Skills Clinics
Our ski ambassador program provides skills clinics for able bodied and para nordic skiers of all ages and abilities. Some events offer equipment to borrow, including ski gear, sit skis and a kick sled. Choose from social skis, snowshoe jaunts, moonlit adventures and more. Weather you’re trying skiing for the first time or keen to refine your technique in a fun group setting, one thing is for certain, inspiration lies ahead.
Fees and registration
Programming is free. Trail access fees may apply. Registration is required for all events.
Schedule
In addition to our ambassador-led events, we post sessions presented by municipalities and organizations, please check with event host to confirm details.
CAPE BRETON
Mar 7
2026
Sparkly Matinee – Guided Ski, Live Music
12-4 pm · Front Porch Farm
DETAILS
Register Ski(required): https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41073&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Trail Fee + Matinee (required): $30.69 (tax incl), Adults, $6.76 (tax incl) Kids, Purchase Ticket
Date: Mar 7
Location: Front Porch Farm, 76 Hilltop Rd, Margaree Forks (Map link)
Time: 12-1 pm, 1-2 pm, 2-3 pm, 3-4 pm
Live Music: 2-6 pm
Program Fee: $0
Abilities: All welcome
Ages: All welcome
Equipment: Bring your own. Borrow from Baddeck Library from Tues – Sat (closed Mon + Tues) or Inverness Recreation
Technique: Classic ski
Contact: Michelle, nsxcskicbi@gmail.com
Notes:
This is going to be a time! Michelle Richards, ski ambassador, is leading a guided ski with technique tips, again this year at Front Porch Farm. Ski between 12-4, participants may sign up for multiple sessions. Enjoy live music from 2-6 pm, featuring Catherine Kennedy, Bradley Murphy and Willie Stratton. Fish Out of Water Food Truck will be slinging good eats at their first event of 2026. You can also enjoy sledding and snowshoeing at the farm. Don’t miss this awesome event! Plan to stay for the Sparkle Ball – dance and live music – at Firehall 7:30 -11 pm (click here)
1) Ticket required for event to access trails and Matinee (click to purchase)
2) Registration for guided ski required (click to register)
Mar-8
2026
Ski Clinics – Intn’l Women’s Day Cancelled due to weather
North Highlands Nordic
DETAILS
⚠️ CANCELLED due to mild weather. NHN luncheon and live music still scheduled.
Register (required) : https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41073&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Date: Sun-Mar-8
Location: North Highlands Nordic, Cape North (Map link)
Time: 11 am – 12 pm + 2 – 3 pm
Trail Fee: Adults $20, Students $10 (Females 1/2 price)
Program Fee: $0
Abilities: All
Ages: All
Equipment: Bring your own. Rent onsite. Females 1/2 price.
Technique: Classic ski
Contact: Michelle, nsxcskicbi@gmail.com
Notes: Receive ski technique tips in a welcoming group setting! North Highlands Nordic is hosting a luncheon with live music, in honour of International Women’s Day. All are welcome to attend, please see NHN website for luncheon details.
Mar-8
2026
Guided Skis + Tips – Intn’l Women’s Day
12-1 pm + 3-4 pm · North Highlands Nordic
DETAILS
Register (required) : https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41073&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Date: Sun-Mar-8
Location: North Highlands Nordic, Cape North (Map link)
Time: 12 – 1 pm + 3 – 4 pm
Trail Fee: Adults $20, Students $10 (females 1/2 price)
Program Fee: $0
Abilities: All
Ages: All
Equipment: Bring your own. Rent onsite. Females 1/2 price.
Technique: Classic ski
Contact: Michelle, nsxcskicbi@gmail.com
Notes: Enjoy a guided ski with technique tips in a welcoming group setting! North Highlands Nordic is hosting a luncheon with live music, in honour of International Women’s Day. All are welcome to attend, please see NHN website for luncheon details.
Mar-14
2026
Try-It, Guided Ski, 1-1, Kids Games + More!
1 – 4 pm · North Highlands Nordic
DETAILS
Register (required) : https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41073&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Date: Sat-Mar-14
Location: North Highlands Nordic, Cape North (Map link)
Time: 1-4 pm
Trail Fee: Pay at NHN office
Program Fee: $0
Abilities: All
Ages: All
Equipment: Bring your own or rent onsite
Technique: Classic + skate
Contact: Michelle, nsxcskicbi@gmail.com
Come out to enjoy a fun weekend of skiing! Ski ambassador Michelle Richards is on-site to provide 1-1 or group ski lessons, youth ski games, guided ski with technique tips and more! Skiers of all experience levels are welcome – especially first-timers. Join us for two days of fun on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 from 1-4 pm. NHN has a fun line-up of events this weekend and for the entire March Break! Check NHN website for additional activities.
Mar-15
2026
Try-It, Guided Ski, 1-1, Kids Games + More!
1 – 4 pm · North Highlands Nordic
DETAILS
Register (required) : https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41073&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Date: Sun-Mar-15
Location: North Highlands Nordic, Cape North (Map link)
Time: 1-4 pm
Trail Fee: Pay at NHN office
Program Fee: $0
Abilities: All
Ages: All
Equipment: Bring your own or rent onsite
Technique: Classic + skate
Contact: Michelle, nsxcskicbi@gmail.com
Come out to enjoy a fun weekend of skiing! Ski ambassador Michelle Richards is on-site to provide 1-1 or group ski lessons, youth ski games, guided ski with technique tips and more! Skiers of all experience levels are welcome – especially first-timers. Join us for two days of fun on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 from 1-4 pm. NHN has a fun line-up of events this weekend and for the entire March Break! Check NHN website for additional activities, click this link, https://nhn.xcski.ca/activities/.
