Youth Cross-Country Ski Program

Photo : © Freddy Arciniegas

Winter 2023-2024: Registration closed

Certified by Ski de fond Québec, the courses offered by the Youth Cross-Country Ski School are designed for children aged 4 to 15 at  all skill levels, who want to learn to cross-country ski or perfect their technique. Accompanied by our certified instructors on Mount Royal Park’s 22 km of trails, youngsters will hone their skiing skills while enjoying the beauty of the mountain  in winter.

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See also: Adult Cross-Country Ski Program

About the lessons

Winter 2023-2024: Registration closed

Registration is now closed for the youth program, but there are still spots available for private lessons! Affordable and productive, they provide personalized support for young skiers.

To stay informed of registration dates for next year's group lessons, sign up for our newsletter, and make sure to check the "Activities for kids" box.

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Prefer to have your child learn one-on-one? Sign him or her up for a private, one-hour lesson with one of our instructors. Lessons are geared to one individual but can include up to two children with similar levels of experience.

To facilitate the teaching of age-appropriate techniques, please note that it is not possible to take a private class with your child.

Winter 2023-2024: Registration closed

The choice of course level depends on your child’s age and amount of cross-country skiing experience. The following guidelines will help you select the right level:


Beginner skiers (with little or no cross-country skiing experience):

  • 4 to 5 years old: Jeannot lapin
  • 6 to 8 years old: Jackrabbit level 1
  • 9 to 15 years old: Explorateurs
     

Intermediate skiers:

  • 7 to 8 years old: Jackrabbit level 2 (must have completed level 1 or have 1 year’s experience in cross-country skiing)
  • 8 to 9 years old: Jackrabbit levels 3 and 4 (must have completed level 2 or have 2 years’ experience in cross-country skiing)
     

Advanced skiers:

  • 9 to 15 years old: Pisteurs (must have completed all Jackrabbit levels or have good skiing experience)

Geared towards youngsters, the Jeannot Lapin program focuses first and foremost on fun! Children learn how to stand and maintain their balance on skis, which is the first step in becoming a proficient skier and enjoying the cross-country skiing experience. Children typically complete this program within one winter. No prior skiing experience is required.
 

Jeannot Lapin: Children must:

  • Be 4 to 5 years old

  • No prior experience required

The “with equipment rental” option allows your child to borrow equipment free of charge to practise the new techniques he or she has learned. It is not possible to borrow the equipment for personal use on Saturdays and Sundays during intensive lesson periods or use the equipment anywhere other than on Mount Royal. Therefore, a 3-hour limit will be applied.

 

Once they can keep their balance on skis, youngsters start honing their skills and learning freestyle and classic skiing. Divided into four levels, the Jackrabbit program is designed to highlight the progress made in acquiring technical skills such as speed, consistency and distance.
 

Jackrabbit Level 1: Children must:

  • Be 6 to 8 years old

  • No prior experience required
     

Jackrabbit Level 2: Children must:

  • Be 7 or 8 years old

  • Have completed Jackrabbit Level 1

  • Know the basic position, be able to get up by themselves, take side steps, do the star, be able to run on skis and slow down or stop using the snow plow technique
     

Jackrabbit Level 3: Children must:

  • Be 8 or 9 years old

  • Have completed Jackrabbit Level 2

  • Master the diagonal stride/glide, be able to ascend using the herringbone technique, turn, and snow plow to a full stop
     

Jackrabbit Level 4: Children must:

  • Be 8 or 9 years old

  • Have completed Jackrabbit Level 3

  • Master the diagonal stride/extended glide, double poling, conversion and skate ski techniques, and be able to turn using the skate ski technique

The “with equipment rental” option allows your child to borrow equipment free of charge to practise the new techniques he or she has learned. It is not possible to borrow the equipment for personal use on Saturdays and Sundays during intensive lesson periods or use the equipment anywhere other than on Mount Royal. Therefore, a 3-hour limit will be applied.

Level 1 of the Explorateurs program is designed to introduce cross-country skiing to children and teens 9 to 15 years of age who have never taken lessons before. Participants learn classic cross-country ski techniques as they explore the woodland trails of Mount Royal as a group.

Explorateurs: Participants must:

  • Be 9 to 15 years old

  • No prior experience required

The “with equipment rental” option allows your child to borrow equipment free of charge to practise the new techniques he or she has learned. It is not possible to borrow the equipment for personal use on Saturdays and Sundays during intensive lesson periods or use the equipment anywhere other than on Mount Royal. Therefore, a 3-hour limit will be applied.

In the Pisteurs program, young skiers learn advanced classic and freestyle cross-country skiing techniques as they glide through Mount Royal woodlands. They also learn how to wax their skis.

