Adult Cross-Country Ski Program

Photo : © Freddy Arciniegas

Registrations are now closed for the Adult Cross-Country Ski Program !

Mount Royal is the ideal location to practice outdoor activities in the heart of the city, especially cross-country skiing! Our ski courses are aimed at adults of all levels who want to master this winter sport or perfect their technique while exploring the 22 km of trails in Mount Royal Park.

Registrations are now closed for the Adult Cross-Country Ski Program. Details of the 2024-2025 adult courses will be posted on this page and in our newsletter by the end of October. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social networks to stay informed.

See also: Youth Cross-Country Ski Program

Our lessons

Please note that a parent and child cannot register for a private lesson together. 

Prefer to learn on your own or with friends? Sign up for a private, one-hour lesson with one of our SFQ-accredited instructors. Private lessons are geared for one person, but can include up to two adults. 

Levels: 
 

Initiation Level

  • Intended for participants who have never cross-country skied.

  • Topics covered: Equipment and clothing, weight transfer, use of arms and synchronization, skiing posture and use of poles. Note that the content of the lesson may vary, depending on the participant’s experience. 

  • Objectives: Introduce the participant to cross-country skiing. Have fun skiing efficiently and safely.

  • Prerequisites: No cross-country skiing experience required.


Beginner Level

  • Intended for skiers with very little cross-country skiing experience.

  • Topics covered: Introduction to basic movement, uphill and downhill techniques. Note that the content of the lesson may vary, depending on the participants’ experience. 

  • Objective : Develop the technical basics of cross-country skiing and acquire confidence.

  • Prerequisites: You must have cross-country skied a few times.

 

Intermediate Level

  • Intended for skiers who have at least one year of experience but have never taken a technical course, or who do not necessarily feel efficient in their movements.

  • Topics covered: Review, practise and improve movement, uphill and downhill techniques. Please note that the content of the lesson may vary, depending on the participants’ experience. 

  • Objective: Improve efficiency in movement.

  • Requirements: You must know the basics of cross-country skiing.

Registration for Winter 2023-2024 is now closed !

Information about the 2024-2025 offer will be communicated on this page and in our newsletter by the end of October 2024. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.

Looking for something more involved and want to learn or improve your technique with other participants of the same level? Sign up for a three-lesson group class with one of our instructors. Groups can include up to seven adults. All our instructors are accredited by Ski de fond Québec. 


Start date: Registration date for winter 2024-2025 will be announced soon
Registration: Registration date for winter 2024-2025 will be announced soon
 

Levels

Initiation Level

  • Classic diagonal stride technique.

  • Lesson 1: Familiarization with cross-country ski equipment and introduction to basic movement techniques (diagonal stride, weight transfer, balance).  

  • Lesson 2: Learn the various uphill and downhill techniques.  

  • Lesson 3: Apply and improve the techniques learned.

  • Prerequisites: No cross-country skiing experience required.

  • Objectives: Learn basic techniques, have fun cross-country skiing and gain confidence.

 

Beginner Level

  • Classic diagonal stride technique.

  • Lesson 1: Learning and developing basic skiing techniques (diagonal stride, weight transfer and balance)  

  • Lesson 2: Optimizing glide and learning the various uphill and downhill techniques 

  • Lesson 3: Applying and improving the techniques learned, skiing on the trails

  • Prerequisites: 

    • Must have completed the Initiation Level three-lesson session

OR

  • Have cross-country skied a few times, be in good physical condition and have good motor coordination.  

  • Objectives: Learn the basics of cross-country skiing, master the basic diagonal stride, have fun skiing and gain confidence.

 

Intermediate Level 

  • Classic diagonal stride technique

  • Lesson 1 : Review of basic movement techniques (diagonal stride, weight transfer, balance).  

  • Lesson 2 : Improve the various uphill and downhill techniques.  

  • Lesson 3 : Apply and improve the techniques learned and ski on the trails.       

