Each season the ANUMC will organise our own XC ski Lessons as well as allowing our members to join lessons planned by other clubs.

What do the ANUMC First Timers and Beginners Lessons involve?
First Timers and Beginners Ski Lessons are designed for those who have never skied before or who have only done a little bit of skiing. There is no need to have any prior experience or even to have been to the snow before! The aim of these lessons is to give every club member the chance to try XC skiing and gain the basic skills that you will need on other club trips. Because everybody on these trips is first time skiers and beginners you will stay on gentle slopes without any pressure to keep up with more experienced skiers. The lessons are with fully qualified instructors who will teach you the basic skills.

The format of each trip will differ but they will generally involve leaving Canberra on a Saturday morning to be able to drive to the snow in time for the lesson. After the lesson finishes the group will either return to Canberra (i.e. a day trip) or stay for another lesson or short tour on the Sunday. If you stay for the Sunday you will car camp in a campsite which is below the snowline where it is warmer.

If you are interested in an ANUMC First Timers and Beginners Lesson sign up as trips appear on the trip calendar.

The cost of lessons depends on the type of lesson and number of trainees but is generally around $62 for a full day (which is a bargain compared to downhill skiing lessons).

How many lessons do I need to do?

Having done just one First Timers and Beginners Lessons weekend most members will be ready for a very easy overnight trip! Very easy overnight trips are where less than 5km is skied with a pack and the trip leader is happy to introduce new skiers to snow camping.

Of course your welcome to do another Beginners lesson to improve your skills before coming on an overnight trip and there are intermediate and advanced lessons as well so its a good idea to keep doing a lesson or two a season to help you progress your skills.

2008 Canberra Cross Country Ski Club (CCCSC) Lessons

The ANUMC can only organise its own lessons on certain weekends. To give more options for lessons, ANUMC members are welcome to join CCCSC lessons. To equate with the ANUMC Lessons the Basic Skills lesson is suitable for first time skiers.

If you are planning to attend a CCCSC lesson please contact the XC Skiing Activity Officer. That way we can save skis for you to hire and hopefully make it into a mini trip where you get 3 or 4 club members to go up for the same CCCSC Lesson.

In 2008 all CCCSC lessons are taught by instructors from Paddy Pallin and cost $59.95 for a full day. All bookings are through Paddy Pallin by calling 02 6456 2922.

Please note that CCCSC lessons are REALLY popular and generally fill 3-4 weeks beforehand. In past seasons MANY ANUMC members miss out on lessons when they don't get organised and book in advance.

For more info check out: www.cccsc.asn.au