BOU AVENUE
Nelson Nordic Ski Club
Philip Walters, Zosia Zgolak and I visited the Nelson Nordic Ski Club just outside Nelson, British Columbia on 26 December 2016.  Zosia generously paid for all our trail fees ($13 per adult per day), and we proceeded to ski virtually the entire trail system except for a few kilometres past the Clearwater Shelter and another short loop at the end of the Euphrates trail section.  Unbeknownst to us, the Beaumont loop--the only "Advanced" trail in the whole system--was unmaintained, and we made the mistake of strenuously climbing and breaking trail only to find the upper part of the loop overgrown with bushes and impassable.  Overall, most of the trails are groomed and easy almost to the point of being boring, but a few of the short side loops along the Clearwater trail are a little narrower and offer a few short-lived thrills.
The lavish entrance belies the simplicity of the ski club. Sonny and Philip sort out their ski gear at the entrance to the Nelson Nordic Ski Club.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
I feel a little over-dressed... Sonny enjoys the nicely groomed Apex trail.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
This creek eventually becomes the Salmo River. A slow-moving creek lends itself to the tranquil atmosphere of the ski trails.
Let's race! The trails are wide enough to accommodate both skate skiing and classic skiing.
Why the heck am I breaking trail?? I want my money back!! Philip follows Sonny up the ungroomed Beaumont trail.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
Are we having fun yet? Zosia takes a turn at breaking trail.
Yep, I draw the line at breaking trail AND bushwhacking! After about 0.8 kilometres of strenuous trail breaking (with about 60 metres of elevation gain), Zosia concedes that it is not worth continuing past this point where Beaumont trail abruptly ends.
Good grief... While retreating back along Beaumont trail, Sonny wipes out in deep powder.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
Okay, let's not break trail anymore today! Back on Apex trail, Zosia adjusts her pack while Philip emerges from Beaumont trail.
Why did the skier cross the road? Because he didn't want to be on the same side as the snowshoer! Zosia and Philip take their skis off to cross Highway 6 and get to Busk parking lot (access to Clearwater, Busk and Euphrates trails).
I was beginning to think that I would never see the sun again... A bit of sunshine lights up the ridge behind Zosia as she skis up Clearwater trail.
This shelter seems unnecessary. The Clearwater Shelter is a simple A-frame enclosed with plastic vapour barriers.
Uhhn! There are some 'interesting' places to visit along Busk trail.
By the Rivers of Babylon? Part of Euphrates trail runs alongside Salmo River.
Best view of the day? A chunk of snow and ice sits precariously atop a rock in the middle of Salmo River.
This could possibly be my longest day of cross-country skiing ever! Philip and Sonny warm up at the Apex Shelter after their long day of skiing.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
I am never going to ski this trail system again. Total Distance:  26.8 kilometres
Total Time:  6 hours 17 minutes
Net Elevation Gain to Hut:  143 metres

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