Strathcona Nordic Ski Club (SNSC) has a program for everyone! There are recreational and racing programs for adults and children and also coach and race official training opportunities too.
Registration for SNSC membership and programs opened on October 1 on Zone4.ca. The earlybird fee deadline is November 30. Registration for most programs will continue for as long we have spaces/coaches; however, the registration deadline for the Rabbit Skills Development Programs (Rabbit SDP) will be December 30. Visit the Membership page to learn more about benefits and pricing for membership. Remember, when you register for our programs and/or membership, you still need a Mount Washington Nordic Season’s Pass or trail pass to use the trails! Rabbit program families are eligible for a special Rabbit trail pass.
Recreational programs run for 10 sessions on Saturdays or on Sundays from January 7/8 to March 17/18, 2012. We wrap up our ski season with our club Loppet on March 31.
Here is a quick overview of SNSC programs and prices. Note: Zone 4 registration will add 12% HST to these prices. Visit individual program pages to learn more about the programs:
Bunny Rabbits
Bunny Rabbits introduces four and five year olds to the sport of Nordic skiing. This once a week program focuses on balance and learning through organized activity and active play in a variety of terrain. Bunny Rabbits is part of the Skill Development Program (SDP) from Cross Country Canada. Skiers in this program require parent support during the lessons. Skiers can choose either the Saturday or Sunday Bunny Rabbits program. Winter 2012 fee: Earlybird $60 / Regular $90
Jack Rabbits
The Jack Rabbit program is for skiers aged six to twelve and is also part of the Skill Development Program (SDP) from Cross Country Canada. Jack Rabbits has four skill development progressions or levels, which focus on balance, agility, and rhythm. All classic techniques are covered, and skate skiing is introduced in the third and fourth levels. Skiers will develop confidence, build overall motor skills, and develop outdoor winter safety skills. Skiers can choose either the Saturday or Sunday Jack Rabbits program. See more information on our Rabbit pages. Winter 2012 fee: Earlybird $60 / Regular $90
Parents and guardians: Remember that Rabbits needs you! Click the volunteer button on the sidebar after October 1!
Powder Pack
This is a program for tweens and teens who want to ski the trails on a weekend morning with a group of peers for fun, fitness, and skill development. Powder Pack puts a focus on fun, social skiing, and exploring nordic trails. The program will run on Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00. Winter 2012 fee Earlybird $60 / Regular $90
Devo
The Devo Program is a developmental group for keen skiers in the 10-14 age range and is presented in a fun format. This group focuses on skiing and ski technique development, and it introduces racing. Racing is presented as a personal challenge, and young skiers learn the steps involved in preparing for a race. This program runs two to three times per week from fall through winter. See our Devo page.Winter 2012 fee Earlybird $300/ Regular $325
Junior Racers
The Junior Racing Team is for 14-19 year old athletes interested in pursuing the skills necessary to participate and compete at the provincial Junior level and beyond. These athletes work hard on a daily basis. Junior Racers are shown that through hard work, perseverance, and teamwork anything is possible. This program runs all year round. Winter 2012 fee Earlybird $475/ Regular $525
Elite High Performance Racers
This program is for athletes who are looking to compete at the national and international racing level. The program is modeled after the National Team program. Dedicated high performance athletes age 15 and up receive full individualized training and racing programs. The program is also available on an outreach basis to athletes who live and train away from Mount Washington. Winter 2012 fee $1000
Senior and Masters Racers
These programs are for Senior (19+) and Masters (30+) athletes who are interested in skiing for fitness and competition but have other life priorities such as school, work, and/or family. Both summer and winter programs are available. Local participants will meet twice per week for training under the supervision of head coach Dave Battison and club assistant coaches. Outreach programs are available for remote athletes (i.e. students) who can’t attend weekly group sessions. Winter 2012 fee Earlybird $250/Regular $275
Masters Recreational: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
These programs are for recreational skiers who wish to improve their skiing techniques (classic and skating) and fitness through a season of coached sessions. Participants meet on a weekend morning and are coached by NCCP qualified club coaches. The Masters programs run concurrent with the weekend Rabbit programs on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Winter 2012 fee Earlybird $115/ Regular $135
Back-country skiing
SNSC members can join skilled back-country guide Andrew Pape-Salmon on two day trips where they will explore the back country of Strathcona Provincial Park on back-country X-country skis. On January 14 (date change!), the trip will be to Mt Brooks. On March 18, the group will do Mt Becher. There is more information in the back-country section on the Recreation page. FREE!
Learn to Loppet
This is a program for skiers who have never been in a Loppet before and for skiers who want to improve their Loppett experience. There will be five on-snow sessions leading up to the March 27th Vancouver Island Loppet. Topics covered will be technique and course management, which includes warm up and start, proper nutrition and hydration, ski preparation and selection. not offered this year
Paranordic
SNSC has two sit skis. Registered SNSC members can become approved sit ski users and take the sit skis out on the trails. Contact us for more information info@stratchonanordics.com. Winter 2012 fee $10
Coaching and Officials
The sport of cross-country skiing relies on qualified volunteer coaches and officials to train skiers and run race events. SNSC offers Level 1 and Level 2 Officials courses. Coaching Courses follow the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) of Canada. Free to SNSC coaches and officials! Contact us info@StrathconaNordics.com.
