This year will be our 39th consecutive season for Women On Skis.  It will be quite a different year as we adjust our program to keep everyone safe and conform to the various COVID protocols in our two provinces.  We are still working everything out but we certainly are planning to have outings in various places in the area for all levels of skier.   ‘Women on Skis’ welcomes a wide range of skiers: some experience on skis is expected. You will receive skiing tips, meet new friends, have fun skiing  but sadly no après ski lunches.

Our aim is to encourage women of all levels to get out and enjoy winter, to network with others who have similar interests and to experience some of the best cross-country trails in Canada.

Women on Skis is a non-profit program run by a group of experienced volunteer skiers who raise funds for local women’s health and social issues. In recent years we have supported St. Joe’s Women’s Centre, Hospice Care Ottawa, Cornerstone, Eco Equitable, Sexual Assault Centre and Elizabeth Fry. Last year, 2020, we donated $1500 to Nelson House. This year we will be completing our commitment to Nelson House.

Registration: Unfortunately, with COVID, we will have to keep all last minute interaction to a minimum so we have elected to have an ‘all or none’ policy. Membership is for 5 dates as stated earlier ( Jan. 8, 21, Feb. 5, 18, March 5) plus whatever meet and ski dates we can arrange. We hope all members will be able to join us for most.

The location of the ski outings and check-in procedure will be sent to all members two days before the ski date. This will allow us to assess the weather conditions and abide by COVID protocols. We can not accommodate day-of drop-ins. You must be a WOS member to join in the outings.

Our all inclusive Women on Skis membership cost for 2021 is $35. This includes $18 for membership with Cross Country Ski Ontario (XCSO) Nordiq Canada (NC) which covers insurance. If you are already a member of these organizations through another club, the $18 will not be applied to your membership cost if you live in Ontario. If you are a Quebec resident and have joined NC & Ski du Fond Quebec please let us know so we can tell you how to apply for a refund for this duplication if you wish to do so. You can join here with payment made with a credit card. If you have any questions, please email womenonskis23@gmail.com.  Members receive discounts from Fresh Air Experience, Bushtukah and Ecoequitable (25% on their Safetube).

Refund Policy: Regretfully we cannot offer refunds. NC and XCSO will not give refunds (the $18 part) and as for the $17 WOS charge, some of it has already gone to processing fees, some will go to our costs and the rest to a very good cause, Nelson House.

Trail fees: Additional trail fees apply at many sites.  We will be making use of the many new Ottawa community trails. We encourage donations to support these trails.

What to Wear and Bring on Outings:

  • Layers of clothing are preferable to allow flexibility depending on changes in temperatures.  You should have freedom to move and be well protected from cold, snow and wind.
  • Your base layer should wick moisture away from the body.  Cotton will NOT do this.
  • A small pack with waxes, scraper and a cork (see photo on right)
  • A small personal first aid kit with a whistle
  • Snack and liquid replacement
  • Spare mitts and socks
  • Money to cover trail fees if applicable
  • ID including a daytime emergency phone number

At all locations you should have waxed, stretched, warmed up at your car and be ready to ski by the designated time for your group.  To keep group sizes limited , we will either meet at different locations or start 15 minutes apart.  Be sure to note your time and place based on your previous on-line signup and please don’t be late. To avoid crowding, we will be leaving on time.

Any last minute changes will be posted on this website , on our Facebook page and on Twitter (@womenonskis) by 8 am the morning of the outing.   You will also receive an email if you have opted to join our email list.

Mark your calendar for the following dates for 2021:

Jan. 8 & 21 ; February 5 & 18; March 5. (Jan. 21 and Feb. 5 cancelled due to Provincial regulations)

Stay tuned for possible additional dates.

Join us by clicking on this link

Join us and get discounts from Bushtuckah, Fresh Air Experience and Ecoequitable (on their Safetube)

View some Google photos from our past outings.

Discover trails in your neighbourhood, in the city, throughout the region

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Our Twitter follows the local trails.  This is the best way to see conditions, grooming, pictures of our community trails as things happen.

Also, we follow Ottawa Public Health, NCC.

Sign up for our email list to be sure to get all scheduling updates.  See the sign-up form at the bottom of this page.

Our Promise-Your Responsibility for 2021: We will make every effort to get you out on the trails as much as COVID protocols will allow. If you do join us, welcome. There will be a few things we will insist upon.

You MUST:

  1. be a member of Women on Skis – and bring NO GUESTS.
  2. wear a mouth and nose covering while assembling.
  3. maintain physical distancing at all times.
  4. bring a completed Health Form each day  – link will be posted here for this download.
  5. head home immediately following – sorry – no hanging about socializing.
  6. register for each outing in advance via email/Doodle poll – TBD – keep posted.
  7. follow all instructions of your group leader.

Regulations may change based on the regulations of our 2 provinces and as we work to find the best ways to ensure the safety of all. Details will be posted here in the new year and also sent out on our mailing list.

Suggestions for your wax supplies

From left to right
Waxes, Toko recommended because its roll up feature makes the waxes easy to use and the waxes have wide temperature ranges. There are other brands of ski wax, all good.
– base wax, sometimes referred to as binder wax. Use this on grip zone before applying kick or grip wax. Helps grip wax to stay on ski.
– blue, in a good year we ski with blue wax most days
– red, for slightly warmer days
– yellow, for warm days.
You can also get a green wax for cold days and klisters for icy days.
– cork for smoothing grip wax
– scraper for removing grip wax
– ski specific solvent for cleaning skis especially grip zone. Do not use other solvents. They may leave a residue.
– liquid glide wax, two sizes shown. Use on grip or kick zone of fish scale type “waxless” skis. Also, can be used on glide zones though not as good as having the glide zones hot waxed.
– brush for renewing, refreshing glide wax.
Not shown, small piece of fine sand paper and small sanding block for preparing grip zone.

Our thanks to Nakkertok Ski Club in supporting this program.

Join our email group for all the latest scheduling