While skiing may still be the farthest thing from most people’s minds, the Cariboo Ski Touring Club’s directors and volunteers have been working through the off-season to prepare for what promises to be an amazing winter.

There have been a fistful of great additions at Hallis Lake, including new trails, signage, lodge and facility upgrades.

Skiers will be overwhelmed with the skiing and snowshoeing opportunities at Hallis Lake this winter.

Through government grants and the sweat of volunteers and contractors, club members and visitors alike will be greeted to:

• indoor washrooms in the lodge to promote more lodge rentals,

• upgrades to the biathlon range for an improved race experience during BC Cups,

• a lit track extension,

• extended snowshoe trail,

• new ski trails,

• extended dog loop,

• upgrades to the staging area including outdoor waxing to facilitate competitive and recreational skiers from all over the Cariboo at events like the Hallis Lake Loppet and Hallis Lake Elementary School Races.

And we’ve heard the voices of the novice skiers who asked for flatter trails and more signage.

Pancake Flats connects the lodge to the biathlon area in a short loop that will not disappoint beginner skiers for it lives up to its name.

And it will be easy to find the new trails with upgraded directional signs and trailhead markers.

The new Canis Lupus trail links into the existing dog loop extending it for another few kilometres, the trail can also be skied independently, and provides a shorter ski for smaller canines getting long in tooth, or maybe their owners.

Furthermore, the club has introduced a longer loop style snowshoe trail that heads up to two separate lookout points for stunning views of Dragon Lake and the Quesnel River.

But don’t wait until the ski season starts to check out all of the changes at Hallis Lake, come and enjoy the canopy of fall colors hiking or biking the new trails or existing trail system today.

Club memberships are available at Rocky Peak Adventure Gear and on the website: www.caribooski.ca.

Sunshine Borsato is a ski enthusiast and regular contributor to the Observer.