Nordic ski club’s first 2026 lessons to start this weekend

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Residents looking to take in the trails at Beatton Park by trail skiing will have a helping hand thanks to the Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club.

The club is offering cross-country skiing lessons on Sunday afternoons throughout January. 

The heavy snowfall the region has experienced has provided a good snow base, according to the club’s president, Eliza Stanford.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic to have the snow base that we haven’t seen in a very long time,” said Stanford. “I’ve never seen this much snow this early in the season, but it’s very time consuming for the groomers to keep on top of it, because it just keeps falling.”

The Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club was formed in 1982 to create trails for the 1984 B.C. winter games, and Stanford said lessons have been offered “periodically over the years.”

“At this point, we are scheduling lessons for Sundays and we hope to continue,” said Stanford. “We will see how this month goes.”

Stanford told Energeticcity.ca one of the largest obstacles for newcomers is “falling in the snow and getting back up again.”

“We will teach you how to get up on skis,” said Stanford. “But it’s really good if you have the ability to get up off the floor.”

She hopes to attract some beginner skiiers, with enough instructors to “split up beginners and intermediate participants.”

Lessons will cost $30 and are only available by reservation. The fee does not include equipment rental or trail fees, which costs $10 each.

Cross-country skiing lessons take place starting at 1 p.m. on January 11th, 18th and 25th. To book a reservation, please e-mail the club at whiskeyjacknsc@gmail.com.