In one of its earliest starts in years, the Williams Lake Cross-Country Ski Club’s Jackrabbits program will begin Sunday, Dec. 15.
From ages four through 12 children will learn to cross-country ski under the instruction of six local instructors, including youth development co-ordinator and head coach Rob Sutton.
Sutton said the Jackrabbits program, hosted at Bull Mountain, offers four different levels of instructional groups.
Jackrabbit groups are scheduled to meet twice a week — Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 7 p.m. under the lighted trails until early March, with breaks during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s.
Sutton added last year’s group of Jackrabbits was one of the largest the WLCCSC has had in recent years.
“Last year we had 35 Jackrabbits,” he said. “The year before that we had 24, so it [registration] seems to be going up. Once we figure out what different levels [of skiers] we have we split them up into four groups based on that, not necessarily by age.”
The Jackrabbits and the WLCCSC also have a couple of potential out-of-town events they hope to attend this year.
One of the highlights of the season for last year’s skiers was the Quesnel Hallis Elementary Ski Tournament, where close to 70 young skiers ages five to 11 competed.
Williams Lake, with 15 skiers, brought home the best out-of-town team trophy.
For more information on the Jackrabbits program, or if you are interested in registering, contact Sutton at either 250-392-1107 or at skijackrabbit@gmail.com.
And for more on the WLCCSC visit www.bullmountain.ca.