Strathcona Nordic Ski Club

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Strathcona Nordic Ski Club

Welcome! Strathcona Nordic Ski Club (SNSC), Vancouver Island’s cross-country ski club, based at t SNSC is Vancouver Island’s cross-country ski club.

Welcome to the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club (SNSC) facebook site.. We are based in the beautiful nordic ski area of Mount Washington Alpine Resort near Courtenay, BC. Mount Washington has over 55 km of groomed trails that cover a variety of terrain — everything to satisfy the beginner, the advanced nordic skier, and everyone in between. We are 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.

09/18/2026

🇨🇦 BIG NEWS FOR CAMERON!

Huge congratulations to SNSC athlete Cameron Meldrum, who has been named one of just 100 finalists from across Canada for the 2026 RBC Training Ground National Final!
More than 3,000 athletes aged 14–25 took part in qualifiers across the country, testing their speed, strength, power and endurance in front of Olympic talent scouts. Cameron’s performance, combined with his background as a competitive cross-country skier and mountain biker, caught the attention of Biathlon Canada.

The 17-year-old Campbell River athlete has been identified as having potential in biathlon and will head to Toronto on October 3 for the National Final, where 35 athletes will ultimately be selected for funding and support through a national sport organization.

Biathlon Canada’s Performance Pathway Director Clayton Whitman highlighted Cameron’s strong skiing ability and training background, and his potential as he works toward goals including the Canada Winter Games and, down the road, Biathlon Canada’s NextGen Team.

Pretty exciting stuff for Cameron and pretty cool to see an SNSC athlete getting noticed on the national stage. 🙌
Good luck in Toronto, Cameron! We’ll be cheering you on from Vancouver Island. ❄️🇨🇦

09/16/2026

“I’d coach, but I’m not qualified.”

The truth? Getting started is probably easier than you think.

You don’t need to be a former racer. You don’t need years of coaching experience. And you definitely don’t need to know everything before you show up.

There’s a pathway. It starts with two short online courses you can do from home, and SNSC will help you through the rest.

And this winter, we need more people to take that first step.

Every program we run depends on volunteer coaches. As our young skiers move from Bunnyrabbits and Jackrabbits into Marmots and beyond, we need more parents, recreational skiers, former athletes, students and community members willing to come along with them.

Some of our coaches arrive with loads of ski experience. Others simply start with “I think I could help.”

Both are valuable.

SNSC will cover the cost of the required NCCP training for coaches joining us this winter, including the online modules and our Community Coaching course at Mount Washington in December.

You don’t have to arrive as a coach. We’ll help you become one.

Swipe through to see how the pathway works. ➡️

Interested? Tell us which program catches your eye: [email protected]

Come coach with us. We’d love to have you out there. ❄️

09/15/2026

It’s National Coaches Week. 🇨🇦❄️

Behind every skier in our club is a coach who showed up.
Parents. Former athletes. University students. Long-time club members. Former Jackrabbits who grew up and came back to help the next group find their way on skis.

Our volunteer coaches give their time, energy and plenty of cold Saturday mornings to make this club what it is, helping kids build skills, confidence, friendships and, hopefully, a lifelong love of skiing.

Some are coaching for their first season. Others have been pulling on an SNSC jacket and heading out onto the trails for well over a decade.
This week is for all of them.

To everyone who coached last season, everyone who has coached over the years, and everyone getting ready to step up this winter: thank you. ❤️

And if a Strathcona Nordics coach has made a difference for you or your family, give them a shout-out in the comments. 👇

09/13/2026

🏔️ SNSC on the road — Whistler!

At the end of August, 14 Strathcona Nordic athletes and two coaches headed to Whistler for the BC Talent Squad Summer Camp.

The four-day camp brought together 78 athletes and 16 coaches from across BC for a big weekend of training, learning, and connecting with skiers from clubs around the province.

Roller skiing, strength and skills, team activities, a little lake time and plenty of fun mixed in. Summer training looks pretty good from here. ☀️

A big SNSC crew made the trip:
Aspen Malan · Leila El Amiri · Elliot Warder · Piper MacInnis · Clara Harmatiuk · Beatrice Payton · Bjorn Bohac · Josephine Smith · Gardiner Smith · Louis DeBruin · Eli Pechter · Owen Meldrum · Caleb Rushforth · Jack Taddy. And a big thank you to coaches Jaymie MacGowan and Rick Smith for making the trip and supporting the crew.

Pretty great to see this many Strathcona Nordic athletes training alongside some of the best young skiers in BC. Way to represent, team! 💪🏔️

Photo credits: Gwendal Castellan, Sean Moore, Jay McGowan, David Humphrey, Maria Lundgren

09/12/2026

🏔️ MARMOT WATCH — Part 2 of 6
LEVEL 5 OR LEVEL 6?

This is probably the question we’re getting most.
The simple answer? Both are for kids who love to ski. They’re just two different ways to keep going after Jackrabbit.

LEVEL 5 — SKI, LEARN & HAVE FUN
For skiers who want to keep building their skills, spend time with friends and enjoy being on snow — without racing being the focus. Choose one or two days a week. Try a race if you want. Don’t if you don’t. Both are completely fine.

