Glacier Nordic programs open for the season

Glacier Nordic Club grooms community trails and promotes a lifelong love of skiing through a variety of lessons, programs, rentals and venues. Adult and youth programs are now open for the season.  

The Chet Hope Youth Program is for ages 4-10. Kids meet once a week for a block of seven weeks to play games and learn how to classic ski. Block 1 is Wednesdays Jan. 8 – Feb. 19 and Block 2 is Saturday mornings Jan. 11 – Feb. 22, both meet at the Whitefish Golf Course. Block 3 is at the Meadow Lake Golf Course and Nordic Trails in Columbia Falls and runs Monday afternoons Jan. 6 – Feb. 17. 

The Junior Jets Program is for ages 8-11. Skiers play games and learn technique through drills, games and exercises, expanding on what they have learned in Chet Hope. Skiers also get the opportunity to learn how to skate ski. Junior Jets runs from Dec. 5 - Feb. 20, starting with dryland until the Golf Course Trails open.  

The Prep and Prep Pro team are for ages 11-13. The focus for this crew varies from technique improvement to how to move more efficiently on snow through games, drills and longer skis. Prep Pro is geared towards learning the how-tos of racing and will join Comp/Comp Pro occasionally throughout the season. The program runs 3 days a week, Nov. 7 - March 5, starting with dryland exercises then moving to snow when conditions permit. This group skis mainly at the Whitefish Golf Course and Big Mountain Nordic Trails. 

Teen Adventure is for ages 12 and up. This is a crew who enjoys spending time outside moving while learning some basics. This group runs Jan. 2 – Feb 27, with classic skiing on Tuesdays and skate skiing on Thursdays. 

Comp and Comp Pro teams are for high school aged athletes. Winter programming begins Oct. 29 and runs through March. Comp Pro athletes practice 5 days a week with options to travel around the West to race. Comp athletes can join any 3 practices a week and do not need to race.  

For more information about all of these programs, visit the Glacier Nordic Club Website. Scholarships and rental fleets are available for all programs.  

Master’s programs are expanding this year. There are learning clinics offered throughout the winter, as well as private and group lessons. A master’s training group runs every Thursday from Dec. 5 - March at the Whitefish Golf Course.  

Glacier Nordic memberships have early bird pricing until Oct. 31. There are veteran, senior and family discounts. All memberships purchased directly support programs and grooming at the Golf Course. 

GNC’s community potluck is Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Moose Lodge in Whitefish, and all members and program participants are welcome to join and bring a dish to share.  

    Glacier Nordic Club grooms trails. (Photo provided)