Nordiq Alberta
11759 Groat Road T5M 3K6 Edmonton, AB, Canada

Dear Nordiq Alberta and Biathlon Alberta Member Clubs, On May 4th, the Government of Alberta put additional health measures (https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx) in place for high case regions in an attempt to slow the transmission of COVID19. Included in these new measures is the end of all outdoor sport and recreation activities unless they are taking place as a family or, in the case of living alone, your two close contacts. This will be effective ...as of 11:59pm on May 9th, and will continue for a minimum of three weeks. We understand that this news can place challenges on clubs that are in the early stages of their spring training, but ask that we all do our part to help get this virus under control and keep our communities safe. During the time of the restrictions, clubs are not to travel to low-risk zones in order to continue training and instead we ask you to modify programming to allow for athletes to train on their own until these measures are lifted. For a full list of affected regions, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca//covid19-restrictions-high-case-reg Nordiq Alberta and Biathlon Alberta would like to thank you all for your perseverance, adaptability, and willingness to work with us throughout these difficult months.

As many of our members know, the Kananaskis Pilot Parking Project came to close on April 5th, 2021 with resounding success. We would like to take a moment to thank our amazing team of volunteers who made this project possible. We would also like to thank everyone who purchased a pass this season for helping make grooming a possibility this year. On that note, we are sharing that although the project was a success, we will not be continuing these efforts for the following seas...on and beyond. On April 27th, Alberta Environment and Parks released information about the Kananaskis Conservation Pass for all users beginning on June 1st, 2021. Nordiq Alberta was not involved or consulted in the development of the Conservation Pass plan. That said, we are delighted to hear that ski trail grooming in PLPP will continue without the $50 Kananaskis Parking Pass. For more information on the Conservation Pass, you can visit www.alberta.ca/ConservationPass. We appreciate your patience as we continue to gather information and will share any updates relevant to cross country skiing in PLPP and the Conservation Pass.

Check out our latest newsletter for updates re: the 2021/22 race season, important award information, and time sensitive officials information! https://nordiqalberta.ca/news-item/9192/

Nordiq Alberta would like to extend a HUGE congratulations to @brian.mckeever, @rusyspurs (as Brian McKeevers guide), and @derek_zap for being named to the Canadian National Para-Nordic team! We would also like to congratulate @mayamacisaacjones on her selection to the Canadian Senior National Team and both @xctom ( courtesy of @vr45photography) and @mckeever.xav on their selection to the Canadian Junior National Team.

Are you a passionate and driven individual looking for the opportunity to work as a club administrator in Canmore, Alberta? Canmore Nordic Ski Club is looking for a part-time employee to fill the role for this coming season starting May 1st. For more information on how to apply, visit the link below. https://nordiqalberta.ca/coaches/coaching-advancement/

What better way to start 2021 than with some good news! Find our latest update about the Kananaskis Parking Program here: https://mailchi.mp/96fd64725/heres-to-a-new-year-and-to-you

Hello all and Happy New Year! Nordiq Alberta hopes you had a wonderful break and that you enjoyed the trails with those around you. With that said, we have unfortunately had to make the difficult decision to cancel Alberta Cup 3/4 happening on January 23rd and 24th. Wishing you all the best!

Nordiq Alberta would like to wish you all a happy, healthy, and festive holiday season. Please note our office will be closed from December 23rd until January 4th. Visit: https://nordiqalberta.ca/wp-conte/uploads/Holiday-Bingo.pdf for a fun family activity over the holidays. Happy trails!

Did someone say free glasses? ZiZU Optics and Nordiq Alberta have something exciting to share. For this and more visit: https://mailchi.mp/dd91f9479/nordic-news-december-18th-2020

Interested in how Nordiq Alberta plans to utilize Canadian Tire Jumpstart Sport Relief grant money and other news? Check out: https://mailchi.mp/c8bf2b13b/nordic-news-november-20th-2020

A reminder to our membership. Join SPAR, Nordiq Alberta, and Biathlon Alberta for a townhall meeting in regards to COVID-19 protocols. Register in advance here: https://zoom.us//regi/tJAuc-ygqTMjHNQc6ZaN9O400vJc-aY3_uiG

As a direct result of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Canmore, the Alberta Cup 1 and 2 scheduled for December 12-13 has been postponed indefinitely. While Nordiq Alberta is disappointed that this event has been postponed, we fully support the efforts of all parties to put the health & safety of all participants as the top priority. As we all continue to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19, Nordiq Alberta will continue working with the organizing committees across t...he province to organize events that are COVID friendly and follow provincial and local guidelines. See you on the trails from a safe distance! Nordiq Alberta https://nordiqalberta.ca/news/alberta-cup-1-2-cancellation/

