UPDATE: JAN 4, 2024
We are at capacity! We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response to the Adult Ski Training Program. We have now closed the registration for this program for the season.
Skiers looking for instruction are welcome to connect with the coaches listed on the Lessons page of skiblackjack.ca.
Adult Ski Training 2024: SKATE AND CLASSIC
Improve your cross country skiing foundations and fitness so that you can be faster and more efficient on the trails this season! The training includes a weekly evening coached session on the trails at Black Jack Ski Club for instruction on technique and form. Also included is a ski program to guide independent scheduling of additional ski training each week. The program is designed to help achieve personal bests in endurance and speed, culminating in the ability to ski back-to-back long distance loppets in classic and skate technique by the end of the 2023/24 ski season.
Evening coached sessions are led by certified coaches and by athletes who have previously skied for Canada's National team. The ski program is written by Dave Wood, who led Canada's National Cross Country team to multiple Olympic gold medals. Learn from the best!
Details
Thursday Evening Coaching
The coached sessions are Thursday evenings at the main Black Jack trailhead. These group sessions begin at 5pm and last approximately one hour. The full coaching schedule spans 13 Thursdays, from Jan 4 through to Mar 28.
The technique at the coached sessions will alternate between a night of classic and a night of skate skiing. The technique will be communicated to participants at the start of each week.
13-Week Program
The program from Dave Wood includes skate and classic training, leading participants to feel confident to complete their choice of a 40km or 21km goal distance, in skate and classic, by the end of March.
The training program begins at the end of December and runs through to the end of March. Designed with flexibility for individual schedules and goals, the program is built around participants ideally skiing four times per week, with two shorter skis during the week (including the Thu evening coached session) and two longer endurance skis on the weekend.
Coordination will be provided for program participants to meet for one longer ski each week, typically on a Sat or Sun. This session is not coached, but the camaraderie of the group can improve motivation and enjoyent, especially for the longer distance training. Weekend skis may occur at the main Black Jack trailhead, at the biathlon trailhead, and at Castlegar Nordic (Paulson).
TWO REGISTRATION Options
Full Training. The full training includes both the Thursday Evening Coaching and the 13-Week Program. This option is designed for individuals who are looking to improve their skiing form, speed, and fitness, and who want to connect with other skiers with similar goals. Loppet participation is encouraged but not required. Participants registering for the full training program should have skate and classic equipment.
Five Sessions. For skiers who prefer to focus on the coached sessions and are unable to join the full 13-week training, there is an option to join five of the coached evening sessions. Participants registering for the five coached sessions can join any five of the Thursday evening sessions between Jan 4 and Mar 28. If desired, participants in this option can choose to only attend skate evenings or only attend classic evenings.
Loppets
The program targets three loppets:
Castlegar Nordic's Troll Loppet (Jan 28)
Black Jack's Loppet (Mar 9)
Sovereign2SilverStar (Apr 6 & 7).
There is no requirement to participate in these events, but participants in the Adult Ski Training are encouraged to consider entering and/or volunteering at these fun ski races.
Fees
13-week program with Thursday evening coached sessions
$160 for Black Jack Ski Club members
$260 for non-members
5 Thursday evening coached sessions
$100 for Black Jack Ski Club members
$140 for non-members
(Non-member pricing includes trail tickets for evening skiing)
Fees do not include the Zone4 processing fee ($1.50), GST (5%), and credit card processing fees.