Discover Masters XC

Learn, connect, and grow together.

Our new 12-week Discover Masters XC program is an introduction to a structured training program and technique improvement for novice to intermediate masters skiers (ages 30+).

Kick it up a notch!

Never done a structured training program before but want to give it a try? Want to ski farther, with greater ease? Want to meet friends in the great outdoors? Discover Masters XC could be for you! All it takes is a passion for cross-country skiing and a desire to grow your capabilities in a fun and supportive environment.

Learn:  You’ll build foundational knowledge and skills, including refining and improving technique, learning about equipment, waxing, loppeting, and structured training approaches in a fun group learning format.

Connect: Develop and foster social connections within the group and other members of the club so you have people to ski with socially. 

Grow: Improve your athletic strength, fitness and endurance with coached sessions in a supportive environment. You’ll be able to handle longer distances, harder trails, challenges and speed with increased confidence. 

The program will run two days a week from December to March – with 5 on-snow hours a week. Wednesday afternoons at the Canmore Nordic Center and Saturday mornings at various locations in the Bow Valley.

Note:  this is NOT a learn to ski program. Participants are expected to be comfortable with classic skiing, be able to ski green trails for 5-10 kms, and have basic track and hill skills. 

Program highlights

  • Technique improvement

    The Wednesday sessions will be 2 hours on snow, focused on developing your skiing technique. We start out with classic skiing, and introduce skate skiing later in the program. Sessions will be tailored to the participants, emphasizing injury prevention and progression.

  • Fitness and endurance

    Saturday skiing will be up to 3 hours on snow, building your endurance and ability to ski for longer distances, while continuing to improve your technique.

    Intervals and speed work will be introduced part-way through the program to level up your fitness!

    Saturday sessions will be coordinated with the larger BVN ski club activities, so you can meet other club members and coaches.

  • Workshops

    Additional workshops throughout the winter will help you learn more about the sport of skiing, including:

    - Clothing and equipment

    - Waxing techniques

    - Nutrition

  • Events and socials

    The program will wrap-up with a fun day (scavenger hunt or ‘loppet’) at Canmore Nordic Centre. As well, you’ll be able to join BVN’s social ski days that are typically run by other BVN members or by coaches. And you’ll be welcome to join the club’s loppet weekends.

  • Coaching team

    The Discover Masters program is coached by CANSI, NCCP and Safe Sport certified coaches. We aim for small group sizes of similar abilities so you can ski and workout with friends at a compatible pace.

Program pricing

We offer competitive pricing for an action-packed program.
Fees include all sessions and activities described above.

Club membership: $50

Discover Masters program fee: $350

You must pay separately for a Canmore Nordic Centre trail pass, and Banff and Kananaskis parks passes. Overnight camps, loppets and events may incur additional costs for entry fees, accommodations, travel, etc.