[Peter Sullivan]

Canmore Nordic Track Attack 2025-2026
Mon and Thurs – 5:15 – 6:45 pm – Sept 8 – Mar 19

1. Program overview
a) Program goals
i. Have fun and build life skills – respect, friendship, work ethic, discipline
ii. Be part of an active outdoor community
iii. Technical ski improvement and building endurance through skiing and play
iv. Opportunity to experience a positive ski racing environment
b) Program preparedness:
i. Fit enough to be active for 1.5 hrs
ii. Able and willing to ski for 5 km
c) Program requirements for Intro to Track Attack:
i. YOB 2016 or older
ii. Graduate of the Jackrabbit Program or
iii. Nordic skied at least five times in the past winter.
iv. YOB 2014 or 2015 who do not make program requirements for Track Attack.
d) Program requirements for Track Attack:
i. YOB 2014 and 2015
ii. Participated in previous Intro Track Attack Program
iii. Alumni who wish to do another year before U14.
iv. Nordic skied at least ten times in the past winter including five times skate skiing. If your child is new to skiing, please register in Intro to Track Attack.

2. Expectations
a) Participants
i. Enthusiastic about xc skiing and ready to be outside “no matter the weather”
ii. Willing to try new things and meet new people
iii. Contributes to a positive team environment as per the Canmore Nordic Ski Club Code of Conduct.
b) Parents
i. Parent meeting prior to first session of Track Attack. Thursday, September 4. 17:00-17:30. One adult must attend.
ii. Prior to the first session of Track Attack, parents should discuss the participant expectations to make sure participants are on board.
iii. Parents’ support of positive behavior management is required as per the Canmore Nordic Code of Conduct.
iv. Be on time for pick up and drop off. Early pick ups are not possible as we are often deep in the woods.
v. Provide proper equipment.
vi. Wax skis as per recommendations posted on the forum. If you are unfamiliar with applying wax, attend a wax clinic which will be offered mid-November.
vii. Ensure your child has eaten and gone to the bathroom prior to drop off.
viii. Have your child stay home if they are feeling unwell
ix. Please leave pets at home for club organized events.

3. Communication
a) Track Attack information will be posted on the forum. Link to the forum: click here
b) Last minute information / parent connection. To join the Track Attack 2025-2026 WhatsApp:https://chat.whatsapp.com/HnX5fnT7Dr8IsKtMd6DDyk?mode=ems_copy_h_c
c) Participants are not allowed to use devices during Track Attack.
d) I will have everyone’s emergency contact with me during practices. Please call my cell phone if something arises where you need to be in touch during practice.

4. Schedule
a. September 8, 2025 – March 19, 2026. Monday and Thursday. 5:15-6:45 pm (this MAY change to 5:00 once on snow)
b. Intro to Track Attack
i. 3 Mondays only from September 8 to Sept 22
AND Sat Oct 4, Yates Mountain Hike from Camp Chief Hector
ii. No sessions Oct 6 – Nov 10.
iii. Monday and Thursday sessions starting Thursday, November 13.
iv. On snow starting Thursday, November 13.
c. Track Attack (YOB 2014 and 2015)
i. Monday and Thursday
ii. On snow starting Monday, November 3
d. Rollersking
i. 3 sessions for Track Attack.
ii. No roller skiing for Intro to Track Attack.
iii. Skate or combi boots, skate poles, helmet and gloves required.
iv. Rollerskis provided by the club.
v. For safety reasons, prior experience skate skiing on snow is a prerequisite. Participants must have skied at least ten times. If your child will not be rollerskiing, please let a coach know and an alternative activity will be arranged.
e. No sessions
i. On statutory holidays, Christmas and Family week.
ii. Mondays after races and camps.
iii. Below -15.
iv. September 29, October 2&6, 13, November 10, December 22 -January 2, January 15 & 19, February 2, February 16-19 and March (2 or 9? – AYC camp?)

