A member of the Olds Nordic Skiers cross-country ski group in the community is frustrated that some trucks were driven across ski trails in the O.R. Hedges area, effectively destroying portions of them.
Warren Smith is the track-setter for the group, which means he builds up and grooms the trails.
The incident occurred on Feb. 26.
"Short of having equipment to grind it all up, there's no way to recover this area for this year," Smith told the Albertan during a tour of the trails.
He said because of the damage and the fact it's late in the year, the area may have to be abandoned as a cross-country ski trail site for the remainder of the season.
A neighbour living nearby saw at least one of the trucks and gave Smith a description.
"One of the trucks, a jacked-up big black Dodge, probably a diesel, was leaving the entrance as I came down 54th (Street). I thought nothing of it as I assumed they had been out for a ski," the witness wrote.
"Only after I got in the house I saw two other vehicles: a beige big Dodge truck - more or less the same as the other one - and a beige/grey Jeep coming from the south the length of Zek Meadow."
When asked if he had gone to RCMP about the matter, Smith said he hadn't, because he doubted that action was actually illegal.
However, he took the matter to town community peace (bylaw) officer Joe Reid.
The Albertan was unable to reach Reid for comment by press time.
"Basically what he said was it belongs to the town; that if persons are interfering with authorized use, they could be subject to a fine (if they could be caught)," Smith said.
Smith track-sets trails in two other locations -- one northwest of Olds and another elsewhere in the town.
"We do have some problems with people walking on the trails, walking their dogs on the trails. We have problems with snowmobiles and quads and occasionally trucks such as this," he said.
"Normally what we find when this happens is that it's based on people not understanding - not knowing that they're causing harm to others."
Smith said sometimes he's been able to follow snowmobile or quad tracks right back to the owner's homes where he's been able to explain what that activity does to the trails.
"I've done that on four occasions and I've talked to the people and what I find is that they say, ëoh, gee you know, we're sorry, we didn't realize. There was snow and we wanted to go on it. And we didn't realize that we were causing harm'," he said.
"I think if people realize that what they're doing causes harm to others, they're very inclined not to do it. I think that's basic human nature. There are always people who go beyond that norm, but I think that's a reality."
Smith noted a sign at the entrance to the area calls on people to "respect the trails" and not walk or ride on them.
He's not sure what more can be done to solve the problem.
He noted there is a gate there, but if that's closed, then "there's no off-street parking for people."
He said if that's done it would not only make it inconvenient for cross- country skiers but also for himself as he unloads machines to create and maintain the trails.
But Smith said in the end, if that's what's necessary to solve the problem, that's what may be done.
Smith said the tracks make it much easier and much more enjoyable for people to cross-country ski.
"What we're trying to do is farm the snow so that we have a good, long season of skiing and that we provide a very smooth track for people to enjoy winter outdoor activity," he said.
"It escalates the pleasure of skiing from being plodding along almost like snowshoes - long snowshoes - to kick and glide, where you can get that great, long glide and you can go fast.
"And that's really our goal: to provide opportunity for people to be active in the winter in our northern climate, to embrace winter," he added.
"I think if people realize that what they're doing causes harm to others, they're very inclined not to do it. I think that's basic human nature. There are always people who go beyond that norm, but I think that's a reality."WARREN SMITH TRACK-SETTER OLDS NORDIC SKIERS