LEVEL 6 — TRAIN, RACE & KEEP BUILDING
This is where our former Devo program now lives. It’s for skiers who are excited by training and racing and want to take the next step toward Junior Race. More training. More racing. More commitment while still keeping the fun, friendships and adventures that make skiing worth doing.

And here’s the important part: you’re not choosing forever.
Skiers can move between Level 5 and Level 6. A race-focused Level 4 Jackrabbit may be ready to jump straight into Level 6. Someone who starts in Level 6 may decide Level 5 is a better fit right now.

There’s no wrong door. We just want every Marmot in the program that makes them want to keep skiing. 🙌 Swipe through for the details and weekly commitment for each level.

Still not sure? Drop us a question or email mailto:[email protected]. We’re happy to help.
Registration opens October 15 on Zone4.

09/11/2026

Meet Bertrand. 👋❄️

If you’ve spent much time around the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club chances are you already know our Head Coach, Bertrand.

One of the things we love about Bertrand is how easily he connects with skiers across the club from our younger racers finding their feet in the sport, right through to Masters who have been skiing and racing for years.

He brings a ton of knowledge and experience, but also plenty of enthusiasm, patience and fun. Whether it’s helping a young skier build confidence, talking technique, working toward a racing goal, or just sharing a laugh on the trails,

Bertrand has a way of meeting people where they’re at and helping them get a little better.

Most importantly, he genuinely loves skiing and that enthusiasm is pretty contagious. We’re very lucky to have him leading the way at the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club

If you see Bertrand out on the trails this winter, say hi. Just be warned… there’s a very good chance you’ll end up talking about skiing. 😄

09/08/2026

🐰❄️ THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS.
Four years old. Tiny skis. Falling over. Getting back up. Laughing. Snacks. And before long, cruising down the trail wondering why the grown-ups are so slow.

BUNNYRABBIT · AGES 4–5 🐰
The first step! Kids learn balance, agility, coordination and confidence through games and play on skis. Parents join in too at this age, you’re part of the adventure.

JACKRABBIT · AGES 6–9 · LEVELS 1–4 ⛷️
This is where the skills and the friendships really start to grow. Kids learn the fundamentals of cross-country skiing through games, challenges, adventures, low-key racing and opportunities to ski with other clubs.

The goal? Build great skiers who LOVE being on snow. ❤️❄️
📍 Raven Lodge · Mount Washington
⏰ Saturdays & Sundays · 10:00–11:30 am
❄️ 10 weeks · January–March
🎉 Year-end celebration · March 21
Whether it’s their very first shuffle on skis or they’re starting to fly around the trails, there’s a place for them at Strathcona Nordics.
📅 Registration opens October 15!

09/07/2026

⛷️ MORE THAN A MEMBERSHIP. IT’S YOUR SKI CLUB. ❄️

Around 500 people call Strathcona Nordic Ski Club their club and many of them aren’t registered in a program.

SNSC isn’t just a kids’ ski group or a race club. It’s a community of people who love cross-country skiing, getting outside and being part of something pretty special here on Vancouver Island. 🏔️

When you become an SNSC member, you get:
❄️ Membership with Cross Country BC & Nordiq Canada
🙌 Coverage while taking part in SNSC programs, events & volunteer activities
❆ Member perks and discounts with some of our fantastic partners
🏔️ Connection to one of BC’s most active Nordic communities
🗳️ A voice in your club including a vote at the AGM
❤️ And, most importantly, you’re helping support Nordic skiing right here on Vancouver Island.

Whether you’re chasing podiums, skiing with your kids, heading out with friends or simply love putting in a few peaceful kilometres on a winter morning, there’s a place for you at Strathcona Nordic Ski Club.

One important note: SNSC membership and Mount Washington trail access are separate. Trail passes are purchased directly through Mount Washington.

📅 2026/27 Membership + Program Registration opens October 15 on Zone4.
Come ski with us. Come be part of the club. ❄️

09/03/2026

🎥 25 YEARS OF STRATHCONA NORDICS

Twenty-five years of skiing, racing, volunteering, trail days, friendships, cold fingers, big snowfalls and a whole lot of time spent together on Mount Washington.

Our anniversary film tells the story of Strathcona Nordic Ski Club through the people who helped build it.

This Reel is just the first minute. The full 12-minute film is well worth the watch. Grab a coffee, settle in and take a little trip through 25 years of Strathcona Nordics. ❄️❤️
🎬 Full film — link in bio.

09/01/2026

Four years old? We’ve got you. One hundred four? Also you.

There’s a place for everyone at Strathcona Nordic Ski Club
Our 2026/27 lineup has something for every kind of skier:

❄️ Bunnyrabbits & Jackrabbits — ages 4–9
🏔️ Marmots & SNAP — ages 9–15
🏁 Junior Racing — ages 12–18
🏔️ Masters Rec & Masters Race — adults
💙 ParaNordic & School Programs — making skiing accessible to even more of our community
Whether you’re learning to ski, out for fun and friends, looking for a new challenge, or ready to see how far the sport can take you — there’s a program for you.

Swipe through to find yours.

REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 15
Full program details at strathconanordics.com — link in bio.

Address

Nordic Drive
Courtenay, BC
V0R

Website

https://strathconanordics.com/

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