Whether you are beginner or just want to refine your technique you can benefit from a lesson with the Telemark ski school. Our ski instructors have CANSI and/or NCCP coaching certification and are dedicated to improving your skiing. We build confidence, control and efficiency by teaching sound skate or classic ski techniques. Lesson times are flexible so that they fit your schedule. The Ski School lessons are for beginner to advanced skiers and are most suited to adults. We recommend our programs for kids. You can come on your own or get a group together for a fun day on the snow.
New this year – We will be offering lessons through our Smooth Cruisers Adult XC program – Just $195 for a set of 5 x 2hr lessons. See more details on our Adult XC programs webpage
| Lesson Rates (per person) 2024-2025 Season | |
|---|---|
| Private Lesson | $60 |
| Semi-private Lesson (2 people) | $50 |
| Group Lesson (3 or 4 people) | $40 |
All lessons are 75 minutes in duration. The prices do not include the required ski pass or equipment. If you are not a season pass holder you will be required to purchase a trail pass. Rental equipment is available at regular rental rates. If you need a full Pkg. (lesson, rental, trail pass) there is an additional discount of 25% for the trail pass and rentals.
Please arrive at least twenty minutes before your lesson to allow yourself time to get ready. All prices include taxes. Payment can be made in the Telemark on-line store after your lesson is booked or in person when you arrive. You must book at least at least 24 hours in advance, and please call us as soon as possible, but not less than the night before, if you have to cancel.
For general questions about lessons please call the Telemark day lodge 250-707-5925 or email ski.info@telemarknordic.com
This year we have several instructors…
Alison Campbell Urness – Alison has been skiing since a toddler, learned in Kananaskis country, Alberta. Alison has been a part of the Telemark community since arriving in the valley in 1999. Helping with the Jack rabbit program, then coaching the Nordic Race team for 4 years. Alison enjoys introducing and encouraging people to be active in the outdoors. She hopes to help people improve their skiing skills, have fun and increase their joy in the sport.
Darya Sepandj: Darya wants to share her love of cross-country skiing with you. She has recently moved to Kelowna after representing Canada internationally for the past 7 years in biathlon. Darya is now attending UBCO, studying Health and Exercise Sciences. She can easily be spotted on the trails with a huge smile and enthusiastic energy. During her competitive years she took opportunities to coach at levels ranging from children in the Jackrabbits program to elite athletes. In addition, Darya has both CANSI level 1 certification and NCCP experience.
Deepa Filatow – Deepa has been part of the Telemark XC ski family since 2008 when her first child started bunny lessons. Since then she has coached in Telemark’s youth program for ages 3 through 15 including coaching at the BC Winter Games in 2018. She is an L2T certified/T2T trained NCCP coach and a CANSI level 1 instructor. In her day job she is a professional Geoscientist and Agrologist with an in-depth knowledge of the local geography. In addition to individual and group lessons, Deepa also offers family lessons to encourage parents and kids learning the sport together.
Kirsten Forsberg: Only recently discovered the joys of cross-country skiing just a few years ago, Kirsten quickly fell in love with the sport and became CANSI certified in Nordic skiing in 2023. She grew up snowboarding at Big White but now prefers to skip the chair lift and ski through the woods at Telemark and Nordic. She enjoys both classic and skate skiing and can’t wait to share her passion of the sport with others.
Leslie Manders: Leslie started cross country skiing in the 1990s when she moved to West Kelowna and discovered the beautiful trails and friendly people at Telemark Nordic Club. She started Skate skiing in the early 2000s and there was no going back to Classic – until enrolling in the Master’s program at Telemark in 2018 and learning that Classic technique is fun if you do it right. Leslie is a CANSI Level 1 certified instructor and is excited to help others discover the joy of both Skate and Classic skiing.
Mike Edwards- For Mike XC skiing is a lifestyle and lifelong passion. Mike has worked in XC skiing for over 25 years as retail manager, ski instructor, facility manager, National Team director and event manager. Mike is busy as the current General Manager for the Telemark Nordic Club but loves getting out on snow and helping people to enjoy the sport of XC skiing as much as he does. Mike has a broad perspective with both CANSI certification and NCCP experience.
Brent Hobbs: Brent learned to XC ski late in life by volunteering as a parent helper when his kids were enrolled in lessons, and later as a certified ski coach for the Telemark Youth Race Team. Brent is passionate about promoting XC skiing as a sport for life. “Telemark is the best kept secret in the Central Okanagan. Within 30 minutes’ drive from my house, I am skiing with friends on well-groomed trails in the wilderness, and I am often rewarded with spectacular views of the Okanagan Valley or the Milky Way; and occasionally, I have a friendly encounter with a moose! It is healthy activity that engages the body, mind and soul.”
Brent is looking forward to introducing both novice and experienced XC skiers to achieve their goals, whether it is to learn how to get up after falling or improving technique and stamina to improve fitness or prepare for a friendly Loppet.
Aengus McCullough – Aengus discovered the delights of cross country skiing when he moved to Alberta from the UK in 2011. After floundering in the snow for his first winter season he realized that skiing was not as effortless as it looked and decided to join Edmonton Nordic to develop his technique. Aengus progressed through Edmonton Nordic’s adult skiing program through to their Master’s program after which he went on to take CANSI instructor courses so he could help others on their skiing journey.
Kaelin Urness: Kaelin discovered skiing at the age of 2! She started racing and joined the Telemark racers at 8. She raced all over BC and went to the International Children’s Winter Games where she met tons of different skiers from across the world who shared the same love for skiing as she did. She is a CANSI trained level 1 instructor and has experience with coaching and instructing with the Kelowna Paddle Centre. Now she wants to share her passion for skiing with others by helping them enjoy the sport.