Killarney Guide

 BY KIM LANGEN

Parting from its customary shade of manicured green, the local golf course has been transformed into a wonderful world of white for visitors to enjoy.

That’s because each winter the Killarney Lakeside Golf Club allows its lovely fairways to be enjoyed as a quiet place to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and to simply walk through.

The trail itself is created and maintained by volunteer groomsman Dean Foote, who lives right next door to the club.

“I started it at the golf course a few years ago,” said Foote. “We had to get permission first, and now I do the trails every year.”

Foote says he uses all his own equipment for the task of creating and maintaining the winter trails. 

“I have a snowmobile, a UTV, which is a four wheeler ATV, with seats for two people in it,” he said. “I use it to tow equipment around. I use a packer, and what I do depends on how fluffy the snow is, or how firm it is. The conditions and temperatures also make a difference.”

To make the trail attractive to everyone, he prepares an extra-wide swathe, he said.

“I pack it double-wide, so there’s a trail for walking, one for snowshoeing, and one for skiing,” said Foote. “But you have to be careful laying it out. You have to stay away from the tee-off boxes, the greens, and all the delicate places. The trail is mostly along the tree line. When do I start each year? It depends on the snowfall when I start grooming.”

So does he enjoy cruising the trail himself? Turns out he doesn’t.

“My wife Heather loves cross country skiing,” said Foote. “And I enjoy doing the trail. I love seeing the people, and especially the kids. It’s there for everyone to use. It’s right here at the golf course, free for everyone.”

And on Wednesday afternoon, an intrepid pair from Winnipeg was out enjoying the wonderful mild temperatures, and even some sunshine.

“We are escaping husbands, and children, for a couple of days,” said Nicole Bérubé, who was out skiing with her mother, Monique Bérubé. The pair, from Winnipeg, said they had booked into the camping Domes at Pleasant Valley, and were having a lovely two-day break from the big city.

“The trail is great, but a little icy today, and we are using borrowed skis,” said Nicole, who said she knew the area from previous work as a pharmaceutical rep. “So we are walking the trail too. It’s just beautiful here. In the summer, and in the winter.”

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER GOLF COURSE GETAWAY – Monique Bérubé (left) and her daughter Nicole Bérubé hit the Killarney Lakeside Golf Course cross-country ski trail on Wednesday to enjoy the lovely mild weather. It was part of a two-day holiday for the Winnipeg duo, who added that glamping in style at the ‘Domes’ at Pelican Lake/Pleasant Valley was also wonderful.