2026 Olympic Winter Games Selection Criteria (Internal Nomination Procedure) 

Thank you to those who submitted feedback on the draft 2026 Olympic Winter Games Selection Criteria. 

One key area of discussion was section 5.c.8: Priority 2. The purpose of Priority 1 and 2 criteria is to identify athletes who have demonstrated medal potential for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, aligning with the stated objective of the INP.  

Based on your feedback, the High Performance Committee (HPC) considered: 

• Ensuring a meaningful Trials event that supports head-to-head racing 

• Which performance benchmarks (e.g., top 10s, top 12s) were indicative of podium potential 

• The impact of World Cup experience on podium potential 

• The difference in performance benchmarks in sprint versus distance events  

• Results at Trials from unexpected circumstances 

After considering the feedback and predictive data, the HPC has updated priority 2 to the following: 

“Priority 2: 1 X top 10 AND 1 x top 12 individual final finish race result at a 2024-25 World Cup or 2025 FIS Nordic World Ski Championship.” 

Priority 3 criteria will allow us to emphasize head-to-head competition, ensuring a meaningful Selection Trials event with adequate preparation time (7 weeks) before the Games.  This approach aims to select the best team capable of delivering peak performance when it matters most. 

Questions: cjeffries@nordiqcanada.ca

The catch is that Nordiq Canada must apply for money by Dec 23. Yes! That is a tight turnaround. Our hope is to apply for this limited-time funding by submitting an application with multiple projects already happening in our clubs and divisions across Canada, and projects planned for next year. If successful, Nordiq Canada would work with clubs and divisions to refine projects and create partnership agreements.

There are two timeframes for projects:

April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025

Applications are open for projects you’ve already completed (since April 1, 2024) or plan to complete by March 31, 2025. Projects must already have funding in place as we may not find out we have been approved for any money before March 2025, or we may not receive any money at all! Examples of projects:

• Para Nordic Development Camps
• Para Nordic Classifier Expenses
• Club programs that reach any of the underserved groups
• Ski Playground events that reach any of the underserved groups

Apply Here

April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026

In addition to the ideas above, you can also apply for funding to support future initiatives. Successful applicants will be notified by late winter 2025, giving you lots of time to prepare.

How to Apply

Submit your application to Nordiq Canada by December 13, 2024.

Want inspiration? Check out examples of previous projects here:

• https://nordiqcanada.ca/news-item/welcoming-winter-uniting-2slgbtqi-canadian-newcomers-through-nordic-skiing/
• https://nordiqcanada.ca/news-item/cross-country-skiing-building-community-in-canadas-north/
• https://nordiqcanada.ca/news-item/we-all-belong-on-the-trails-and-no-skier-left-behind/
• https://nordiqcanada.ca/news-item/twelve-nordic-ski-clubs-across-canada-to-benefit-from-canadian-sport-for-all-initiative-funding/

Let’s continue to make skiing accessible for all!

Our celebrated National Ski Team is made up of superior athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic streams. What does it take for them to be the best? If you ask our athletes, they will tell you it takes hard work, dedication, and focus. As an organization we know Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship achievements require significant investment and support from across the country. These investments in high performance will trigger success at every level and for every member — from grassroots to podiums.  We believe that when athletes succeed, we all succeed. Do you believe you have what it takes to lead the organization through this strategy to greatness? If so, we’d love to hear from you before December 13.

Learn More

“A lot of the feedback we received was along the lines of, well, I just went over there and all I did was get coffee, or I drove the van. So we really wanted to shift the program to being learning objective based for those people that were coming in and aligned it with their coaching education and pathway. We wanted to offer them a true opportunity to say, ‘Yeah, this is what I want to get out of my experience – I’m really hoping to do XYZ,’ and then where that was possible, we’re able to give them that opportunity,” said Julie Beaulieu, Sport Development Director for Nordiq Canada. 

Andrew Brisbin was one of those coaches that took advantage of the program last season. The provincial coach for Saskatchewan, Brisbin joined Nordiq Canada’s Development Coach Matt Smider, and Anna Healy, a coach from the Wostawea Cross Country Ski Club in New Brunswick, at a three-week training camp in Canmore, Alberta and Sovereign Lake, British Columbia last November. 

Working with the top U20 athletes in the country and being able to learn and compare notes with Smider and Healy, was something that Brisbin wouldn’t have been able to do without being part of this immersion program. 

