Haliburton Nordic Development Team
What:
The Haliburton Nordic Development Team (HNDT) is a program for youth wanting to pursue Nordic skiing at a higher level than that offered by Jackrabbits/Track Attack. The program is intended for graduates of Track Attack, but keen skiers in level 3 and 4 are also encouraged to apply. Minimum age is 9 years. Note: we will be developing both classic and skate techniques.
Why:
Ready to Take Your Skiing to the Next Level?
Does your child love cross-country skiing and want more than our Jackrabbit program offers?
Consider joining the Haliburton Nordic Development Team! The Development Team is not a race program. It is designed for keen young skiers who are ready to progress beyond Track Attack and develop their skills, confidence, and love of skiing.
The Development Team offers:
- Classic & skate technique development
- Build strong technical skills in both disciplines.
- Skiing for fun, fitness & confidence
- Develop endurance, strength, and confidence while enjoying time on the snow.
- Learn the fundamentals of training in a way that is age-appropriate and consistent with the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model. (Includes a dryland component).
- Optional race participation : Racing is available for those who are interested—but it is not required.
- Future pathways: The program can provide a foundation for high school racing, the Junior Instructor program, O-Cup racing, or simply a lifelong enjoyment of cross-country skiing.
Come ski with us, build your skills, and discover where your skiing can take you!
When:
Dryland
- Saturdays 8:30pm-10:00pm at Glebe Park
- Start date – October 3rd
- Note: Skiers may choose forgo the fall/dryland portion and start in December
Winter
- Wednesday 4:30-6:00pm, Saturdays 10:30-12:00pm
- Start date – beginning in December (Will run at same time as Jackrabbits)
- End date – When the trails are no longer skiable – typically early March
- Race and training camp – dates tbd
Equipment checklist:
- Skate skis, boots and poles.
- Classic skis boots and poles – classic skis should fit the skier’s weight and be waxable.
- Skin skis may be acceptable if appropriately fitted.
Note: The ski club has a limited supply of rentals, especially classic skis. If appropriate rental equipment is not available, be prepared to purchase your own equipment. To explore club rental options – contact Annalee Winter or Kristy Waito via jackrabbitrentalshaliburton@gmail.com
- Optional but recommended: a second set of older skate and classic “rock skis”
- Optional but recommended: a few grip waxes, plastic scraper and a cork – Swix sells in a small kit with all of this included
- Drink belt – allows skiers to carry water while on the trails
- Wristwatch
- Running shoes – for dryland practice when conditions are poor
- Wool/polypro baselayers/long underwear
- Lighter-weight ski jackets and pants (”warm-ups”)
- Gloves and hats to match the conditions
- Buff/balaclava
- Warm jacket/hat/gloves for inactive periods.
Coaching Team:
Brian Suke, Ian Ritchie, Jason Ward
Costs:
- $200 (+HST) registration fee
- HHNTA membership to ensure full access to local trail systems
- Cost of Equipment – check out rental options (contact Annalee Winter or Kristy Waito via jackrabbitrentalshaliburton@gmail.com) but be prepared to purchase equipment if necessary. Note: We have kept the cost of the program low with the understanding that some families may need to purchase some equipment and that this can be expensive.
- (Optional) -Costs of Races –registration fees/travel
- Team clothes – TBD
Interested?
- Email Ian Ritchie Irwritchie@gmail.com or Jason Ward jward12@lakeheadu.ca with the subject line of ‘Interested in Development Team’ to learn next steps.
- Registration for this program ends December 1st.
- Find out more from our Pre-season Parent Session Notes
- Parent helpers. To make this program thrive and be sustainable we welcome parent helpers to join us for practices, and to help with travel logistics/race day planning.