PNC Newsletter

Welcome to the 2025/2026 season of our Panhandle Nordic Club.  I am excited and very much looking forward to the start of another great ski and snowshoe season. 
Our club will hold our first seasonal kick-off meeting on Tuesday November 11th at 7:00 PM:
United Methodist Church
1470 W Hanley Avenue
Coeur d’Alene, ID  83815

During this meeting we will meet and greet any new club members, provide an overview of our club, compile a draft schedule of outings for this season including volunteer trip leaders, I will share some fresh baked chocolate cookies, and we will play a little winter sports trivia.       

Our Club Board recently met on September 23rd to start the planning process for upcoming events and activities for this season.  We have thus far set the dates for two of our primary events to be held at Fourth-of-July Pass:
·         Best Hand Fundraiser: January 3rd, 2026
·         Rock Soup Ski & Shoe Social: February 7, 2025
Please all be thinking of additional daytime  or extended weekend outings for our club members during the upcoming season.  We will be looking for suggestions and trip leaders during our November Club Meeting with a finalization of the schedule during our December 2nd Club Meeting.   
I am planning on hosting a group ski outing at the  Fourth-of-July Pass on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month starting in January.  We will meet at our Panhandle Hut near the trailhead at 10:30 AM for these group ski events.
Additionally, I am planning on hosting a couple of different learn to ski instructional events on a Saturday in the months of January and February.  Stay tuned for specific dates and times once I have the entire seasonal schedule finalized.  If you have any friends or family who are beginners and would like to learn to cross-country ski please encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity to get to know our club and the Fourth-of-July Pass winter trails.
Do not forget to obtain your annual Park N Ski sticker at any participating retail outlet or you can order online for home delivery at: getoutside.idaho.gov on the [Permits] menu.  When you purchase your sticker, please select Use Area: Fourth-of-July Pass as the designated location.  This ensures these supporting funds are directed to support the maintenance and grooming activities for our home trail network.  You can also purchase the stickers at Super 1 (Hayden & Post Falls) or the Idaho Parks & Recreation-North Region Service Center (2885 W Kathleen Ave).    
Please also join or renew your membership for our club.  This is also critical in supporting the maintenance of the trails and facilities at the 4th of July recreation area and ensuring that the club will endure for many years to come.  We strongly encourage you to join or renew your membership electronically via our club website at: www.panhandlenordicclub.com.  We would also prefer you pay for your annual membership thru the electronic payment methods available within the registration process. If you wish to be on our email list, please make sure you select the box [Add to PNC Group Membership List] within the registration form.  Also, make sure to Key [Submit] after you have completed the form and payment process.  Please sign up as soon as you can.  It really helps to get the membership list for the year completed early.  Thanks again for your support!
The fall season brings several required preparation activities to the fourth-of-July Trail network.  We will soon be looking for volunteers to support a couple of trail workdays to get things ready for an enjoyable season.  Stay tuned for a request for volunteers from our Geoff Harvey.  The more the merrier!
If you are in the market for any new ski equipment or wish to sell any equipment please be aware that we have two different ski swap events in the area over the coming weeks:
Look forward to seeing you all on November 11th to kick-off another exciting season.

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