Membership:
The Trails:
How To Get There:
Grooming Equipment:
Ski Season and Conditions:
Lessons and Training:
The Skmana Cross Country Ski Club is a voluntary, non profit organization with people from Chase, Sorrento, North Shuswap and surrounding district forming the membership. Annual dues are: Single - $20.00 Family - $30.00. Memberships can be purchased from any member of the Club, or the Optometric Centre, Shuswap Ave. Chase.There is no official charge to use the trails, however there is a donation box beside the trail leading to the warming hut. All donations are used to maintain the trails and warming hut. Everyone is welcome at any time. Membership Form
Our trails are located at Skmana Lake, 14 km. from downtown Chase. There are 15 km of groomed and track set trails ranging from beginners to advanced. There is a very easy 4.5 km trail around Skmana Lake that novices find most enjoyable. This portion of the system is in a park like setting and on a sunny day the winter scene can be spectacular. The remaining trails wind through the hillside along old logging roads. Trail Maps are posted at intersections on the trail system. Skiers familiar with the area and in good physical condition can ski into the back country on ungroomed logging roads. There is a small warming hut near the lake about 500 meters from the parking area, firewood is available.
From Downtown Chase follow Pine Street north to the Nisconlith Lake Road. Travel west along this gravel road for 3 km. where you will come to a fork. Take the right fork and go up the hill. You will be rewarded here with a spectacular view of Little Shuswap Lake, the Villages of Chase and Adams Lake First Nations, as well as the South Thompson River and the farmlands along the VLA road. Stay on this road for another 10 km. until you pass under the B.C. Hydro transmission lines. Watch for the parking lot on your left. See the Road Map Just follow the green road.
The club owns a Bombardier "Bombi" Snow Cat, Yellowstone mesh rollers, Yellowstone track mould and a club designed and manufactured groomer consisting of two rollers and "rake" for packing and leveling the snow. With this equipment we are able to groom our trails under most snow conditions, whenever a volunteer is available.
Our ski season usually starts around mid December and lasts until the end of February. Our trails are at the 700 meter level and accordingly they are subject to changing weather conditions. We do, on occasion experience periods during the ski season when the temperature goes above zero, which of course adversely affects snow conditions. We are developing trails higher up the mountain which will provide better snow conditions however will be more difficult to reach, particularly for novices.
Christmas social event at the hut on Sunday Dec. 28 at 3:30 P.M. Bring finger food and something for the mulled wine pot.
Spring and fall clean up to be announced.