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A group of Ottawa Sports Alpine Club athletes celebrating recreational ski racing at night.

AGES 7+ | SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OR WEDNESDAY PROGRAM

Ability:

The Weekend Performance Academy and Midweek Momentum Performance Academy programs are our top recreational performance & ski race programs for Ottawa families. Each particpant receives top coaching and sees real progression, without a full Pursuit Series competitive commitment.

RECREATIONALPROGRAMS

This is where athletes begin structured performance or entry-level ski racing training, depending on the program chosen. Small-group, coach-led programs introduce technical development, brushies, stubbies, and progressive gate training while building the fundamentals needed to ski faster, stronger, and with greater confidence.

STAGE 4

Train & Compete

Foundation, Core, and Elite Pursuit Series pathways provide a complete competitive progression for athletes ready to commit to higher levels of training and racing. Athletes continue developing technical skills, race preparation, and competitive performance through a structured season-long multi-day program.

STAGE 3

Add Volume & Build Experience

Getting ready for competitive or Pursuit Series-level training takes more than one day a week. Weekend Performance Academy athletes can add a Wednesday night at Mount Pakenham for extra mileage and gate time — the volume that makes the step up to Pursuit Series and regional competition feel earned, not rushed. In turn, Momentum athletes can also add a weekend training day option on a case by case basis when planned in advanced for the ultimate training season.

STAGE 2 - You are here

Performance Academy & Momentum

STAGE 1

Foundation Skills & Programs

The Alpine Development Pathway

Every athlete’s ski racing journey is different. Here’s a guide.

There's no wrong entry point — this is simply how skiers tend to move through our programs as their interest and commitment grow.

Young winners at a recreational ski racing podium.

Ottawa Sports and Snowhawks Ottawa Snow School lessons help skiers build the essential skiing skills needed to move from beginner to confident intermediate skiers. In stage 1 programs participants develop balance, gliding, stopping, turning, and early edge control skills while building the foundation for future progression.

Recreational Stream Highlights

No full-week commitment

Participants ski and train one day per weekend for 8 consecutive weeks starting January 9/10, or choose the weeknight option featuring 11 consecutive Wednesday evening training sessions starting the week of January 6th.

A path forward

Every recreational program connects naturally into the Flex and competitive Pursuit Series program stream.

One coaching standard

Build skills and confidence with our caring, hand-picked certified coaches in small groups, using the same coaching systems and approach that support our competitive programs.

Lift tickets & transportation

Lift tickets are included with every program. Weekend Performance Academy program participants also enjoy deluxe chartered motor coach transportation to and from ski centres every weekend, making travel simple, safe, and stress-free for families.

RACE Day REQUIREMNTS

Racing requires consistent technical training and gate time to build the skills needed to perform well and safely. Over 11 weeks, Midweek Momentum athletes progress through fundamental technical skills needed for skiing in brushies, stubbies, and gates throughout the season, preparing them for recreational race events — no additional training is required to enter races.

Performance Academy prioritizes advanced technical development at larger ski centres while exploring diverse terrain from the Laurentians to Eastern Ontario via deluxe motor coach. Weekend athletes wishing to race in 2026/2027 must add a Wednesday Flex night for gate experience and race preparation. A $150 combination discount is available.

Race day fees of $99 + HST typically apply per eligible race day.

performance academy

EVERY WEEKEND

8 consecutive Saturdays or Sundays. Open to ages 7+. Must be able to ski blue terrain at an intermediate level. Pizza lunch on week 7 with snacks & drinks included.

Ottawa Sports Skier logo
Ottawa Sports coach demonstrating ski racing techniques.

WEEKEND
PERFORMANCE ACADEMY

TRAVELLING PERFORMANCE SKI PROGRAM & PRE-ENTRY RACE

Young athletes in recreational ski racing with their coach.

A natural next step for participants coming from Ottawa Sports Snow School, Snowhawks Ottawa Gatineau/Laurentian Traveller programs, or other Stage 1 programs. This is not a replacement for those programs — it is designed for skiers who are ready and interested in exploring more speed in a ski race-oriented environment while continuing to focus on building strong technical skills.
 

With a focus on performance skiing, participants develop the fundamentals needed to progress toward brushies, stubbies, gates, and future race environments. With less gate training than the Midweek Momentum Performance Academy, this program places a greater emphasis on overall technical development, skill refinement, and becoming a more confident, capable skier. Small-group, coach-led training provides dedicated attention and a structured pathway for progression — all while keeping the experience fun, challenging, and rewarding, to create skilled skiers for life. Spots are limited.

Complete

STAGE 2

Your next step

STAGE 1

Program Details

Skiers preparing for recreational ski racing on a snowy slope
Recreational ski racing team posing with arms raised.
Skier navigating a gate during recreational ski racing.
Skiers and snowboarders unloading gear from a Bell-Horizon bus for recreational ski racing.

5:1 Max group size

Small groups with personalized coaching

Consistency matters

One dedicated coach throughout all 8 weekends

Experinced coaches

All certified with ACA &/or CSIA

Hassle-free experince

Daily chatered motor coach, with lift tickets all included

Have completed the Stage 1 skill foundation

Ideal for skiers who:

If most of this sounds like your skier, they’re ready for the next step. The Performance Academy is a great option.

