Category: Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

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Join cross-country skiers on long trips

There are a couple options for fun overnight ski trips for cross-country participants.

Our cross-country only February long weekend trip is headed to Ottawa and there are still spots left! Ski in beautiful Gatineau Park, participate in the loppett if you want to torture yourself, and skate on the canal! Still spots left.

There are cross-country skiers going on the Quebec City trip on March break. There aren’t many of us, so you may not have groups to ski with (just to manage expectations), but you won’t be getting dropped off and picked up alone! We are skiing at three beautiful trail systems, and you get to hang out in Quebec City in the evening. Best of both worlds! Still spots available.

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Cross-country ski school special programming is back

New to cross-country skiing? Our classic beginners series might be for you. Join instructor Vera (or Liora, depending on demand) for three consecutive weeks of beginner classes designed for new skiers. You will have the same instructor and classmates and learn to get moving on your skis. You must be available all three dates (January 7, 14, 21) and email crosscountry@hpsc.ca to register. If you can’t join the series, you can participate in our regular beginner lessons.

We are also offering special hill clinics that will give you more practice time than in a regular lesson. Our beginner hill clinic on January 20 will teach you to get up and down hills safely. For more advanced skiers who want to play around going faster (step turns anyone?), we are offering an intermediate/advanced hill clinic on February 4 (TBD as to whether it’s classic or skate). Sign up online during trip registration.

Also for more intermediate/advanced skiers, we are offering a classic trail handling clinic on February 24. Learn how to transition between techniques on the trail to ski smarter and faster. You will need some facility with all the main techniques – diagonal stride, double poling, one step double pole in particular. Sign up online during trip registration.

And for those who just want to get tips for a specific technique, we are offering two dates of skate and classic tips and tricks (February 10 & 24). Book 15-20 minutes with an instructor to work something specific – whatever you want! Sign up online during trip registration.Please note that on the days we offer intermediate + clinics, we will not be offering any other intermediate/advanced lessons. We may schedule more clinics for later in the season as we assess how its going. If there is something in particular you would like a clinic on, let us know at crosscountry@hpsc.ca.
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Ever thought about trying roller skiing?

Roller skiing returns to SkiFit! XC Instructor Andrew will be offering intro lessons Saturday mornings in High Park during SkiFit. He has two pairs of roller skis – one classic and one skate. Both fit NNN boots. He has some extra used NNN boots – sizes 37, 40, 42, 46. There is space for two people per session for those who don’t have their own skis. Registration is mandatory. Email andrewym27182@gmail.com to register or ask any questions. 

Safety first: you must wear a helmet, gloves, and ideally have knee and elbow pads. Concrete is hard and it is hard to balance on roller skis at first. We recommend that you are already a decent XC skier and if you are going to use the skate roller ski, already know how to skate ski. At the very least, we recommend a good sense of balance.

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Trip Sign-up #4 – Overnight Bus Trips

Our overnight bus trip sign up night is tomorrow, Thursday, October 26 at8pm sharp. We have an exciting line-up of HPSC favourites including a March break trip to Quebec City with 4 days of downhill skiing at local resorts. Many of our trips will also appeal to our Cross-Country crowd. Be logged onto the HPSC website at 8pm sharp for the best selection of trips. Please note that these trips have been set up as group travel with special rates for the types of rooms listed, so other modifications are not allowed. You can choose a ‘No Lifts’ option and single supplement (limited availability), but there is no reduction if you do not take the group bus  Please read through the trip details in advance so that you choose the trips that are right for you. The $100 non-refundable deposit guarantees your spot and we will make every attempt to match you with a same sex roommate, if you sign up to share a double room. 

2024 Overnight Bus Trips

Mont Tremblant QC – Holiday Inn – Dec 15-17, 2023

Holiday Valley NY, USA – Microtel – Jan 12-14

Mont Tremblant QC – Holiday Inn – Feb 4-9

Gatineau /Ottawa XC – Holiday Inn – Feb 16-19

Quebec City QC ski around– Manoir Victoria – MARCH BREAK – March 10-15

Killington VT, USA – Killington Grand – studio kitchenettes and hotel – March 17-22

Mont Tremblant QC – Holiday Inn – March 22-24

Le Massif QC – Club Med Charlevoix – March 24-29

Good luck to everyone!

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Trip Sign-up #4 – Overnight BusTrips

Charter trip sign-up night was a great success with virtually all members getting onto the trip of their choice that night. Our strategy of doubling up on the most popular destinations and offering multiple trips on the same weeks worked.

