The Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club is gearing up for a big weekend, with the first race of the season.

The Don Sumanik Memorial Races, which are split into two weekends will begin with the freestyle event Saturday and continue Dec. 5 with the classic style races.

The warmer weather Whitehorse is experiencing is creating fantastic conditions at the ski trails on Mt. McIntyre.

"It's looking like the weather is shaping up to be perfect for skating,” said Mike Gladish, manager of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club.

Gladish says the recent rise in temperature Whitehorse is experiencing will create a perfect track for skate skiing, as many racers will be using this technique at the weekend's races.

The weather is expected to dip lower towards the end of next week, and there is a chance of snow, which will create a good base for the classic style races next weekend.

Gladish says that while more snow is needed for all the trails at the club, he hopes it will hold off until after the races.

"At this point we don't want anymore snow for the weekend,” he said.

The club is expecting a big turn out as usual for the annual race, that has been held for more than 20 years in Whitehorse to honour the late Don Sumanik, who helped bring the 1981 World Cup races to Whitehorse. Sumanik was also the president of the Canadian Ski Association.

"We're expecting probably 150 participants,” said Gladdish.

The races start at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday with the Tim Hortons' Sk'ill Fest in the ski stadium at Mt. McIntyre, a fun race for kids.

Children ages six to 11 will participate in fun activities and games before the bigger race starts.

The freestyle event will start at 12:30 p.m. There will be categories for juvenile, junior and open age. Skiers will race distances ranging from five to 10 kilometres.

The Don Sumanik freestyle race will be the first Grey Mountain Lions event of the season.

A less competitive masters event will be held after the freestyle race for skiers aged 30 or over that want a lower key race without the competition. Times will not be posted, but it will be a chance for skiers to work on their personal bests. The course will be the same as the freestyle event, with choices of 2.5, 5, 7.5 or 10 kilometres on a 2.5 kilometre loop.

"We're trying to cater to a wider range of racers,” said Gladish.

The freestyle race will be the first time the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club uses the new Long Term Athlete Development Model, a new guideline for young skiers set by Cross Country Canada.

The new guidelines will see young skiers separated according to their development in the sport rather than their chronological age, so that they have a better experience. For example, some 12 year old boys may now race at a shorter distance than others, and some may race in a different age category.

Registration for the freestyle event has already closed but those wishing to enter the masters category can do so up until 12:30 on Saturday.

In previous years the club has held the classic event first, followed by the freestyle event the following weekend, but the weather conditions in recent years have been favourable to running the freestyle event first.

"It's working well,” said Gladish.

Cross country skiers may also be interested in the first Coast Mountain Wax and Wine event of the season to be held this Friday at the Grey Mountain room at the Mt. McIntyre Rec Centre.

The event starts at 7 p.m. where Bill Slater will present the basics of glide and kick waxing. The event is intended for beginners, but all are welcome to attend.

Slater will present his waxing techniques at the casual gathering.

"It doesn't mean he's not open, there's lots of time for questions,” said Mike Kramer, the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club Wax and Wine coordinator. "It's a way for skiers, especially beginner skiers to get some questions in.”

Kramer expects between 30 and 70 people to attend the event, where wine will be served. All are welcome to attend the event.

"Kids are welcome but they need to come in with an adult (because alcohol will be served),” said Kramer.

More advanced wax lessons will be held later in the season at future Wax and Wine events.

More information on both the Don Sumanik Memorial Races and the Wax and Wine can be found at the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club website, at www.xcskiwhitehorse.ca or by calling the club at 668-4477.