First day on skis for many of the group! Here we are at the top of the mountain all smiles in the snow. Photo cred: Heather Steel
Amazing early season snow, a huge trail system, mountain views, and top level coaches makes SilverStar’s XC Supercamps an unforgettable experience.
Break time after skiing to the sun at the top of the mountain! Photo cred: Heather Steel
This year, a group of HPSC members – including a number of instructors – got a kick start to their season from Nov. 30-Dec. 8. We participated in the week-long camp, from all-classic beginner to intermediate and advanced combo and advanced all-skate. A couple members even tried their hand at biathlon (the real deal…guns not frisbees!). There is something for everyone here.
Getting pointers from our coach on the trail. Photo cred: Heather Steel
Supercamp places you in small groups depending on your skill level, fitness, and goals. You are led by an experienced instructor (lots of level 4 instructors out in these parts!). Generally instruction takes place in the morning, followed by a hearty lunch, and then ski time with your group in the afternoon. The combo groups do two days classic, two days skate, and one day the choice of the group. They shuttle participants on two days to Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, which has a teaching stadium and beautiful trails. On the final day, we did a fun photo scavenger hunt to close out the week!
The video doesn’t lie! Photo cred: Heather Steel
Being with the same instructor for five days does wonders to improve your technique in a short time, and gives you lots to work on when you go back home and ski through the season. We highly recommend the camps if you want to become a more efficient skier and have a lot of fun doing it.
One of the best parts about SilverStar is taking the gondola up to the top of the mountain! It’s a rare treat for XC skiers to get a ride up! Photo cred: Heather Steel
Just in case you get lost on the way to champagne, we’ve created this handy map for you! Photo cred: Howard Gibson
While we are running 4 combo trips before Christmas, our first official XC-only trip is Dec. 28 at Scenic Caves. This is our annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, with bubbly in the log cabin at the end of the day.
Look at that view!
Scenic Caves has 27km of trail for classic and skate skiers and 10km of trail for snowshoers. There are trails from beginner to advanced. At the top of the escarpment, you’ll be rewarded with a lovely view of Georgian Bay and Collingwood, and there is a lovely log cabin to enjoy a hot chocolate with friends.
For snowshoers, you can walk to the famous Suspension Bridge, the longest in Ontario! On a clear day, according to Scenic Caves, you can see 10, 000 square kilometers.
This trip offers guided snowshoeing and regular lessons.
We are happy to inform our members that, in this our 70th anniversary year, we have entered into an exclusive sponsorship agreement with a store many of you are familiar with, Skiis & Biikes.
As many of you know, Skiis & Biikes is the largest snow sports retailer in Ontario. Started in 1978, the family owned business has grown into a major supplier of goods and services for skiers and snowboarders with locations in Mississauga, Toronto and Collingwood.
We are excited about what this will mean for our membership. Below are a few benefits of our sponsorship agreement for our members in 2019/20:
Discount Shopping Nights with 15% off ski equipment, clothing and merchandise happening December 5th at their Toronto and Mississauga locations. Find out more.
a 50% discount on one Ski Tuning per member that will be available until the end of the current ski season
Monthly Ski Tuning Clinics for members with special discounts on ski tuning materials and supplies
Skiis & Biikes will invite HPSC members to attend Demo Days for their Downhill and Cross Country ski brands at resorts who host these events in Southern Ontario
Race Day prizes for Downhill, Snowboard and Cross Country Races
Many of you are already social media friends with Skiis & Biikes. We encourage you to post your experiences on Facebook, Twitter, share news and events that you believe would be of interest.
We look forward to a fruitful and exciting partnership with Skiis & Biikes and hope our members enjoy the benefits.
A note from Skiis & Biikes Our mission for 41 years in business has always been to get families outside. We are a family-owned business with an endless passion for skiing and adventure and we pour this enthusiasm into everything we do at Skiis & Biikes. We are excited to partner with the High Park Ski Club and get to know all the members who are as passionate about winter sports as we are. Come by any of our shops in Mississauga, Yonge St, Collingwood, or Caledon to get the gear you need to be ready for a great winter outdoors. We are proud to offer Performance and Bootfit Guarantees so you can ski with the knowledge that you will be comfortable and having fun on the hill. We’re looking forward to meeting everyone in the HPSC!
Instructor John heads in from teaching an intermediate skate class at Georgian Nordic. Photo cred: Michael Connor
HPSC holds regular lessons every trip, but we also offer the
following special programs through the season. There is no additional cost for
these programs. You can find the dates in our schedule. You
can email xcskischool@hpsc.ca if you
have questions about any of these programs.
