INUVIK - Now that's she back home from living in Edmonton, Christine Cardinal can't wait to hit the ski trails as often as she can with her boys Liam and Michael.

Christine Cardinal enjoys a Saturday afternoon ski with her son Michael. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

The trio was among about 20 adults and children who used the Inuvik Ski Club trails on Sunday afternoon at its opening for the season.

Christine, who represented Inuvik at both the territorial and Arctic Winter Games competitions in the late 1990s, was happy to reunite with the club.

"I missed it," she said. "I just love skiing. It's just an easy gentle workout. It's a great way to clear your mind."

After less than 10 minutes of skiing, the boys wound up back at the ski hut to warm up, with Michael complaining his cold pinkie finger might fall off. Luckily a steaming cup of hot chocolate put those worries to rest.

He came to ski basically for one reason.

"I just love going down the hill," he said.

The club is once again open for business. After registering either as an individual or a family, skiers get a key to the lodge and are able to ski the lit trails whenever they choose. During the off season volunteers cleared a small sloped area beside the hut specifically for children.

The club has about 12 kilometres of trails, including a tundra trail located well behind the ski hut, which Brian Terry, the club's maintenance director, designed and helped clear.

"It has glorious scenery," he said. "It's a beautiful spectacle; you're going across four little lakes, it's nice, easy skiing."

The club is planning to host some racing competitions this season. The 12-week jackrabbit introductory ski program for youth will be offered again. Lantern skis, which include post-ski potlucks, are being planned as well.

"There's great camaraderie here if you do join," said Terry. "I think today was a good community building effort."

He added skiing is one of the best workouts you can get.

"It's a healthy physical activity, much better than watching TV."

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