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, dependent upon the availability of Leaders. The demand for Adult Ski instruction has increased considerably 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 our Club Administrator

Registration for 2024-25 season opens in early September for returning members and a week later for new members. Enrolment in any of our programs requires a Kanata Nordic Ski club membership.

If there is a program that you would like to register for and is not currently available or is full please add yourself to our 2025 ADULT PROGRAM WAITLIST

2024-2025 Program Information

ADULT PRE-SEASON FITNESS – FALL 2024

We will have 2 sections for this program in Fall 2024! Kathy Fischer has returned and will run a session on Monday evenings, Leigh Brethour is returning to run sessions on Wed evenings.

*GETTING READY FOR SKI SEASON with Kathy

  • Monday evenings 6 – 7:30 pm; Kanata Recreation Complex
  • Mon Sept 23rd to Nov 25th
  • Maximum 12 participants

Kathy will cover technique, balance, agility, strength, flexibility and aerobics specifically related to xc ski preparation (for classic and skate) People will need to dress in layers for the weather, bring water, yoga mat or long towel, xc ski or hiking poles, running shoes and a smile. We train in all weather except lightning storm.

All levels of fitness and xc ski experience are welcome!

**PREPARE FOR SKIING – HIGH INTENSITY BOOT CAMP with Leigh

  • Wed Sept 25th to Wed Nov 13th
  • 6:30 – 7:30 pm Beaverbrook park, behind Earth of March H.S
  • Group size is limited to 17 skiers. 

This Fall, Leigh is again offering his popular dryland training program to prepare your conditioning for the upcoming ski season.  The session is open to all and can be modified according to ability, however, it’s geared to skiers who already have some form of weekly fitness routine and are looking to add a new dimension.

The program will focus on endurance, strength, speed and flexibility enhancing movements that mirror common skiing techniques. The exercises will incorporate a variety of equipment from performance bands, medicine balls, free weights and lots of other cool stuff to surprise your body at each session, and change the strain, all while having fun!

The program is led by Leigh Brethour, an experienced fitness teacher who leads fitness classes throughout the city and works with a variety of high performance sports teams, including the Ottawa Redblacks.  

Come out so you can perform your best right out of the gate when the snow comes!!

On-Snow Programs

BEGINNER CLASSIC PROGRAM

Intended for beginners, those with limited skiing experience and would like to build their confidence on skis and develop skills for getting up and down hills. Lessons are focused on classic technique – the skis slide in tracks and skis generally are parallel to each other. 

  • Saturdays 1:30 – 2:30
  • Sundays 9:30 – 11 am

*** looking for more instructors to be able to offer more sections

  • Skiers must have their own (& 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.

Sessions build upon one another and regular attendance is important.

Location: Wesley Clover Parks Equestrian Centre Trails (401 Corkstown Rd) & Campground/NCC trail systems

BEGINNER SKATE SKIING – still looking for more instructors!

Intended for beginners, who are comfortable on skis but wish to learn skate ski 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.

  • Sunday AM – 9:30 – 10:30

Prerequistes:

  • Skiers should comfortable with cross country skiing; comfortable with balance on skis, and able control gliding and stopping.
  • Skiers must have their own Skate skis & boots. Poorly fitting or inappropriate equipment hampers technique and results in frustration. 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.

Intermediate Ski Program **Looking for Instructors!

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 comfortable with basic cross country ski skills and have good balance on skis. Must be comfortable going up and down hills.
  • 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:  unavailable – no instructor

    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 have mastered basic skate ski skills
    • Comfortable on skis for glide and control on skis.
    • Skiers must 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: currently unavailable – awaiting instructors

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

      ADULT TOURING GROUP – looking for a Leader!

      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 mixed. The 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.

      Location: Various locations in Gatineau Park**

      • **Please note that Gatineau Park trail fees are an additional cost! Touring group participants should consider purchasing a season pass for Gatineau park, or be prepared to pay daily trail fees.

      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.