They are going to be a big part of the Sea to Sky corridor's involvement in the 2010 Winter Olympics, with tens of thousands watching live and millions from around the world seeing them on TV.
So what exactly are Nordic sports?
That's a question that attendees of a series of lectures at the Adventure Centre are hopefully going to get an answer to.
"We don't - out here on the coast - know anything about Nordic Sports," said Denise Imbeau, manager of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce.
"We need to get excited about these events and understand what they are all about," she said.
Imbeau contends that the Nordic venues to be built in the Callaghan Valley present the best opportunity for Squamish to become involved in the Olympics in a meaningful way.
"The facilities have just not been out here before so people don't really know anything about them."
That changed this past Tuesday (Jan. 9) when John Heilig, sport manager for ski jumping and Nordic combined, took the stage to explain the ins and outs of the two sports.
The series continues next Tuesday (Jan. 16) at the Adventure Centre at 7 p.m., with Rob Bernhardt discussing cross-country skiing. The following week John Aalberg will explain the nature of biathlon on Jan. 23.
Imbeau hopes that the events are just a starting point towards an increased level of excitement about the upcoming Games.
"We were all really up when the games were awarded, but that has died down now. We want to do this - start adopting the Nordic events as our own," said Imbeau.
"We want them [the athletes and coaches] to feel like Squamish is their home. That we're open to them. By doing that there will also be a good commercial spin off."
To end the lecture series, which Imbeau contends is just a kick off to bigger and better things, the Chamber will host Lure of the Rings on Jan. 25 at the Garibaldi Cineplex. Limited to just 150 invitees, the event will run from 5-7 p.m. and feature a number of guest speakers including representatives of VANOC, Mayor Ian Sutherland and Coun. Greg Gardner.
For more information or to register go to www.squamishchamber.com.
