2025-2026
Adult Ski Lessons
Registration OPENS
Thursday Dec. 4, 9:00am
Welcome to the St. Albert Nordic Ski Club’s Adult Lesson Programs! We offer various lessons and clinics for adults to learn the fundamentals of cross-country skiing.
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All participants must be members of either St. Albert Nordic Ski Club or Edmonton Nordic Ski Club to register for adult lessons. An individual SANSC membership is $25, and a family membership for two or more skiers residing in the same household is $50. Each member must also pay a Nordiq Alberta fee of $10 and a Nordiq Canada fee of $12 (these fees cover the insurance requirements and are non-refundable). A registered adult may be accompanied by a registered teenage youth family member, but the lessons are intended for adults.
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**NOTE: the Kingswood Shelter is heated with public washrooms but is run by the City of St. Albert, so please check their website for hours.
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As always, if you're looking for alternative lesson types or dates, please send us a message below. If we have enough interest and can recruit CANSI instructors to meet those needs, we will try to accommodate any requests.
See you on the tracks!
Adult Ski Lessons
Explore our variety of ski lessons tailored to all levels. From novice to advanced skiers, we offer personalized instruction with certified Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI) to enhance your skills on the trails.
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New this year, our adult lessons will be following the recently adopted CANSI Ski Your Best lesson categories for both classic and skate skiing. See the decriptions below. ​
Classic Intro
(Rentals for Evening Lessons))
Classic Skill Building
(No Rentals)
Classic Getting Comfortable
(No Rentals)
For skiers new to classic skiing or getting back into it. You will be able to ski on flat terrain and safely negotiate gentle hills while enjoying the outdoors.
You will get there by working on:
â– Balance - Step from one ski to the other as you move forward. Shift your body weight
from ski to ski.
â– Coordination - Swing your arms back and forth while stepping from ski to ski. Your arms
and legs swing opposite to each other.
â– Propulsion - Push off on one ski at a time, using your legs and arms to propel yourself
forward. Poles add to your momentum.
â– Speed control - Place and hold your skis in a wedge to slow and stop on a gentle hill.
You rock! You will be able to confidently ski on flat terrain using a diagonal stride, climb hills
using a herringbone, slow down, and safely stop when going down a gentle hill using a braking wedge. You will be able to get safely back on your feet after a fall.
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7-9pm
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Session 1:
Monday Jan. 5, Wednesday Jan. 7,
Monday Jan. 12, Wednesday Jan. 14
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Session 2:
Monday Jan. 26, Wednesday Jan. 28,
Monday Feb. 2, Wednesday Feb. 4
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Daytime: 3:00 - 4:30
(NO RENTALS)
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Session 3:
Monday Jan. 19, Wednesday Jan. 21,
Monday Jan. 26, Wednesday Jan. 28
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For skiers who can ski flats and gentle hills, and are looking to increase efficiency and explore longer trails. You will be mobile on your skis, travelling farther down the trails to see what is around the next bend! You will glide more easily over rolling terrain, leaving the club house behind.
You will get there by working on:
â– Balance - Use an athletic stance as you transfer weight from ski to ski. Your kick ski
returns back underneath your body, allowing more continuous forward motion.
â– Coordination - Move your arms and legs in a smooth and continuous rhythm. Coordinate
the downward pressure to increase grip.
â– Propulsion - Gain forward momentum through your poles by flexing your upper body. Start engaging core strength.
â– Change direction - Use a wedge to turn left or right, with your legs and skis turning
independently of your upper body.
You will get stronger and smoother! You will feel a smooth gliding sensation as you ski along flat and low rolling trails using diagonal stride. You will find your core muscles, and engage them to provide forward power when you double pole. You will have a growing sense of confidence as you descend gentle hills and use a wedge to turn right or left.
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7-8:30
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Tuesday Jan. 6,13, 20, 27
For skiers who want to enjoy the grace and efficiency of more fluid whole-body movement, have fun, and reach new frontiers over more adventurous terrain. You are skiing further with what feels like less effort along the flats. You are now starting to
explore more rolling terrain.
You will get there by working on:
â– Balance - A forward, relaxed stance, generates a fluid continuous motion.
â– Coordination - Adapt tempo and position to terrain to manage momentum.
â– Propulsion - Increase leg and arm range of motion to transmit more power to skis and
poles.
â– Change direction - When turning or stepping, your balance moves to the outside ski andyou use your edges to grip.
Oh the places you will go! You can now confidently ski low rolling terrain of your choosing with more ease and strength. Trails that may once have looked daunting are now within your range.
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7-8:30
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Thursday Jan 8, 15, 22, 29
Skate Intro
(No Rentals)
Skate Skill Building
(No Rentals)
Skate Getting Comfortable
For skiers who are new to skate skiing or getting back into it. You will be able to ski on flat terrain and safely negotiate gentle hills while enjoying the outdoors.