Our instructors get beginners moving on the trails. Photo cred: Michael Connor
Classic Beginners
Series: Held on three consecutive weekends with the same instructor, this
popular program will get you moving on the trails and making friends in no
time. If you are interested, please email xcskischool@hpsc.ca
to register. Ideal for Classic 1 and Classic 2 skiers.
Skate Better Series: Held
on three weekends with the same instructors, this series is designed for those
who can get some forward momentum and glide on their skate skis. If you are
interested, please email xcskischool@hpsc.ca
to register. Ideal for Skate 2 and Skate 3 skiers.
Skate Great Series: Held
on two weekends with the same instructor, this series is designed for those who
already move well but want to become stronger and more efficient. This program
introduces you to more advanced techniques. If you are interested, please email
xcskischool@hpsc.ca to register. Ideal
for Skate 4 and Skate 5 skiers.
If you want a small dose of one-on-one attention, Tips & Tricks is for you! Photo cred: Michael Connor
Tips & Tricks: Offered
four times (2 classic, 2 skate), these 15-minute one-on-one lessons offer the
chance to work with an instructor on a particular skill. Great for those who
want to learn, but don’t want to commit to a full regular lesson. Register on
the trip registration module. Available to skiers of all levels but ideal for
Level 3 to Level 5 skiers.
NEW CLINICS! Faster,
smarter skate & Faster, smarter classic: If you have good foundational
skills and decent fitness, learn how to navigate terrain more efficiently. Register
on the trip registration module. Ideal for Classic 3+/Skate 3+ skiers.
Classic 1/Skate 1: First lesson – learn how to get up after falling! Photo cred: Michael Connor
HPSC offers a wide array of lessons from our roster of
qualified instructors. Taking lessons is a great way to learn the sport, refine
your technique so you can explore more efficiently, and meet other skiers at
your skill level.
Based on feedback from last season, the ski school has redesigned our lesson levels. We hope this will help students land in the right class so their skiing can progress more effectively. We have split classic and skate lessons into five levels. Below is a brief outline of each level to help you assess where you should be.
Classic 1/Skate 1:
I am brand new to skiing or have only been on skis once or twice.
I feel uncomfortable on skis – my balance is very unsteady. I fall often.
I don’t even want to think about hills!
Classic 2/Skate 2:
I have been on skis before, but still feel
uncomfortable or unsteady at times.
I don’t think I understand the basic techniques.
I can’t glide with all my weight on one ski.
I attempt to get down gentle hills, but I’m
still very hesitant.
I feel comfortable moving on beginner trails and
may go on some intermediate trails.
I understand the basic techniques, but my skiing
feels choppy and, while sometimes I manage it, it is hard to glide with all my
weight on one ski.
I can get myself up and down moderate hills.
Classic 4/Skate 4:
I think my skiing is fluid and efficient much of
the time.
I can confidently glide with all my weight on
one ski some of the time.
I feel comfortable on intermediate trails, and
capable of advanced trails.
I can get myself up and down most hills,
although still hesitant on the steep ones.
Classic lesson on the trails! Photo cred: Michael Connor
Classic 5/Skate 5:
I think my skiing is fluid and efficient most of
the time.
I can glide with all my weight on one ski most
of the time.
I am comfortable on all the trails and cool with
most hills I encounter on advanced trails.
I think I’m ready to learn more advanced techniques
How do I know what
level to put myself in?
With the above descriptions in mind, do your best to
estimate where you should be. Feel free to talk to the head instructor on the
bus when they go around confirming lessons. They are happy to provide advice.
Once an instructor sees you on skis, they may decide its
best to put you in a different group. Don’t worry about being moved up or down.
Placing students in the appropriate group is essential for a safe and fun
learning experience for everyone. Worry less about the level and focus on skill
development. We also may, due to instructor availability, combine lesson
levels. But the instructor will be able to give tailored activities to each
level. We appreciate your cooperation.
When can I move up
levels?
Instructors are looking for particular markers at each
level. At the end of each lesson, the instructor should provide feedback on
specific things to work on. They will indicate if you should register for the
same level or move up next time. If they don’t, please ask them.
Why did the lesson levels change?
Based on feedback from students and our experience teaching
lessons we felt that the old levels (e.g. Beginner, Bronze, Silver) were
unclear. Furthermore, we wanted to provide more opportunity for students to
progress in their development. We’ve reworked lessons into a clearer set of
levels, with better definitions for what each level means. This should allow
you to be better able to get a lesson at your current skill level which
maximizes your ability to learn and progress in your skiing.
Should I take lessons
every trip?
