Welcome to our Adult Cross Country Ski Program – Masters XC for the 2023/24 season!

Masters XC is full for the 23/24 Season. Please email [email protected] to be added to the waiting list

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club offers a cross-country ski program for adults 19 years and over. The program is designed to allow participants to share the joy of skiing with other skiers of similar abilities. By listening to participants over the last 10-plus years, the program has become a successful blend of an opportunity for improving ski technique as well as building fitness and camaraderie. The atmosphere is relaxed, social, and fun. Led by an established group of qualified volunteer leaders, this program aims to provide a space for learning and covering distance on the trails. Participants can choose to ski classic only, skate only, or both, at every skill level. We will create starting groups based on a few short registration questions. There will be opportunities for movement across groups.

The program runs 2 mornings per week, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm: a Thursday session that includes instruction (as desired) and a Sunday social ski. On both days there is an option to gather for refreshments after each session. A Thursday night session is available for those who are not able to attend the Thursday morning session. Night sessions start at 6:00 pm and wrap up at 7:30 pm. The lodge is open until 8:00 pm.

Note: The night sessions are mainly skate-skiing lessons. If there are 5 or more participants who are interested in classic technique we can offer a classic group. The night sessions are run on the night loops at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.

The program is best suited to skiers who are minimally able to ski 4 kilometers in 40 minutes on flat to gently rolling terrain (think Woodland Bell for those who have skied at Sovereign).

While not for absolute beginners, our program caters to relatively new through to advanced skiers. If you are brand new to the sport of cross-country skiing Sovereign Lake Nordic Club offers group and private lessons. Lessons are also available for experienced skiers who are interested in more specialized instruction. Here is the link for full details:

https://www.sovereignlake.com/rates/lessons/ski-school/

Other Masters programs are also available:

https://www.sovereignlake.com/programs/adult/masters-performance-group/

Sounds like a good program for you? Here’s how to register in two easy steps:

Step 1: Decide if you meet the minimum ski requirements for the adult cross-country ski program (able to ski 4 kilometers in 40 minutes on flat to gently rolling terrain). If you are unsure and would like to discuss this with a program organizer, please contact: Deirdra

Step 2: Complete 4 short questions when registering that will help the program organizers form starting ski groups and match groups with suitable volunteer leaders.

What happens next?

You will receive confirmation of your registration and payment. At least two weeks before the start date of the program you will receive information about the starting ski groups and what will happen on the first day.

Thank you for considering this program; it’s a gem and we look forward to welcoming you to it!

 

 

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MASTERS XC PROGRAM FACT SHEET

Meeting Place: Sovereign Lake Stadium in front of the Tech Building

When: Thursday Morning 10:00-12:00, Thursday Night 6:00-7:30, or Sunday Morning 10:00-12:00

Cost: $200 per person, plus your season pass registration fee.

Available Spaces: 200

Night Group: 50

Ski Ability: Be able to ski 4 km in 40 minutes

Group Descriptions:

CLASSIC SKI TECHNIQUE

• Level 1 Classic: You have classic skis and want instruction to get you moving in an efficient way. You have a basic level of fitness and meet the minimum ski requirement.
• Level 2 Classic: You’ve been cruising around the green and blue ski trails for a season or so on classic skis. You can ski uphill and downhill on easy terrain and can ski the equivalent to Sovereign’s Black Prince Cabin and back (5 km round trip). You are interested in refining and increasing classic skiing skills to gain more confidence and explore some more challenging trails.

• Level 3 Classic: You are confident in classic skiing on varied green to black trails, both uphill and downhill. You are interested in picking up your pace and skiing on more difficult trails.

• Level 4 Classic (usually a small group): You are an advanced classic skier who is fit and fast. You are looking for that next level of instruction in classic ski technique and are ready and able to work hard.

 

SKATE SKI TECHNIQUE

• Level 1 Skate: You have skate skis and meet the minimum ski requirement. You can herringbone uphill and snow plows downhill. You want instruction to get you moving in an efficient way and gain confidence on mostly green to some blue trails.
• Level 2 Skate: You’ve been skate skiing on green and blue trails for a season or so. You have the basics and can skate ski on flat, rolling, and uphill sections (equivalent to Passmore at Sovereign) with some efficiency. You are interested in refining and increasing skate skiing skills to gain more confidence, pick up the pace a bit, and explore some more challenging trails.
• Level 3 Skate: You are confident skate skiing on varied blue and black trails, both uphill and downhill, and are solid with one-skate and offset techniques. You may want to learn smooth transitions to offset, one skate, and other poling techniques.
• Level 4 Skate (usually a small group): You are an advanced skate skier who is fit and fast. You are looking for that next level of instruction in skate ski technique and are ready and able to work hard.

Apres Ski: We are back in the lodge but moving downstairs for our after-session treat and hot drink social. Would love some volunteers to be able to help set up before the practice sessions.

Movement within groups: We are happy to allow movement from group to group within Masters XC once again as we did pre-COVID. With that said, there is still a need for group leaders to know and approve the group change. This is so as not to overload any volunteer leaders.

 

Program Details

Dates	Jan 4th - March 17th 2024
Sessions per Week	2
Days	Thursday Morning 10:00-12:00 or Thursday Night 6:00-7:30 and Sunday 10:00-12:00
Length of Session	2 hours
Cost	$200
Registration Deadline	October 30, 2023