Update: this course, originally planned for March 13-15, has been postponed until December of 2020. CANSI-certified instructors will be able to re-certify then. 

We’re organizing a Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI) Level 1 training course. 

The course is geared towards strong skiers that are able to demonstrate solid classic and skate technique. A classic skier who is not a strong skate skier can still be qualified as a Level 1 Classic instructor.

The course will run 20 hours, starting the evening of Friday March 13, with eight hours of instruction Saturday and Sunday, both indoors and outdoors.

CANSI courses can cost $350 to $500. We’re subsidizing this course at:

• $50 for program coaches and members willing to teach adult classes for the club;
• $100 for club members that just want the qualification;
• and $150 for non-members.

The course is open to skiers as young as 16.

People who want to participate will also need to purchase a $100 CANSI membership, which includes access to teaching aids and other goodies. 

If you are interested, please reach Rob Matthews at 765-8668 or rjmrobm@hotmail.com. 

Cookie medals for everyone at the Yellowknife Ski Races next weekend! 

The Yellowknife Ski Races are a family friendly event with categories and distances for all ages. This year’s races will also serve as the NWT Territorial Ski Championships, featuring skiers from out of town. Classic races take place Saturday, starting with bib-pickup at 12:30; free races take place Sunday. Get all the details on the 2020 YK Ski Race Notice (revised temperature).

Registration is now open and closes at midnight, Thursday Feb. 27. All participants must register (even the little kids). 

We’ll have complimentary hot chocolate and fruit inside the chalet on Saturday. Unfortunately, our Sunday food vendor, One of a Thai, will not be able to make it. 

The temperature cutoff is -20 C for Bantam and older (born 2008/2009) and -15 C for Peewee and younger (born 2010/2011), as per Nordiq Canada rules. Our race jurors will make the call at the ski club on race day. In case of cancellation, we’ll encourage everyone to enjoy a recreational ski.

We need volunteers! Sign up here for Saturday, and here for Sunday. For more information, contact events director Kerry Wheler: ykskiclubevents@gmail.com.

We’re holding Sunday lunches all through February, thanks to the NWT Literacy Council’s Community Connections program. Enjoy a ski then drop by the chalet between 12 and 2 for hot lunch served upstairs. 

This Sunday, Feb. 9, we’ll have Mexican Sunday lunch. On Feb. 16, we’ll have fare from Palestine and the Middle East. On Feb. 23, the Sudan. 

Plates are $20 for adults, $10 for kids. 

Natsnet, Karen and Munira served an Eritrean Sunday lunch in January. (Submitted by Karen Johnson)

Great news: we’re offering two sets of weekend adult ski lessons through the month of February.

• Beginner lessons run Saturdays from 11-1 on Feb. 8, 15, 22, and 29. Registration closes Feb. 7.
• Intermediate lessons run Sundays from 1:30-3:30 on Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23. Registration closes Feb. 1.

The cost is $80 per four lessons, plus $40 in trail fees for non-members. Please arrive early, with skis waxed (or ready to be waxed, beginners) so you can hit the snow right at 11 (or 1:30).

Register on Zone4.ca. 

You’ll need skis to participate! If you can’t beg or borrow some, you can rent from Overlander Sports (free trail fees if you do this). Conversely, if you become a member, you’ll get 10% off skis/boots/poles at Overlander.

For more details and/or to arrange private lessons, reach Steve Reitsma at ykskiclubprograms@gmail.com.

Join us for our premier open house of the season on Sunday, Jan. 19.

We’ll have:
– Free pancakes in the chalet from 10-2;
– Free ski and snowshoe rentals (for kids and adults, courtesy of Overlander Sports and YK1);
– Free trail use for non-members (courtesy of the NWT Recreation and Parks Get Active program).

Please invite your friends, co-workers, colleagues or anyone on the fence about skiing and we’ll show ’em how it’s done. Thanks to CCNWT for sponsoring this fun, family friendly event. 

Cross Country NWT has named 17 skiers selected to take part in the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse in March. Cold weather forced the selection process indoors in Yellowknife Dec. 13-14. 

The skiers come  from Yellowknife, Fort Good Hope and Fort Smith. The roster now goes to Sport North for final confirmation. 

U18 Female

• Linnea Azzolini
• Kea Furniss
• Ella Kokelj
• Rae Panayi

U16 Female

• Leah McShane

U16 Male

• Makoa Kokelj
• Marcus Proctor
• Kiran Ray
• Morgan Young

U14 Female

• Anna Curran
• Taylor Porter
• Shelby Tobac
• Kira Young

U14 Male

• Joseph Curran
• Malachi Morin
• Aksel Reed
• Isaac Zimmer

The team will be lead by head coach Mike Argue, assistant coach Stephen Dunbar and team manager Kerry Wheler. Good luck to all!

From our trails director Chris Hotson:

The 5 km loops were groomed Wednesday evening, fresh tracks are in. Fault Lake was also groomed with a wide skate lane and double tracks. The backside will be groomed this evening so conditions for the weekend will be great!

Trail use is FREE this Sunday, Dec. 8 thanks to the NWT Recreation and Parks Association’s Get Active program. Regular value for a day on our trails is $15 per person or $40 per family. 

Spread the word to any skiers you know and make sure you know where to find our trails map.

We’re also hosting $5 adult ski lessons on Sunday. Read more about that here. 

Report from our trails director, Chris Hotson, on Sunday, Nov. 24:

The first tracks of the season have been set on the 5 km loop and Fault Lake. Use caution as you transition onto Fault Lake, it is still rough at the bottom of the hills. There are still some rough sections but groomer Bruce Look reports that the tracks “came out pretty good for this time of year.” That translates to great skiing so get out and enjoy!

Groomers will continue to work on the trails and with another good snow like Friday we should be at 100%.