Preparing for 2025/2026 Season
Hello, ski friends
Your Ontario Masters executive hope that you are enjoying your fall training and are now almost ready to start the ski season! Zone 4 is where you register to be a member of the Ontario Masters. Please do so if you have not already at https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=38936&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Remember you must be a member of the Ontario Masters to participate in
1) Our December technique clinic
2) The racing points series
3) The Ontario Masters Championships
4) The Canadian Masters (Bill Gairdner) championships
5) World Masters championship
Fischer ski draw tickets available now with your registration- $10 each on zone 4.
Prizes - New Fischer Speed Max skis and bindings from our Gold Sponsor Stussi Sports in Vernon BC! Winner can choose classic ski or skate ski individually fitted by our Fischer techs.
Funds go directly to support our National championships annual social and Masters program across Canada.
Donations are shared 50% between the Ontario Masters and Canadian Masters association.
The lucky winner from last year’s draw was our very own Ed deLaplante! Congratulations Ed!
Fall Training and Social Event took place at Hardwood Ski and Bike on Sunday, Oct 19th
We had great participation at the fall training at Hardwood Ski and Bike. The rain held off for our training. We had 20 participants and there was a lot of excitement about getting ready for the ski season. Thanks to everyone who came out.
Canadian Masters Season Opener at Silverstar Resort- Hosted by Mike Bell and Canadian Masters on Nov 26th
Season Opening Nordic Social 2025
SilverStar Mountain Resort
Canadian Masters XC Ski Association and Sponsors
Wednesday, November 26th from 4 pm until 7 pm
You are all welcome to join us for our third annual season opener just before the Continental Cup Races at Sovereign Lake Nordic center on November 28th weekend!
Guest speaker - Becky Scott - CEO Nordiq Canada - Olympic Gold and Silver medalist and passionate advocate for drug free sport and past Olympic committee member. We are thrilled to have Becky working with us to support our Olympic Athletes and our Competition for Life partnership with Nordiq Canada.
Equipment demos from Fischer, Solomon, Dahlie, Star waxes, 4KAAD,
Stussi Sports our Gold sponsor, Sovereign to SilverStar marathon and more local sponsors!
Fun live auction to support our Olympic athletes for Italy 2026 - We will also be promoting cash donations for our Olympic athletes throughout the social (tax receipt possible).
Cash Bar and snacks plus all masters skiers, coaches, volunteers and competitors in Continental Cup are welcome to join us at the social and for dinner at the Black Pine Restaurant after the social .
Dinner is an individual purchase from their great menu!
Note: SilverStar Nordic Opening on November 21st for great early skiing and accommodations deals for members.
Email - canadianmastersxcski@gmail.com
Sovereign Lake Nordic Club opening as soon as snow arrives. Usually, November 11th or sooner!
Technique Day- Highland Nordic Dec 14th with Gord Salt
Back by popular demand, Gord Salt is leading a technique day for the Ontario Masters similar to last year at Highland Nordic. Schedule as follows Agenda: 9:30 - 10 am arrival, receive trail tickets from Wendy Grater 10 – 10:30 Warm up (on own) 10:30 – 12 Ski Coaching* (classic) 12 – 1 pm Lunch (bring your own, or snack bar available(tea, coffee, hot chocolate and goodies for purchase) 1 – 2:30 pm Ski Coaching* (skate) 2:30 – 4 pm Free skiing on trails 4 – 5 pm Social in Day lodge • Coaching sessions led by Gord Salt, Nordiq Canada coach. Cost per person: $45.00, including trail fee, $15 for season Pass holders at Highlands RSVP by Fri Dec 12th your intention to join to Jane at mastersnordic.on@gmail.com and e-transfer to mastersnordic.on@gmail.com
If there is poor weather, we may set an alternative date
Ontario Masters Championships -Mar 7 We are working with Hardwood Ski and Bike to host the Ontario Masters championships in conjunction with the Fisher Loppet on March 7th. More details on exact timing will be forthcoming in the next two weeks
Canadian Masters -Bill Gairdner Championships Feb 19-22, Fredericton, New Brunswick
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You are invited to join us in this beautiful New Brunswick city hosted by the Wostawea Cross Country Ski Club for some fun Atlantic hospitality and memorable competitions! The Canadian Masters- Bill Gairdner championship will be held the week after the Gatineau Loppet Feb 19-22. The races will be up on zone 4 by early December as well as tickets for the banquet to be held Saturday night. https://wostawea.ca/races/2026-masters/ For more details Contact wostaweaski@gmail.com |
World Masters 2026 – Jan 29th-Feb 6th, 2026
The World Masters is taking place in Sappada, in a stunning valley in the Dolomites in northern Italy. Still an opportunity to join our team in this famous nordic region just before the Winter Olympics in Cortina/Trento!
https://www.mwcsappada2026.com/
Those who have booked through Mike Bell should have received an email about the deposit required. If not, please email Mike directly.
