Skiers of all ages and abilities are invited to enjoy the open house festivities, along with multiple social skis, being held throughout the day, on Sunday, Jan. 12, at North Highlands Nordic (NHN), located in Cape North, Cape Breton Island. Michelle Richards, Cross Country Nova Scotia ski ambassador, will lead the sessions at the following times: 11-12 pm, 12:30-1:30 pm +/or 2-3 pm. Come on out to meet fellow skiers, discover the beauty of this club’s trails, and receive technique tips in a relaxed environment.

Registration is required for all events. Event programming, delivered by our ski ambassador, is no cost to participants, thanks to generous funding from the Government of Nova Scotia. Trail fees and equipment rentals are complimentary, as the club is hosting it’s annual open house.

The nordic centre will be serving home-made seafood chowder and biscuits for $15. The chiminea will be stoked all day long. The local weather forecast is predicting a high of -1 degree. It’s going to be a wonderful day on the trails! Bring your friends and family.

Bring skis and wear warm clothing. If you require equipment, please contact the NHN office in advance to coordinate, (902) 383-2479, nhn@xcski.ca.

Please contact Michelle Richards for event inquiries, nsxcskicbi@gmail.com or 902-227-1230.

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⚠️ Event Registration

Event Snapshot

Consider Joining a Cross-Country Ski Club!

At North Highlands Nordic, you’ll experience winter at its finest on the 12 km trail system, which includes terrain for all abilities. Trails are groomed by a PistenBully tractor style groomer, with 16′ wide groom for classic skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing. Enjoy the newly constructed nordic centre, Nova Scotia’s only dedicated ski chalet; which includes indoor washroom facilities, tables to relax and enjoy a break, and coffee/tea. Check their calendar for breakfast and lunch menus offered on select dates, as well as pub nights. Rental equipment includes skis, snowshoes and pulk (child’s sleigh). NHN is situated in a natural snowbelt and averages 393.1cm yearly snow accumulation (Environment Canada). The snow base has been known to last into April. Enjoy the great outdoors and the hospitality of this nordic centre. Visit North Highlands’s Nordic website to learn more.

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North Highlands Nordic · Photos

Michelle Richards · Ski Ambassador · Profile

Michelle Richards has been cross-country skiing for a lifetime. She grew up in the snow belt of Ontario and received her first skis at the age of four. Cross-country skiing was a key activitiy for Richards, both at home and in school. Her family encouraged her to ski in the backyard and on wooded trails. Additionally, she participated in a ski program held during physical education class at her elementary school.

Richards transitioned to skate skiing, as a teenager; building on her foundational classic skiing skills. In the early 1990s, skate skiing was still very new but had already made a huge impact. Michelle joined the secondary school nordic team to train and compete. Richards also worked at Hardwood Ski and Bike, a world class venue. She instructed the jack rabbit program, assisted in the ski shop, and performed administrative duties.  

In the early 2000s, Michelle made a splash into the world of surfing. People might recognize her from the Summer Surf Program at Point Michaud Beach. Richards has taught many generations, and thousands of people to surf, for over 20 years. She is also an active board member on both the Surfing Association of Nova Scotia and Hike Nova Scotia. 

Richards has honed her teaching skills as an experienced surf instructor and is keen to share her technical knowledge of cross-country skiing. Michelle is excited to get back to her roots of cross-country skiing and fulfill her role as the Cape Breton ski ambassador.  Richards is employed by Recreation Nova Scotia as a regional physical activity consultant for Cape Breton.

Diversifying her coaching skills, Richards attended the 2024 Nordic Sports Coaching Conference, presented by Nordiq Canada, in Canmore, Alberta. Richards honed her coaching expertise, while attending sessions included in the robust conference program of events. View program.

Photos

Michelle skiing as a child through to adult. Photographed at 2024 Nordic Sports Coaching Conference (photos 1-4), North Highlands Nordic community coaching course (photo 5), providing a demonstration during a ski ambassador event (photo 6), skiing at local clubs (photos 6-7), and skiing as a youth.