The Team Telemark Youth Development Programs are all about having fun on skis and instilling a lifelong love for nordic skiing, exercise and time with friends in outdoors.
We want you and your ‘Jackrabbits’ to “ski for life.” We focus on having fun, while teaching skills and techniques like balance, coordination, cooperation, timing, and fun on snow.
The Team Telemark Youth Development Programs follow Nordiq Canada’s Long Term Development Model. Please click on the tabs below to see program descriptions along with pricing details.
On-Snow Saturday Sessions – Begin Saturday January 4th, 2025
All Saturday sessions 10:30am-12pm – Location Telemark Nordic Centre – ALL Levels.
On-Snow Evening Sessions – Begin Tuesday January 7th 2025
All Tuesday evening sessions 6:30pm-7:30pm – Location Telemark Nordic Centre – U8/U10/U12
Classes will start promptly, plan accordingly for winter driving & parking. Arrive early, especially on first day!
Information about Telemark’s Biathlon Programs can be found HERE.
This year we have set a deadline of Thursday Oct 31st, 2024 for program registration. The programs fill up fast so register soon!
Bunnies (U6) – $105.00
Our Bunnies are just starting out on their skiing journey. The emphasis will be on giving them an ‘Active Start’. They will learn balance, agility and rhythm while having fun through Games and activities.
The goals of the Bunnies program are to:
- Help children develop a positive self-image.
- Provide children an opportunity to make ski-friends.
- Help develop essential motor skills.
- Help develop awareness and appreciation of our natural environment.
- Help guide parents how to best help their young skiers develop.
- Have FUN on skis.
Program fee includes:
- 10 x 1hr sessions on Saturdays 10:30 – 11:30 from January to March. This program requires a Parent helper for each child in each session.
Season Ski Equipment (Bunnies) – $75.00 (No Tax)
Equipment use for the ski season is available for our Youth Program participants for an added $ fee. Bunny registrants are able to take the equipment home and use it any time.
We also want to encourage new Bunny Program parents to be on skis when they accompany the kids so we also offer season ski equipment use to the accompanying parent of registered Bunnies for the same cost as the Bunny participant. However the ‘adult’ equipment must be signed out and brought back each time it is used. Please talk to the program coordinator to get parents on the Season Equipment Use list.
Jackrabbits (U8 & U10) – $165.00
Jackrabbits U8 & U10 build on the ‘FUNdamentals’ of skiing learned in our Bunnies program, but no experience is required to join. Children will learn to ski through games and activities tailored to developing learning. Skiers will be put into age and skill appropriate groups. Classic ski equipment will be needed.
The goals of the Jackrabbit program are to:
- Encourage FUN and participation building a lifelong interest.
- Develop ABC’s: Agility, Balance, Coordination.
- 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 skills.
- Nurture a team/social atmosphere.
- Introduce cross country ski events in a team environment.
- Encourage inter-club social, skill and fitness-oriented ski activities.
Program fee includes:
- 20 x 1.0hr to 1.5hr sessions January to March
- Saturdays 10:30-12:00
- Tuesdays 6:15pm – 7:15pm
- Entry into the Telemark BC Track Attack Championships (Birth Years 2012-2015) Jan 25th-26th, 2025 in Rossland
- Entry into the Telemark Apple Loppet on Saturday March 8th, 2025.
Season Ski Equipment use for Jackrabbits U8 & U10 – $96.00 (No tax)
Equipment use for the ski season are available for our Youth Program participants. Season equipment use includes skate skis if needed by the participant. Enroll online when you sign up for the program.
Jackrabbit participants may use the equipment at any time but they are required to sign out and bring back the equipment each time it is used.
Jackrabbit (U12) – $165.00
These older Jackrabbits love to ski but are not yet ready for Track Attack or they are new to the sport. The emphasis is still on the ‘FUNdamentals’ of skiing. Children will learn to ski through games and activities but more time will be spent on skiing and learning technique. Skiers will be put into age and skill appropriate groups. Classic and skate ski equipment will be needed.
The goals of the Jackrabbit program are to:
- Encourage FUN and participation building a lifelong interest.
- Develop ABC’s: Agility, Balance, Coordination.
- 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.
- Encourage inter-club social, skill and fitness-oriented ski activities.
