FIND YOUR FIT

          Ski programs for all ages & skill levels

   Image by Tyson Smith

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

  1. FIS World Cup – Distance Races

    February 8, 2024 - July 7, 2025
  2. FIS City Sprint

    February 13, 2024
View The Events Calendar
From The Blog

From The Blog

Read The FNSC Blog
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Just want to know more?

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    STRONG FOR LIFE


    LET FOOTHILLS NORDIC TAKE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO NEW HEIGHTS!

    Image by Tyson Smith

    Coaching Staff

    FNSC is home to a highly qualified coaching staff consisting of full-time, professional coaches as well as volunteer parent leaders and part-time coaches.
    • Testimonial

      Tyson Smith

      About Tyson Smith

      Head Biathlon Coach

      Tyson has been skiing and racing with Foothills Nordic for as long as he can remember. He competed in his first cross country ski race, The Cookie Race, at the age of five years old. Tyson may have finished dead last in this race but he still ate the most cookies of anyone. Over the following years Tyson joined FNSC's ski and biathlon programs. Here, he discovered that he could actually get better at cross country skiing and still eat lots of cookies. At the age of ten Tyson won his first Cookie race (while still probably eating the most cookies of anyone). Since then Tyson worked his way up through the Foothills programs, representing the club for numerous years on cross country and biathlon provincial/national teams. Now coaching for FNSC, Tyson works hard to provide biathlon programs where both recreational and highly competitive biathletes of all ages can thrive.
      Coaching Experience
      • Head Biathlon Coach, Foothills Nordic Ski Club (Current)
      • Team Alberta Head Male Coach 2019 Canada Winter Games
      • Team Alberta Head Male Coach at 2015 Canada Winter Games
      • Team Alberta National Championships coach from 2013-2016
      • Head Coach at 2015 Biathlon Alberta South Korean Biathlon Exchange
      Skiing  Experience
      • First year nordic ski racing: 1992
      • First year biathlon racing: 1995
      • Canadian National Team biathlete 2005-2012
      • Team Alberta biathlete 2000-2012
      • First year coaching: 2012
      Recognition
      • 2016 Biathlon Canada Coach of the Year
      Certifications
      • NCCP Competition Development Certified
      • NCCP #: 5640983
    • Testimonial

      Katie McMahon

      About Katie McMahon

      Head Performance Cross Country Coach

      Foothills Nordic is happy to welcome Katie McMahon as Head Performance Coach of Cross Country. Originally from Chelsea Québec, Katie is making her way back out West to join the excellent coaching team at Foothills Nordic. From being pulled along in a pulk by her parents through the Gatineau Park, to racing around on the NCD circuit, NorAms and Nationals; the Canadian ski community has played a huge part in Katie's upbringing. After completing her two degrees in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, including a Master's in Sport Psychology, Katie accidentally fell into coaching and has never looked back. What began as a way to give back to her community developed into a career. Working for six years as the assistant race team coach at Chelsea Nordiq, Katie's passion for developing personal excellence and life skills in youth became apparent. Juggling her love for youth development with a passion for high performance, Katie has soaked up all the knowledge she could from experiences such as a European B-Tour, World Junior Championships, Youth Olympics and the World Cup and now passes that down to the young Canadian athletes in the club system. This past year, Katie navigated an ever changing "Covid year" as Team Ontario's Head Coach, helping provincial team athletes navigate the adversity of a pandemic. Qualifications
      • Head Performance Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic Ski Club (Current)
      • Currently completing Advanced Coaching Diploma
      • MHK Intervention and Consultation
      • CSPA Mental Performance Consultant
      • BSc. Human Kinetics

    Nordic Ski Programs

    Foothills programs are lead by an outstanding team of qualified and experienced volunteer and paid coaches. We deliver high quality Cross-Country skiing and Biathlon programs and events in a friendly and supportive environment where members can improve fitness, learn first-rate technique, form skiing friendships, and strive for competitive excellence. We are proud of the Foothills standard of excellence and are confident you’ll enjoy our programs.

    2018
    Founded
    -26
    Full-Time Coaches
    643
    Members
    1
    Volunteer Coaches
    • Testimonial

      … life changing for our family …

      Deanne Stephen, Parent, Skiier

      [Foothills Nordic] is an amazing club and I learn that a little more deeply every time my kids look up to their coaches and succeed in their dreams BECAUSE of their coaches. It has been life changing for our family. I believe deeply in the values of [Foothills] and am indebted to them for the well being of my children.

    • Testimonial

      … proud to be a member …

      Colin Norman, Parent, Coach, Volunteer, Participant & Crazy Cheerer!

      I am proud to be a member of Foothills Nordic Ski Club. At races, I often hear “those Foothills are fast”. This is not due to specialised genetic testing to qualify for our programs, but rather points to the huge levels of support this club provides. I am particularly impressed with the recruitment of high level athletes as coaches for the younger kids. These top skiers have typically progressed through a competitive career and are great role models for the kids in Jackrabbits, JR+ and Track Attack. The rapport with coaches builds a fun training environment that encourages kids to return day after day, year after year. After all, time on snow, rather than genetics, is a better predictor of success.

    • Testimonial

      … totally inspiring and fun …

      Andrea Loewen, Parent

      My son Karl has been in JR and now JR+, completing his second year with FNSC. Although I have never been a ski racer, I did sign up for the 15km "touring" category in the Cookie Race so that ski racing would be a family event. Karl was registered to race in the 3km distance, and the rest of our family provided support. My most vivid memory was being passed by Brian Keever and his guide going full-tilt (double poling) just about 300m before the finish line. I thought I was giving it my all after my 15km but they were flying, after completing 42km. Totally inspiring and fun (the crowd was still cheering when I crossed the finish line too!) Love the FNSC and look forward to more involvement as our younger children get into the sport as well!

    • Testimonial

      … coaching staff is excellent, knowledgeable and enthusiastic …

      Lisa S., Parent

      My daughters (now 9 and 11) have been skiing with Foothills Nordic for the past 6 years, moving up from bunny rabbits into Jackrabbits Plus and Track Attack. The programs offered to the children (and families) are well organized and executed. The coaching staff is excellent, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making learning to Nordic ski fun and interesting. There are opportunities to participate in the club for the purpose of improving the child’s skill level and also to compete in local, provincial and national Nordic events. We have participated in several competitions and at these events, there is a lot of club support. The volunteers who make the club and the programs a success are fantastic. As well, we have been fortunate to meet a number of great Nordic ski families. Our family has had nothing but a terrific experience with Foothills Nordic and our children will continue to ski with this club as long as they pursue Nordic skiing.

    Club Sponsors

    Get in Touch

    If you have any questions regarding our ski club, it's facilities, services, schedules or programs, feel free to get ahold of us using the methods outlined below.

    Mailing Address

    Foothills Nordic Ski Club Box 67133, Northland PO Calgary, AB T2L 2L2