February 1, 2010 (Calgary, AB) – Foothills Nordic Ski Club is pleased to announce the successful launch of its “Ski at School” Program, an initiative designed to introduce and promote cross-country skiing in Calgary area schools. Funded in-part by the Alberta Government’s Community Initiatives Program (CIP), the Ski at School Program involves multi-day ski lessons provided in the school yards of elementary schools in the local area.

In addition to CIP funding from the Alberta Lottery Fund, this exciting new program has been made possible through important contributions from several private partners. To facilitate equipment access, Foothills has purchased a demo fleet of children’s cross-country ski equipment (skis, boots and poles). In partnership with Salomon, a major ski manufacturer, and Lifesport Calgary, a local Nordic ski retailer, Foothills was able to acquire 40 sets of children’s sized cross-country ski equipment at a substantially discounted cost. To transport this equipment to and from area schools, a local energy company, DC Energy Services, has contributed a covered trailer that now features Foothills logos and branding for all program partners. The trailer not only facilitates delivery of all equipment to school sites but also generates awareness for the program, the club, and the sport as it travels throughout the city.

The Ski at School program is delivered by Foothills club volunteers, coaches and athletes that accompany the equipment to schools and provide on-site facilitation and qualified coaching. This includes grooming and track-setting in the school yards beforehand, helping kids get fitted with boots and skis, and providing stimulating lessons in a fun environment.

In its pilot year 2009/2010, an initial one-week program was successfully run the week of January 18th, with a second program delivered the week of January 25th. Weeklong programs are anticipated for 2 additional schools before winter’s end. As demand is high, Foothills plans to offer a full scale roll-out of the program in 2010/2011.

Foothills Nordic Ski Club has been part of the local nordic ski community for over 40 years and has a broad base of members pursuing a variety of levels of cross-country skiing and biathlon. The Club’s members range in age from 5 to 85, from Jackrabbits to National Team members and Masters level recreational skiers. Over one third of Foothills’ 700+ members are cross-country skiers under the age of 16. Foothills is the 8-time defending Canadian national aggregate club champion (cross-country) and is the home club for 5 members of Canada’s 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Cross-Country Ski Teams.