Honour Roll
While Nakkertok is the product of many many extraordinary individuals, some stand out and you should know about them.
John Burrows
John Burrows was best known for all of his work associated with the maintaining the #1 trail from Nakkertok North to Nakkertok South.
John started his involvement at Nakkertok back in the late 1970s and did stints as an LTS instructor, and as board member. He was the go-to guy for making new trails and building bridges in ‘the middle kingdom’.
He was nicknamed “the Bushman” for his ability to build anything in some of the most remote locations where Nakkertok skiers would go. John was into making things work again rather than buying new. Epoxy, duct tape and some rope would fix just about anything.
John was also an avid Canadian Ski Marathon participant, completing the gold courier du bois at least 16 times. An inspiration to us all.
He was involved in revitalization plans for Nakkertok North in the late 20-teens.
John passed away on July 22, 2017.
Maurice Holloway
On December 19, 2019 Maurice Holloway passed away after complications from a fall. He was 96 years young. Maurice was a founding member of Nakkertok and worked tirelessly at Nakkertok North to ensure that it was exciting and had a comprehensive trail and cabin system. You most likely met him at Thea’s Race (held in honour of his wife) where he was out on the ski trail ringing his cow bell and presenting the awards.
Toni Scheier
Toni Scheier, was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 2022.
Toni was inducted in the Builder category appropriately, as one of the main motivators behind the Nakkertrak. It was Toni’s efforts that secured a Heinz-Kraft Project Play grant as the initial investment in the Nakkertrak in 2015.
Toni was extensively involved in the development of Canada’s coaching certification system and the launch of the National Training Centre system in the 1990s
Toni served as the Canadian High Performance Director for seven years during his 25 year employment with Cross Country Canada (now Nordiq Canada) and was Team Leader for Canada at two Olympics and three World Championships.
Hans Weber
Hans Weber, a founding member of Nakkertok Ski Club, died on May 25th 2009. Hans was integral to the creation and development of Nakkertok. Most of the ski club trails and cabins are built on land originally owned by Hans and Meg. This land, where he lived in his beautiful log house, he shared with hundreds of skiers every year.
Former Nakkertok President Jim Bradford describes how Hans was the chief engineer when it came time to replace the Ashbury Cabin with what is now called ‘The Bunker’.
“Hans the Engineer, kept finding new ways to solve the problems of demolition and then construction. He unearthed tools and treasures of material from the barn, he and Christoph cut and tractored in beams and posts of cedar and hemlock, and he brought us in power in most mysterious ways. Above all, he kept us going to finish before the snow came, so that Jackrabbits could be grouped and race bibs issued in relative comfort. Nothing that would make our skiing more enjoyable was too much for him.”
Hans was also an advocate. Bradford credits him with convincing Cantley town council in 1991 to relocate its planned municipal offices to the north, instead of right through the Morall Loop.
He died in 2009
Meg Weber
Margaret-Ann (Meg) Weber, a founding member of Nakkertok Ski Club, died Friday November 9th 2012 at age 87. Meg and her husband Hans were both integral to the creation and development of Nakkertok. Most of the South ski club trails and cabins are built on land originally owned by Meg and Hans. The Nakkertok North property is also owned by the Weber and Holloway families and graciously leased to the club.
Meg was born in Axminster in England and went to St. Thomas’s Hospital in London to study Physiotherapy. She emigrated to Canada in 1952 and met Hans in 1954 during a ski trip in the Rockies when Hans pulled her out of an avalanche. The couple had three sons, Christoph, Richard and Adrian or “Adi” (who predeceased his father).
Meg’s passion for the outdoors and cross-country skiing was passed on to their children and grandchildren. The Weber name is part of Canada’s ski racing history – past and present.
The Webers moved to Cantley in 1961 with a “pile of logs” to Cantley from Stittsville to build the beautiful log home that members now pass at the entrance to Nakkertok South. Meg and Hans shared this land and log house with hundreds of skiers every year.
Meg was very active in the local art community as a sculptor, potter and painter. Meg originally made the cups, bowls and plates that we present to winners of Nakkertok races and are treasured by many competitors. One of her sculptures is the Juvenile Girl’s NCD championship trophy.
We thank Meg and Hans, and their family, for their foresight to purchase and preserve the lands that we all now enjoy for our cross-country skiing and other outdoor activities.