Learn to cross-country ski!
Tsalteshi Trails Association is offering classic and skate skiing lessons Sundays and Mondays, Dec. 22-Feb. 3 for adults, for ages 18 and older. All ski levels welcome, from first-time-on-skis to longtime skiers wanting to improve technique.
*New this year — race training!* For intermediate to advances skiers looking to tune technique, speed and endurance. Coach Kent Peterson will lead a race training group each lesson. Intervals! Hill repeats! They’re more fun with friends!
Schedule:
Lessons are 2-3 p.m. Sundays and 6-7 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 22- Feb. 3. We’ll switch days for techniques each week so everyone has a chance to ski in daylight: Dec. 22 classic, Dec. 23 skate, Dec. 29 skate. Dec. 30 classic, etc. We’ll have a lesson on ski waxing, too — date TBD.
Cost:
- TTA members: $5 per lesson (start or renew a membership here).
- Non-TTA members: $10 per lesson.
Or sign up for all lessons and save! - TTA members: $30 for all classic OR skate lessons.
- TTA members: $60 for all classic AND skate lessons.
- Non-TTA members: $60 for all classic OR skate lessons.
- Non-TTA members: $120 for all classic AND skate lessons.
Payment: Register in advance and pay online with a credit card, or register online in advance and bring a check or cash for payment to the lesson.
Or register at the trailhead at each lesson (a discount for registering for all lessons is only available online). Registering in person at each lesson requires some paperwork — be sure to arrive early!
Lessons make a great gift! If you’ve got an aspiring skier on your shopping list, gift them ski lessons! Contact info@tsalteshi.org to set up a gift registration.
You must have your own skis, boots and poles! Tsalteshi does not have rental equipment (try Beemuns in Soldotna for rentals. Beemuns and Wilderness Way sell ski equipment.) Here’s a short video explaining the types of gear used in cross-country skiing..
- Check your equipment before lessons. Make sure you have the right skis and poles for the technique you want to learn (classic and skate skiing require different equipment). Make sure your boots attach to your ski bindings!
- Arrive at lessons a little early to get into your ski gear so we can start on time.
- If you need to wax your skis, do it ahead of time.
Dress for the weather. Layers are best! Expect to start out chilly and warm up as you get moving. No cotton! Lessons will start on the field behind Skyview, which can get a little windy. It’s best to wear an outer layer that has wind-blocking properties.
Bring a headlamp for Monday evening skis. Tsalteshi has lights on the field where lessons will take place and on some of our trails through the woods, but your group might progress to a non-lighted loop so bring a headlamp.
Lessons will be canceled for adverse conditions. Winter weather can be fickle. If temperatures get too cold OR too warm, we will cancel lessons and refund your fee.
You don’t have to attend every lesson but we will progress in skills each week. Tsalteshi has two events in February: Ski for Women on Feb. 8 (guys can participate, too) and the Tour of Tsalteshi on Feb. 16. We’d love for anyone taking lessons to graduate into participating in these events and will structure lessons with that goal in mind. But if you have to miss a lesson, please come back the next week!
Questions? Contact Jenny at info@tsalteshi.org or 907-394-6397.