As case counts continue to rise in much of the Province, Nordiq Alberta is continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our membership to ensure a successful ski season. Like everyone, we are concerned about the recent increase is cases in all jurisdictions of the Province as we anticipate winter ski programming and preparations for the Alberta Cup Schedule. To that end, preparations continue for the first Alberta Cup weekend December 12-13, 2020 hosted by Canmore Nordic... Ski Club. Ongoing discussions with the organizing committee focus on strategies to maintain distancing, manage group sizes, and eliminate areas where larger groups can gather. We understand that individuals may be feeling the effects of ‘COVID fatigue’ however as we head into the winter months it is crucial that we all continue following Provincial Guidance to best support one another’s health and safety. We would also like to extend a big thank you to everyone for following Provincial protocols and reaching out to our office when questions arose. Your willingness to work with us through these unprecedented times has directly contributed to our ability as a Province to continue cross country ski programming. While we continue to monitor the situation, we urge our members to re-familiarize yourself with our COVID-19 protocols which are updated as the relaunch guidance documents change. We also want to reiterate the importance of keeping the number of cohorts you participate in small, the use of masks while in larger groups, and the continued use of handwashing and/or hand sanitizing. Ivan Babikov (Provincial Sports Director) & Chris Reitz (Nordiq Alberta Board Chair) https://nordiqalberta.ca//doing-our-part-to-slow-covid-19/

Looking for the latest news in cross country skiing? Click here: https://mailchi.mp/cc306c359/nordic-news-november-13th-2020

GRANT OPPORTUNITY EXTENDED: Nordiq Canada Women’s Committee is committed to supporting and helping with female athlete retention in the sport of cross country skiing. The committee recognizes that a major contributing factor to female athlete motivation to stay in sport is the concept of relatedness and a sense of belonging. One of the best ways to increase an athlete’s relatedness is to value and strengthen a positive team culture. Through this grant(s) we are looking to pro...vide teams with the resources they need to improve team culture and create a space where female athletes want to be and want to ski. This grant will help fund a team building project that your team comes up with. Value: $2000 2 grants available (grants awarded will depend on cost of application and discretion) Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, a nominee(s) must: Be a team that includes female athletes or is all female Be a club or team registered with Nordiq Canada Have the intention of attending races as a team Show proof of current and/or plans for future reinvestment into the longevity of female athlete retention at your club or team Outline how your team/Club has adapted workouts/camps during Covid to promote athlete connectedness/team motivation? Application process: Interested teams should forward a letter and/or video to the Nordiq Canada’s Women’s Committee that includes the following: Identify ski club and/or team Outline short and long term athletic goals of your team Discuss what makes your team so great! How would this grant be used to create and maintain a positive team culture? Brief budget outline of the expense(s) of your application idea Name of coach and email address (may be contacted to verify application) List of events your team/Club plans on organizing or attending this season 2020/2021 Discuss passion for the sport and any ways your team encourages female athlete retention and how this project will lead to long-term positive team dynamics. Applications are due by November 30, 2020 (previously November 15th) Successful applicants will be notified by December 1, 2020 . Grants will be awarded based on creativity, quality, specificity and detail of application as well as longevity of investment into a club or team program (ie. female athletes will benefit for longer than just the present season). Applications should be sent to: [email protected] Attention: Allison McArdle, Chair Women’s Committee

Thank you all for your patience over the weekend and adhering to the guidelines released early last week. Nordiq Alberta and Biathlon Alberta are aware that the wording on the Alberta Health website is open to varying interpretations and our messaging may cause some confusion. On that note, we would like to begin by saying that any communications released by our organizations are coming directly from Alberta Health and Alberta Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation (SPAR). ...SPAR is our direct contact with the Provincial Government and Alberta Health and has been an invaluable resource for our organizations when it comes to clarifying and interpreting Public Health Guidance. We are not creating additional regulations nor are we interpreting Provincial Health Orders without consulting with our Government contacts. Following additional conversations throughout the day, Nordiq Alberta and Biathlon Alberta are pleased to confirm the following is permitted: Outdoor physical activity, including team sports, must be limited to 10 individuals or fewer o Group/team/club training may continue Participants not part of the same household must maintain 2 meters of distance between one another at all times While outdoor recreation is permitted, all facilities with indoor spaces except for washrooms must be closed We strongly suggest that no ridesharing or socialization before or after practice occur at this time We would like to thank you for understanding how rapidly Public Health Guidance may change and how additional information not readily available to the public informs our communication updates. We understand that the last set of communications may have caused confusion and would like to invite any interested members to join us on December 17th at 6:30pm for a Zoom meeting with SPAR, Nordiq Alberta, and Biathlon Alberta. Please click the link above to register. Let’s continue our work to keep our communities safe and healthy while enjoying the fresh air and snow. Happy trails, Nordiq Alberta and Biathlon Alberta

For the latest updates to our COVID-19 protocols, please visit https://nordiqalberta.ca/news-item/covid-19-protocol-update/ Let's all do our part to keep each other safe and ensure a fun season on snow!

Exciting news! Check it out and support! Link in bio

Are you a passionate coach looking to advance your career? Foothills Nordic Ski Club invites you to apply for their head coach position before December 15th, 2020. For more information visit: https://nordiqalberta.ca/coaches/coaching-advancement/