Club History

The Overlander Ski Club is a registered non profit society and has operated in the Kamloops area since 1981. The objectives of the Ski Club are to: foster cross country skiing and ski racing and assist in the development of skiers in the Kamloops area.

The club played a major role in the campaign to seek compensation for the destruction of the Bush Lake/Timber Lake ski trails during the construction of the Coquihalla Highway. This campaign led to the construction of the Stake Lake Ski trails in 1986. Following a public competition, a trails operating contract was offered to Lac Le Jeune Resorts. Over the next few years the club made numerous representations to the public management agencies concerning the performance of the contractor and the condition of the trails. When the contractor declined the obligatory offer of a new contract in 1991, the club was asked to take on the job. The membership agreed, but not without many misgivings: the financial and organizational commitments were thought to be at or beyond the capacity of a voluntary organization without previous experience in the field.

Since 1991 the Overlander Ski Club has operated the trails with growing confidence. Public support has been strong, club membership has grown, and after 10 seasons of operation, the quality of the Stake Lake skiing experience is second to none in the province. The club continues to rely upon a dedicated group of volunteers to manage the trails.

Over the 2001/02 season, the club developed a new 5-year plan laying out various scenarios for the years ahead.  Following much discussion a plan was agreed by the majority of members on the way that the club should develop.  The 2007 Plan shows how this was achieved and the final result.  With the acceptance of the plan, the club is now entering a new phase of growth and development.