Learn to Ski

The majority of our members join because they want their children to learn cross-country skiing in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. We teach and train grown-ups too.

Registration

Registration and pricing for all Nakkertok’s programs is on zone4.ca.

Register

The Learn to Ski program focuses on the Nakkertok family which has been the foundation of the club for more than 40 years. The majority of our members join because they want their children to learn cross-country skiing in a fun and family atmosphere.

Nakkertok offers a fall outdoor fitness activity program for kids 4 to 12. Mud Monsters is focused on games and activities promoting ski technique and fitness prior to the start of the on-snow Learn-to-Ski lessons. 

We’ll explore the Nakkertok trail system through fun activities like scavenger hunts, and an introduction to orienteering. This program is not a requirement for the Bunnyrabbit or Jackrabbit on-snow ski lessons, and is open to Nakkertok members only. 

  • Who: 4- to 12-year-olds 
  • Where: Nakkertok South, and a potential trip to Nakkertok North
  • Start/End Dates: September 20 to November 15, 2026, with no class on Thanksgiving
  • Time: Sundays from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm 
  • Activities: bushwhacking, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, games, games and more games, rock rambles, orienteering, hike and bonfire, etc. 
  • Parental duties: get your child there on time, participate and support activities.
  • Volunteer as a Coach: we are also seeking coaches to lead groups each weekend. Lesson plans are provided ahead of time.

For any questions relating to Mud Monsters, please contact us.

Bunnyrabbits (age 4-5) is the first stage of the Cross Country Canada skills development program. It’s all about having fun and introducing children to the basic technique of moving on snow through games, activities, and scavenger hunts.

Jackrabbits (age 6-12) further develops the core ski skills in both classic and skating technique. These avid skiers learn more complex ski technique by way of games, drills and challenges, and are encouraged to explore the trail system, ski longer distances, challenge themselves to go faster and explore what they can do on skis.  Prior participation in Bunnyrabbits is not required so long as the skier meets the minimum age requirement.

  • Where: Nakkertok South with 1-2 lessons likely at Nakkertok North in Val-des-Monts 
  • Time: Saturdays 10:00am – 12:00pm, or Saturdays 1:30pm – 3:30pm, or Sundays 1:30pm – 3:30 pm 
  • Dates: January 9-10 to March 6-7, 2027
  • Class sizes: Nakkertok aims for a 1:5 (younger children) to 1:6 (older children) to instructor ratio.
  • Instructors: Instructors are Nakkertok volunteers, primarily parents or graduates of Nakkertok’s racing and Learn-to-Ski programs. Training is available to anyone interested in teaching/coaching.
  • Equipment: see our parent’s Guide to equipment and Guide to clothing. 
  • Parent duties: Please read the Parents’ Role. 
  • Races: Every Jackrabbit and Bunnyrabbit has the opportunity to participate in several of the annual races that the club organizes. At the learn-to-ski level the emphasis at these races is on participation.

The Learn to Ski program is open to Nakkertok members only. Sessions are weather dependent, and may be cancelled due to extreme cold. 

For any questions relating to the Learn to Ski Program, please contact us at lts.director@nakkertok.ca.

Beginner/novice adult classic skiing lessons to get the entire family skiing together for ages 14 and up.

These classes will teach the basics of classic skiing. The purpose of this program is to give adults the
basics or skiing so that they may participate with family outings and events.

This program is open to Nakkertok members only. You must register (as a member and for the program)
for the current season.

  • Who: Novice skiers, adults or youth over 14.
  • Where: Mostly at Nakkertok South with a few sessions at Nakkertok North.
  • Time: Saturdays 10:00am – 12:00 OR Saturdays 1:30pm – 3:30 pm OR Sundays 1:30pm – 3:30 pm.
  • Dates: Approx. 9 weeks beginning in early January and ending in early March.

Sessions are weather dependant, and every winter sees the cancellation of at least one day’s classes due to extreme cold, lack of snow, wind-chill, ice storms, rain or all of the above and more. In the event of a
cancellation everyone is notified by his or her instructor. (Do not assume the class has been
cancelled unless you have been contacted!)

  • Activities: Basic instruction in classic ski techniques including diagonal stride, double pole, uphills and
    downhills.
  • Class sizes: We aim for a ratio of one coach for every six adults
  • Coaches: adult volunteers
  • Equipment: see our guide to equipment and guide to clothing.
  • Registration: online registration opens in September until December 1st, and classes are filled on a first
    come first served basis

Ski4Life is a training program for adults (18+) interested in improving both their classic and skate skiing and staying “fit for life”.

The program has three objectives:

  1. to increase participants’ physical fitness, strength. balance and agility
  2. to help participants improve their technique in both classic and skate skiing
  3. to encourage participants to use and enjoy Nakkertok’s facilities.

Ski4Life is intended for adults who already have at least basic skills in classic and skate skiing. For new skiers looking for their first introduction to cross-country skiing, see Adult Beginners above.

Ski4Life consists of a dryland training component and an on-snow component. The on-snow component focuses on both classic and skate skiing. Participants have the option of joining both the dryland and on-snow components, or just one of the two. Dryland training focuses on stretching, strength, agility/balance work, pole walking, hillbounding and running. On-snow training focuses on improving classic and skate ski technique and fitness through a combination of formal instruction and opportunities to practice what is learned during free-ski time on Nakkertok’s extensive trail network. Half the on-snow sessions will be focused on skate skiing and half on classic skiing. Participants are strongly encouraged to have the appropriate equipment for both techniques.

Social events (e.g., fondue/ski night) will be planned to offer participants the chance to gather outside of the formal lessons.

Program fees

See Zone4.ca.

Meet-Up Times and Locations

Two training-day options will be offered (participants choose one of the two):

  • Tuesday evening (6:00-8:00 pm for dryland; 6:30-8:30 pm for on-snow)
  • Wednesday daytime (1:00-3:00 pm for both components)

A minimum of 10 participants is required to run the program for a given training day. For the Tuesday session, program size will be capped at 30 participants. For the Wednesday session, program size will be capped at 15 participants. Training for the Tuesday session will take place at Mooney’s Bay (dryland) and Nakkertok South (on-snow). Training for the Wednesday session will take place at Mooney’s Bay/Gatineau Park (dryland) and Nakkertok South/Gatineau Park (on-snow) depending on athlete preferences.

“Dryland training begins right after Labour Day and runs until mid-November.
On-snow training begins right after the new year and runs until early March.”

Feel free to contact Rob Smith, Lead Coach, at rob@midsummer.ca or 613-716-5230 with any questions regarding the program.