Join our coaches in the bunny bowl for an enthusiastic introduction to skiing.
Balls, hoops, short adventure trails, and songs are all part of this intro level. Your young skier will learn balance, agility, and rhythm, the FUNdamentals of skiing. The objective is to introduce cross-country skiing through organized activity and active play.
Bunnies Program Focus:
- Help children develop a positive self-image.
- Fun.
- Provide children with an opportunity to make ski friends.
- Develop fundamental movement skills.
- Help children develop an awareness and appreciation of our natural environment.
Important Information:
- This is a parent participation program: a parent/guardian must accompany their child throughout each lesson. Parent’s rentals and trail passes are included in the program fee.
- Classic Ski Equipment required – Rentals Add-On available “Please No strap-on skis.”
- Season long rentals for your child are available at time of registration online. If you miss this step and require rentals please contact the Lodge, as supplies are limited. The parent/guardian can sign out equipment each session from the lodge staff at no cost during program sessions (let them know you are part of Bunnies).
- Inclusiveness is an SLNC value and priority. Instruction for children with special needs is part of the Bunnies programs. Please contact the program coordinator to discuss any needs that your child has so that we can set them up for success.
- Your child’s coach will reach via email 2 weeks before the first day of regular programing.
Bunnies. Ages 3-5 yrs
Saturdays 10:30-11:30am. (Meet at the ‘bunny bowl’ across the stadium.)
Program Fee: $98 (9 sessions) + Annual (Season Pass $5 and $21 CCBC & Nordiq Canada Fee)
NOTE: All programs require the participant to have a Sovereign Lake season’s pass and the additional Cross Country BC and Nordiq Canada Membership. Parent/guardian is not required to have a season pass, though we welcome you to become a member.
The Jackrabbit Ski Program uses games and ski playgrounds to develop “FUNdamental” skills (agility, balance, coordination) and good skiing techniques. Grouping “like-skilled” participants together the program’s objective is for participants to learn basic cross-country ski skills and instill a lifelong interest in the sport.
Jackrabbit Program Focus:
- Encourage FUN and participation.
- Develop ABC’s: Agility, Balance, Coordination, and speed.
- Encourage frequent cross-country skiing during the season.
- Develop good technique habits through repeated practice
- Utilize games and ski playgrounds to develop technique, speed skills, and fitness.
- Develop linear, lateral, and multi-directional speed.
- Nurture a team/social atmosphere.
- Introduce competition in a team environment whenever possible
Important Information:
Parents are required to help as parent sweepers for at least 4-6 sessions throughout the season. The sweeper’s role is to stay right behind the last skier of the group, making sure no one gets left behind. There will be a sign-up sheet sent out closer to the program’s start date.
- An SLNC season pass is required for participants in this program.
- Inclusiveness is an SLNC value and priority. Instruction for children with special needs is part of all Jackrabbit programs. Please contact the program coordinator to discuss any needs that your child has so that we can set them up for success.
- All communication will be through TeamSnap. Your child’s coach will reach out to you 2 weeks before the first day of regular programing.
- Classic Ski Equipment required – Rentals Add-On available when registering.
- Cold weather cut-offs -15
- Join in the OK Teck Cup *Full Race Support for the Jack Rabbits, but the entry fee is not included in the program fees*
Jackrabbit 1/2 Ages 6-7 yrs old Saturday 10:00-11:30am
Fee; $152 (13 sessions)
Jackrabbit 3/4 Ages 8-9 yrs old Tuesday 6:00-7:30pm Saturday 10:00-11:30am
Fee: $306 (24 sessions)
Track Attack (TA) is a skill development program for youth that refines both classic and skate skiing technique, introduces dryland training, and prepares kids for racing, in a fun and social environment.
Designed for skiers in the “Learning to Train” stage of athlete development this program creates a fun, dynamic, team environment and instills a lifelong love of skiing based on Sport Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development principles and Nordiq Canada’s program guidelines. This program is well suited for skiers who can be active for 1.5 to 2hours and are able to ski for 5k continuously.
We offer two Track Attack options. Both develop FUNdamental movement, sports skills and refine basic cross-country techniques appropriate for this stage. Athletes will be grouped based on a combination of age, skill level, interests and goals to ensure everyone’s abilities are aligned while being challenged. Lead coaches may shift group compositions throughout the season based on individual progression, session content, coach assessment and coach availability.
Introduction to Track Attack 2-Days per week option is for skiers who:
- Want to develop skills and fitness while having fun with their like-minded ski buddies
- Are at the earlier end of the Learning to Train stage or just getting their “TA” feet wet
Track Attack 3-Days per week option adds Thursday evenings to the 2-Day option for skiers who:
- Want a greater focus on training and racing and are prepared for a bit more effort
- Athletes that are at the mid to later stage of Learning to Train
- A more intense training and race focussed session (Thursdays)
Our objective is for all of our athletes to become technically competent cross-country skiers and to utilize their skills to explore a range of cross-country ski activities. Regardless of which option is chosen, every athlete will be well supported and have the same opportunities to participate in any events, camps or races that are part of our “Track Attack” program.
