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Cross-country races had traditionally been held on Mt. Revelstoke since the first Winter Carnival in 1915. The first race in 1915 was a distance of almost 8 miles. The succeeding years saw races of 7 miles (men) and 2 miles (women). In the 1940's races had been lengthened to 11 miles for men. Generally the races took place in large part on Mt. Revelstoke and often finished with a descent of the lower slopes to town.

A two kilometer and five kilometer loop had been cut on Mt. Revelstoke, west of the ski jumps by the 1970's by Al McInnes and some friends with their chainsaws. Races were held on both loops for youth and adults and clinics and workshops were held throughout the winter season. In March 1974, the International Cross Country Championships were held on Mt. Revelstoke celebrating the City of Revelstoke's 75th anniversary.

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Canada Cup Cross-Country Race promotion
March 1974
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Revelstoke Museum and Archives

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Cross-country ski race, Mt. Revelstoke
February 1977
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Nordic Ski club

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Cross-country trails expanded to Mt. Macpherson where a limited amount of logging had opened up about 10 kilometers of trails by the late 1970's-early '80's. This was in addition to the 7 kilometers of groomed trails on Mt. Revelstoke, with the 2 kilometer loop having lights.

Initially, the "grooming" on Mt. Revelstoke was done by people packing the trails out with snowshoes. By the late 1970's there was a ski-doo pulling a track setter. It would take 5 hours to groom the 5 kilometer loop in this manner. In 1989, the Nordic branch of the Revelstoke Ski Club formally separated and became their own club when they bought a new grooming machine. The "Bombi" was an improvement over the ski-doo and track setter and at this time the Nordic club created an agreement with the Ministry of Forests to set track at the base of Mt. Macpherson.

In 1985, Parks Canada initiated the first "Moonlight Ski" up to the Monashee Chalet on Mt. Revelstoke. This was in celebration of Parks Canada 100th anniversary and became an annual event attracting all ages of skiers.

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Moonlight Ski, Mt. Revelstoke
January 2003
Mount Revelstoke, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Nordic Ski Club

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In 1986, the Western Canada Cross-Country Championships were held in Revelstoke. This was the first year that skate skiing (called "free technique") was held. One day had classic races and the next day had skating races.

By 1998, a new grooming machine was purchased by the Nordic Club. This was a piston bully and was a huge improvement over the Bombi. The piston bully was housed at Macpherson Lodge, near the trails on Mt. Macpherson and grooming continued with a core group of dedicated volunteers. Brian Abear, Al McInnes and Mickey Olson are the core groomers and have collectively contributed over 2000 volunteer hours to maintaining and grooming the trails on Mt. Macpherson. Brian has over 30 years of experience grooming trails for the Nordic Club.

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New groomer, Piston Bully with driver, Brian Abear
1998
Mt. Macpherson, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Nordic Ski Club

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Allan McInnes on grooming the cross-country ski trails
1970's to 2008
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Allan McInnes

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In 2005, a new grooming machine, a Bombardier, was purchased by the Nordic Club and greatly improved the trails, widening them for skating and having a classic track set on the side.

A youth program started in 1980-81 and is geared towards ages 6-19. The emphasis is on fun and learning skills in a friendly, uncompetitive atmosphere. There is also the opportunity to have races. The club held a Centennial Loppet in 1999 which was 12 or 24 kilometers. "Loppet" is a Swedish word meaning "citizen's ski race." This race took place at Mt. Macpherson.

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Centennial Loppet, program
March 1999
Mt. Macpherson, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Nordic Ski Club

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Dave Kaegi, Centennial loppet
March 1999
Mt. Macpherson, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Nordic Ski Club

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There are fun races and events every year along with weekly coaching and training for youth. The Team Scream race is a team event with one person skate skiing and one person classic skiing. Mixed teams of adults and children are encouraged. There is also a New Year's lantern ski where lanterns are set out along the 5 kilometer Main Loop at Mt. Macpherson and people meet at the cabin for snacks and hot chocolate. It is a great way to ring in the New Year.

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Jackrabbit Olympics at Mt. Macpherson
2006
Mt. Macpherson, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Ken Gibson

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Team Scream Cross-country race, Mt. Macpherson
2007
Mt. Macpherson, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Credits:
Ken Gibson