RACE DEVELOPMENT 2

Program Overview  (Recommended age: 12 years & up )

Highlands Trailblazers’ Race Development 2 (“Race Dev. 2”) program is designed for committed athletes ready to take the next step in competitive nordic skiing and/or biathlon. This program is best suited to athletes who have progressed through Highlands Trailblazers’ Race Development 1 program, or who bring strong fitness and competitive experience from other endurance-based sports such as running, cycling, swimming, soccer etc. 

Athletes train over a 7-month season (September to March), with opportunities to attend summer training camps. The training program and number of races aligns with the Biathlon Canada and Nordiq Canada Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, supporting progressive skill development, physical conditioning, and race readiness.  The coaching team will structure practices to best accommodate athletes’ personal athletic and social goals, within a positive, team-oriented environment. 

Race Dev. 2 provides athletes with a choice between two streams: the Nordic Stream or the Biathlon Stream. All athletes participate in ski practices together weekly. Biathlon Stream athletes have additional weekly range practices teaching the basic skills of precision marksmanship. 

Eligibility and Expectations 

All Race Dev. 2 athletes are expected to: 

• Be competent classic and skate skiers; 

• Demonstrate a high level of fitness, motivation, and commitment to improve over the season; 

• Focus on refining technique and building race-specific skills; 

• Want to challenge themselves to compete in several cross country ski and/or biathlon events across the province at a competitive level in both classic and skate disciplines; 

• Attend a minimum of 4 race weekends, including at least one Ontario Cup event, and/or Ontario Youth Championships for those athletes deemed ready by coaches. 

Biathlon Stream athletes must have: 

• completed Dev.1 Biathlon OR received approval from the lead coach prior to registration. 

Schedule 

The training season runs from September 19 to March Break: 

Wednesdays (Fall & Winter, Highlands Nordic) 

• After School training 16:00 PM – 18:30 PM adjusted for daylight for all athletes 

• Athletes unable to attend will receive self-directed training session plans 

Saturdays (Fall & Winter, Highlands Nordic) 

• Morning Ski training 09:59 AM – 12:00 PM (dryland or on-snow) for all athletes 

• Afternoon Range training 12:45 PM – 15:00 PM  for biathletes only 

• First session Sat 19 September 2026 

• No sessions on Family Day Weekend Sat 13^th Feb 2027 and Boxing Day Sat 26^th Dec 2026. 

Sundays (beginning 8 November, Highlands Nordic) 

• Ski training 11:00 AM – 13:00 PM (dryland or on-snow) for all athletes 

• Additional biathlon sessions scheduled as needed prior to race events 

Ski Races 

Nordic stream athletes Athletes will compete as a team in at least 4 races, throughout the winter supported by coaches and parents. Athletes may choose to do more. The race calendar typically includes Southern Ontario Division (SOD) events and at least one Ontario Cup. Event dates will be communicated once the Ontario race schedule is determined. Indicative events may include: 

Mid-Dec	Candy Cane O’Cup, Ottawa (Nakkertok)
Mid-Jan	The Sounder, Parry Sound (Georgian Nordic)
Late Jan	Muskoka Loppet, Huntsville (Arrowhead Park)
Late Jan	Mono Race, Orangeville (Mono Nordic)
Jan- Feb	O’Cup series, various venues
Mid- Feb	Suntrail Special, Hepworth (Sawmill)
Late Feb	Ontario Youth U14 Championships (location TBA) , OFSAA
March	Georgian Sprints, Parry Sound

There are very few biathlon races in Ontario, making travel to Quebec necessary. Biathlon stream athletes are committed to competing in a minimum of 1 nordic race listed above, as well as at least 3 of the following biathlon race weekends: 

Late Oct	Boo-athlon (Highlands Nordic)
Late Jan	Highlands Trailblazers O’cup (Highlands Nordic)
Feb	Quebec Cup, Val Cartier, Quebec
Late Feb	Chelsea biathlon competition (Gatineau, Quebec)

Equipment & Requirements 

All Race Dev. 2 Athletes must own or have access to: 

• BOTH classic and skate race skis 

• A pair of classic rock skis (these can be Crowns/fish scales)  

• A pair of skate rock skis  

• BOTH classic and skate ski poles  

• Ski boots (combi or discipline-specific) 

• Skate roller skis & poles (with roller ski pole tips) 

• Helmet, reflective clothing, gloves 

• Running shoes & training gear 

• Short poles for dryland striding (typically 5-10 cm shorter than classic poles) 

• Watch 

• Hydration belt 

• Highlands Trailblazers Warmup Jacket and Race Suit 

• Bike suitable for unpaved riding (gravel trails / light mtb) 

• Skate roller skis & poles 

• Helmet, reflective gear, gloves 

• Running shoes & training gear 

• Short poles for dryland training 

• Watch & hydration belt 

• Club warm-up jacket & race suit 

• Bike suitable for gravel/trail riding 

Biathlon Stream Athletes: 

• Rifle (S400 or .22) owned or rented 

• Cuff 

• must obtain a Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada license prior to registration. Athletes will not be permitted to participate in any HTB training activities without this license. 

.22 Biathletes: 

• AND PARENTS who will use, transport and store .22 rifles must obtain a Firearms Safety Course & Possession and Acquisition Licence (“PAL”). 

• Ammunition (as coordinated by coaches, typically ~1,000 rounds for one season / ~ $300). 

Included 

• Weekly sessions, October 2026 through March 2027 

• Annual HTB Club Membership for athletes ($40 value) 

Program Fees 

• Nordic Stream $800 Program Fee * + 25 Service Hours 

• Biathlon Stream $800 Program Fee * + 40 Service Hours + Range & Supply Fee ** 

* with the option to pay in two instalments of $412.50, upon registration and again on Dec 1^st 2026. 

** Range and Supply Fees: 

 Air rifle Range & Supply Fee: $100 

.22 rifle Range & Supply Fee: $200 

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 

All Athletes: 

• are required to take out a Highlands Nordic Seasons Pass 

• must purchase a Nordiq Canada Race Licence in advance of race season 

• Race entry fees 

• Travel, food, accommodation, waxing, and coaching expenses for training camps and race events will be charged on a cost-recovery basis. 

Biathlon Stream Athletes: 

• must obtain a Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada license prior to registration. 

• Rifle rental: Air Rifle rental is $150 per year OR .22 Rifle rental is $300-$800 per year (rifle dependent). Biathletes will be required to sign Rifle Rental Agreements. Rental information for .22 rifles will be provided during the summer as details are finalized. Charges for Rentals are processed soon thereafter. Families interested in purchasing rifles should consult with coaches. 

• Ammunition (~$300/season), as coordinated by coaches (.22 biathletes) 

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