The answer to this question is completely personal. We offer
lessons on every trip. Some people like taking one every trip. Others like to
take a lesson, go off on their own and practice for a couple weeks, and then
come back to a lesson. Everyone learns differently. Do what’s right and, most
importantly, most fun for you.
Our instructors take CANSI training every year. Photo cred: Heather Steel.
Breaking trail with snowshoes in Killbear Provincial Park. Photo cred: Heather Steel
HPSC’s snowshoeing program has grown in the last few years. There are many reasons to choose snowshoeing – it’s a less intense physical activity than skiing, but still a good workout; you really get in the forest and up close and personal with nature; and it’s a fun social activity. Best of all it gets you outside and moving in the winter! We have many members who both snowshoe and ski.
While you can certainly snowshoe on your own, it’s definitely more fun in a group. And beginners who are unfamiliar with the trails definitely feel more comfortable being led by someone more experienced. If you’ve been snowshoeing with the club for a few years now, please consider becoming a snowshoe leader!
The snowshoe crew at Georgian Nordic. Photo cred: Heather Steel
No special training beyond experience snowshoeing with the club is needed (and perhaps the ability to read the resort maps!). If you are going to snowshoe anyway, why not lead a group? The more leaders that we have, the more, and varied, experiences we can offer to club members – we can have groups that go at different paces and do routes of varying difficulty. This is not a big commitment – you can do as many or as few as you want.
We are happy to have new volunteers work with an experienced guide the first time.
Snowshoe leaders are recognized with complimentary bus and trail fees for the trip on which they are guiding.
The club runs on volunteers and more hands mean lighter work for everyone! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact crosscountry@hpsc.ca and we’ll connect you with our head guide and snowshoe coordinator.
Lots of snow for this group at Scenic Caves. Photo cred: Ivy Cheng
HPSC’s fun snowshoe crew at Killbear Provincial Park! Photo cred: Heather Steel
Joining a club trip can be intimidating when you’re new. We’re here to help! If you’re preparing to come out on your first day trip with us, here is how you can expect your day to unfold. Note that times are approximate as they depend on how far the resort is from Toronto. But it gives you the general idea.
745am-845am
Get to your bus stop. You can find out locations here. Pick up times are communicated on the status page (log in to see it) and the email that is sent to all participants on Friday. Arrive 10 minutes early as the pick up times are departure times. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself to the others waiting.
When the bus arrives, stow your skis below the bus and get on with your bag(s) and ski boots.
Choose a seat. You will sit in the same seat on the way back.
845am-1030am
Once all
skiers are on the bus and we are on the highway, the bus captain will make
announcements about the day.
The bus
captain will then come around and check off your name and ensure that you are
registered correctly for the activities you want to do. If not, you may owe
money (to be paid online after the trip) or you may be owed a refund.
The ski school director of the day will come around and confirm lessons. If you didn’t sign up in advance, we will try to fit you in, but we can’t make any guarantees as lessons are popular.
As we approach the resort, the bus captain will make more announcements, confirming the facilities that are available, departure times etc..
1030am-1100am
Upon arrival, the renters get off with a designated instructor and go get their equipment. The bus captain goes inside to get the trail passes. Everyone else remains on the bus. There are a couple exceptions to this; listen to the bus captains’ instructions.
The bus captain returns, and everyone gets off the bus, collects their trail pass from the bus captain and equipment from under the bus, and heads to the chalet.
Find a place inside to put your bags and get ready. Ask other members if you aren’t sure where you can store bags. Sometimes we have our own room, other times we are with the general public. Cross-country resorts are generally very safe; while you should carry valuables with you (i.e., wallet, phone), theft is rare. There are a couple resorts where we need to store our bags on the bus (but generally you can take your stuff inside, get ready, and then bring it back out).
Students and snowshoers meet their instructors/guide in front of the chalet approx. 30 mins after arrival. Not taking lessons? Go ski!
11:00am-1230pm
One of our instructors talking step turns with her intermediate group. Photo cred: Heather Steel.
Lessons, followed by lunch. Most resorts have indoor space to eat; if not, the bus will be available for lunch.
1230pm-4:30pm
Free ski
time!
The bus leaves promptly at 430pm. Be sure you are back to the chalet in enough time to get ready and be on the bus by 425pm.
Put your equipment in the marked return bin (based on where you are getting off the bus), sit in the same seat you were in on the way up, and enjoy the ride home! The bus captain will make announcements about the upcoming weekend.
You can enjoy a hot chocolate stop on the trails with your new friends! Photo cred: Heather Steel
If you are new and have additional questions, see our FAQ.
