Race Development 1

RACE DEVELOPMENT 1:
AN INTRODUCTION TO RACING 

Program Overview  (Recommended age: 10 years & up )

Highlands Trailblazers’ Race Development programs are intended for keen athletes who want to have fun improving their technique and fitness, while learning to train and race. 

Race Development 1 (“Race Dev. 1”) is designed for young skiers who demonstrate sound cross country skiing fundamentals and an eagerness to focus on fitness and techniques required to enjoy participating in nordic and/or biathlon competitions. It is an introduction to the Race Development Program, bridging from the Jackrabbit program to the racing stream for athletes who know they want to race. The expectation is that these athletes (and their families) want to try cross country skiing and/or biathlon racing, and will be active in the off-season as well as on snow, in order to be at their best for races appropriate for their skill level. 

Race Dev. 1 introduces Saturday pre-season dryland training in the fall, involving running and running games, scavenger hunts, hill bounding, strength circuits, obstacle courses, and pole striding. In the winter, athletes will be on snow with coaches doing games and drills, as well as distance skiing on the trails to improve the technique and fitness required to enjoy racing.  

Race Dev. 1 provides athletes with two streams to choose from: the Nordic Stream or the Biathlon Stream. All athletes participate together in weekly ski practices. Biathlon Stream athletes have additional weekly range practices teaching the basic skills of precision marksmanship.  

Note: There is limited space and equipment for the Race Dev. 1 Biathlon stream. 

Eligibility 

Criteria for both Nordic and Biathlon streams are: 

  • a high level of fitness (particularly cardiovascular and strength); 
  • ski competency in both classic and skate techniques; 
  • a desire to learn to train and learn new skills. 

Parent participation is required regularly for help with equipment and supervision, as well as working at events hosted by Highlands Trailblazers at Highlands Nordic. All tasks count towards the club’s Service Hour Program. 

Schedule 

The training season starts after Thanksgiving and runs until mid-March (snow conditions permitting): 

  • Saturdays 09:59 AM – 12:00 PM Ski training (dryland until snow arrives) for all athletes 
  • Saturdays 12:45 PM – 15:00 PM Range training for biathletes only 
  • First session Sat 17 October 2026 
  • No sessions on Family Day Weekend Sat 13th Feb 2027 and Boxing Day Sat 26th Dec 2026. 

Ski Races 

Nordic stream athletes will be expected and supported at a minimum of 2 races chosen by the coaches over the season. Those event dates will be communicated once the Ontario race schedule is determined, but may include the following ski events: 

December Yuletide Blast (Highlands Nordic) 
Mid-Jan The Sounder, Parry Sound (Georgian Nordic) 
Late Jan Muskoka Loppet, Huntsville (Arrowhead Park) 
Late Jan Mono Race, Orangeville 
Early Feb Community Classic, Hepworth (Sawmill Trails) 
Mid- Feb Suntrail Special, Hepworth (Sawmill) 
Late Feb Ontario Youth Championships (location TBA) 

Biathlon stream athletes will be expected to compete in a minimum of 3 races, including one of the Nordic ski events listed above, as well as from the following biathlon events:  

Late Oct Boo-athlon (Highlands Nordic) 
Late Jan Highlands Trailblazers Home Race (Highlands Nordic) 
Late Feb Chelsea biathlon competition (Gatineau, Quebec) is also highly recommended 

Please note that parents must also register to work at club events. 

Equipment & Requirements 

All Athletes in Race Dev 1 athletes must own or have access to: 

  • Classic skis and poles 
  • Skate skis and poles 
  • Boots for each set (or “combi” boots to be used for both) 
  • Access to early season rocks skis (Crown/Fishscale) 
  • Running gear for dryland training 
  • Striding poles for dryland ski striding (typically 5-10 cm shorter than classic poles) 
  • Watch 
  • Water bottle belt 

Biathlon Stream Athletes  

  • Daisy .177 pellet air rifles are provided to athletes for use during training 
  • Eco-Aims Electronic Rifles will also be used from time to time and provided during training 

Included 

  • Weekly sessions, October 2026 through March 2027 
  • Annual HTB Club Membership for athletes ($40 value) 
  • Highlands Nordic trail passes for weekly sessions (athletes are required to purchase a pass to ski at other times). 

Program Fees 

  • Nordic Stream $500 Program Fee + 8 Service Hours 
  • Biathlon Stream $500 Program Fee + 10 Service Hours + $100 Range & Supply Fee 

Highlands Trailblazers is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit club. Our excellent programs and strong community are made possible through the collective contributions of our members and volunteers. To help sustain our programming, each program carries a service hour commitment. Please refer to our Service Hour Program for full details, including how to calculate your family’s total commitment. There are many opportunities to contribute throughout the year. Volunteer roles and sign-up information will be shared through club emails, or reach out to info@highlandstrailblazers.ca to offer support. 

Additional Costs 

  • Race entry fees 
  • Travel, accommodation, waxing, and coaching expenses for camps and competitions 

All additional expenses are charged on a cost-recovery basis.