Track Attack Program Focus:
- Fitness! Fun! Teamwork!
- An opportunity to be part of a “team”
- Ski technique improvement through drills and feedback from qualified coaches
- Games, relays, and terrain parks to develop technique, speed, and fitness
- The opportunity to explore and enjoy off-trail ski activities
- Introducing skills on how to wax and care for your skis
- Introduction to competition in a team-focused environment
- Building blocks to ski and race with confidence
All participants will have the opportunity to try Biathlon during one Track Attack session. A Biathlon Day membership is included in the program cost.
All participants will be registered in an OK Cup (local or neighboring) and Club Championships as part of the program registration cost. At this stage of development, the LTAD recommends 6-8 competitions in a season. Many athletes are keen to race and are often even more excited about the fun and adventure of just attending an event and other ski trails with their teammates plus friends they make at other clubs. Athletes and parents alike are well supported and invited to join the fun.
Equipment Requirements:
- 1x Pair of skate skis, boots* and poles
*Combi boots are acceptable
- 1x Pair of classic skis, boots* and poles
- A waxable classic ski is preferred, skins or fishscales are unadvised.
- A small backpack for hiking/skiing, carrying a light jacket, snacks and water bottle.
- This will be used on snow and during the dryland season for hiking, etc.
- Headlamp for night running/skiing
- Clothing for fitness and active sessions
- Dry-land: running shoes, shorts, t-shirts, etc.
- On-Snow: Light nordic style ski clothing.
- Snowpants or snowsuits are unadvised.
Alternate practice locations of camps and races for Track Attackers:
* Costs for below events are NOT included in Track Attack Program registration fees.
These events are not mandatory – but LOTS OF FUN and highly recommended !
More info will be shared as it becomes available from CCBC and event organizers.
Race / Event Schedule:
- Fall Dryland Camp (Revelstoke) – Mid Sept.
- OnSnow Camp (Silver Star) – Mid Nov.
- Candy Cane Classic – Dec.19th
- 2x OK Cup’s (Sovereign, Revelstoke)
- Reino Keski Salmi – Mid Jan. (Larch Hills)
- Any Local BC Cups within 1 hr (Salmon Arm or Kelowna)
* Parents are required to help over the course of the season in at least 4-6 regular program sessions as parent sweepers. The sweeper’s role is to stay right behind the last skier of the group, making sure no one gets left behind. A sign-up sheet will be sent out closer to the program’s start date.
* Inclusiveness is an SLNC value and priority. Instruction for children with special needs is part of all Track Attack programs. Please contact the Programs Admin programs@sovereignlake.com to discuss any needs that your child has so that we can set them up for success.
Program Details
Please note: Practice schedules and session technique details will be communicated throughout the season by your Lead Coach via WhatsApp. The dates and times in the table below provide a general outline only. Schedule will adjust some sessions for holidays & events No Formal Lesson programming: During Winter Break
Track Attack 2 Day – Ages 9-12 yrs old
Fall & Winter
Tuesday 6:00-7:30pm
Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm
$ 415 * An SLNC season pass is required for participants in this program.
Track Attack 3 Day – Ages 10-12 yrs old
Fall (Tues & Sat only)
Winter is Tuesday & Thursday 6:00-7:30pm (Thursday is race-focused night)
Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm
$ 620 * An SLNC season pass is required for participants in this program.
Complimentary – TA Summer Hikes!
Scheduled Sundays from July to the end of August
Hike Days:
- July 12th – Rose Swanson
- August 2nd – Perley Rock (Roger’s Pass, BC)
- August 9th – Tronson Rd
- August 30th – Enderby Cliffs
Skill Development Programs (SDP)
Our Bunnies, Jackrabbit and Track Attack programs offer a fun way for kids to get out in the snow with our NCCP-certified volunteer coaches. Essential ski techniques, coordination and balance skills will be practiced through games and challenges, while developing a love for being on skis! All of our programs follow Sport Canada’s current Long-Term Athlete Development guidelines and Nordiq Canada’s current Long-Term Athlete Development Model. Sovereign Lake Nordic Club has implemented the new SafeSport Training Program for all SLNC Coaches. Our Goal is to provide a fun action-packed experience and develop capable young skiers in the FUNdamentals of cross-country skiing in an exciting environment with a certified, passionate team of volunteer coaches.
Volunteers
Sovereign Lake’s children’s programs do require a small amount of your time as a parent volunteer and there are many ways to contribute. We know everyone lives on different schedules these days and have designed a volunteer program to meet these needs. Contact our Program Administrator to find out how you can help.
Coaches
Our volunteer coaching team is certified under the NCCP system and is led by our Skills Development Coach (SDP) We are fortunate to have our Coach Leaders return year after year. They are always full of enthusiasm and ready to mentor budding volunteer parent coaches through the season. All SLNC Coaches have a Nordiq Canada Coaching Licence, valid Criminal Record Check, and the required NCCP Coaching Certifications based on your child’s program level.