Join this fun group for more racing fun this season! Photo cred: Michael Connor.
Get ready for yet another year of fun cross-country ski races! Our race program may have been competitive in the past, but now it’s all about fun. Test your skills with a group of your closest ski friends and maybe win a prize in the process. Bonus: prizes are by draw, not by finishing time! We encourage wide participation, but you should be able to move around the trail for at least a few kms (even if it’s not particularly fast!).
Look out for these events throughout the season…
Practice your frisbee throwing now! Photo cred: Heather Steel
Race #1: Fourth Annual Frisbee Biathlon! Probably our most popular race of the season, we kick off the race program with our frisbee biathlon at Highlands Nordic on Jan. 4. The race director creates team of two. One person skis a very short sprint track, then you play frisbee! If you drop the frisbee, you have to do a penalty lap before your partner can ski. Fast skiing doesn’t matter…it’s all in the frisbee throwing.
Race #2: Return to
Hardwood (Freestyle). On Jan. 12, we will have our first race at Hardwood
since the devastating fire they had a couple years ago. Let’s celebrate our
return with a freestyle race. Choose classic or skate and test yourself on a
relatively short course (4kmish).
Race #3: Fourth Annual Pine Trail Classic at Wasaga. Your race director’s favourite race, this 3kmish classic race starts and ends at the fire shelter and takes you along the rolling hills of the beautiful Pine trail. Classic skiing only. Will this be the year no one gets lost? Probably not. January 18.
Race #4: Crossover
Day Scavenger Hunt Race! On Jan. 25, join us for a fun team-based scavenger
hunt race on the upper trails (the section with the lookout etc.). Solve clues
along the way to find your way to the finish. Smarts and map skills probably
outweigh fast skiing!
The inspiration for our new spring fling costume race. Bring it! Photo cred: Heather Steel
Race #5: First Annual Beginner/Advanced Spring Fling Costume Race. We close out the season on Mar. 8 at Horseshoe where we will do our annual beginner/advanced day (choose your own adventure – one course is shorter and flatter, the other longer and hillier) but with an added costume element! Celebrate spring in style and get bonus points if you ski in costume. Extra bonus points for the best costume!
There are often random bonus points given for ridiculous reasons and if you participate in one of these events, you will get an invite to our fun end of year party!
Beautiful conditions in mid-November at Scenic Caves! Photo cred: Heather Steel
A couple of your HPSC instructors were treated to a wonderful day of skiing Nov. 16 at Scenic Caves…earliest start date ever, and it was like mid-January conditions! We hope this bodes well for a very snowy winter.
If you want to ski before Christmas, we’ve got four chances for you to get out on the trails!
We’re running our early December trips with our downhill friends. We’ve got trips on Dec. 14/15 and Dec. 21/22. Dec. 14/15 will be run on the XC pick up schedule, and Dec. 21/22 will be run on the downhill schedule (so earlier than normal but worth it to ski!).
We have XC modules up for informational purposes, but you will register for the trips on the downhill modules. Read the XC module information so you know how to register properly. Once you get over to the downhill module, check “none” under lift ticket and “XC ski $30” under bus options.
This could be you flying down a hill at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Check out our schedule to find when we’re going there! Photo cred: Michael Connor.
The snow is flying in Toronto and up north, and you can now view the full cross-country schedule, with all of our fun programming, on the website.
The early December trips are combo trips with downhill and are open for registration. The Dec. 28 and early January trips will be available for registration the first week of December.
Here are some highlights of our season…
December 28th – our annual New Year’s Eve Celebration with bubbly and snacks after skiing.
Test drives on Jan. 5 & Jan. 11. Get your friends to try out our amazing club! They can register through the website without buying a membership.
Test your skills and have some fun in our race series! We open with our annual Frisbee Biathlon on Jan. 4 at Highlands and end with our new Beginner/Advanced Spring Fling Costume Race on Mar. 8 at Horseshoe Valley.
Crossover Day is Jan. 25! We welcome our downhill friends and celebrate XC skiing and snowshoeing with a scavenger race and wine and cheese.
Explore the backcountry at Kolapore with our experienced guides on Feb. 8.
Have a tasty dinner with your friends after a day of skiing with our dinner trip to Amiche on Feb. 29.
Two trips to a NEW to us resort – Kawartha! Join us Jan. 26 and Mar. 14.
Guided snowshoeing on Dec. 28, Jan. 5, Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Feb. 2, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Feb. 29, Mar. 7, Mar. 14, and Mar. 21.
Lots of guided snowshoeing this year! Photo cred: Michael Connor.