To be eligible, participants must have completed Jackrabbit Level 4 or possess equivalent ski experience. 

The “with equipment rental” option allows your child to borrow equipment free of charge to practise the new techniques he or she has learned. It is not possible to borrow the equipment for personal use on Saturdays and Sundays during intensive lesson periods or use the equipment anywhere other than on Mount Royal. Therefore, a 3-hour limit will be applied.

Ski school participants meet at the Beaver Lake Pavilion in Mount Royal Park, located at 2000, Remembrance Road. Metered parking is available at both Beaver Lake Pavilion and Smith House.

What should my child wear for cross-country skiing?

Opt for layered clothing. Wearing several thin layers will allow him or her to add or remove layers if too hot or too cold. The Parent Handbook (available in December) will include tips on dressing for cross-country skiing.

What level is best for my child?

Before registering your child, make sure to carefully read each lesson description as well as the section on “Choosing the Right Level for Your Child.” These sections include course-specific information as well as any applicable prerequisites. 

My son will turn 4 after January 1. Can I still register him in the Jeannot Lapin group? He is very active and would have no trouble following the group.

No. All children enrolled in the Jeannot Lapin course must be 4 or older on January 1 of the current ski season. Any falsification of the information entered on the registration form could result in cancellation of the registration, without a refund.

My daughter completed the Jeannot Lapin course last winter, but will turn 5 after January 1. Can I register her for Jackrabbit Level 1? She is very active and would have no trouble following the group.

No. Children aged 5 must register for Jeannot Lapin for a second time. However, all participants are assessed during the first lesson. 

Can my child and his friend be in the same group?

If both children are registered in the same level and age group, they should be together for the session. However, if the children are not of the same age or level, they will not be in the same group. Since all participants are assessed during the first lesson, the ski instructors may restructure groups for the following week.

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted modes of payment are VISA and MasterCard. Please note that full payment is required to reserve your child’s spot. A $50 non-refundable administrative fee is included in the price of the activity. No refund will be given within seven days of the start of the activity unless a written medical certificate is submitted.

What does a typical lesson with Les Amis’ Cross-Country Ski School consist of?

Lessons begin with warm-up exercises outside. 

We often practise technical exercises on our school ski trail (figure 8 loop and short ascents/descents). Games are part of teaching cross-country skiing: various games are played on one or two skis, with or without poles, during the lesson to help kids perfect their technique. Participants take part in short or long excursions, depending on the group’s skill level and how far the lessons have progressed during the session.

How does the option “with equipment rental” work?

Lessons begin at the indicated time. If you are renting equipment, it is very important to arrive15 minutes before the start of the lesson, at the rental counter, to get your equipment.

Ski equipment is loaned for the lesson only and must be returned at the end of the lesson. 

Your child can borrow the equipment any time (except during course sessions), but may only use it in Mount Royal Park. The equipment may not be used to ski anywhere other than in Mount Royal Park.

Can I accompany my child during the lesson? I have skis and could help the group.

No, it is better for your child to be on her own. In this manner, she will learn to get up by herself (using the technique taught by the instructor) and will be more likely to take part in the various group activities. It will also be easier for her to integrate into the group without the presence of a parent.

Groups are made up of a maximum of 12 children. Two instructors accompany each group of more than 8 children.

Are ski lessons maintained during bad weather?

We follow the guidelines issued by Ski de fond Québec in terms of maintaining ski lessons in certain weather conditions. In the event of a cancellation, and provided it is possible to do so, a special activity or ski clinic will be organized. Further details will be provided in the Parent Handbook to be sent out a few weeks before the start of the session.

If a lesson is postponed, when will it be rescheduled? 

A special activity is planned for the weekend of February 24, 25. A condensed course will be offered at this time, followed by the activity.

Who are the instructors in the Les Amis de la montagne Ski School?

Our ski instructors are often CEGEP or university students who love cross-country skiing and teaching this winter sport. Most have practised the sport since childhood or have competed with various ski clubs across Quebec. Our assistant instructors are often former students who are now old enough to teach.

All our instructors are trained as community coaches with Ski de fond Québec and/or Nordiq Canada.

My child does not have a health insurance card (RAMQ), but we have private insurance. Can he still participate in your cross-country skiing lessons?

You can register your child for our cross-country skiing lessons, but you will need to provide all the details of your private insurer when registering online.

 

Get ready by watching these video clips

Video clip 1

Video clip 2 

Video clip 3

For more information on our Youth Cross-Country Ski Program, please call 514 843-8240, ext. 4 or write to clubdeskidesamis@lemontroyal.qc.ca.

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