Our Programs

RabbitS

The Kal Tire Bunnyrabbit program, for children aged approximately 4-5 yrs old, and the Jackrabbit program, for children aged approximately 6-9 yrs old, are part of the Skill Development Program (SDP) from Nordic Canada and Sport Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD). They are designed to encourage lifelong participation in cross-country skiing while developing all participants to their full potential.

Youth ReC Intro

The Youth Rec Intro is a fun, introductory recreational program for youth ages 9-14 years, with little to no skiing experience, who wish to learn or improve their classic and skating techniques in a fun, social group environment through a season of coached sessions.

YOUTH REC FIT! = Fun improvement team!

The FIT! Program is for youth ages 10-15 years. This is a recreational ski program for youth who want to have fun, improve their physical fitness and continue to develop their ski skills in a social, recreational focused ski group. Must have completed a minimum of one year of Level 4 Jackrabbits or the Youth Rec Intro.

SNAP

The Strathcona Nordics Adventure Program (SNAP) is a program for tweens and teens, 10-15. It brings together a number of disciplines in the family of Nordic skiing sports. SNAP continues to build on existing classic and skate skills, introduce and/or expand on snowshoeing skills, one of the fastest growing winter sports, and give kids an opportunity to try out the exhilarating sport of biathlon which involves both skiing and rifle marksmanship as well as ski-orienteering which includes map navigation along snow trails and tracks. Telemark and backcountry skiing may also be introduced as the program develops.

Participants are required to have completed the Rabbit Program or have a solid knowledge of classic and skate techniques.

Marmots-New for 2026/2027

The Marmots Program is the next step for young skiers after Level 4 Jackrabbits, providing a fun, supportive development environment for athletes 9–13 years old.

Marmots brings the former Devo program into a broader pathway designed to keep more young athletes engaged in Nordic sport. Participants continue developing their classic and skate skiing skills, physical literacy, confidence and fitness, while also having opportunities to explore biathlon, train with friends and challenge themselves in an active outdoor environment.

The program includes two streams — Level 5 and Level 6 — allowing athletes to progress at a pace and level of commitment that suits them. Some Marmots may be primarily interested in developing their skills, having fun and staying active, while others may choose a more competitive pathway involving additional training and racing.

The competitive development pathway previously offered through Devo remains an important part of Marmots. Athletes who want to race and pursue the Junior Race pathway will continue to receive the training, coaching and competition opportunities needed to prepare for that progression.

Marmots is delivered in partnership with the Vancouver Island Biathlon Club, giving athletes opportunities to experience both cross-country skiing and biathlon as they develop their skills and discover where they want Nordic sport to take them.

Junior Race

The Junior Racing program guides dedicated youth toward the pursuit of excellence in Nordic sport. It follows the Sport Canada – Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model; athletes are at the “Training to Train and Learning to Compete” stages of development. The aim of the program is personal challenge where competition is seen as a process through which athletes learn to be prepared, participate with intention, be supportive of teammates, do their very best, and reflect on what has been learned.

Masters RecReational (Learn to Loppet)

These programs are for recreational skiers who want to improve their skiing technique (classic and skating) and fitness – in a fun, social, and group environment – through a season of 8 sessions. Enjoy the program wrap up at the Vancouver Island Annual Loppet!

Masters Race

This program is for Masters (19 yrs +) athletes who are interested in skiing for fitness and competition - but have other life priorities such as school, work, and/or family. Masters Racers enjoy a season of on-snow sessions from December to March, and dry-land training opportunities from October to November.

Paranordic

Para-Nordic skiing is a winter activity that allows people with disabilities to practice nordic skiing, sometimes using specialised equipment. A good way for people with disabilities to get started with Nordic skiing is through the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS). VISAS volunteers offer one-on-one instruction in Nordic skiing or sit skiing for people with a wide range of disabilities