Why

Why cross-country ski?

• Cross country skiing is a great life-time, life-style sport, offering something for everyone - families with young children, teen-agers, adults of all ages.
• For recreational skiers and nature-lovers, it's beautiful, natural and peaceful.
• For many children and teenagers (not to mention a lot of adults!), the introduction of the skate skiing technique adds a speed dimension that extends the appeal of the sport.

       For everyone:

• It helps you actively enjoy our long winters.
• It improves your personal fitness and health. Cross-country skiing is one of the best sports to develop your cardio-vascular system, leg and upper body strength.

 

Why pay money to cross-country ski at a ski club?

• Some people wonder why they should pay to ski when they feel there is an option to cross-country ski for free on lakes and in the wilderness. So why pay?
• The trails - cross-country skiing is most enjoyable on purpose-designed groomed trails, whether you are doing the classic (diagonal stride) technique guided by a parallel ski track, or skate skiing on a wide, flat skating trail. Keeping trails well groomed requires purchasing and maintaining some expensive equipment (see article on our snow grooming history). Typically, most of your ski club membership or day pass fee goes towards funding trail maintenance and trail equipment purchase and maintenance.
• The programs - ski clubs offer a lot of support. The secret of skiing is glide, and the secret of good glide is to take a lesson and/or to get out and ski lots. Most clubs offer lessons for children (Jackrabbit ski league) as well as for adults of all abilities. Children enjoy family ski outings, but they also thrive on the sport through the social opportunities of club-based Jackrabbit on-snow fun and skill acquisition programs. For many racing, or simply entering recreational ski loppets and marathons also becomes a passion.
• Club facilities - For everyone, but especially those introducing children at a young age to skiing, the ability to start and end your ski at a heated clubhouse with facilities is a practical boost to making every outing a positive one.
• The people - provide a lot of other informal support and good company. You can learn so much more and enjoy yourself more by meeting and talking with other skiers at a club. Overlander also offers a variety of skiing-related social events.
• Safety – cross country ski injuries are rare, but nonetheless, the Stake Lake staff (not to mention many skiers) are there when injuries do happen, and help is available.
• Events – Stake Lake is host to numerous events, both fun and competitive each winter. Check our event calendar.

Click here for information on club membership.

 

 

Why cross-country ski at Stake Lake?

• The Trails - A full range of thoughtfully designed, very scenic and varied ski trails, with routes suited to all ranges of skiing abilities. See our trail maps. As Kamloops’ premier cross country ski destination, Stake Lake is run and designed by cross-country skiers, for cross country skiers, and the trail system is designed with skiers needs in mind.
• Shelters & outhouses – shelters and outhouses are located throughout the trail system, not to mention trail maps.
• The environment – the trail system at Stake Lake, and development that does take place such as our daylodge, is done keeping potentially negative environmental impact at a minimum. Careful thought, and consultation with the BC forest service and others takes place to ensure that the area will remain pristine and unblemished for future generations.
• Grooming – Stake Lake is known for the quality of its trails, which is a function of their grooming as well as their design. Our volunteer groomer's take pride in their grooming work, understand the technicalities involved in issues related to grooming such as snow temperature, and have many years experience.
• The people - we welcome you to our club. If you have a large group of skiers travelling into the area, please contact us in advance so we can ensure your trip is as successful as it can be, and discounts are available for larger groups.
• The region – Thompson region of BC has a lot to offer visitors. Take a few minutes to "virtually tour" the area. Then take a few days, or longer to tour it in person.
• Other interior BC ski clubs - consider traveling to Stake Lake as one of several stops in the Thompson/Okanagan. Every year, Overlander is the host clubs for events such as the Spoke/Overlander Ski Marathon, and has been host to numerous other events such as: Ski for Light Canada (skiing for the blind), the Special Olympics, BC Sprint Championships, and Midget Championships to name a few.
• The snow – the quality of snow in the BC interior is well known. In particular, in the heart of our season (mid-December to mid March), snow is typically dry interior powder which makes for a great ski experience.

Join us as a member, on a day outing, or as a visitor from out of town. We’d love to share our ski paradise with you.