It may be winter, but that doesn't mean we can't be moving.
That's the message the City and a local club want to get out to the public for the Family Day long weekend in February.
The City of Humboldt has officially declared February 16-18 as Family "InMotion" weekend in Humboldt, and they are opening up their facilities to encourage whole families to get active and remain active even through the winter months.
The Carlton Trail Ski Club (CTSC) is partnering with the City in the weekend's activities, offering learn to ski classes, and opening up their courses in Humboldt and the Dixon area to promote their sport.
In fact, it was a member of the ski club who had the idea to declare this weekend Family InMotion weekend in the first place.
CTSC member Brian Grest is the Horizon School Division liaison to the InMotion School action Committee. He knew that Saskatoon had declared Family Day weekend InMotion weekend last year, and thought it would be a good idea for Humboldt to do so as well.
He approached the City of Humboldt with the idea, and received support right away.
Grest got the impression that the City felt this was the type of thing the community needs to promote and offer here.
Mike Ulriksen, the City's Events and Conference Manager, confirmed that.
"Anytime we can get families in motion together... it's a huge benefit to us," Ulriksen said.
They want to encourage people to be active and use the city's facilities - that's what they are there for.
This weekend, he said, gives them an opportunity to partner with the ski club. Together, they can really promote the weekend and make it about getting out and getting active in the community.
To that end, on Sunday, February 17, there will be three events taking place.
The first, at 11 a.m. at the Humboldt Public School gym and grounds, is a "Try Cross-Country Skiing" event with the CTSC.
The free event will offer adults and youth an introduction to cross-country skiing equipment, along with some basic instruction. Those under 16 have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Then at 2 p.m., the CTSC is holding a "Match Your Time Ski and Snowshoe Races" at the Humboldt Golf Course, starting at the Clubhouse and using the skiing course on the back nine.
Participants, who will pay a small fee, will go out on the course, and have their time recorded. After a break, not knowing the time they had before, they will go out again and try to finish as closely as possible to their first time.
"It doesn't matter how fast or slow you ski," Grest said. "It's how consistent you ski."
Even those who don't ski very fast have a great chance of winning this event. "They still have as good a chance as anyone," Grest said.
The clubhouse will be open that afternoon, with a concession, and a bonfire will be held in the parking lot.
Members of the Humboldt Fire Department will be on hand to light and extinguish the fire, Grest noted.
Also on Sunday, starting at 3 p.m., there will be free public skating at the Elgar Petersen Arena (EPA), courtesy of the City.
On Monday, the City is offering a Loonie Family Swim - it will cost just a dollar for each family member to swim, starting at noon.
Free public skating will also be offered in the EPA that afternoon.
At 1 p.m., the CTSC will be holding a Family Day Outdoors at their Dixon Clubhouse and Trails. For a small fee, anyone is invited to bring their cross -country skis, snowshoes or toboggan and enjoy the day at Dixon. There will be horse-pulled sleigh rides and a wiener roast as well.
"It's a wholesome, old-fashioned get-together out at Dixon," is how Grest described it.
No ski equipment will be provided that day, it was noted.
"It's bring your own stuff and have your own fun," Grest said.
The ski events, Grest noted, are weather dependent. If there's a -25C windchill that day, the events outdoors will be cancelled.
Cross-country skiing is growing in popularity in this region this winter. Club membership is up, which is great news for the sport, club promoters feel.
"Cross-country skiing is one of the most, if not the most, healthy activity a person can do,"Grest said. "As a club, we are really trying to promote our sport."
What makes it so healthy, he explained, is the arm movements required.
"It's a full body workout.... and an amazing cardio workout," he said. "And everyone can do it. Our youngest club member is four years old, and the oldest member is in his 80s. It's a lifelong activity"
School curriculums are now promoting lifelong activities, Grest said.
"We want our students to take part in activities they continue on with when they are in their 70s and 80s."
Cross-country skiing is also a family activity, he said, because everyone in the family can do it, from the youngest member to the oldest.
Club membership costs are low, and allow members to access trails in Humboldt and Dixon. The fees also cover insurance for members.
"We're trying to make it available and affordable to as many people as possible," Grest said.
Cross-country ski equipment is also relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time.
This year, the club has also worked to improve their trails at the Humboldt Golf Club, putting up new signage with trail distances on them, and putting up lights at the trailhead at night.
