Club History

The Nelson Nordic Ski Club has been active in the Nelson area since 1979, setting tracks on the Nelson golf course and later, in cooperation with the B.C. Forest Service, on the old Clearwater Road.

On March 22, 1983 a non-profit society called the Kokanee Nordic Ski Society was established. Directors and officers were elected and club goals and directions were determined. There were about 50 members at that time. The club's goal was to cooperate with all levels of government to develop Nordic skiing facilities and programs to serve residents and visitors of the Nelson area.

The society's name was changed to Nelson Nordic Ski Club in 1986. In 1987, the Western Canadian Masters' race was held on the Camp Busk trail and in 1989, the BC Winter Games cross country skiing event was hosted here. Trails were developed on Crown and private land taking advantage of provincial government grants and volunteer efforts. Tracks were set by the BC Forest Service initially and gradually the club took on the job using twin track snowmobiles.

About 25 kilometers of tracks are regularly set for classic and skate skiing since purchasing a Pisten Bulley snow vehicle in late 1992. A 1.3 km lighted trail began operating January 1992 for night skiing and a warming hut has been built at the Apex trailhead.

Parking lots are established at both the Apex and Busk trailheads. A snow p0hone was established in 1994 to provide current information on trail and track conditions.

Each fall at the annual general meeting, directors and executive are elected to manage the clubs affairs. Club meetings, open to all members, are held several times during the ski season.

Membership now exceeds 500 each season but non-members are welcomed to use the facilities. To maintain liability insurance coverage, day users are requested to sign in at the trailheads to acknowledge acceptance of a waiver and to provide a user census. In 1995/96 two trail attendants were hired to collect fees at both Apex and Busk trailheads. At other times, users pay on the honour system. All fees collected are used to provide tracksetting and other basic services.

A program for children aged 6 to 12 is offerred each season for a modest fee. Participation ranges from 40 to 50. Several local schools use the trails for half price each year. One participation race is run each year and ski technique and coaching clinics are also offerred. Lessons are available privately. Volunteers are essential to run the club so members who volunteer are given a discount on membership fees.

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