Youth Programs

Level Up Your Skiing

Join Edmonton Nordic’s Youth Programs

Youth programs with ENSC are development programs geared to improving technique and fitness in an environment that enhances fun and community. Workouts are designed to build self-confidence, team cohesion and encourage skiers to challenge themselves. We support racing for those who are excited to race. Through our youth programs we aim to build a strong Nordic community where skiers who join for self improvement, fitness and/or competition are welcomed supported.

Athletes enrolling in this program have completed Jackrabbits Level 4 or the Learn to Ski programs and are U10-U20.

Youth programs meet twice a week at 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday evenings and 10:00 - 12:00 Saturday mornings with an addition of Thursday night session for those wanting to set goals for racing. Locations are typically Capilano, Goldbar Park, Whitemud area, Terwillegar and Gallagher parks. Families should be prepared to occasionally travel to other nearby locations outside of Edmonton such as Blackfoot-Cooking Lake recreational area and Strathcona Wilderness Center and Chickakoo Recreational Area.

Please read the detailed program descriptions before registering your child!

Please reach out to headcoach@edmontonnordic.ca for any questions.

Athletes need to have one set of skate and one set of classic equipment (skis, poles and boots). You must be an ENSC member as well as a current Nordiq Alberta/Nordiq Canada member to register, these memberships can be purchased at the time of registration for a program.

Registration on Zone4: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=42254

Please see our frequently asked questions faq’s: Youth

If racing is your jam then you have the option to join the Race Program by adding a Thursday night practice. This additional session allows for those interested in racing to take a deep dive into technical development, racing techniques, and training support through Training Peaks. Skiers in this stream receive more time on the snow providing more opportunities for coach feedback.. They also receive support at the Alberta and Calforex Cups.

Families who do NOT join the Racing Program but who would LIKE TO TRY racing outside of the locally hosted Alberta Cups on January 30-31, can purchase a Race Support Pass for an additional cost at the time of registration or later through a TeamSnap link. Ask the lead coach of your program for more details.

‍ ‍*World Jr Trials, Westerns and Nationals are additional to this fee and will be supported by the athletes who attend.

U10 Development

This is for those skiers who have graduated from level 4 and want to continue to improve the FUNdamentals of cross country skiing. The U10 program is about having fun, improving fundamental movement skills and basic cross country skiing abilities throughout an entire ski season versus the shorter jackrabbits timeframe. Participants will improve their fitness and strength during dryland training and develop improved confidence on skis through technique challenges, games, relays and skill building activities.

U12 Development

U12 is a skill development program aimed at improving classic and skate technique in a FUN and social team environment. Participants will improve their fitness and strength both on and off snow and develop improved confidence on skis through more complex technique challenges and skill building activities including games, relays and adventure skis. Although athletes will be provided an opportunity to participate in race events, racing is optional and not a requirement in any of our programs.

U14 Development

Skiers are learning how to train systematically at this stage, yet the focus remains on developing ski specific skills and basic fitness. While skiing in a social and FUN environment, athletes will develop an aerobic base and technical skills. This program will improve skier confidence when skiing when exposed to new and challenging terrain and variable snow conditions. Two and three day options are offered (September to March) that also include basic strength training and roller-skiing is introduced as part of dryland training.

U16 Development & Racing

Skiers will continue to grow in their technical abilities and begin to understand how to train for optimal performance. Building on our ski knowledge this team will continue to practice goal setting for training and competition scenarios. Training will be a combination of focused intensity to improve fitness and technique refinement to improve efficiency no matter what speed you want to ski. Building community through camps, ski adventures and monthly challenges will ensure skiers enjoy this program no matter what their individual goals are.

U18 Development & Racing

This program is ideal for those looking to maintain and improve their ski fitness, technical efficiency and work towards a racing or training goal. Training will include physical and mental preparation for competition, skills that can be transferred to any sporting or competition scenario. Skiers will continue to refine their technical efficiency through a range of drills, challenges and activities that will give them the confidence to ski any trail, anywhere in any setting, race or recreational.

Racing is not mandatory but skiers will be given the opportunity to enhance tactical skills and knowledge on how to prepare for competition both on and off the trails. Refinement of all skills can be expected, as well as improving ski specific endurance and strength. This is a full season program and includes dryland and on-snow training.