Cross Country & Snowshoe
Nordic Centre
Lessons
Welcome to the Nordic Centre at Raven Lodge! These lessons are for any ability level from beginners to experts, with classic and skate XC lessons, snowshoe tours and more!
Nordic Centre
2024-25 WINTER RECREATION GUIDE ONLINE NOW
The Winter Rec Guide: Reserve Your Snow Sports Now!
Our 2024/25 Winter Snow Sports Recreation Guide is now available! Click to download the pdf or pickup a printed magazine at one of our island distribution locations: Ski Tak Hut, Blue Toque, ROAM Media, Alternative Groove, The Comox Valley & Campbell River Visitor Centres, VI Public Libraries, and some recreation centres. If you already know what program you'd like to book or are looking for more details, please contact us at lessons@mountwashington.ca Our Rec Sales Agents are available via email and phone to assist with booking your experience.
We can't wait to hear from you and help reserve your snow sports. You can also click here to view Lesson & Rental details on pages of our website. Let it snow, let it snow!
2024.25 Nordic Cross Country Lessons
Discover Cross-Country Skiing (6+)
Classic Skiing. This introduction to Classic Skiing covers how to get up on the flats, snowplow to control speed down a small hill and herringbone to get up a small hill. At the end of this lesson, you will be able to get around on classic skis and a Green trail.
Skate Skiing. Learn beginner skate ski techniques. The student will understand the skills and techniques to get up a hill and move along the flats. Skills include free skate, one skate and diagonal skate. We request all students have Classic Skied before taking skate lessons.
Pre-booking is HIGHLY recommended to secure a spot in one of our lessons.
Includes: 1.5-hour lesson, full-day trail pass, and rentals.
Discovery Cross Country Skiing
CLASSIC OR SKATE
Start Times
Days
Price
Ages 13+
10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm
7 days/week
$76
Ages 6-12
10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm
7 days/week
$46
Family of 4
10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm
7 days/week
$214
Additional Child
10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm
7 days/week
$54
Please indicate classic or skate skiing at time of booking.
All Discover lessons include trail pass and equipment rentals.
Please note: Early booking not applicable. Pre-booking highly recommended.
Guests will be grouped together based on age. Group sizes are 6 guests per 1 instructor.
Learn to Glide (6+)
Mt. Washington’s Learn to Glide program is a combination of 3 of our most successful and popular lesson programs to help you get out on the trails faster and with more confidence. We have combined our Discover Cross-Country Skiing package with 2 of our group lessons.
Includes: 1.5-hour lesson, trail pass, and rentals
Please note: Packages are available for classic or skate style cross-country skiing. Disciplines cannot be combined within one Learn to Glide package. This program is for anyone who is new to the sport of cross-country skiing, in either skate or classic disciplines. Mt. Washington reserved the right to remove guests from the program if they are found to be in violation of its requirements.
Receive 50% off a 2024/2025 Nordic 6ixPak and seasonal rental when you complete the entire 3-lesson Learn to Glide Package – available to all ages, no date restriction.
COMPLETE ENTIRE LEARN TO GLIDE PROGRAM & GET
50% OFF
A NORDIC 6IXPAK & SEASONAL RENTAL
50% OFF
A NORDIC 6IXPAK & SEASONAL RENTAL
Group Nordic Lessons (6+)
Group Lessons. Our group lessons are a great way to improve your skate or classic skiing, in a fun and supportive group environment. Each 1.5-hour lesson will work on techniques that will give you confidence to enjoy your time out on our trails. Includes: 1.5-hour lesson in either classic or skate skiing.
*Available for Level 1 (Beginner Skiers), Level 2 (Novice Skiers), Level 3 (Intermediate Skiers), Level 4 (Advanced Skiers)
Age
Days
Times
Price
Child (6-12)
daily
10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm
$36
Ages (13+)
daily
10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm
$46
Private Nordic Classic or Skate (4+)
Whether you're new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, a private lesson is the best way to improve your skate or classic techniques. Our private cross-country ski lessons are 1.5 hours long and are scheduled with one of our CANSI-certified instructors. ADD-ON: Additional person $45
Subject to instructor availability
ADD-ON: Additional person $45, available 7 days a week.
Ages
Days
Start Times
Price
Ages 4+
7 days/week
10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm
$104
ADD-ON: Additional person $45, available 7 days a week.
This 5-week program promotes the development of classic or skate skiing by giving participants the skills to enjoy the great ski trails at the Mount Washington Nordic Centre. Working with the same instructor each week will give you the opportunity to work on new skills as you develop your technique through exercises and guided mileage. Weekly sessions are 1.5-hours long.
EVENING CROSS COUNTRY SKI PROGRAM (19+)
Join us Friday evenings from January 10th – February 14th. This program focuses on classic and skate skiing, bringing together like-minded individuals for social evenings, learning and diversifying your skills on xc skis. The first 3 sessions will focus on classic technique and the next 3 will focus on skate.
This is geared towards novice to intermediate skiers, who have completed at least one season on xc skis. If you are completely new to the sport, we recommend taking the Discover XC Ski lesson first, or booking an instructor for a private lesson to learn the basics.
Register for either our classic-only or skate-only sessions or indulge in the complete cross-country experience by booking both at a discounted rate! Includes: Trail Pass
This is geared towards novice to intermediate skiers, who have completed at least one season on xc skis. If you are completely new to the sport, we recommend taking the Discover XC Ski lesson first, or booking an instructor for a private lesson to learn the basics.
