Ski League - Lessons

This program uses Cross Country Canada’s Skill Development Program.

This is part of Sport Canada’s new Long-Term Athlete Development Model - a model designed to help all sport participants to develop and reach their potential plus to encourage life-long participation in sport.

Below is an outline of the levels.  Returning skiers will be placed into groups based on their skill levels. 

Jackrabbits (ages 6 to 9 OR beginner skiers over age 9)

Level 1

• Fun activities and games are used to develop skills including balance, falling and getting back up, turning around, basic movement on skis, herringbone up hills, snowplough braking down hills.

• Poles not required.

• Lessons run 45 min. to 1  hour depending on the group and time of year.

Level 2

• While the emphasis is still on fun, skills already learned in level one are developed further.

• Other skills will be introduced such as:  gliding diagonal stride, double poling, kick turns, snowplough stops and snowplough turns.

• Poles will be required for lessons.

• Lessons run 1  to 2 hours depending on the group and time of year.

Level 3

• Level 2 skills are further developed with more emphasis on skating techniques while still frolicking in the snow.

• Skills introduced include one-step double poling, free skate, downhill tuck, diagonal skate and skate turns.

• Skiers will need both skate and classic skis and poles to attain the skills required for this level.

• Lessons run approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Level 4

• All the basic ski skills are further refined with the introduction of one skate, two skate, step turns, parallel side slipping downhill, and offset.

• Lessons run approximately 1 1/2 hours on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings.

Track Attack Program (ages 9 to 12)

• The Track Attack program is designed to promote the continued physical development of young cross-country skiers.

• It recognizes that the age window of 9 to 12 is one of the most important periods of motor development, and it is intended to both encourage enjoyment of the sport and enhance competence in the basic skills required to excel in it.

• Lessons run approximately 1 1/2 hours on Saturday mornings, Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Ski League Incentive Programs

• All ski leaguers will receive a booklet to help keep track of skill progress and the new awards.

• All criteria for the awards below are detailed in the booklets. 

Jackrabbits Program 

    Technique Awards

•         Earn a sticker for your booklet for every level you master.  

    Program Awards

•   Snow Goals:  Earn stickers for extra ski sessions outside Ski League lessons.

•   Sprints:  Based on skier’s 100 m sprint times, earn stickers if you meet a specified time goal.

•   Hat Tricks:  Combine a Technical Award with a Sprint and Snow Goal Award to collect an all-round achievement award. 

Track Attack Program

The Track Attack incentives, which are trading cards depicting famous cross-country skiers, are awarded for the successful achievement of each of the following 5 targets: 

1) Technique

• Diagonal Stride 

• Double Pole 

• One Skate   

2) Attendance at Competitive Events

• Ski Tournament

• Midget Championships

• Provincial Championships 

3) Participation in Another Dimension of Skiing

• Backcountry Adventure

• Snow Camp

• Ski Orienteering 

4) Training

• Practice Sessions

• Ski Preparation

• Roller Skiing 

5) Something Different / Outside the Box

• Team Sprints

• Xtreme X-Country

• Off-season Camp 

Other Information:

For all those skiers out there who want to know how far they have been, you can download a log sheet here.