The Rabbit Skill Development Program is part of the Skill Development Program (SDP) from Cross Country Canada and Sport Canada’s new Long-term Athlete Development Model (LTAD), which is designed to encourage lifelong participation in sport while developing all participants to their full potential.
The Bunnyrabbit program is for 4-5 year olds and is designed to develop fundamental movement skills (with a focus on balance and agility), coordination, self confidence, imagination and social skills. It encourages children to be active and helps them develop an awareness and appreciation of our natural environment.
The Jackrabbit program for children 6 and up aims to help children to learn basic cross-country ski skills (both classic and skating) and to instill a lifelong interest in the sport, thereby enhancing their quality of life and health. The program is designed to develop FUNdamental movement skills, build overall motor skills, confidence and social skills, and encourage fun and participation. Low-key competitions are introduced, as are inter-club social, skill, and fitness-oriented ski activities, such as the tournament.
The Powder Pack Program is for teens and tweens who want to ski on Saturday mornings or on Sunday mornings and improve their skills with a group of peers. Powder Pack focuses on fun, technique, social skiing, and exploring nordic trails.
The Rabbit SDPs begin in early January. When you register, you can choose either the Saturday or Sunday sessions. Both programs run from 10am to 12pm for 10 weeks and end in a combined session event in mid-March with the exciting Rabbit Tournament!
Use the links below to find more information about:
Preparing for the season
Rabbit awards program
Rabbits in the Coastal Cup
Rabbit ski tournament
Rabbit volunteer form — Do I have to?
Coaching rabbits
Membership and program registration
Zone4:
- 2013 Winter fees are:
- Membership fees are: Family membership $75, Individual memberships: — Child $25, Adult $35, Senior $25.
- Program fees are: Earlybird $65/ Regular $100
- The earlybird fees for program registration end on November 30.
- The regular fees for registration for Rabbit programs run from November 30 to December 31.
- NOTE: Registration for Rabbits closes on December 31.
- Also Note: Our program fees don’t include Mount Washington’s trail fees. If planning on skiing outside of Rabbit program days, consider purchasing a Nordic season’s pass from Mount Washington (note their September 30 earlybird deadline!) If you think your family will only ski on Rabbit program days, Mount Washington offers a reduced rate Rabbit Program trail pass to cover the 10 sessions. You can purchase this in early January. 2012 Fees for either Saturday or Sunday for the 10 sessions were: Adult (19-64) $132, Youth (13-18) $108, Child (6-12) $68.50, Under 5 is free. We’ll update these numbers ASAP!
Safety Issues and Parental Responsibilities
Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and handed over to their coach at the beginning of each session. Please leave enough time to park your vehicle and to get all equipment sorted. Please keep in mind that other, non-Rabbit skiers aside from Rabbits may be renting equipment on weekend mornings.
Being punctual is for consideration of the group and allows all participants to enjoy their full two hour program. Latecomers who discover their group has left should try to locate the group. A parent or guardian should accompany the child - UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a child be sent alone to find their group. Punctuality is for consideration of the group, who may get cold waiting for latecomers.
It is also the responsibility of the parents or guardians to pick their child up at the end of each session in front of the Raven Lodge at noon. If the weather is stormy or wet, please be prepared to meet your child earlier than 12:00.
Please supply your children with adequate clothing to stay warm and dry (mittens, hat, snow pants, raincoats, sunscreen, etc.). Coaches will not permit children to participate if their clothing is found insufficient for safety reasons. Having proper ski equipment that fits your child well is also very important for their learning and enjoyment.
Rabbits needs you!
Rabbit parents or guardians are required to volunteer to help support the Rabbits program. This wonderful program can’t run without volunteers, so please use the Rabbit Volunteer button on the sidebar from October 1 through December 30 to sign up for a position. There are many duties to choose from that fit a wide range of interests and abilities, as well as varied schedules. While the majority of opportunities are on-mountain jobs (generally requiring a one day commitment), there are some off-mountain tasks that need to be filled, and even some off season positions as well!