You will get there by working on:
â– Balance - Transfer body weight from ski to ski while moving forward.
â– Coordination - Use your arm motion and poles to extend your glide.
â– Propulsion - Push off from one ski at a time, using your legs and arms to propel forward.
Poles add to your momentum.
â– Change direction - Place and hold your skis in a wedge to slow and stop on a gentle hill.
You rock! You will be able to glide flat terrain using free skate and double pole. You can climb hills using herringbone, slow down, and safely stop when going down a gentle hill using a braking wedge. You can get safely back up after a fall.
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1:30 - 3:30
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Friday Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30
For skiers who can ski flats and gentle hills, and are looking to increase efficiency and explore farther down the trail. You will be able to ski rolling terrain and explore trails farther from the club house. You will become faster and more efficient.
You will get there by working on:
â– Balance - Land on a flat ski and balance there to extend your glide.
â– Coordination - Move in a smooth and rhythmic fashion as you pole with your arms and push equally with both legs.
â– Propulsion - Load your poles with your body weight as you flex your upper body.
â– Change direction - With your skis comfortably making a wedge shape on the snow, turn your legs & skis independently from your upper body.
Getting stronger and smoother! You will be able to feel a smooth gliding sensation as you
skate along flat and low rolling trails in your One Skate and Double Pole. A growing sense of confidence is emerging as you descend gentle hills, using a wedge to turn right or left.
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No lessons currently available
For skiers who want to enjoy the grace and efficiency of more fluid whole-body movement, have fun, and reach new frontiers over more adventurous terrain. You are skiing further with what feels like less effort along the flats. You are now starting to
explore more rolling terrain.
You will get there by working on:
â– Balance - A forward, relaxed stance, generates a fluid continuous motion.
â– Coordination - Adapt tempo and position to terrain to manage momentum.
â– Propulsion - Increase leg and arm range of motion to transmit more power to skis and
poles.
â– Change direction - When turning or stepping, your balance moves to the outside ski and
you use your edges to grip.
Oh the places you will go! You can now confidently ski low rolling terrain of your choosing with more ease and strength. Trails that may once have looked daunting are now within your range.
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No lessons currently available
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Not finding a Lesson for You?
We also offer private lessons. Just click on the button below to check out our talented coaches who can cater a lesson to your needs.
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If you have further questions, scroll down on the page and send us a note. We are happy to answer your questions. Keep in mind, our club is run by volunteers so it may take us a few days to answer you but we are happy to help!
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Cancellation Policy
Our cancellation policy for adult lessons is as stated below. Please read these policies before registering for adult programs. Requests for refunds based on extraordinary circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis by the Adult Program Director.
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Membership and program fees including ski rental fees are non refundable unless lessons are cancelled by SANSC due to low enrollment, lack of snow or other climactic factors that prevent lessons from taking place. Attempts will be made to reschedule the lessons where possible but if lessons are cancelled by SANSC, lesson fees will be refunded but club membership, Nordiq Alberta, Nordiq Canada and transaction fees will not be refunded.
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If a participant is not able to attend the lesson due to illness, SANSC will make reasonable attempts to reschedule the missed lesson(s). This is at the discretion of the Adult Program Director and based on availability of instructors and rental equipment.
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If a participant chooses not to attend the lesson due to icy conditions or other reasons, the lesson will not be rescheduled or refunded.
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Registrants need a Membership
We strive to make our lessons affordable and here is a breakdown of what the fees entail.
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St. Albert Nordic Ski Club Memberships
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Memberships are available for $25 for individuals or $50 for families. The family membership is for two or more skiers living in the same household.
Nordiq Alberta and Nordiq Canada
Additional fees per individual member are required for Nordiq Canada ($12) and Nordiq Alberta ($10). Click below to visit their websites.
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WHAT DO I NEED FOR MY LESSONS?
For introductory lessons there is some inevitable standing around although the coaches do their best to keep people moving. The first novice lesson has a level of activity similar to hiking or a brisk walk so adjust your clothing for the temperature that day.
Layers are significantly better than a single bulky jacket for winter activities. For example you can take off a jacket and put it on the picnic table to be put back on when the need arises.
Warm mid-weight gloves are recommended for a novice lesson. You won't need the heavy duty downhill skiing type of gloves. You can also stuff some lighter gloves in your pockets just in case. Handwarmers are also an option.
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Wool socks are suggested to keep your toes warm.
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Of course you need a hat to cover your ears and a neck warmer to cover your neck/face to stay warm.
Also consider a headlamp in your jacket pocket or wear one to see what you're skiing on.
Questions?