Strathcona Nordic Ski Club (SNSC) is Vancouver Island’s cross-country ski club. Our activities are based at Mount Washington Alpine Resort near Courtenay, B.C. Mount Washington boasts over 55 km of groomed trails that cover a variety of terrain. SNSC is a not-for-profit society dedicated to skier development and the promotion of nordic skiing for fun, fitness, recreation, and health. We are also working to improve the infrastructure and facilities for nordic skiers on Vancouver Island. This season we are realizing a long-term goal — sending SNSC officials and skiers to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver!
The club and its activities are organized and run by volunteers and supported through membership fees, fundraising, and sponsorships. We are grateful for the support of our sponsors CIBC Wood Gundy, Pacific Sport, Ski Tak Hut, Government of British Columbia, and Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Our fundraising efforts enable us to hire a head coach to oversee and coordinate skier and coaching development.
The club membership continues to expand, and SNSC has a growing number of racers who compete at provincial, national, and international events. SNSC race organizers and officials received international acclaim for their work in hosting 2009 IPC World Cup races at Mount Washington. Later this winter, these SNSC race officials will be off to officiate at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics!
Board of Directors for 2009 – 2010
- Rob Grantham — President
- Georgina Price — Treasurer
- Sue Bloxsome — Secretary
- Rick Morson — Sponsorship & Fundraising Director
- Rob Trainor — Skier Development & Coaching Director
- Andrea Prager — Membership Director
- Barb Kelly — Communications Director
- Laura Johnston — Rabbits Director
- Andrew Pape-Salmon — Recreation Skier Development Programs Director
- Brian Vandermale — Director at large
- Doug Herchmer — Coach Development Program Director
- Leanne Webster — Social Coordinator
History
Nordic ski clubs enjoy a rich history on Vancouver Island. Cross-country skiers have been taking to the Vancouver Island backcountry for years. There are photos of skiers on Mount Becher in the 1920s. Many of the original nordic ski clubs, like the Nanaimo Nordics and the Discovery Nordics, based their activities on backcountry trips. Several outdoor and mountaineering clubs, such as the Alberni Valley Outdoor Club, hiked in the summer and skied in the winter.
During the 1960s and 70s the development of downhill facilities at Green Mountain, Mount Arrowsmith, Forbidden Plateau, Mount Washington, and Mount Cain provided access and a basis for the development of track skiing facilities. New nordic ski clubs like the Vancouver Island Nordics emerged.
Track skiing at Mount Washington began with the Paradise Meadows loop and Lake Trail. This was initiated by local nordic clubs in cooperation with BC Parks. Early Loppets consisted of multiple loops of the Paradise Meadows and one year even circumnavigated Mount Washington itself. Mount Washington Resort became involved in nordic skiing in the 1980s when they took over the park use permit and trail maintenance.
The Strathcona Nordic Ski Club (SNSC) was formed in 1999 through an amalgamation of Vancouver Island ski clubs — the Vancouver Island Rabbits, the Courtenay Biathlon Association, the ICCS Racing Team, the Campbell River Discovery Nordics, and members of the former Nanaimo Nordics and Vancouver Island Nordics. SNSC was incorporated as a non-profit society under the BC Society Act in October 1999.
Since 1999, SNSC has continued to evolve. The membership has been growing steadily, and through the efforts of dedicated volunteers, SNSC programs continue to develop with the membership.
Future
SNSC works closely with Mount Washington Ski Resort and BC Parks to improve the nordic ski area. Plans are currently in the works for a new training facility! Stayed tuned throughout winter 2010 for updates.
SNSC looks forward to continuing to meet the recreational and competitive needs of its membership and to hosting more national and international nordic events. SNSC also looks forward to seeing its members compete at provincial, national, and international events!
