Cross-Country Ski Lessons & Tours
Learn How to Cross-Country Ski From Top Instructors in Canmore, Alberta Canada
Click on the images below to find out more about our programs!
Terms & Conditions and our cancellation policy can be viewed at the bottom of the page, or click here.
Lesson Gift Cards
Looking for the perfect gift? Why not gift the joy of cross-country skiing!
Lessons
What is My Skiing Level?
Beginner
New to cross-country skiing
Ready to learn foundational cross-country ski skills
Want to build confidence on green trails
Beginner-Plus
Have some cross-country skiing experience
Ready to refresh and build on foundational cross-country ski skills
Are able to ski most green trails and are looking to try blue trails
Intermediate
Have several years of cross-country skiing experience
Ready to further develop and refine cross-country skiing technique
Already ski most blue trails and possibly some black trails with confidence
Advanced
Have many years of cross-country skiing experience
Focused on specific technique improvement with a high-level instructor
Already ski all blue trails and some black trails with confidence
Terms and Conditions
All participants must complete the lesson waiver before attending each lesson.
If rental equipment is required, participants will book online separately ahead of the lesson and arrive 30 minutes prior to the lesson to collect the equipment. Rentals can be booked on our rental page which can be found in the navigation bar.
Participants must meet their instructor 5 minutes prior to lesson start time at the Trail Sports lesson meeting place sign (south end of day lodge, by the rink).
All participants are age 13 or older unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times (minimum age is 6-years old).
All participants must purchase a Canmore Nordic Centre trail pass at the Day Lodge and a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for vehicle parking.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations up to seven days (one week) prior to the start of a lesson/program are subject to a $25 administration fee.
- Refunds are not issued for cancellations by the patron within seven days (one week) of the start of a lesson/program.
- Programs require a minimum of three registrants to run.
- If Trail Sports cancels a program due to limited enrollment or weather conditions (see below), every effort will be made to reschedule. If this is not possible, refunds for missed lesson/program time will be issued. Participants will only be notified if the lesson is cancelled.
Weather Policy
- Trail Sports strives not to cancel lessons/programs due to weather. Should weather conditions be unsafe or long-lasting, then Trail Sports reserves the right to cancel lessons/programs.
- Every effort will be made to reschedule the lesson/program; if this is not possible, a refund for a missed lesson/program time will be issued. Participants will only be notified if a lesson is cancelled.
- Our cut-off temperature is -25 C wind chill. Readings are made using the Trail Sports weather station.
Quick Tech Tips
Here are some basic technique videos to get you excited about cross-country skiing. We look forward to teaching you in person for the complete benefits & to share our passion for this sport with you!
Frequently Asked Questions: Cross-Country Ski
Rentals
Can I reserve rentals online?
Yes. Customers can reserve online in advance to save time. Trail Sports also directs new visitors to book a lesson or guided ski if they are new to the Nordic Centre.
Are trail fees included with my rental?
No. Rental rates do not include Canmore Nordic Centre trail fees.
Do I need to sign a waiver for rentals?
Yes. A rental waiver is required, and Trail Sports provides an online waiver link on the rentals page.
What is your cross-country ski rental cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled rental time to receive a full refund, minus a $15 administration fee. Reservations canceled within 24 hours are non-refundable.
Masters
Do you offer Masters cross-country ski programs?
Yes. Trail Sports offers Masters Programs as part of its cross-country ski lesson lineup.
Who are Masters programs for?
Masters programs are designed for skiers who are already confident in their technique and want to improve skill, efficiency, and performance. Trail Sports describes options for skiers with room for improvement in either classic or skate technique.
What kinds of Masters programs are offered?
The Masters page includes options such as classic or skate technique with video analysis, as well as skate fitness-focused series.
Are Masters programs suitable for advanced skiers?
Yes. Trail Sports positions Masters as a more performance-oriented offering, with some sessions requiring skiers to already be able to ski specific terrain confidently, such as skating up the teaching hill in the CNC stadium.
How do I know which lesson is right for me?
Yes. Some Masters offerings specifically mention video analysis as part of the training format.
Service & Repairs
Do you offer cross-country ski servicing?
Yes. Trail Sports offers dedicated cross-country ski servicing.
What ski service options do you provide?
Trail Sports offers a wide range of ski services including storage wax, recreational glide wax hot application, klister grip wax application, ski binding transfer, ski skin swap, training glide hot wax application, pine tar application, hot box treatment, race glide hot wax application, stone grinding, and stone grind plus hot box.
Do you offer stone grinding?
Yes. Trail Sports offers stone grinding for cross-country skis, and also offers a stone grind plus hot box option. The site notes that Trail Sports has worked closely with national cross-country skiing and biathlon teams on grind development since 1995.
What is hot boxing?
Hot boxing is a wax treatment process that allows skis to absorb more wax than standard ironing methods. Trail Sports explains that a few hours in the hot box is roughly equivalent to eight coats of wax applied with an iron. Their hot box runs every Wednesday, with skis typically ready for pickup by Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Can damaged ski bases be repaired?
Yes. Trail Sports notes that deep scratches, gouges, and core shots can be repaired, with P-Tex repairs available for an additional fee.
Selection & Fittings
Do you help customers choose the right cross-country ski equipment?
Yes. Trail Sports offers expert help with ski, boot, and pole selection for both classic and skate skiing.
Can I book an equipment fitting appointment?
Yes. Trail Sports offers in-store cross-country ski equipment fitting appointments with expert ski technicians.
What is included in a fitting appointment?
Fitting appointments are designed to provide personalized ski, boot, and pole fittings based on the skier’s needs, discipline, and goals.
Do you specialize in both classic and skate ski setups?
Yes. Trail Sports specifically states that it provides equipment fitting for both classic and skate skiing.