A fast-growing fitness activity will return to the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club this fall.

Two Nordic walking programs will be hosted by the popular ski club – one for those seeking to learn the sport and the Mount McIntyre trails, and the other for fit seniors looking for a good workout.

The sport is one that skiers often use as a means of dryland training, said ski club manager Mike Gladish.

“Nordic walking, in the last 10 to 15 years, has become sort of a trendy thing,” he explained. “We’re trying to capitalize on increasing interest.”

Nordic walking becomes a total body workout through the use of poles, smaller than the usual ski poles.

“Basically, you’re just walking with poles,” said Gladish. “Once you get people doing it correctly, then you can start working on engaging the core. It’s all about timing and coordination.

“We’re always looking at ways of getting people to use Mount Mac in the way it was intended,” he added. “It’s a way of generating interest.”

Both Gladish and Stride and Glide Ski School instructor Nick Stratis will lead the two programs.

Nordic walking has been offered the past two Septembers at the ski club, in partnership with the Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon.

Those looking to register for Nordic walking programming will have a chance to do so tomorrow.

The ski club will be one of many sport organizations at tomorrow’s Community Registration Fair at the Canada Games Centre. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the dry ATCO arena floor.

Meanwhile, no updates were available on the status of a paved track coming to the Whitehorse ski club.

Cross Country Yukon is reportedly investigating the possibility of adding a five-kilometre roller-ski track to the club’s trail network – a trail that is expected to cost several hundred thousands of dollars.