Register for either our classic-only or skate-only sessions or indulge in the complete cross-country experience by booking both at a discounted rate! Includes: Trail Pass
ADULT SKILL DEVELOPMENT CLINIC (19+)
Experience a full day of ski instruction led by our certified CANSI instructors, catering to novice, intermediate, and advanced levels. Dive into essential skills and techniques, covering everything from hill climbing to descending, tailored for both classic and skate skiing enthusiasts. This early season session offers the perfect chance to refresh your skiing after the off season.
Enjoy a full-day clinic running from 10 am to 3 pm, with a break for lunch. Opt for individual sessions or maximize your learning by signing up for both.
Enjoy a full-day clinic running from 10 am to 3 pm, with a break for lunch. Opt for individual sessions or maximize your learning by signing up for both.
WOMEN’S WEEK (19+)
Enjoy our Women’s Week packages all week long. Lessons are designed especially for women. Women of similar abilities are grouped into small classes to meet new friends and revisit old ones as you improve your skiing techniques.
Includes: 1.5 hour group lesson and a full-day trail pass
For all ability levels. Please reserve your spot as space is limited.
All female identifying individual’s welcome.Give us a call to book in your Women's Week experience! 250-338-1386 ext. 384
Style
Dates
PRICE
Price
Classic or Skate
Feb 24-28, 2025 10am
$74 (regular)
$59 (Season pass holder)
NORDIC INSTRUCTOR COURSES
CANSI XC SKI INSTRUCTOR COURSE
This is a three-day course for those new to XC Ski instruction. It will give you the skills and resources to teach classic and skate techniques to beginner skiers using CANSI’s teaching methodology with a focus on safety and skill progression.
CANSI BC: 604-985 -7547 • cansi.ca
CANSI BC: 604-985 -7547 • cansi.ca
Course
Dates
Price
XC Refresh
January 4th, 2025
Free!
XC Level 1
February 8-10, 2025
$500
XC Level 2
February 27 - March 2, 2025
$650
XC Refresher: CANSI instructors who wish to maintain their professional certification must attend a refresher at least once every three years. These one-day courses allow instructors to perfect their ski analysis skills, improve their teaching methods and stay current in the evolution of telemark and cross-country ski technique. CANSI offers free refreshers to its members but fees for trail passes or lift tickets are not included.
XC Level 1: This is a three-day course for those new to XC ski instruction. It will give you the skills and resources to teach classic and skate technique to beginner skiers using CANSI’s teaching methodology with a focus on safety and skill progression.
Prerequisites: You must be at least 15 years old at the start of the course. You should be able to demonstrate the required skiing skills on green terrain.
XC Level 2: This is a four-day course for XC ski instructors with some instruction experience. It will prepare you for teaching a variety of skiing maneuvers to novice skiers using CANSI’s teaching methodology. You will learn how to apply the methodology and technical concepts to assess and develop novice skiers who are looking for improved technique or more efficiency in their skiing.
Prerequisite: CANSI XC Level I Certification
Nordic Fest | March 22- 23, 2025
Join us for the fourth annual Nordic Fest at the Raven Lodge! Experience specialty Cross Country Ski clinics or Guided Snowshoe tours, browse local vendors, and groove to live music. Cap off the afternoon by roasting marshmallows over the fire. Activities cater to the whole family! Looking to cap off with the winter with an exciting and inclusive fun race? Sign up for the Vancouver Island Loppet on Saturday March 22nd. Visit the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club website for more details.
Exciting addition this year! Introducing our Snow to Surf Cross Country Ski Clinic: Explore the very trail used in the annual Snow to Surf adventure relay! Learn essential techniques from our certified instructors to optimize your efficiency and conquer this thrilling leg of the race!
Please note the racecourse may change prior to the event due to snow conditions. Open to classic and skate skiers- please select your discipline at the time of booking.
SNOW TO SURF CROSS COUNTRY SKI CLINIC (13+)
Snow to Surf Cross Country Ski Clinic
AGES
Dates
TIME
PRICE
All ages
Mar. 23, 2025
12:00 pm-3:00 pm
$39.00
Nordic Ability Guide
Cross-Country Ski Ability Guide
DISCOVER Never-Ever Skier
Green Terrain
- You are a first-timer who has never skied before.
- Discover Cross-Country Skiing
- Adult 5 Week XC Ski Program
- Private Lesson
LEVEL 1 Beginner Skier
Green Terrain
- You have skied more than 3 times on green trails only.
- You have very little glide, rhythm, and balance.
- Group Cross-Country Ski Lesson Level 1
- Adult 5 Week XC Ski Program
- Private Lesson
Green & Blue Terrain
- You have skied more than 1 season on blue trails with moderate climbs and descents.
- Glide, rhythm, and balance are inconsistent depending on terrain.
- Group Cross-Country Ski Lesson Level 2-3
- Adult 5 Week XC Ski Program
- Private Lesson
Blue & Black Terrain
- You have skied at least 1 season and can ski most black trails including all climbs and descents.
- You can ski with Glide, rhythm, and balance on all terrain and conditions.
- Group Cross-Country Ski Lesson Level 2-3
- Adult 5 Week XC Ski Program
- Private Lesson
- Adult Performance Clinic
Black terrain
- You have skied multiple seasons and can ski all black trails including all climbs and descents.
- You can ski with Glide, rhythm, and balance on all terrain and conditions.
Suggested Lesson:
- - Private Lesson
- - Adult Performance Clinic
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