Despite the -16 temperatures (-20 with the windchill), the STELIP newcomer recreation program kicked off with a triumphant trip to the Boler Mountain tubing hills this past Saturday, January 06. Featuring 12 newcomer youth between the ages of 8-16, the day’s event was a resounding–if chilly–success and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

For many, this was their first time tubing and so the frequent white-walls of powdery snow forced up into the air and then onto their faces was a shock to say the least. However as they are hardly a group to be dissuaded from having a little fun, any snow was quickly rubbed off of faces with gloved hands before returning to the lift and the top of the hill with tube in tow.

The event, which ran from 11am-1pm followed by a lunch in the newly renovated Boler Mountain chalet, is the first of six planned events over the next seven weeks. Ice skating in Aylmer at the East Elgin Community Complex is next, taking place this Sunday, January 14 at 1pm.