Program fee includes:
- 20 x 1.0hr to 1.5hr sessions January to March
- Saturdays 10:30-12:00
- Tuesdays 6:15pm – 7:15pm
- Entry into the Telemark BC Track Attack Championships (Birth Years 2012-2015) Jan 25th-26th, 2025 in Rossland
- Entry into the Telemark Apple Loppet on Saturday March 8th, 2025.
Season Ski Equipment use for Jackrabbits U12 – $96.00 (No tax)
Equipment use for the ski season are available for our Youth Program participants. Season equipment use includes skate skis if needed by the participant. Enroll online when you sign up for the program.
Jack rabit participants may use the equipment at any time but they are required to sign out and bring back the equipment each time it is used.
Track Attack Learn to Train U12 (9-11yrs) – $470
The natural progression for young skiers who are still building skills but really love skiing and want to do more. The emphasis will be on ‘Learning to Train’ through skill development, fitness and teamwork. This program is led by qualified paid development coach , but also relies on volunteer coaches to help deliver the program. This program is primarily for 10-11yr olds but 9yr olds with the appropriate maturity and development level as well as desire are encouraged to join.
The Track Attack program goals are to:
- Improve ski technique through drills and careful input from qualified coaches.
- Use games, relays, racing and terrain parks to develop technique, speed, skills and fitness.
- Learn how to ski safely in a wide variety of conditions & terrain.
- Nurture a team/social atmosphere.
- Encourage competition in a team environment up to the BC Cup level.
- Learn how to race with confidence.
- Begin to build fitness before the ski season starts with dryland sessions through the fall.
Program fee includes:
- 2x 1.5-2hr sessions per week (approx. 50 sessions)
- September to March:
- Tuesdays 6:00 – 7:30 starting September 3rd, 2024
- Saturdays 10:00 – 12:00 starting September Sept 7th, 2024.
- December to March: On-snow sessions will be at Telemark on Tuesdays 6:00 to 7:30 and Saturdays 10:00-12:00 with a few extra sessions scheduled on Thursdays.
- September to March:
- Optional race/wax support at appropriate races.
- All XC Track Attack registrants will also have the opportunity to try Biathlon.
Not included in the program fee:
- Athletes must supply their own personal ski equipment.
- Telemark Team Uniforms.
- Race fees (except as noted) and travel to race Events.
- Telemark Season Pass/Membership.
- Team Telemark van fares.
Adventurers Program – $165.00
This is a program for older kids who are not interested in racing but want to continue to ski in a fun and social atmosphere while improving skills and fitness. The emphasis will be on skiing as a ‘Sport for Life’. This program is led by volunteer coaches.
- Encourage FUN and participation to build a lifelong interest in xc skiing.
- Develop ABC’s: Agility, Balance, Coordination and speed.
- Encourage frequent cross-country skiing during the season.
- Develop good technique habits through repeated practice.
- Nurture a team/social atmosphere.
- Encourage inter-club social, skill and fitness-oriented ski activities.
Program fee includes:
- 20 x 1hr to 2 hr sessions Saturdays 10:00 – 12:00 and Tuesdays 6:15pm – 7:15pm January to March.
Volunteer Coaching Staff
Our Volunteer Parent Coaches have attended one or more of Nordiq Canada’s amazing coaching programs, provided free to all Telemark Coaches. These coaches get free instruction (how to ski better) from Head Coach EMILY YOUNG.
The ski league program relies on parent coaches like you to grow our programs. Contact youthcoordinator@telemarknordic.com for more information.
Volunteering
Telemark programs rely on volunteers to run. Parents are expected to volunteer throughout the season. Opportunities include: volunteer coach, coach assistant, group assistant, hot chocolate attendant, or special event helper.
Contact youthcoordinator@telemarknordic.com to find out more. Volunteers are also invited to special skills development sessions and other coaching team events.
What’s NEXT?
Many of our skiers move on to Team Telemark Biathlon and the Team Telemark Youth Competitive Program for more fun in the snow.
Key Contacts
Jennifer James – Youth Programs Coordinator – youthcoordinator@telemarknordic.com
Chris Halldorson – Competitive & Youth Programs Manager – chris.halldorson@telemarknordic.com