Contact: Mike Bell
Canadian Masters XC Ski Association
National Director
Email - canadianmastersxcski@gmail.com
Cell - 250 540 1273
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Race Series and Points Calculation- NEW!
Please find enclosed the draft race series-put together by Mark Orzel. If you would like additional races to be considered for points eligibility, please reach out to Mark directly at This will also be posed on our website :
https://onmastersxcski.blogspot.com/p/ontario-masters-calendar-of-races.html
Ontario Masters Points System
Membership
- You must be at least 30yrs old and a current Ontario Masters member to collect points.
- Only races completed after you join count toward your points.
How Points Work
- Points are collected when you race in designated races.
2. Designated races are selected by the Ontario Masters executive and will be posted on the website and/or listed in the newsletters at the beginning of the race season.
- Awarded points are based on your age-adjusted race time compared to the fastest age-adjusted Ontario Master in your gender category (men and women scored separately).
- The race winner gets up to 100 points. Other racers earn points as a percentage behind the leader, using standard age-grading tables.
Race Requirements
1. Every Ontario Masters member who races will receive an age-adjusted points score and will be ranked.
2. Only your best 5 races will be used to calculate your season total, even if you compete in more.
3. At least 2 of your counted races must be long-course. The remaining 3 can be long or short course races (your choice).
4. You must compete in the Ontario Masters Championships and complete at least 2 races there. These races count toward your 5-race total.
Long-Course Definitions
Masters Category: Men aged 30–74 (Groups 1–9) and women aged 30–69 (Groups 1–8)
· Eligible Distances: 25 km or longer
Grand Masters Category: Men aged 75+ (Groups 10+) and women aged 70+ (Groups 9+)
· Eligible Distances: 15 km or longer
Exception: At the Ontario Championships, the long-course distance may be shorter than the standard distances listed above, but it will still count toward fulfilling the long-course requirement.
Single Racer Points Limit
If there is only one Ontario Master competing in a designated race the maximum awarded points will be 96 for that event
Winning
· A male and a female overall winner will be named based on who earns the highest total points. To qualify, racers must meet all Ontario Masters points criteria. This will be presented at the AGM.
Please email Glenn Edwards directly for any questions about the point series calculations: glennedwards29030@gmail.com
Additional Award- Relentless Racer
This award is presented to the skier who completes the most Ontario Masters designated races in a season. If there’s a tie, all tied racers will be recognized. The award is not split by gender; it simply honors the skier(s) who demonstrate the greatest passion for racing and participation. This will be presented at the AGM.
Other Useful Member Information
Hardwood Ski and Bike is offering membership to a Masters ski club for a minimal fee ($30). This is a drop-in ski and social program—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. https://hardwoodskiandbike.ca/hardwood-masters/
Alex Maycock, MSc, NCCP T2T ski coach has 4-5 master’s athlete coaching spots available for fall and winter ski specific training. Alex tailors the ski training plan to your unique goals including time availability to train and goal races. Alex coaches motivated master skiers who are eager to have a productive winter on snow. Several Ontario Masters are using a training program created by Alex.
Interested athletes please contact Alex at alexmaycockcoach@gmail.com or 519-939-6359.
Team Uniforms
There will be a second opportunity for our members to order the new Daehlie Canadian Masters uniform. This ordering window will be from November 14 - 21 via Zone 4 (https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=39212). Attached, are attached two explanatory documents that have been revised from the similar earlier version from the first ordering opportunity. With an eight week turn around time this round of ordering should arrive in mid-January.
If you would like to get your uniform faster there was a limited order placed to have some clothing 'on hand' in Vernon with Mike Bell, Canadian Masters. The inventory includes all items except the one-piece race suit. However, sizes are limited. The inventory sizes are primarily Men's medium & large, and Women's small & medium. For inventory ordering, there will be a 15% price increase from the prices listed on the Zone4 page or information documents, to cover credit card fees, handling, etc. If members are interested in this option they should contact Mark Orzel - morzel@rogers. com. Mark will have the latest information on inventory sizes and amounts. Items from inventory will require either pick up from Stussi Sports, Vernon BC or Mike Bell or shipping from Vernon at the members expense.
If anyone needs any clarification, please just send Mark an email.
Please find attached two documents: Cdn. Masters Uniform Summary and Canadian Masters Uniform by Daehlie.on this email. The first is an overview of the design and ordering process, and the second describes the garments, sizing, pricing, how to order, delivery timelines and how shipping will be handled.
These will be great looking pieces to add to your ski wardrobe!
Note: update on production of the first order. It is due for completion by November 07. We should have delivery by the third week of November and possibly earlier.
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