CROSS COUNTRY SKI LESSONS
CROSS COUNTRY SKI LESSONS
BEGINNER | JANUARY 17 & FEBRUARY 21, 2026
INTERMEDIATE | JANUARY 31 & MARCH 7, 2026
Expertly guided - small group - round trip transportation from NW Calgary
Are you tired of hibernating? Embrace winter with our 2-part cross country ski series! Meet likeminded people while gaining new skills and confidence in the exciting sport of classic cross country skiing. Join us for our beginner lesson and level up to our intermediate lesson. Or pick the one that meets your current skill level. This series is all about breaking the doldrums of winter and creating memories in one of the world's most beautiful places. All of our XC ski lessons include round trip transportation from NW Calgary in our comfortable passenger van.
BEGINNER LESSON
An introduction or refresher of flat terrain skills. This Session will focus on the fundamentals of classic style cross country skiing, and will give you the confidence to move onto our intermediate lesson! We will cover basic movement on skis, balance, weight transfer and glide, culminating in the perfect diagonal stride. After a break for lunch, we’ll cover double polling, then touch on basic hill skills before hitting the trails for a ski in the afternoon!
- Location:
- West Bragg Creek or Kananaskis Village or Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (dependent on conditions)
- Dates Offered:
- January 17, 2026 & February 21, 2026
INTERMEDIATE LESSON
Level up from our flat terrain beginner lesson, or arrive with your own baseline skills on our exciting intermediate lesson. If you are looking to confidently tackle hills on your skinny skis while sharing a beautiful day in the mountains with new friends then part two of our cross country ski series is for you! We’ll cover everything from energy efficient climbing techniques to controlled descent techniques. In the afternoon we’ll test your newly acquired skills on the hills and go for a ski on the surrounding trails.
- Location:
- West Bragg Creek or Kananaskis Village or Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (dependent on conditions)
- Dates Offered:
- January 31, 2026 & March 7, 2026
MORE DETAILS
- Price:
- 1 Lesson: $125
- 2 Lessons: $225 (save 20% when booking 2 lessons)
- Optional gear rental (Skis, boots, poles): $30 per session
- Group Size Per Date:
- Minimum: 5 pax
- Maximum: 13 pax
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This program is designed for adults but teens (13-17) accompanied by their parent(s) or guardian(s) are welcome.
- Transportation included
- Day runs ~ 7:30AM - 4PM
CLOTHING LIST
- Wool or synthetic insulating base layers (avoid cotton fabrics which absorb water and stay cold)
- Insulating mid layer (fleece or wool sweater)
- Warm jacket (down or synthetic fill)
- Shell jacket (to break the wind)
- Warm pants (water resistant is ideal)
- Gloves or mitts (water resistant is ideal)
- Toque and neck gaiter (Buff)
- Warm wool socks
GEAR LIST
- *Classic-style no-wax cross-country skis
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*Cross-country ski boots
- *Cross-country ski poles
- Backpack (that fits all of your equipment)
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm with SPF
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Lunch and snacks
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1-2 litres of water and/or hot drinks
OPTIONAL ITEMS
- Extra warm layers and spare socks, toque/mitts
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Spare warm clothing to change into after the session
- Hand and toe warmers
*Cross country skis, boots and poles must be fit to your height, weight and shoe size. Having the right equipment makes all the difference in your experience and enjoyment on the trails. While borrowing skis or using old gear from a family member might seem like an easy way to save money, it can actually hold you back and even make your experience unsafe. If you are unsure if your gear is adequate please consider renting or getting your gear tested at a reputable ski shop such as The Norseman. High quality rentals are also available through Big Nature.
Weather Policy:
We’re Here for Your Safety and Enjoyment!
We’re committed to offering a fun and safe skiing experience, no matter the weather! We’ll ski in most conditions, but in the rare event of extreme weather that could impact safety—such as very cold temperatures, high winds, or hazardous road conditions—we may need to adjust the plan. This could include temperatures below -25°C (including windchill), severe wind, or travel advisories.
