they have two chainsaw operators willing to cut the trees that were brought down by the storm, but says they're not going to need more than that due to concerns over liability. She says they're working to repair a bridge that was damaged by a falling tree, in order to allow full access this weekend when they'll conduct an assessment to see how extensive the issues are. She says once the full extent of the damage is understood, they'll likely need some additional manpower to help clear the trees cut by the chainsaw operators.

McMaster says it's not unusual for club members to be busy this time of year. She says they often have volunteers coming down to trim the trees that often grow into the trails over the summer. However, she says this year they're dealing with a much greater amount of work.

"This year instead of clippers we need manpower. Plus, we still have to do the clipping. It's going to be a busy time here. We'll all have big muscles by the time it's all done." McMaster says with a laugh.

McMaster hopes to see the trails fully operations by the winter but says that's easier said than done. She notes with such an extensive trail system, with a variety of trail types, they really need to make sure they can have something for everyone once the snow falls.

"There are various degrees of difficulty scattered around, so you can't have just the easy ones or the hard ones open, you have to have a variety. In addition to that, we have a thriving Jack Rabbit club, and they come out every Saturday so we have to have their trails ready as well."

She says if anyone wants to assist with the clearing of the trails they can contact her at 252-3270. However, she asks that you wait until after this weekend so they can get a good luck at just how much support they'll need.