Learn to Ski / Lessons

Adult Lessons

We will be training coaches in December for adult lessons this season.  Please contact us if you would like to join us as a coach.

 

Try-It Events

Watch our Facebook page for announcements regarding Try-It Ski day. 

 

 

Kids' Lessons

Registration  for SDP will open up November 13, 2023!  

  • First lessons will start on Saturday, January 13, 2024
  • All of our volunteer coaches are certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). 
  • We also welcome parents to snap on their skis and volunteer!  We can use help supervising at each level - and you can learn some ski skills along the way!

 

Protecting our children's health:

    • If you or anyone in your household is sick, please stay home.

 

SDP Goals:

  • Develop fitness through active play, games and other activities.
  • Be fun.
  • Provide children an opportunity to be part of a sport “team”.
  • Develop competence in cross country ski skills.
  • Expose children to a variety of “adventure-based” cross country ski activities.

 

SDP Classes offered for 2024

  • Bunnies
  • Jack Rabbit Level 1
  • Jack Rabbit Level 2
  • Jack Rabbit Level 3-4 split
  • Track Attack 
  • Trail Blazers (Recreational)

Membership

  • All SDP participants must hold a club membership for the 2023/2024 season. 

Rentals

  • Rental equipment is available for children in Bunnies and Jackrabbit Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. 
  •  If children want to learn skate skiing (optional extra class on Wednesdays) they must own* skate equipment by January 9, 2024. 
  • Track Attack children must own skate and classic equipment by January 9, 2024. 

*some skate ski equipment may be available for rent this season

Lessons

  • Children in Bunnies and Jackrabbit Levels 1 and 2 must be able to attend:
    • Saturdays 1-2pm
  • Children in Jackrabbit Level 3 & 4 must be able to attend 2 lessons: 
    • Saturdays 1-2pm and 
    • Wednesdays 6-7pm
  • Children in Track Attack and Trail Blazers must be able to attend 2 lessons: 
    • Saturdays from 1-2:30pm 
    • Wednesdays from 6-7pm. 

*The program coordinator reserves the right to adjust classes based on participants skills, as determined on the first day of lessons.

All students must commit to attending the first three lessons or they will not be allowed to continue lessons, no refund permitted.  Participating in early lessons means children:

    • learn key skills pertinent to success in the lessons
    • enable them to keep up with the rest of the class, and not hold up the others in their class.

Essential Volunteers

  • This is a parent/volunteer run program.  One parent must be willing to volunteer in some capacity, the top priority being to ski along with a class to help supervise the lesson.  
  • Bunny parents need to participate with their child for at least the first two lessons and until the coach indicates to the individual parents that their child is ready to be left without parental support. Adult skis can be rented from our rental shop each Saturday before lessons begin.

 

SDP Class Selection

SDP participants are grouped as closely as possible by age and experience. 

Please select SDP class based on the age group (9 and younger, 10 and older) and experience.  

If your child does not fit the class selections or you have questions, please contact our SDP Coordinator.

  • For participants aged 9 years old or younger as of Mar 11, 2024
Experience SDP class selection Comments
Minimal or no skiing experience Age 4-5: Bunnies*Age 6-7: JR Level 1
  • Saturdays 1-2pm
  • Bunny parents need to participate with their child 
  • Rental equipment available
*Bunnies are typically repeated for 2 years, unless the child completes Bunnies when they are 5 years old. 
Nordic skiing experience but has not done JackRabbits  JR 2 (subject to first day assessment)
  • Saturdays 1-2pm
  • Rental equipment available
Has completed Bunnies or new skier aged 6-7 JR Level 1
  • Saturdays 1-2pm
  • Rental equipment available
Has completed Level 1 JR Level 2
  • Saturdays 1-2pm
  • Rental equipment available
Has completed Level 2 JR Level 3 / 4 split
  • Must be able to attend 2 lessons: Saturdays 1-2pm and Wednesdays 6-7pm
  • Rental equipment available
Has completed Level 3 JR 3 / 4 split
  • Must be able to attend 2 lessons: Saturdays 1-2pm and Wednesdays 6-7pm
  • Rental equipment available
Has completed Level 4 Track Attack
  • Must be able to attend 2 lessons: Saturdays 1-2:30pm and Wednesdays 6-7pm
  • Must own skate and classic equipment by January 13, 2024
  • For participants aged 10 years old or older as of Mar 11, 2024
Experience SDP class selection Comments
Minimal or no skiing experience

 

No SDP class
  • Watch our Facebook page for periodic weekend clinics
Nordic skiing experience but has not done JackRabbits  No SDP class
  • Watch our Facebook page for periodic weekend clinics
9+ years old but didn't complete all JR levels, returning late beginners, or new late beginners who have some classic experience already No SDP class
  • Watch our Facebook page for periodic weekend clinics
Has completed Level 4 Track Attack

Trail Blazers (Recreational)

  • Must be able to attend 2 lessons: Saturdays from 1-2:30pm and Wednesdays from 6-7pm
  • Must own skate and classic equipment by January 13, 20243

 

Class Descriptions

Bunnies :

  • Children ages 4-6 with no ski experience - note that one parent on skis, for safety reasons, must accompany their child in lessons
  • Begin to develop movements for classic ski technique

Jack Rabbit Level 1

  • Beginners age 6-7 or completion of Bunnies 
  • Begin to develop movements for classic ski technique  

Jack Rabbit Level 2

  • Completion of level 1 or assessed by a coach to be placed in level 2
  • Continue to develop movements for classic ski technique

Jack Rabbit Level 3

  • Completed level 2 or previous classic ski experience and assessed by a coach to be placed  in level 3
  • Continue to strengthen classic technique
  • Introduction to skate technique

Jack Rabbit Level 4

  • Completion of level 3
  • Continue to strengthen both classic and skate technique

 

Track Attack ages 10+ 

  • Track Attack is intended for children who have completed JR 4.
  • Develop competence in both classic and skate technique

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Fees:  $60 and a Whiskey Jack annual membership and a Nordic Canada insurance (paid for at the time of registration)  This is required for insurance purposes. 

For more information contact our SDP Coordinator at wjnsc.sdp@gmail.com

 

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Kids' Lessons Schedule

Saturdays
 
Bunnies 1:00-1:45
Jackrabbits 1:00- 2:00
Track Attack 1:00- 2:30

  • starting January 7th, ending Mar 11th

Wednesdays
Jackrabbits 3/4 6-7 pm
Track Attack 6-7 pm
        Level 4+/Late Beginner (optional) 6-7 pm

Thank you for your support of our Skill Development Program!

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact us (click here).