Snowy days are in the forecast for the 100 Mile Nordic Ski Club's 2024/2025 season.
The club is currently accepting new memberships and season pass registrations along with a 10 per cent discount for those who sign up before Dec. 1 this year. According to Chris Keam, president of the 100 Mile Nordic Ski Club, the early bird discount was introduced to thank the community for their support last year, despite a lack of snow.
"Last year was not great by any stretch of the imagination - it was a terrible year for all the ski areas in the Cariboo. With this year looking like it's going to be pretty good actually, we wanted to really encourage people to get a seasons pass and come out - like I say, the long-range forecast is for a cold and wet winter, and that bodes well for us," Keam stated, referring to last winter's warm conditions which led to little to no snow.
Typically, around 200 people usually sign up for the Nordic's season passes. Keam said people should sign up for the season because it is a great value.
"At this point, for a single adult to sign up, it's under $200 per year. It was $185 and some change for myself to sign up and all the board members pay the regular price," Keam said "Hard to find a better deal."
As for when the season is going to begin, Keam cannot say, because of the weather.
"In the past, we usually would have opened up anywhere from before Christmas to after Christmas. It's always hard to say."
Usually, during opening day, there is nothing too formal, Keam explained, and the track set would just be ready for people to go skiing. However, he said that having an event during opening day would be a "good idea."
"Perhaps we should do something special."
As for when the trails will be prepared, Keam reiterated it really depends on the snowfall.
"We just need snow. The trails are in place, so all we need to do is to get the snow on them, and then the machines can get out and pack it down and lay the tracks."
Events that are planned by Keam this season include a solstice celebration on Dec. 21 (which marks the Winter Solstice) where an effigy of a goat is burned among other activities. Keam said the effigy burning is a "fine Scandinavian tradition of burning something to welcome the return of the light, on the shortest day of the year." In addition, there is also a planned annual ski swap in November, and the Teck Northern Cup #3 race in February.
"That's the annual regional cup series, and youth racing primarily," Keam remarked. "It'll take place on Feb. 22 - races will come from around the region, and even further away generally to race for the day and compete for the overall standards." There will be categories for all ages to compete.
Keam is optimistic that this year will be a good one for the Nordics.
"I believe that we'll be smiled upon by the snow gods, if you will, and we'll have an early snowfall that we can pack down and get a good base for the season ahead."
Keam said those who want to register for the season can go to 100milenordics.com and follow the season pass link to sign up.
