The Strathcona Nordic Ski Club (SNSC) is ready for a new season of cross-country skiing. The SNSC, Vancouver Island's cross-country ski club, has a broad range of programs and events scheduled for the fall and winter. Their programs and events aim to help you prepare for a great season of skiing for fun and fitness on Mount Washington. On Oct. 1, registration opens online for a wide-range of SNSC winter cross-country ski programs. They have recreational and racing programs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced cross-country skiers from four years of age and up. On Saturday, Oct. 29, you can join them for their annual cross-country ski gear swap and AGM. You can learn about new developments in the ski club at the AGM, and then they'll have their resident expert on-hand at the swap to help you find the right gear for your style of skiing. In November and December, the SNSC will be holding a variety of NCCP coaching clinics, which are free to SNSC members. Members can gain new skills, knowledge, and confidence as they join the growing ranks of talented volunteer coaches. The SNSC will also be offering a Level 1 race officials course on Nov. 5-6. This is a great opportunity to become a certified Level 1 race official for Olympic-style and Loppet-style races. SNSC recreational ski programs will begin Jan. 7 for Saturday programs and Jan. 8 for Sunday programs. The recreational programs continue for 10 Saturdays and Sundays through to March. SNSC race programs are already underway with skiers training for a busy winter race schedule. You can visit their website (www.StrathconaNordics.com) to learn more about their programs and events.