Cross-country skiing is becoming cool again.

That’s how Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club manager Mike Gladish is explaining the record membership numbers the local facility is experiencing so far this season.

The club reportedly totalled 1,100 memberships in the month of October, when registration could be completed at a slightly reduced rate.

“As my wife says: ‘Cross-country skiing is cool now,’” Gladish told the Star yesterday.

“It’s trendy all of a sudden. It seems like it’s catching on with the 25 to 35 age group.”

The increase in early memberships has club officials excited for the winter season.

“It’s definitely ahead of last year at the same time,” said Gladish. “Last year was 800, and that was the most at that time that we’d ever registered, whether online or not.

“This year, we’ve hit almost 1,100 by Oct. 31,” he added, admitting the number was a rounded estimate. “Usually what happens is we get that last-minute rush and then we don’t get any new members until we get the first real good snow. I’m hoping that will be tonight or tomorrow night.”

Club memberships are still on sale and the club has averaged 1,300 members for the past four years.

While some members are already hitting the trails with their rock skis, Gladish said the club is continuing to downplay skiing until a true base of snow is established.

“It really is marginal and we don’t want someone going out and getting hurt because they tripped on a rock,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ski club has organized a series of events to get newcomers to the club familiarized with its equipment and facilities. The events being offered include:

• Coast Mountain Sports Wax and Dessert Night

Join club officials in the wax room for a night of basic waxing information Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Bring your skis so you can get a hands-on experience.

Cleaning skis, determining wax pockets, and the completion of basic wax techniques will be covered. Dessert and coffee will be available.

• Introduction to wax room, equipment and facilities

On Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., the club will have an information session to provide new members, or those interested in using the club, with information about its facilities, equipment and services.

Officials will show all of the club’s facilities including change rooms, saunas, lockers and the waxing area.

The ski rental area will also be toured so people can become familiar with the rental procedure. At the end of the session, officials will go through equipment use, how equipment should fit, and also a brief tutorial on the trail system and map.

• Coast Mountain Sports Free Ski Day

Dec. 7 will be a free ski day offered on the club’s trails, hosted by Coast Mountain Sports. Skiers are invited to come try the trails; all day passes and ski rentals are free.

The day will begin at 10 a.m. and run through until the afternoon. Coast Mountain Sports will be on hand with equipment information and demos. The day is touted as a fun occasion for the whole family to come out and give skiing a try.

• Introduction to skiing

This will be the first free group ski lesson the club will offer to those wanting a “very” beginner course on cross-country skiing techniques.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 30, the club will offer a free beginners lesson for those new to skiing. It will begin at the wax room, and ski equipment rentals will be available.