TBA
2026
More Events Coming Soon!
Location
DETAILS
Register (required) : https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41073&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Date:
Location
Time:
Trail Fee: $
Program Fee: $0
Abilities:
Ages:
Equipment:
Contact:
Notes:
Registration is required! * Municipality hosted events
MAINLAND
Mar 7
2026
Try Skiing
11:30 am – 1:30 pm · Links at Brunello
DETAILS
Register (required): email kat.kitching@gmail.com
Date: Sat-Mar-7
Location: Links at Brunello
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Fees Program: $5.00/Adult, plus $2.65 processing fee. Please advise if you cannot pay program fee. We will review to keep the sport accessible.
Fee Trail Access: $11.40/Participant (6+ years)
Experience Levels: Beginner
Ages: All
Equipment: Available on-site to borrow
Technique: Classic
Contact: kat.kitching@gmail.com
Notes:
Try classic cross-country skiing in a fun group setting! Snow conditions are favourable and we are excited to offer another try-it session at The Links at Brunello. Enter the Golf Shop when you arrive. Trail fees payable to Brunello onsite: $11.40/participant, 6+ years. Program Fees are payable to CCNS via online registration form: $5.00 plus $2.65 processing fee/adult, 18+ years. Please advise if you cannot pay the program fee – we will review to keep the sport accessible. Registration is required, email kat.kitching@gmail.com.
.
Did you know Scotia XC Ski Club grooms trails at the Links at Brunello and over 40km of trails in HRM, Windsor, Kentville + Greenwood? Check out membership options to access all of these trails: https://scotiaxc.ca/. The club also offers weekly lessons for youths and adults. Grooming report + trail locations: https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/CA/NS .
TBA
2026
More Events Coming Soon!
Location
DETAILS
Register (required): https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=40738&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Date:
Location
Time:
Trail Fee: $
Program Fee: $0
Abilities:
Ages:
Equipment:
Contact:
Notes:
Did you know Scotia XC Ski Club grooms trails at the Links at Brunello and over 40km of trails in HRM, Windsor, Kentville + Greenwood? Check out membership options to access all of these trails: https://scotiaxc.ca/. The club also offers weekly lessons for youths and adults. Grooming report + trail locations: https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/CA/NS .
Registration is required | * Municipality hosted events
Book a skills clinic
Schools and community groups are invited to book skills clinics tailored to your requirements. Contact us for details, pso@crosscountryns.ca.
Rent our ski fleet
A fleet of classic ski equipment and one kick sled are available to rent by schools, community groups, and ski clubs within Mainland Nova Scotia. You have the option to book a coach or support staff.
Details
All you need to know about our rental fleet, kick sled, staff support options and fees.
Register
Send us your event details along with 3 possible dates – check our calendar for availability. We will send your quote.
Meet the coaches
Coming soon!
Lynden Doyon
NS ski team alumni
NS cycling team
Learn more
Lynden Doyon is an athlete on the Nova Scotia ski team and member of Scotia XC Ski Club. Lynden has a strong depth of knowledge of technical cross-country skiing skills and has been skiing for his entire lifetime. He has competed in ski races at the national, provincial, and community levels. Lynden is a third generation cross-country ski competitor, with roots in northern Cape Breton, where he has spent significant time on snow, at North Highlands Nordic and surrounding areas. Lynden is keen to share his technical skiing expertise with event participants.
Claire Miner
NS biathlon team alumni
Learn more
Claire Miner has been cross-country skiing for more than 20 years. She grew up on a small farm with extensive woods and was exposed to the sport as a recreational family activity. “We would often bring a lunch and classic ski on logging roads (with permission) or go directly through the woods to favourite places”, miner said.
“Experiencing how the landscape changed from season to season and making the best out of each – whether on foot, skis, bike or horseback, was a highlight of my childhood.”
In addition to her strong connection to our sport and nature, Claire brings a strong teaching skill-set, through her experience as a volunteer track attack instructor for Scotia XC Ski Club. A dedicated athlete, Miner was also named to the Nova Scotia Biathlon Team, from 2017 – 2019.
“I am looking forward to introducing the sport to folks as a fun way to get outside and make the best of the winter season!”
CLAIRE MINER
Photos
Miner as photographed cross-country skiing, riding her horse, and competing on the provincial biathlon team.
Michelle Richards
Recreation NS award recipient
Learn more
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, throughout the robust conference program of events.
Michelle received the 2025 Recreation Nova Scotia Connecting People with Nature Award.
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.
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Funding
Program delivery is made possible by generously funding from the Government of Nova Scotia, Nordiq Canada and Sport Canada.
Contact
Ski maintenance workshops
Attend a workshop as a community member or book a session for your organization’s staff and volunteers. Ski maintenance workshops are interactive sessions that teach participants simple technical skills that will keep equipment in top condition.
Equipment
Find gear to rent, borrow or buy! Be sure to contact your local ski club for daily or seasonal rentals options.
Cross Country Nova Scotia 