Adult Programs

We offer adult ski programs for Kanata Nordic members (ages 16 and up) to learn to ski and/or to refine their skiing technique. The programs include novice and intermediate classes in both classic and skating styles of skiing, adult drop-in clinics and an adult touring group. The demand for Adult Ski instruction has increased and the club is always looking for Leaders who might wish to share their ski knowledge and skills. If you are interested in becoming an Instructor for Adult ski programs, please let us know! Contact info@kanatanordic.ca

Registration for 2023-24 opens September 10h at 6pm for returning members and September 17th for new members. Enrolment in programs requires a club membership.

Preseason Programs – Instructors Needed! Adult Novice Program Intermediate Adult Program Adult Technique Drop-In Sessions Adult Touring Group

If the program you would like to register for is full, please add yourself to the waitlist

2023-2024 Program Information

Ski Fitness Prep Program – Fall 2023

In previous seasons we have been blessed with an enthusiastic instructor, who will be unavailable this Fall and Winter for our Tuesday night sessions, and we will miss her!

But we have great news! Someone has come forward to offer a Wed evening Fall Ski Prep Fitness program! Leigh is an experienced fitness instructor with Community Activities Group He is excited to work with our folks in Kanata. Level up your ski fitness with Leigh!

SENIOR’S FALL FITNESS PROGRAM – CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

Program Times: Looking for an Instructor to lead this program, no details at this time. If you are interested in leading a Fall Fitness for Seniors reach out to info@kanatanordic.ca

ADULT FITNESS SKI PREP PROGRAM

Program Times: WED evenings 6:30 – 7:30 pm

An experienced fitness leader and ski racer, Leigh will get you ready to enjoy those snowy days on skis by leading you through outdoor exercises designed to enhance your strength, flexibility and endurance. He will have you confidently taking on new ski challenges.

Group size is limited to 12 skiers and runs Sept 20 – Nov 8

Novice Programs

NOVICE CLASSIC PROGRAM Intended for beginners, those with limited skiing experience and would like to build their confidence. Focused on classic technique – the skier skis in tracks and skis generally are parallel to each other. Group size is limited to 12 skiers. If Kanata Nordic can recruit more volunteer coaches, then we may be able to offer more classes. There are currently 2 Novice Classic groups running: Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.

Prerequistes:

Skiers should have the ability to stand on one foot and balance without support for at least a few seconds.
Skiers should have the appropriate equipment. Please check out the following guide https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/cross-country-nordic-skis or go to a store that specializes in cross country skis. Poorly fitting equipment hampers technique and results in frustration.

Program Times:

Saturday Afternoon Novice Classic Program: January 6 to March 2, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Sunday Morning Novice Classic Program: January 7 to March 3, 9:30 – 11 AM

Location: Wesley Clover Parks (401 Corkstown Rd.)

Sessions build upon one another and regular attendance is important. Topics in the Classic program include:

Review of equipment & basic waxing techniques (scheduled in early December)
Start at the beginning – falling down and getting up
Classic diagonal stride – emphasis on weight shift and glide with balance being key
Turning and stopping
Downhill technique – skiing in control, snow plow, step turns, double pole
Climbing uphill – herringbone, side step, classic technique
Use the terrain to your advantage to be an efficient skier – which technique for which terrain?
Introduction to skate skiing – this will depend on the progress and interest of the group

Location: Wesley Clover Parks (401 Corkstown Rd starting point / forays to 411 Corkstown)

Program Prices:

9 week program registration $95

NOVICE SKATE PROGRAM Intended for beginners, those with limited skiing experience and would like to build their confidence. Focused on skating technique – a dynamic style that people do on groomed paths but not in the tracks. Skate is a highly aerobic type of Nordic skiing that uses a pronounced pole plant, an angled skating motion. Group size is limited to 12 skiers. If Kanata Nordic can recruit more volunteer coaches, then we may be able to offer more classes.

Prerequistes:

Skiers should have the ability to stand on one foot and balance without other support for at least 3-4 seconds.
Skiers should have the appropriate equipment. Please check out the following guide https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/cross-country-nordic-skis or go to a store that specializes in cross country skis. Poorly fitting equipment hampers technique and results in frustration.

Program Times:

9 week program – Saturday January 6 to March 2nd

Location: Wesley Clover Parks (401 Corkstown Rd.)

Program Prices:

9 week program $95

Intermediate Ski Program

INTERMEDIATE CLASSIC PROGRAM Intended for skiers who are comfortable on cross country skis but who may not have had formal training. This is not a learn to ski program, however, athletic people with limited experience generally have success. Experienced skiers in one technique typically transition well to the other technique. Group size is limited to 12 skiers.

