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Family Jewels - East
Ski Martock, Nova Scotia
Located near Windsor, NS, Ski Martock’s elevation measures up to a geographically challenged 150 metres, but the staff is making it work. A combination of solid freestyle terrain and a healthy snowmaking obsession makes Martock Nova Scotia’s safest bet for a day on the slopes this winter.
In a province where the only consistent snowfall happens in dreams, making your own snow is a must. Martock scored the rights to test the snowmaking equipment that will be used in the Whistler Olympics, and the resort is pushing it to the limit. On a good day, Martock’s snow guns can shower the hill’s nine trails with nine tons of snow a minute.
The majority of these trails are intermediate, with one beginner course. Shane’s Solution, along with the Strawberry Jinx terrain park and the halfpipe, are considered Martock’s expert runs.
Since all the snow guns in the world won’t make Martock any higher, the resort has smartly focused on its terrain park and halfpipe to create an entertaining ski experience. Turning out Olympic snowboarders like Trevor Andrew and Sarah Conrad shows the little hill’s commitment to big air.
New for this year, Martock is also creating a separate beginner terrain park with mini jibs where younger kids and people who’ve just decided to start shredding the gnar can practise before hitting the more advanced park and pipe.
All the runs, including the terrain parks and halfpipe, are lit for night skiing until 10 p.m. Wednesdays are a special treat for night skiers because the halfpipe gets smoothed out and the terrain park is groomed just before sunset to give the after-work warriors a chance to score dawn-patrol conditions after dark.
With the brevity of Martock’s runs, it can seem as if you’re spending a lot of time on the single quad. Sunny weekends and school field trips can stretch the wait times in line. If the line for the chairlift is filled with moms and/or people wearing the Nova Scotia Snowsuit (rental skis, jeans and a bomber jacket), you’d be better off checking out one of the two T-bars. The T-bars are also your quickest route back to the top of the halfpipe.
Chances are, if you’re visiting Nova Scotia, you didn’t come just for the skiing. If Nova Scotia’s capital city of Halifax is your destination, Martock is an easy 45-minute drive away. Halifax is second only to St. John’s, NF, for most bars per person in Canada. Here you’ll find all manner of debauchery, from traditional Irish pubs like The Old Triangle, where you can enjoy a pint, some traditional music and a bite to eat, to round-the-clock gambling and drinking at Casino Nova Scotia.
There are plenty of places to stay in Halifax for all budgets. If you’re looking to splurge, try The Lord Nelson Hotel just off Spring Garden Road, the city’s main shopping district. If you’re a freelance ski writer, or just poor like one, check out the Halifax Backpackers Hostel located on Gottingen Street near SeaDog’s Sauna & Spa, which is less a place to get a relaxing massage and more of a male bath house (not that I’ve ever been).
If you’d rather be closer to the hill than the city, there are several B&Bs and motels within a few minutes of Martock. The Clockmaker’s Inn is a historic Victorian property run by a couple of local skiers. The Downeast Motel offers affordable rooms and is attached to a Chinese restaurant.
Much like a motel attached to a Chinese restaurant, Ski Martock isn’t exactly something you’d go out of your way to find. But discovering Martock’s commitment to rippable, snow-covered terrain can be a delicious treat if you happen to be in the neighbourhood. —Ken MacIntosh
DNA
Summit elevation: 183 m
Vertical: 183 m
Terrain: Nine runs; one beginner, five intermediate, three expert
Snowfall: Man-made
Lifts: One quad, two T-bars, two rope tows
Adult ticket: $35
Season: December to March
Info: martock.com
Caption: Serving Sunnyvale since 1965.
Killam photo
