Omineca Ski Club has opened two snowshoe trails for winter hiking.

The club built two snowshoe trails named Willow Way, 920 metres long, and Firecracker, 1071 metres long. In total, both trails were almost 2.1 kilometres.

Heather Achikoski, Omineca Ski Club president, has said the trails were brand new and there鈥檚 no risk of getting lost. She said the trails were all marked, and anyone could easily navigate their way. She added that the two trails could also be good exercise and a way to get lost in nature.

Although the trails were relatively easy for hiking, the Firecracker is a bit steeper and has more uphill and downhill than the Willow Way.

While hiking on the trails, people can see spectacular birch trees, which Indigenous people used for making canoes, and rabbit footprints were everywhere. Sometimes, grouse could also be spotted. The trails also have ruins and open grounds where people can rest, photograph, or be with nature.

Achikoski said the trails were all looped around with red markings, and each entrance was easy to find. 鈥淪o, no guides needed. You will find your way around the loops,鈥� Achikoski said.

With a lack of snowfall and outdoor activities, Randy Hamp, Omineca Ski Club vice-president, built the trails for people to come and enjoy nature and get some fitness exercises.

Achikoski said seeing more people鈥檚 cars in the parking lot is always good. She said the trails were an additional winter outdoor experience if someone can鈥檛 or doesn鈥檛 want to ski.

Right now, anyone can use the trails as much as they want without limitations. All they need to do is sign their names in the day-use sign-up sheet at the ski club鈥檚 wax cabin, and there are no registration fees. The club suggests using headlamps if someone wants to use the trails at night.

Achikoski said that the trails have no age restrictions on it鈥檚 usage. She said people can also use sleds, baby carriers or wraps to carry their children.

As of now, the club doesn鈥檛 have any snowshoes for rentals. Therefore, people need to bring their own snow shoes.

Cheyenne Murray, Omineca Ski Club鈥檚 secretary, has said that if their current number of members increases, there鈥檚 the possibility of adding snowshoe rentals. 鈥淯ntil then, people need to bring their own snowshoes,鈥� Murray said.

Achikoski added that the club鈥檚 insurance policy increased drastically over the years. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really hoping to increase our membership because that鈥檚 our funding for insurance,鈥� Achikoski said.