Jackrabbits Program Description
(Year of Birth: 2017-2020, ages 6-9)
Our Jackrabbit program is directed at children ages 6-9 (the ‘FUNdamentals’ stage of athlete development), and is divided into four levels, based on ability and experience.
The Jackrabbit Program focuses on developing Fundamental Movement Skills—the basic motor skills that provide a foundation for participation in sport and lifelong physical activity.
Children develop skills such as running, jumping, catching, kicking, throwing, swinging, and hitting, which form the building blocks for a wide range of sports. Developing these fundamental skills helps children participate confidently and successfully in different activities.
For Nordic skiing, these skills can be summarized as the ABCs: Agility, Balance, and Coordination. Movement skills are essential to developing sport-specific skills—for example, without good balance, a skier cannot effectively glide using either classic or skate technique.
The Jackrabbit stage represents an important window of opportunity for developing these foundational movement skills in a fun, active, and supportive environment.
Coaching Jackrabbits
The corresponding NCCP training for coaches involved at this level is called “Community Coaching”.
2026/27 Schedule & Fees
Practice Dates: Saturdays from December 5th to March 13th (with a break over the holidays), 10:30am-12pm at Whistler Olympic Park.
J3 & J4 will also practice Wednesdays from December 9th to March 10th (with a break over the holidays), 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Whistler Olympic Park.
Registration:
Opens on September 13th, 2026 at 10am. Note that our program fills up quickly. Volunteer coaches will get priority registration for their kids.
Program Fee: $TBC plus approx. $21 CCBC and Nordiq Canada Membership plus Sea to Sky Nordics Membership Fee (Approx. $80 per family, required, can be purchased at time of registration).
The program fee includes free entry into Coast and BC Cups.
The program fee does not include a Whistler Olympic Park season pass. Please purchase a youth pass directly from Whistler Olympic Park here. Please note parents dropping off children do not need to buy a WoP pass. If you plan to ski while your child skis, then you do need a pass.
2026/27 Competition Schedule
- January 3rd, Teck Coast Cup #1
- January 24th, Teck Coast Cup #2
- February 6th-7th Teck Coast Cup #3
- February 20th-21st, Track Attack Champs
Events
Race events are a way for your kid to test their ski skills out on the snow. We know a lot of kids are a bit tentative and shy about racing, so registration includes entry fees for Coast and BC Cups. Please see the event schedule here.
Pre Season Camps
Fall Dryland Training
If you’re 8+ and interested in getting a jump on the season, register for one of the fall dryland training programs being offered through our biathlon program. If you have questions, or are wondering if it’s a fit, please reach out!
Equipment Required
Classic skis, poles and boots (levels 1 – 4).
Skate skis, poles and boots (levels 3-4 only). This is in addition to the classic set up.
Ski equipment can be rented at Whistler Olympic Park. Valhalla Pure, Source for Sports and Whistler Olympic Park, Coast Outdoors, MEC, and Sports Junkies Broadway (2nd hand) all sell Nordic ski equipment. For more information, check out our parent handbook.