Overnight bus trip sign-up night is coming on Thursday, October 26 at 8 pm sharp. As the bus company has just finalized pricing, we will be re-working and finalizing our prices for these trips this week. Don’t forget that you must be a member to sign up and participate on a trip, and be logged onto the HPSC website at 8 pm sharp for the best selection of trips. These trips have been set up as group travel with special rates for the types of rooms listed, so modifications are not allowed. As with charters, you can choose a ‘No Lifts’ option and single supplement (limited availability), however unlike charters there is NO price reduction if you do not take the group transportation to the destination (by luxury coach). Please read through all of the trip details in advance so that you make the choice that fits your needs. The $100 deposit guarantees your spot, but note that it is non-refundable once it is paid.

2024 Overnight Bus Trips

Mont Tremblant QC – Holiday Inn – Dec 15-17, 2023

Holiday Valley NY, USA – Microtel – Jan 12-14

Mont Tremblant QC – Holiday Inn – Feb 4-9

Gatineau /Ottawa XC – Holiday Inn – Feb 16-19

Quebec City QC – Manoir Victoria – MARCH BREAK – March 10-15

Killington VT, USA – Killington Grand – studio kitchenettes and hotel – March 17-22

Mont Tremblant QC – Holiday Inn – March 22-24

Le Massif QC – Club Med Charlevoix – March 24-29

There are still a few spots left on some charters, so do not hesitate to sign up before they are gone!

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Trip Sign-up Night #3

Before you know it, Trip Sign-up #3 will be upon us–September 28! Eight Charter trips will begin sales. The first two charter trips sold out quickly! Be sure to review the materials, talk to your ski buddies, and make your decision in advance.

If you have your heart set on one or more of the trips, make sure you are 100% ready to go at 8:00 pm. Some of these trips will sell out promptly, even in as little as a few seconds! A couple destinations have always sold out super fast, so this year we have doubled up on trips to Sun Peaks and Banff.

If your favourite trip appears sold out, you can register for the Waitlist. This is especially important for trips that travel later in the season, since cancellations are more frequent at that time.

Consider your insurance options in advance, since this must be purchased at the time you make the initial trip payment. We are happy to announce that “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will once again be available.

Note that your $100 deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. So, please take this into consideration when signing up.

On Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:00 pm, the following Charter Trips will go on sale:

C3 Red Mountain, BC – Jan 21-28, 2024

C4 Sun Peaks-1, BC – Jan 27-Feb 3, 2024

C5 Panorama, BC – Feb 3-10, 2024

C6 Winter Park, CO – Feb 3-10, 2024

C7 Banff-1, AB – Feb 10-17, 2024

C8 Sun Peaks-2, BC – Feb 10-17, 2024

C9 Silver Star, BC – Mar 4-11, 2024

C10 Banff-2, AB – Mar 9-16, 2024 

Click here to go to the Long Trips page.

Our overnight bus trips will go on sale on October 26. Mark your calendars!

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2024 Charter Trips 

Japan (Tokyo and Niseko) – Jan 11-21 (Due to the popularity of this trip, which filled up within seconds, we will work on a trip for the 2025 season)

Peisey-Vallandry, France: Club Med – (Les Arcs/La Plagne Paradiski) – Jan 20-28

Red Mountain, BC: Josie Hotel – Jan 21-28

Sun Peaks, BC: Cahilty Lodge (hotel + kitchenette units) – Jan 27-Feb 3

Panorama, BC: Approach Hotel (new) – Feb 3-10

Winter Park, Colorado USA: Vintage Hotel – Feb 3-10

Banff, AB: Banff Aspen Lodge – Feb 10-17

Sun Peaks, BC: Grand Hotel – March 3-10

Silver Star, BC: (Cross Country or Downhill) – Vance Creek Condos – March 4-11

Banff, AB: Banff Aspen Lodge – MARCH BREAK – March 9-16

2024 Overnight Bus Trips

Mont Tremblant, QC: Holiday Inn – Dec 15-17, 2023 

Holiday Valley NY, USA: Microtel – Jan 12-14

Mont Tremblant QC: Holiday Inn – Feb 4-9

Gatineau /Ottawa XC: Holiday Inn – (FAMILY DAY WEEKEND) Feb 16-19 

Quebec City, QC: Manoir Victoria – (MARCH BREAK) March 10-15 

Killington, VT USA: Killington Grand – studio kitchenettes and hotel – March 17-22

Mont Tremblant, QC: Holiday Inn – March 22-24

Le Massif, QC: Club Med Charlevoix – March 24-29

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2024 Cross-Country Long Trips

We’ve got lots of great choices for our Cross-Country and Snowshoe members this coming year!