  • Prerequisites: 

    • Must have completed the Beginner Level three-lesson session

OR

  • Be able to ski a long distance (at least 5 km) and for the entire duration of the lesson (1.5 hours), be in good physical condition and have good motor coordination.

  • Objectives: Perfect the diagonal stride technique and gain confidence as an efficient, autonomous cross-country skier.

Location

  • Our ski school participants meet at the Beaver Lake Pavilion, located at 2000 Remembrance Road. Paid parking is available at the Beaver Lake Pavilion and at Smith House.

Our ski school participants meet on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake Pavilion, located at 2000 Remembrance Road. Paid parking is available at the Beaver Lake Pavilion and at Smith House.

What should I wear for cross-country skiing?

Opt for layered clothing. Wearing several thin layers allows you to add or remove layers if you get too hot or too cold. Also, choose waterproof pants that are comfortable and allow for ease of movement. For more information, see the La Presse article S’habiller pour skier (in French).

 

If I don’t know which level to choose, can I change groups after the first course?

Make sure to carefully read each lesson description for course-specific information and prerequisites before registering.

By registering, you acknowledge having the prerequisites required for the level you’ve chosen and accept that, if the information you’ve provided is incorrect, you may, for safety reasons, be excluded from the group without reimbursement for the lessons not taken.

I used to cross-country ski several years ago, but would like to improve my technique to make my movements more efficient. What type of lesson is best for me?

Make sure to carefully read each lesson description for course-specific information and prerequisites before registering. If you are still unsure of your current level, we suggest you register for the Beginner Level.

 

Will more private lessons be added during the winter?

New lessons may be added over the course of the winter. Check our reservations platform regularly for dates and times. Please note that you can only register online.


I used to cross-country ski several years ago, but would like to improve my technique to make my movements more efficient. What type of lesson is best for me?

Make sure to carefully read each lesson description before registering. If you are still unsure of your current level, we suggest you register in the Beginner Level.

 

What is a typical lesson with Les Amis’ Cross-Country Ski School?

Lessons begin with an introduction to cross-country skiing (apparel, types of skis, waxing) and participant evaluation (ski experience, fitness level, sports background). We then practise technical exercises on our school ski trail (figure 8 loop and short ascents/descents) or on the trails in the park.

 

Typical lessons also include various exercises to perform on one or two skis, with or without poles. Participants take part in short or long excursions depending on group skill level and progression during the session.


How does the “with equipment rental” option work?

Lessons begin at the indicated time. If you are renting equipment, it is very important to arrive about 15 minutes before the start of the lesson to get your equipment. The equipment is loaned for the lesson only and must be returned at the end of the lesson.


Are ski lessons maintained during bad weather?

We follow Ski de fond Québec’s guidelines on maintaining ski lessons under certain weather conditions. More information will be provided in a Participant’s Handbook to be sent out a few weeks before the beginning of the lessons.


How will I know if my lesson is cancelled or postponed?

An email notifying participants of a postponement or cancellation will be sent out no later than 4 p.m. the day before the lesson.

For safety reasons and because certain factors in the park are beyond our control, we might also be forced to cancel a lesson only a few minutes before it is due to start.

A makeup date is scheduled for all multi-session activities, in case we are forced to cancel a lesson. By registering, you agree to be available on that date. If we are unable to make up a group lesson, we will refund the amount of the lesson.

 

Who are the ski 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 been skiing 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 Nordiq Canada.


Can I check trail conditions online or by phone?

The City of Montréal maintains and manages the cross-country ski trails on Mount Royal. It displays ski conditions (French only) at around 9:00 every morning during the season.

The information is also available by calling 514 280-8989 or on our Winter Site Conditions page.
 

Where can I get a map of the ski trails?

You can download a map of cross-country skiing trails on Mount Royal in PDF format (in French).

 

Get ready by watching these video clips

Video clip 1

Video clip 2 

Video clip 3

 

For more information on our adult cross-country ski lessons, please call 514 843-8240, ext. 4, or write to clubdeskidesamis@lemontroyal.qc.ca


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