The Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club has a big season in front of them – not only are they hosting the 2010 Haywood Nationals in March, it's their 30th anniversary.

Club manager Mike Gladish says Whitehorse has been an active cross country ski community for many years.

"Skiing has been going on here since the ‘60s or earlier,” he said.

The anniversary is going to be celebrated in a huge way – Whitehorse will be the host of the 2010 Haywood Nationals, where 400 cross country skiers from across Canada will come to compete.

"It'll be the biggest event we've ever had here for cross country,” said Gladish.

Already preparations are underway before the snow flies to get the trails prepared for the upcoming season.

"We're pretty much ready. I think one more week of off-season work to go and then we'll be ready,” said

Gladish. Club members are also working on the stadium area for both the regular season and the Nationals in March.

"The stadium is kind of the focal point of the club,” said Gladish.

Also being worked on is the five kilometres of lit trail.

The club is having a few complications with keeping its 75 kilometres of groomed trails secure.

"We're having challenges in terms of security of the ski trails,” said Gladish.

Last year the club had 1,200 members, and Gladish is hoping they will welcome close to that number again.

Early bird passes are on sale, and this year the club has extended the deadline to Oct. 31 for 10 per cent off of memberships.

The club will be hosting two events in the coming weeks to kick off the season as they wait for the snow.

The annual ski swap will be held on Oct. 17, and on Nov. 6 the Coast Mountain Sports Wax and Wine will be hosted. There will be wine and finger foods starting at 7 p.m. at Coast Mountain. For more information on both these events, see the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club's website at www.xcskiwhitehorse.ca