Featured Charter

  • Silver Star, BC – Cross-Country/Downhill Combo, Vance Creek Condos: March 4 to 11. This HPSC favourite has 105 km of XC ski trails where you can ski from the door. Snowshoeing and ice skating are also available.

Overnight Bus Trips

  • Ottawa-Gatineau – Holiday Inn: February 16 to 19 – Enjoy 200 kms of ski trails by daily HPSC coach or skate the Rideau Canal.
  • Tremblant, Combo trip – Holiday Inn: February 4-9 – Enjoy cross-country skiing at: Tremblant resort (12km), Domain St. Bernard, (32 km), P’tit Train du Nord (29 km), Tremblant National Park (43 km).
  • Quebec City, Combo trip – Stay at the lovely Manoir Victoria: March 10-15 (March Break) and enjoy the cross-country ski areas of Mt Ste. Anne (176 km), Le Massif (32 km), and Camp Mercier (70 km).

Other Charter trips where XC skiing is available:

You can sign up on any of the following downhill trips by choosing the ‘No Lifts’ option.

Note: Since they are not featured as XC trips, there may be no other cross-country skiers on these trips. These locations are best suited for members who are comfortable skiing on their own, in a small group, or plan to enjoy both downhill and cross-country skiing. Trail passes must be purchased by the member.

  • Red Mountain, BC – January 20-27 – 50 km of trails within a 25 minute walk from hotel, local shuttle available on some days (TBD)
  • Sun Peaks, BC 1 – January 27- February 3 – 30 km of ski trails, ski from the door and take the lift to the start of the cross-country trails
  • Winter Park Hotel Colorado, USA – February 3-10 – 200 km of ski trails at Snow Mountain Ranch and 120 km at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Note that these locations are a 20 – 40 minute drive away and would require a vehicle rental.
  • Banff, AB 1 – February 10 -17 – 13 km accessible from town of Banff. Rent a vehicle for other trails.

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More success for our amazing instructors!

Our Director of Cross-Country and Snowshoeing, Heather Steel, in addition to arranging and running a very challenging season of trips, also achieved a personal goal of passing the Level 3 CANSI instructor certification. Well deserved congratulations, Heather!!

Congratulations are also on order to Ephraim Fernandez, who recently achieved his Level 2 certification!

The excellence of our instructors are one of the things that make our club great! Thanks to all of you!


Heather Steel


Ephraim Fernandez

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Thanks for a Great Season!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our cross-country day trips this year. While winter got off to a very sluggish start, we ran 18 trips.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers who make it happen:

  •  Monica Sauer and Theo Kempe – who make sure that all the bus captains, DODs and guides have all the paperwork and info they need on every trip. Monica also volunteers on our long trips committee, organizing the long weekend bus trips.
  • Paul Moser – who does all the trip financial reconciliations and audits.
  • David Cloutier – who orders our buses every week.
  • Jean-Emile Paraiso and Gayatri Bharadwaj – who create all of our trip modules on the website.
  • Howard Gibson – who schedules all our bus captains.
  • Linda Lavalee – who runs our new member ambassador program.
  • All the bus captains – Monica Sauer, Marjanne Lyn, Carol Collinson, Howard Gibson, Jennifer Meyer, and Claire Patregion. Our thoughts are with Paul Dover, who we hope is well enough to rejoin the group next year.
  • Jeff Stainsby – who sets the schedule and does all the post-season administrative work for ski school.
  • All of our instructors who taught this season – Jean-Emile Paraiso, Regina Eiras, George Lorenz, Suzanne Denis, Owen Rogers, Nicole Pepper, Vera Polyakova, Adrian Butscher, Liora Freedman, Janine Jorgenson, Elaine Rennet, Andrew Mahoney, Ron Duffy, and Carine Wood.
  • Our snowshoe guides – Melain Cheung, Cynthia Johnson, Cynthia Wheatley, and Queena Kwok (who stepped in late in the season and will be leading next year!).
  • And the finance team, including Clark Seadon and Lisa Philpott, who ably and quickly dealt with our payment issues this season. Also, thanks to Hilary Childs, Richard Kinread, Steve Jonjev, Judy Chen, and Michele Williamson. There were a lot of refunds this year, due to the weather and the IT issues, and they did a great job.

After we wrap up the season, we will be taking a well-deserved break over the summer. We will ramp back up in late summer, but the schedule won’t be posted until November. You can expect the same pattern – the season will begin December 30 and then we will have trips every Saturday and Sunday thereafter until the snow disappears at some point in March. Registrations for the first few trips likely will open around December 18. Nothing for you to do before then except renew your membership and get in ski shape!

Have a wonderful summer!

Heather Steel

Director of Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing