Adult Programs – Full for 2023 season!

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.

Registration for 2022-23 opens September 11th at noon for returning members and September 18th for new members. Enrolment in programs requires a club membership.

Preseason Programs 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 here.

2022-2023 Program Information

Pre-Season Program

SENIOR’S FALL FITNESS PROGRAM is Intended to get older skiers ready for winter. An experienced coach will lead you through outdoor exercises designed to work on sport-specific and general endurance, flexibility and strength in order to make the winter a lot more fun. The class is aimed to be enjoyable exercise outside. Group size is limited to 12 skiers.

Program Times:

September 13 to November 1, 2022
Tuesday 1:00 pm to 2:00 p.m.

Location: Kanata Recreation center

Program Prices:

AUTUMN ADULT PREPARE FOR SKIING FALL FITNESS PROGRAM is Intended to get adult skiers of all levels ready for winter. An experienced coach will lead you through outdoor exercises designed to work on sport-specific and general endurance, flexibility and strength in order to make the winter a lot more fun. The class is aimed to be enjoyable exercise outside. Group size is limited to 12 skiers.

Program Times:

September 13 to November 1, 2022
Tuesday 6:00 pm to 7:00 p.m.

Location: Kanata Recreation center

Program Prices:

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: Tues evenings and Saturday afternoons.

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:

Tuesday Evening Novice Classic Program:
– Tuesday January 10 to February 28
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Afternoon Novice Classic Program:
– Saturday January 7 to March 11
1:30 – -3:30 p.m.

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 $90

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
– Thursday January 12th to March 9th
Novice Skate 6p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Wesley Clover Parks (401 Corkstown Rd.)

Program Prices:

9 week program $90

Intermediate 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 are 2 sections running on Saturdays:

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

–PM Saturday January 7th to March 11th
Intermediate Classic 2 pm – 3:30 p.m.

INTERMEDIATE SKATE 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. 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 7th to March 11th
Intermediate Skate 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m Meeting at 401 Corkstown Rd parking lot

9 week program – Sunday January 8th to March 12th – CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE (no instructor)

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 $90

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 Nordic Fitness Group –

ADULT NORDIC FITNESS Intended for experienced skiers looking for like minded individuals of all ages to improve/maintain fitness and if interested receive pointers on technique. Regular Saturday morning sessions are typically in Gatineau Park and run from 8:30 am – 11:00 am. Weeknight sessions will be scheduled for Wesley Clover Parks or Gatineau Park based on interest or conditions.

Outline:

Skiers should generally have a good fitness level and be reasonably fit.
Distances and terrain are selected based on conditions, terrain, and to explore different trails. Generally distances increase through the season.
Finish time and distance are flexible for those choosing to leave the group ski early.
Generally, one technique is selected for a session, however, does not preclude skier choice.
Group ski. Each skier skis at comfort level and we regroup regularly.

For more information, contact Mike Duivenvoorden at mikexcski@gmail.com and include “Adult Fitness” in the subject line.

Program Times:

Program starts when conditions permit and as long as trails are available (typically early December to early April)
Fall dryland roller skiing and/or trail hikes as interest exists

Adult Drop-In Clinics

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 are from 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm at Wesley Clover Parks.

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.

Program Times and Costs:

TBD – One skate technique
- Wesley Clover Parks
- Cost $25 pp
TBD – Double poling, the basis of all poling techniques
- Wesley Clover Parks
- Cost $25 pp
TBD – Classic diagonal stride
- Wesley Clover Parks
- Cost $25 pp
TBD – Skate and hill techniques
- 411 Corkstown
- Cost $25 pp

To register:

Registration for each session will be limited to eight people and will be on a first come, first served basis.
- Registration will be through Zone4
- Note: Sessions may be rescheduled if conditions are not suitable.

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.