COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER RUN ORGANIZATION - Providing groomed cross-country ski trails and programming in the heart of St. Albert for all ages.
ST ALBERT NORDIC
Thank You
Thank you to all our members who supported us and attended our events. We truly have the best ski community. Looking forward to next season... well after a beautiful summer and fall!
Volunteer with SANSC
We welcome new volunteers. We would love you to join our team. Reach out to us!
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Email: sanscpresident@gmail.com
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A BIG THANKS
To our volunteers, donors and sponsors who made our season such a great success!!
See you in the fall
at our AGM!
How cold is too cold?
​SANSC COLD WEATHER GUIDELINE
​Youth Ski lessons may be cancelled due to cold weather but due to the short length of the ski season and the unpredictable nature of weather in Alberta we strive to get out if we can. Coaches will modify activities to best accommodate their groups and promote a fun and educational cold weather learning experience. It is at the discretion of guardians to decide whether their youth attend lessons, and to dress and prepare their youth appropriately in cold conditions. Below is a list of suggestions and guidelines for coaches and guardians to ensure safety and comfort when skiing in colder temperatures. For the purpose of this policy, cold weather conditions take effect when temperatures drop below -15°C (including the wind chill).
Our Coaches
Bunny and Jack Rabbit Leaders consider the following safety measures when conducting ski lessons during cold weather days:
• Each ski group will have a minimum of 2 assigned instructors (one may be a guardian volunteer), to monitor skiers and attend to any cold skiers.
• Inappropriately dressed skiers will be excused from the session and their guardian must be notified. “Inappropriately dressed” skiers will be determined by the trained instructor based on the weather conditions.
• Coaches may want to carry extra mitts and hot packs.
• All coaches will be trained to recognize the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Skiers and guardians will be informed that the following clothing is needed for cold weather days – a toque that covers their ears, warm mitts, buff/neck warmer to cover their faces, and long underwear.
• Coaches will always bring skiers inside when a skier says they are cold. Skiers will not be left to move indoors on their own; the 2nd coach will escort the skier indoors. The condition of the skier will be assessed by the coach once indoors; if it is deemed that the skier is too cold to continue, they will be left with their guardian before the coach returns to the group.
• Coaches will attempt to choose areas that are protected from the wind and avoid activities in open areas.
• Ski lessons will be conducted close to the shelter in the event that someone does get cold.
• Coaches will allow additional time to warm-up; it takes longer to get the body warmed-up for
sport activity in cold weather.
• Skiers will not be permitted to race in cold temperature or conduct activities that promote heavy breathing. Up to 30% of cross-country skiers suffer from exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Cold dry air exacerbates this condition. Guardians will be informed that if their skier is susceptible to EIA and they will need to take extra precautions.
• Where the head coaches (youth coordinators) feel that weather factors put our athletes at
risk, they may pull the groups indoors for alternate activities. The head coaches are expected
to use discretion in evaluating which age groups are pulled indoors.
• Coaches will adapt to bring activities indoors for part of the lesson if the whole group is too cold doing their scheduled outdoor activities.
• Youth Program coordinators will watch the air temperature and wind chill, and if they believe it is too risky to run lessons even with the precautions, they will decide to cancel lessons for that weekend and postpone any special activities to the next week.
Our Youth Guardians
Guardians should consider the following safety measures when their youth are prior to the lesson.
Guardians should consider the following safety measures when their youth are attending ski lessons during cold weather days:
• The following clothing is needed for cold weather days – a toque that covers their ears, warm mitts, buff/neck warmer to cover their faces, long underwear, layers on top and bottom, and wind proof layers for windy days.
• Please note that any skiers who are not appropriately dressed for the cold conditions, will be sent indoors by the coaches and guardians will be notified.
• Children skiing, even in cold weather, tend to get hot hands and/or body and often attempt to take off their gloves/mittens or jackets. It is best to layer clothing and have a smaller pair of gloves that might fit in your child’s jacket pocket, so they can effectively cool down but still be dressed for winter.
• Avoid over layering socks, to the point of creating tight feet, which reduces circulation. Instead cut the toe out of old thick wool socks, and pull them on over the ski boots for cold days. Ensure that skiers are wearing dry, not damp, socks.
• Hand-warming and foot warming packets help to minimize risk of frostbite.
• Individuals have a different tolerance to cold weather. Children less than 10 years of age are not able to thermoregulate as well as older athletes. Make sure your skiers are dressed appropriately and know to tell their coaches if they are cold or uncomfortable. The coaches will bring them indoors.
• Make sure your skiers are properly hydrated and are not hungry.
•If your skier is susceptible to EIA you will need to take extra precautions and may want to avoid outdoor activities when temperatures are cold. This is at the discretion of guardians.
• If your skier has any special conditions that you feel the coaches should be aware of (e.g. asthma or previous frostbite), please notify the coaches prior to the lesson.