Glacier Nordic programs are open for the season

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

The Chet Hope Youth Program is for children ages 4 to 10. The children meet once a week for a block of seven weeks to play games and learn classic skiing. Block 1 takes place on Wednesdays from January 8th to February 19th and Block 2 takes place on Saturday mornings from January 11th to February 22nd. Both meets will take place at Whitefish Golf Course. Block 3 is located at Meadow Lake Golf Course and Nordic Trails in Columbia Falls and takes place on Monday afternoons from January 6th to February 17th.

The Junior Jets program is aimed at children aged 8 to 11. Skiers play games and learn technique through drills, games and drills, expanding on what they learned at Chet Hope. Skiers also have the opportunity to learn to ice skate. Junior Jets runs from December 5th to February 20th and starts in the dry until the opening of the golf course trails.

The Prep and Prep Pro team consists of 11 to 13 year olds. This crew’s focus ranges from improving technique to moving more efficiently on the snow through games, exercises and longer skis. Prep Pro is focused on learning the fundamentals of racing and will occasionally join Comp/Comp Pro during the season. The program takes place three days a week from November 7th to March 5th. It begins with dryland exercises and then transitions to snow when conditions permit. This group skis primarily at the Whitefish Golf Course and the Big Mountain Nordic Trails.

Teen Adventure is for children ages 12 and up. This is a team that enjoys spending time outside getting exercise while learning some basics. This group runs from January 2nd to February 27th, with classic skiing on Tuesday and skate skiing on Thursday.

Comp and Comp Pro teams are aimed at high school age athletes. The winter program begins on October 29th and runs until March. Comp Pro athletes train five days a week and have the opportunity to travel throughout the West to race. Competitive athletes can take part in any three training sessions per week and do not have to take part in races.

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

The master’s degree programs will be expanded this year. Learning courses as well as private and group lessons are offered throughout the winter. A Masters Training Group will be held at Whitefish Golf Course every Thursday from December 5th through March.

Early bird pricing applies to Glacier Nordic memberships through October 31st. There are discounts for veterans, seniors and families. All memberships purchased directly support programs and care on the golf course.

GNC’s Community Potluck will be held at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish on November 3rd at 5:30 p.m. All members and program participants are welcome to join in and bring a dish to share.