Children’s Programs

Ages 3-11

Canada’s cross-country ski program for kids.

December 2 – March 23

Bunnies up to Level 4 Saturdays 11:30am-1:00pm: $94 or,

Level 2-4 Saturdays and Thursdays (6-7:30pm): $158

INCLUDES: Jackrabbit toque,  Jackrabbit Sprint Races (February), Lappe ‘Lympics, End-of-Year Party (Late March), Lappe Fresh Air Race Series, use of Club wax.
OPTIONAL ADD ONS: Seasonal ski equipment rentals

Jackrabbits 

Jackrabbits is Canada’s cross-country ski program for kids. It focuses on fun skill development through exploration, games, and discovery activities. Sessions run 60-90 minutes. Skiers learn classic and skate skiing techniques in small groups, through both instruction and games. Additional experiences like ski touring and racing enhance skiers’ enjoyment and engagement in skiing and healthy physical activity.

Our smallest Jackrabbits participate in the “active start” Bunnies program, which requires parent or guardian accompaniment. Jackrabbits continues through four additional levels, focusing first on classic skiing and beginning skate skiing in Level 3.

Bunnies and level 1 ski once a week, on Saturday mornings. Jackrabbits in levels 2, 3 and 4 can opt to ski twice a week.

*Note* It is very important to provide accessible email contact information during registration.

Jackrabbit Group Level

Registered Jackrabbits will be placed into groups by the Jackrabbit Program Coordinator. Groupings take into account skill levels, interests, and friendships. A group may have a range of abilities and interests. Groups may change over the course of the session. Please speak to the Jackrabbit Program Coordinator if you have questions or concerns.

Coaches

All club coaches, other than the Head Coach, are trained and certified volunteers. These coaches are responsible for communicating with families and leading sessions. The group’s coach will send a weekly email to notify group members of plans for the next session. Coaches typically wear an orange arm band and/or black jackets with Lappe Ski Club logo.

Parent Assistance 

Parents are welcomed and needed to support sessions for all youth. Parents or guardians must accompany all skiers age 7 and younger. Parents often become our next generation of coaches and assistant coaches!

During sessions, parents can:

• help ski with slower or faster skiers
• return a skier to the chalet to warm up and then back to the group
• support with equipment, activity props and waxing needs for the members.

Parents who ski with children during the session are required to purchase a ski pass from the Lappe Ski Centre (daily or seasonal). Parents of children under 7 who walk/shuffle beside their child are not required to purchase a trail pass.

Volunteering

Volunteering is the lifeblood of our ski club. Each club member enrolled in a program is required to contribute a certain number of volunteer hours, and to commit to a volunteer bond at the time of registration. Jackrabbit members (or their immediate family members), as well as any member in a 1-week program, commit to 2 volunteer credits (or $100 volunteer bond).

Three exceptions to the requirement of committing to a bond are as follows:

1. Individuals registered as “Friends of the Club.”
2. New members who are joining the club for their first time.
3. A member who is registered as a Bunny, Jackrabbit Level 1, or Jackrabbit Level 2.

Find the full details for the Volunteer Policy here.

Equipment and Clothing

Parents/guardians provide equipment for participants. Some skis, boots and poles may be available to rent from the ski club for program participants on a first-come, first-served basis. All children will begin with classic ski equipment and transition to skate technique as skills progress. (Note: “classic” skis are for use in ski tracks for striding, whereas “skate” equipment is for use on the flattened portion of the trail, beside the track, where skier pushes with the feet in “V” pattern.)

Always dress in layers to help adjust for activity levels and be prepared for all weather.  Clothing items include: neck tubes/buffs; warm toque, well-insulated mittens, and winter (not cotton) socks with extras for after the session. Avoid rubberized, non-breathable fabrics.

Severe Weather Protocol

Sometimes it’s too cold to ski safely or enjoyably! We may delay or cancel a session because of extremely cold temperatures, wind, or other weather-related. Delay or cancellation decisions are made in collaboration with the Club Program Manager, Head Coach, and Program Coordinators. A delay from 11am to 1 pm will often allow the sun to warm the air to above -20°C.  We will email parents and guardians about delays or cancellations at least 2 hours before a session.

Bring a Friend 

Participants may bring a friend to a session with advance notice to the Coordinator and/or Coach. The friend’s parent or guardian must sign a Cross Country Canada Informed Consent And Assumption Of Risk Agreement  and provide it to the Coordinator before the session. The friend must have a ski trail pass and equipment. Some ski equipment may be available for loan from the Jackrabbit Cupboard.

Questions?

Programs or registration: Please contact Program Manager Brook Latimer
Jackrabbits: Please contact Jackrabbit Program Coordinator Ruth Mills

Ages 10-12

For both racers and adventurers. Fitness, fun, teamwork all while improving technique and exploring.

FALL (Sept 7th start) AND WINTER: $297 | WINTER ONLY (Dec 2nd start): $187

Thursdays (6-7:30pm) and Saturdays (fall 10-11:30am) (winter 11:30am-1:00pm).

INCLUDES: Track Attack Buff, Fall KRW,  Lappe Fresh Air Race Series, use of Club wax, Jackrabbit Sprints (Feb.), Lappe ‘Lympics
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS:  Fall Start-Up Camp, seasonal ski equipment rentals, trip to Youth Championships (club supported).