5. Groups and Practices:
a) Meet at Nordic Centre unless otherwise posted (ie Sept 15 Peaks of Grassi Park – east end of Wilson Way – Highline Entrance)
b) General Plan: Warm Up, Strength / Skills, Endurance, Games
c) Groups will be initially split into Intro and Track attack – but then will be fluid based on ability / motivation/energy on the day
d) The idea is that each group stays close enough together for safety – and that each athlete participates to their best ability. If your child consistently has difficulty participating in practices and staying with the group – then I will bring this to your attention to discuss a solution.

6. Camps, family events and racing
a) Camp Chief Hector Overnight
i. Date: Friday, October 3 -Saturday, October 4.
ii. Sign up Deadline Sept 12 – we will send an email and link out
iii. Overnight x1 night in Yurts at Camp Chief Hector
iv. Available for Track Attack registered participants.
v. Saturday, October 4 Family hike on the Saturday up Yates Mountain. All track attack participants and their families are welcome including Intro to Track Attack. Parents of Intro to Track Attack are required to attend the family hike or arrange for a responsible parent
b) Ha Ling, Yamnuska, (or other) Hike (weather permitting)
i. Sunday, October 26. 9:00 am- 2 pm.
ii. Hike up a nearby trail with picnic lunch
iii. All track attack participants and their families are welcome

c) Informal Family Led social ski / hike – monthly? likely organized through WhatsApp
i. Oct 4 – Yates Mountain
ii. Oct 26 – Ha Ling or other
iii. Nov 22/23 – Lake Louise – Pipestone?
iv. Christmas Holidays?
d) Lake Louise Camp
i. YOB 2014
ii. Saturday, November 9- Monday, November 11
iii. Two night overnight camp at the hostel
iv. This Camp is organized and run by the U14 Team and is an opportunity for the oldest group of kids to see what the next level of training is like.
e) Racing
i. Dec 20-21 – Alberta Cup in Canmore. (start of xmas holidays)
ii. Jan 16 – 18 Kootenay Cup in Kimberley.
Suites reserved until Mid november – with Canmore Nordic
Tends to be a social weekend of skiing and some families make it into an extended long weekend.
iii. Jan 30 – Feb 1 – Alberta Cup / Western Can Champs – Canmore
iv. Feb 27 – Mar 1 or Mar 6-8 Alberta Youth Championship in Bragg Creek.
1. YOB 2014 and 2015.
2. Two-night overnight camp experience.

How a race day looks
1. Designed to build independence in the athletes and allows parents to take advantage of volunteer opportunities at the races.
2. Race details will be posted on the forum.
3. Registration is on zone 4 – usually a minimum of 1-2 wks prior to races
4. The night before: Parent volunteers waxing team will apply grip wax. Parents are required to drop off skis or wax skis at home. Usually the night before the race.
5. Race morning: drop your child off at the venue. Volunteers will warm up, bring to the start line, meet at the finish line and cool down your child.
6. No awards for U10. Focus on Fun and Finishing – not on places.

7. Equipment
a) 1 pair classic skis and poles. (Skin skis are OK as well but they will slow your child down on the flats and downhill) (Classic Poles – Max Ht – 83% – (shoulder)
b) 1 pair skate skis and poles (Skate Poles – Max ht: 88% (lips)
c) 2 pair of boots OR combi boot
d) Base layer
e) Jacket
f) Nordic ski pants
g) Gloves and mitts that fit in pole straps
h) Toque
i) Buff
j) Water bottle holder or drink belt (optional)
k) Charged head lamp
l) Rode multigrade violet (0/-5 degrees) and Rode violet (0/-4) or equivalent temperature and a cork
m) Ski swap: Usually the first weekend in November
n) Optional Ski Stride Poles – 80% (armpits) (younger siblings poles?) – only for TA

8. Volunteering- Heidi Chan

a) Essential for club success
b) Canmore Nordic hosted events :
i. Ski races, camps, ski swap nov 1-2, Canada Day run.
ii. tailgunning
c) Sign up to be club member for insurance

• This topic was modified 1 year ago by Peter Sullivan.
• This topic was modified 1 year ago by Peter Sullivan.
• This topic was modified 1 year ago by Peter Sullivan.

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