2025-2026 Member Pass Pick-up

EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIP PASS PICK-UP

For everyone who purchased an Early Bird membership pass by October 31st, please pick up your membership card at our booth at MEC on November 28th or 29th

Kelowna Nordic will have a booth set up in the foyer at MEC for pass pick ups and promotion

DATE: Friday November 28th from Noon- 7:00 pm  and Saturday November 29th from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Club volunteers will be on hand to give you your Early Bird membership card or help you sign up as a new member *

This will also be a fun event as it is Black Friday Sale weekend at MEC with lots of bargains on outdoor clothing and gear

* If you purchase your xc ski membership at this event, you will receive a coupon from MEC for a discount on non-sale items in store

 and your name will be included in the draw for a free xc ski membership ! We will fully reimburse the lucky winner.

ALL WHO PURCHASE A X-C SKI MEMBERSHIP FROM NOVEMBER 1st - NOVEMBER 30th WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN

We look forward to seeing all of you there and meanwhile, LET IT SNOW !

Highlights from the AGM - October 22, 2025

The Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club AGM was held on October 22 at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club. We were pleased to see many members join us and as a result of their attendance, we had the required quorum to proceed with the meeting.

A main topic of discussion was the status of the grooming machine. Donations are still coming in and we're getting closer every day. The goal is to purchase the new Prinoth Bison by the end of January. This snow season, we will be renting a grooming machine with an option to purchase because it costs less than the amount spent on repairs to our aging groomers last season.

Last year, our fundraising efforts were amped up with the introduction of the Snowflake Recognition Campaign and it's been a great success. Snowflake plaques are in production and will soon be hung inside the Main Cabin. We were also thrilled to hear from long-time members and KNSSC supporters, Dave and Mary Horner, with a challenge to our membership base. For the month of November, Dave and his family will match every donation up to $5,000! That means your contribution will go twice as far! Thank you for this inspiring challenge, Dave and Mary, and your generous support of our club. Read more about the donation challenge here.

Your board has been working tirelessly on media and community outreach through newspaper, CBC radio and Global TV interviews, local press coverage, social media engagement and a newsletter. We also issued press releases, ran ads in Castanet, placed posters at Big White, and other nordic centres, and received newspaper coverage in JP Squires column.

Hundreds of hours of work have been completed on the Diamond Dave's, Moose Tracks and Old Cedar trails. Larger trees have been removed and the sides of the trails have been cleared to improve visibility. Over 85 km of snowshoe trails have been cleared and fresh trail markers put up. All cabins have been cleaned - inside and out, painted, and stocked with firewood. This work occurred during four scheduled work parties, with nearly 70 volunteers showing up to lend a hand! Last season was a significant year for volunteer engagement, from biffie patrol to maintaining cabins to helping during events to sitting on the board, and beyond. Thank you volunteers!

Early bird passes are available until the end of October, and sales have been comparable to last year. The price of a membership pass increases November 1, 2025. Benefits of membership include a free ski lesson, free access to Kelowna Nordic events, 25% off the daily pass at seven nordic clubs, and discounts at some of our sponsors. The club has decided to offer laminated passes again this year. There will be three pick-up days at MEC, with dates to be determined.

Last year, volunteers were checking day passes to ensure that all skiers and snowshoers who were not members had purchased a pass. This move helped to more than double the club's revenue from day passes, and it will continue this year.

Members can look forward to their favourite Kelowna Nordic events again this season: Moonlight Ski & Snowshoe, Family Day Event, Fundraiser BBQ, Cabins and Cookies Tour. A Meet and Greet at the Main Cabin in January is also planned.

Kelowna Nordic has 16 qualified instructors at the ready for the Club's impressive training roster this season, which will include an Adult Ski Program (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced), a 2-day Advanced Clinic in February, a Children's Program for 5 - 8 year olds, Private Lessons and in January, a new S'Kool Program. Watch for further details on the website and in future newsletters.

Some of you may be aware that long-time Kelowna Nordic member, Doreen Wierenga, passed away on August 18. Doreen's family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the club's Groomer Fundraising Campaign. Special recognition was given to Lou Wierenga who shared a few stories of his time spent at Kelowna Nordic including how That Damn Trail got its name. (You will have to ask him.) Lou presented the club with two donation cheques in Doreen's memory.

Three board members - John Davina, Rob Hooton, and Tricia Anderson - will be leaving us as their terms are up. Thank you for your commitment and your service to the board! We would like to extend a warm welcome to new board members - Graham McMynn, Dave Cronquist, and Mike Darud.

Donate November 1 - 30, and double your impact!

Long-time KNSSC members and passionate supporters, Mary and Dave Horner have issued a fundraising challenge for Kelowna Nordic members.

From November 1 to November 30, every donation to the Snowflake Campaign up to $5,000 will be matched dollar for dollar by Dave and Mary. This means your contribution will go twice as far in helping us fund a new grooming machine for our trails!

Our trail groomers have worked tirelessly for years, but maintenance costs and volunteer hours have soared. The new Prinoth Bison grooming machine will ensure smooth trail conditions, reduce repair downtime, and improve fuel efficiency. This investment is essential for maintaining the high-quality experience our members, guests and visiting school programs enjoy each winter.

The Snowflake Campaign recognizes donors who contribute $1,000 or more. Each donor receives a snowflake plaque engraved with donor names. Plaques will be displayed on the donor recognition wall in the Main Cabin, symbolizing their impact on our club and community.

Remember, your donation doubles if you contribute from November 1 - 30. All you have to do is accept the challenge and donate or top up your contribution here.

Thank you Mary and Dave, and thank you to our donators! Together, we can ensure Kelowna Nordic continues to thrive as a vibrant, sustainable community of outdoor enthusiasts.