Mount Joy Snow Resort is now top-of-mind as a great place for runners, mountain bikers and hikers to train and explore year-round.
More than 40 people discovered this during a successful trail awareness run and barbecue at the facility on the evening of July 31.
The group included first-time visitor, Savauna Green, who sometimes runs with the Lloydminster Runners Club.
“I’ve run with all this group before and everyone’s talked about how great it is, I thought I’d join,” she said while enjoying the surroundings.
“It looks great. I’m actually excited to do the trails tonight.”
Mount Joy board secretary, Sheldon Gallagher called the event a first-of-its-kind informal summer run day.
“It’s more about getting people out and knowing that Mount Joy is here and what we have to offer,” he said.
“We’re pretty excited to see this many people and lots of new faces. This is awesome.”
Gallagher and other volunteers spent the last three days mowing and trimming and getting the trails so everyone gets a really good experience.
“These trails are incredible,” said Mackenzie Brown, a regular trail user and ultra marathoner.
“There’s enough “vert” and steep sections that you can train for any race in North America out here.”
Brown is currently using the trails to gear up for the upcoming Black Spur 54-km Ultra in Kimberly (B.C.) and the Lost Soul Ultra 100 km in Lethbridge.
He says the Mount Joy trail network has something for everybody.
“For bikers, there’s some stuff that’s not too steep. Tonight, I brought poles because I’m doing some of the hard sections and there’s some technical downhills, single track —it’s kind of got it all,” said Brown.
“Out here you can hike, run and also a lot of guys come out here to mountain bike.”
Brown is a season trail pass holder who was thrilled to see so many more people turn up to give the trails a try.
“This is great. The passes out here go to support Mount Joy, so the more people we can get out here using the trails and buying passes, it keeps this hill alive,” said Brown.
“This event is incredible, a great way to get people out to experience what Mount Joy has to off to offer in the summer.”
Brian Stevenson is another trail pass holder who uses the trail network a few times a week, mainly for running, but also as a base for Nordic ski training on his skate roller skis on the pavement.
“I come out here sometimes during the week and for sure, most weekends. It’s great. It’s the best place to get elevation around Lloyd,” he said.
As for the trail conditions this year, he says they’re good.
“If we could just get rid of the cows we’d be golden.”
The event was sponsored by Brad Hoffman, who owns the 4th Meridian Brewing Co. with his wife, Helen, and is a frequent user of Mount Joy’s trails.
“I ride my mountain bike through here a lot. It’s awesome. It’s a hidden gem most people don’t know about,” he said.
Hoffman was also selling some beer, seltzer and chelada, which he says is a like a beer and clamato, to support the resort.
“The proceeds go back to Mount Joy so they can pay for their insurance to be open all year round instead of just the winter,” said Hoffman.
“I’m glad to be here— one of my favourite places in Lloyd.”
Mount Joy is located 20 minutes south of Lloydminster on Range Road 20.
Read More: Mount Joy opens summer season
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