Prerequisites:
Skier should be able to glide on one ski for 2 – 3 seconds. Skiers should have classic ski equipment. Please check out the following guide https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/cross-country-nordic-skis or go to a store that specializes in nordic skis. Please do not register in this program if you do not have access to classic skis.

Program Times: There is 1 section running on Saturday mornings

–AM Saturday January 7th to March 11th
Intermediate Classic 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

INTERMEDIATE SKATE PROGRAM – LOOKING FOR INSTRUCTOR

intended for skiers who are comfortable on cross country skis but who may not have had formal training. This is not a learn to ski program, however, athletic people with limited experience generally have success. Experienced skiers in one technique typically transition well to the other technique. This program focuses on skate technique – the skier skis outside the tracks in a skating motion. Group size is limited to 12 skiers.

Prerequisites:
Skier should be able to glide on one ski for 2 – 3 seconds. Skiers should have skate ski equipment. Please check out the following guide https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/cross-country-nordic-skis or go to a store that specializes in cross country skis. Please do not register in this program if you do not have access to skate skis.

Program Times:

9 week program – Saturday January 6 to March 2nd
Intermediate Skate 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m Meeting at 401 Corkstown Rd parking lot

Sessions build upon one another and regular attendance is important. The focus for both techniques is fundamentally the same.

Advance basic ski techniques – balance, weight shift, body position, poling
Skiing without poles focusing on balance and glide, weight shift, flat ski, efficiency
Double poling (the basis of all cross country ski poling) – classic, skate, one-skate, two skate
Efficient hill climbing
Downhill technique – building confidence; skiing in control by controlling speed, cornering
Use the terrain to your advantage to be an efficient skier – which technique for which terrain?

9 week program $95

Adult Touring Group

ADULT TOURING Sessions consist of recreational skiing over a variety of terrain, primarily in Gatineau Park, mixed with instruction and pointers for either classic or skating techniques. The typical ski outing in Gatineau Park is approximately 10 kms over 2+ hours. Skiers have the choice of either classical or skating and the group is usually mixedThe program is suited to couples, friends, and parents with older teen or adult children.

Prerequisites:

Skiers should be familiar with either classic or skate technique.
Skiers should be comfortable skiing up to 10 km in either classic or skate style. The first few sessions will be slightly shorter.

Program Times: Saturday mornings meet at a location in Kanata at 8:30 to drive to various locations in Gatineau Park. The drive time will depend on location in the Park and weather conditions. Most tours will be out and back with trails groomed for both classic and skating. Skiers wishing to return early can do so. Snow conditions permitting, the program could start earlier and continues into April.

Location: Various locations in Gatineau Park

Program Prices:

Regular cost: Free
Gatineau Park trail fees not included. Kanata Nordic will send club members an email with discount code for Demsis’ season pass in Gatineau Park.

Adult Drop-In Clinics: TBD

Intended for skiers with some experience wanting coaching/feedback on a specific technique. Skiers register for each session separately. Each session covers a specific topic. Sessions will be led by experienced coaches.

Sessions dates and times TBD, located at Kanata Nordic

Prerequisites:

Skiers should have some prior experience with that session’s specific technique focus. Intermediate or experienced XC skiers with limited experience on that specific technique are welcome in related sessions.
Skiers need appropriate equipment for the session’s technique. e.g. skate skis for a skate session.
Skiers should have an understanding of waxing for classic technique or have access to skin skis.

Refund / Cancellation Policy:

Memberships are non-refundable.
Learn-to-ski (LTS) program registration fees will be refunded, less a 20% administration fee, within the first 7 days of the start of the program. No refunds will apply to withdrawals on or after the 7th day. To obtain a refund, please contact registration@kanatanordic.ca

Please note:

Kanata Nordic reserves the right to cancel any programs with insufficient registration or without volunteer leaders. In this case every effort will be made to find an equivalent program or a refund will be offered.
Kanata Nordic programs are subject to the will of Mother Nature. We follow Nordiq Canada’s weather guidelines in terms of program cancellation. This means programs will be cancelled if conditions are unsafe or temperatures are below acceptable limits. We attempt to reschedule cancelled events but at the discretion of group leaders. The Club will attempt to give its members as much notice as possible for program changes caused by inclement weather or adverse conditions.
In the event that program instruction days are cancelled by Kanata Nordic at the direction of Provincial or Municipal authorities in response to the COVID health emergency and classes cannot be rescheduled in the current ski season, credit will be given for a portion of the program fee towards 2022-2023 registration fees.