Skills Clinics
Our ski ambassador program provides skills clinics for participants of all experience levels and wide range of abilities. Some events offer equipment to borrow, including: ski gear, sit skis (adaptive cross-country ski equipment) 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
TBA
2027
TBA
TBA Locations
Registration is required! * Municipality hosted events
MAINLAND
TBA
2027
TBA
TBA Location
DETAILS
Register (required):
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
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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
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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
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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 (recreational + adaptive)
Find gear to rent, borrow or buy!
Cross Country Nova Scotia 