Is this the last hurrah for cross country this season?

• Mountains received lots of recent snow
• Nordic cabins provide rustic feel
• Cross country skiing an accessible activity to join

After a dump of fresh snow in the mountains, a local outdoor club wants you to know there’s no better time to go cross country or snowshoeing. In fact, time might be running out on the season.

Visiting their cabins near Hydraulic Lake is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. It means leaving behind cell service, electricity, indoor plumbing in favour of wood burning stoves and 75 km’s worth of vast forest trails and mountain views.

“I would venture to say yes, that this would be the last hurrah,” Wendy Vandenberg, club secretary for Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club told Kelowna10. “I’m not sure how long the snow is going to last.”

When Kelowna10 caught up with her this week, several centimetres of snow was falling, while back in town, Kelowna was experiencing steady rainfall.

Vandenberg has been cross-country skiing on-and-off since 1989. She said she enjoys the exercise and chance to enjoy a beautiful trek through nature while listening to bird songs.

She thinks what may attract newcomers is the accessibility and ease.

“You don’t need to know a lot to do it. It’s pretty simple to start out,” she said. “Injury wise, it’s probably less when you compare it to, say, downhill skiing. And, it’s calm and easy.”

The Nordic Club has operated since 1975 when it was founded by the Sons of Norway and the B.C. Forest Service. Today they see themselves as stewards of the land, maintaining the cabins and protecting nature.

Last year the season ended mid-April, but due to the warmer weather this season, Vandenburg is not confident the trails will stay open for that long.

The trails are groomed with a snowcat machine regularly. It sports an attachment at the rear of the vehicle for pressing ski tracks into the snow.

Over the past three years, Vandenberg said their membership greatly increased, with COVID-19 likely playing a big role in getting people outdoors for recreation.

She said the pandemic had minimal impact on their operations.

Those interested in trying out cross country skiing or snowshoeing are encouraged to send an email to admin@kelownanordic.com.