Are 7–12 years old

Are ready for the next step in their ski development​

Want to explore ski racing while prioritizing technical growth

Are building toward becoming confident, skilled lifelong skiers

Saturday's · 8 Weekends

Sunday's · 8 Weekends

$1,645

+ HST

$1,495

+ HST

The Laurentian Traveller track

The Gatineau Traveller track

Ages

7-12

Transportation

Charted highway motor coach

Lift Tickets

Included for all ski centres

Ages

7-12

Transportation

Charted highway motor coach

Lift Tickets

Included for all ski centres

Predominantly further and larger ski centres in the Laurentians — the same peak-season hills our competitive Pursuit athletes train on — with one Gatineau and one Eastern Ontario week for variety.

Predominantly closer-to-home, smaller-sized ski centres located in Gatineau, with two visits to the Laurentians, and two Eastern Ontario trips mixed in — a great rotation of local hills, plus some further adventure.

+$25 Late Fee: Applies after Dec 15th.

+$25 Late Fee: Applies after Dec 15th.

Skier participating in recreational ski racing on a snowy slope.
Young skiers at Performance Academy for recreational ski racing.

The True Bridge Between Recreational Skiing & Competitive ski Racing

MIDWEEK MOMENTUM 
PERFORMANCE ACADEMY

The true bridge between recreational and competitive alpine ski racing, with courses set to Alpine Ontario standards.

$1,290

+ HST

Schedule

11 weeks, 5:30–9:00pm, starting Jan 6

Ages

7–13, as of Dec 31, 2026

Group Ratio

6 & Under

Up to 5:1, often 3:1

Contact us based on skill

Program Details

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS · MOUNT PAKENHAM

Or $990 when opting out of the lift ticket package (SAVE $300)

+$25 Late Fee: Applies after Dec 15th.

Runs longer and trains more consistently toward racing than Weekend Performance Academy programs — Momentum athletes are race-ready with no additional nights or days needed.

The Next Level, When You're Ready

The Midweek Momentum Performance Academy is designed to bridge the gap between technical skiing and competitive racing.

Athletes have the opportunity to participate in recreational race events during the season, while those with bigger racing ambitions can explore Regional, National Capital Division (NCD), and Outaouais Ski Zone (OSZ) events with the support of their coaches.
 

Racing is always optional. Every athlete’s journey is different, and we work with each skier and family to understand their goals, build confidence, and create the right pathway forward. For athletes looking to explore additional competition, race entries are available on a per-event basis — allowing them to take the next step at their own pace.

How each night breaks down

5:30 – 7:00 PM | Technique

Athletes work on their skiing technique, including short turns, early edge initiation, long turns, mastering the outside ski, and gaining a feel for speed.

7:00 – 8:00 PM | In the Gates

Training in brushies and stubbies set by our coaches, helping athletes get a feel for racing and understanding the dynamics of gate skiing. Towards the end of the season, they may have the chance to ski in mini gates.

8:00 – 9:00 PM | Targeted Training

The evening concludes with further ski development, focusing on skills that need improvement based on the previous gate training session, ensuring well-rounded and proficient skiers.

ENHANCED OPTIONS

CAMPS & EXTRA TRAINING

DRYLAND TRAINING

Included in every program

Early-season destination camp

Banff, Alberta — SkiBig3

DEC 6–11, 2026 | REGISTRATION DUE AUGUST 28

Run jointly with our sister school, Snowhawks Ottawa, this first-class Rockies ski experience combines a family vacation with high-level early-season athlete development. Athletes will receive three days of focused pre-season technical training led by top-level CSIA & ACA coaches, building confidence, early-season performance fundamentals, and huge momentum heading into the winter season. Download and read the trip flyer below for details.

ADD-ON PRICE

/ per athlete - Taxes included

Must be registered for Snowhawks’ December Western Getaway with a legal guardian to join this camp. See flyer & details below.

$599

Skiers preparing for recreational ski racing on snow.

Pre-season training camp

New Year’s Pre-Season Camp

DEC 28–31, 2026 | Backup date: Jan 1, 2027

Travel by deluxe motor coach to Sommet Edelweiss, Mont Cascades, Calabogie Peaks, and Sommet Morin Heights for four unforgettable days of pre-season race training.

 

Over four days, athletes travel to four different resorts spanning Eastern Ontario, Gatineau, and the Laurentians. With a focus on pre-season preparation, coaches work on short-turn and technical foundations for faster SL & GS turns — and the principles behind every strong turn — as athletes prepare for an exciting season ahead.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 4 days of expert coaching — two top Gatineau ski centres, one in Eastern Ontario, and one in the Laurentians for great variety

  • 1–2 days of gate training, depending on snow conditions and availability

  • Supervision by caring coaches and parent chaperons

  • Pizza lunch with snacks and a drink on day 3

  • All lift tickets to each ski centre

  • Motor coach travel to and from the resorts, every day

CLUB MEMBERS

$590

Open exclusively to Ottawa Sports Alpine Club members enrolled in an alpine program, and participants from our sister school, Snowhawks Ottawa. Not open to other participants.

SNOWHAWKS

+$120

Skier jumping in snow for recreational ski racing.

Another camp is coming…

Townships

March 7–10, 2027

A fully inclusive alpine race camp, returning to the Québec Townships. Three days of skiing, training, adventure, and everything taken care of.

RACE DAY REGISTRATION

$99

CLUB JACKET

$550

EXTRA TRAINING DAY FEES

$119 + group rate ticket

ALPINE CLUB FAQs

Skiers participating in recreational ski racing at a resort village.

Need Help? Speak with a coach today!

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