If conditions are challenging, we’ll do our best to relocate to a more suitable spot, adjust the itinerary with extra breaks, or, in some cases, cancel the session if there’s no safe alternative. We’ll always keep you informed of any changes or cancellations ahead of time, so if you haven’t heard from us, you can assume the program is going ahead as planned.
To stay in the loop, please make sure we have your current contact information, including a phone number where you can be reached the day before or the morning of the session, in case we need to reach you.
Be sure to check mountain forecasts before the session, as conditions in the mountains can differ from the city. Dress accordingly, and we’ll see you on the trails—come rain, snow, or sunshine!
Cancellation Policy:
We understand that plans can change! If you need to cancel your participation in our cross-country ski program, here’s our cancellation policy:
- Cancellations made up to 7 days before your scheduled session will be fully refunded, minus a small booking fee to cover administrative costs.
- Cancellations within 7 days of the scheduled session are non-refundable.
Please note:
We recommend letting us know as early as possible if you need to cancel, so we can try to accommodate others who may want to join. We appreciate your understanding, and we look forward to skiing with you!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This program is designed for adults who want to embrace winter and learn or improve their cross-country skiing skills in a supportive environment. Teens aged 13-17 are welcome if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Professional instruction from a CANSI-certified instructor.
- A Kananaskis Conservation Pass for the day(s) we are in K-country
- Roundtrip transportation from NW Calgary in our comfortable passenger van
Please note: Ski rentals are not included in the base price, you are welcome to add them to your booking in advance and we will have them for you on the day of the program (yep we’ll pick them up and drop them off for you!), they are available for a fee, all we need is your most accurate height and weight and shoe size.
January 17, 2026 & February 21, 2026: Beginner Lesson
Learn the fundamentals of classic cross-country skiing, including balance, weight transfer, and glide, culminating in the diagonal stride. This session also introduces double poling and basic hill skills.
January 31, 2026 & March 7, 2026: Intermediate Lesson
Build confidence on hill terrain by learning energy-efficient climbing techniques and controlled descents. Test your skills on surrounding trails in the afternoon.
- 1 Lesson: $125
- 2 Lessons: $225
- Optional Gear Rental: $30 per Session (skis, boots, and poles).
Sessions are held at West Bragg Creek, Kananaskis Village, or Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, depending on snow and weather conditions. Final locations will be confirmed closer to the session dates.
Please meet us in the morning at the McDonald's in NW Calgary 8235 Bowridge Crescent NW, Calgary, AB at 7:30AM. Parking is available in the McDonald’s lot and the streets adjacent (follow posted signs).
- Clothing: Wool or synthetic layers, shell jacket/pants, gloves/mitts, toque, and neck warmer.
- Gear: Classic-style no-wax cross-country skis, boots, poles, and a backpack.
- Extras: Packable insulating jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm
- Food: Lunch, snacks, and 1-2 liters of water or hot drinks
- Recommended: Spare warm layers and clothing for after the session.
Yes! You can choose to join individual Sessions based on your skill level and availability.
Each session requires a minimum of 5 participants and accommodates a maximum of 13 participants. We reserve the right to cancel if there's less than 5 participants booked for a program date.
We’ll ski in most weather conditions. However, sessions may be relocated, adjusted, or canceled in the event of extreme weather, such as temperatures below -25°C (including windchill), high winds, or hazardous road conditions. We’ll notify participants in advance of any changes.
- Cancellations made up to 7 days before the session will receive a full refund (minus a small booking fee).
- Cancellations within 7 days of the session are non-refundable.
Yes, optional gear rental is available for $30 per session. This includes skis, boots, and poles. Please reserve rentals in advance. We will have your rental gear ready for you on the day of the lesson.
Register online or contact us directly. Early registration is recommended as spaces are limited.
We encourage renting gear that fits your size and skill level. Properly fitted equipment enhances your performance, comfort, and safety.
Teens aged 13-17 can participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Both must have appropriate equipment.
- Review the provided checklist to ensure you have the right gear and clothing.
- Beginners may benefit from light fitness exercises to build endurance.
- Check mountain weather forecasts before heading out and dress accordingly.
For additional questions, feel free to contact us at