Andrew Brisban coaches Nordiq Canada Development Athlete Jérémy Lantz

“Having an opportunity to kind of see what those athletes that are there now, what they’re doing, and then just interacting with other coaches and athletes from across the country was a lot of insight. In Saskatchewan, we see athletes and coaches from our neighbouring provinces, but it’s a big country – there aren’t a lot of opportunities for Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada to interact,” said Brisbin who primarily works with U16 and U18 athletes in his day-to-day coaching. 

This year, Nordiq Canada has received 47 applications for the program which again includes several training camp opportunities for coaches, but also opportunities for both coaches and wax technicians to attend international competitions like the Junior/U23 World Championships and the FISU World University Games, both being held in Italy. 

Katherine Denis, a former competitive racer who now coaches at Nakkertok Nordic near Gatineau, Quebec, had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea last January as part of the program and came home with a renewed confidence in her coaching abilities. 

“One of my biggest takeaways (from the experience) is that I’m actually pretty good at what I do as coach. Not to be arrogant or anything, but this experience gave me added confidence. I know what I’m doing. I have the skills. I have the knowledge. And I also have the ability to acquire more of both those things,” said Denis who was involved with logistics, coaching, and wax tech work in Gangwon. 

Katherine Denis, Eric Bailey, and Alison McArdle wax skis at the 2024 YOG

“The other thing that really stuck with me is how important the team environment actually is when you land. I worked with Eric Bailey, head coach for the event, and we got along so well. I learned so much from him.” 

It’s that learning that Beaulieu is so grateful for. “We couldn’t offer what we offer to our athletes if it weren’t for these coaches who volunteer for these opportunities. And because of them choosing to be better, we’re then able to offer better programming to our athletes.” 

Beaulieu also highlights the benefits of coaches and wax techs being able to share the knowledge gained from these experiences when they go back to their home clubs. 

“We’re in a decentralized system, so the opportunities for our coaches to get together from across Canada, to have time to learn, to share knowledge across the system are pretty limited. But what Andrew learned, he brings back to Saskatchewan, and what Anna learned, she brings back to New Brunswick – and they both teach it to the coaches there. So, I have massive gratitude, because (these coaches) are literally who are supporting our development pathway for our athletes which then creates opportunities to become stronger as a nation through shared experiences.”  

Providing more opportunities for women and non-binary coaches is also something that Nordiq Canada has made a commitment to and is something that Denis herself is working to promote.  

“I would say over the past couple of years that I have become part of that goal of trying to get more female coaches involved in the sport,” says Denis. “I don’t feel like I’m on the other side, seeing it happen anymore. I’m already an experienced coach and I’m part of that group coming up and I’m watching as other female coaches do it too – it’s really fun to see.” 

Denis hasn’t applied for another opportunity this year as she wanted to focus on preparing her club athletes for the competitive season, but said she will look for more opportunities in the future and encourages others to do so as well: “Everyone who can do so, should be looking too. Because that’s part of what these kinds of experiences give you – at the end, to be able to say to yourself: ‘yeah, I can do this.’” 

The 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Game Cross-Country Ski Team

For more information on coach and wax tech development and learning opportunities with Nordiq Canada, please click here. 

Written by Julie Forget

Schedule: 

November 13^th King Court’s Classic Sprints + Sit Ski

November 14^th 10 km Interval Skate

Race Notice 

Registration  

2026 Olympic Winter Games Selection Criteria (Internal Nomination Procedure) (click to view)

Submit Feedback (click to view)

The deadline for feedback is Friday, November 8th. We encourage you to offer your input before this date, to allow time to consider all perspectives.

A Town Hall discussion with High Performance Director Chris Jeffries, is scheduled for November 12th 12:30 pm MST/14:30 EST to discuss the following topics:  

• 2026 Olympic Winter Games Selection Criteria (Internal Nomination Procedure) 
• 2026 Olympic Winter Games Long List 
• Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Selection Trials 
• Friends and Family Tickets  

Join Zoom Meeting 

Meeting ID: 832 2825 9563 

Passcode: 056548 

The final version of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Selection Criteria (Internal Nomination Procedure) will be published on the Nordiq Canada website.  

Questions: Cjeffries@nordiqcanada.ca 

Thank you, we look forward to your feedback. 

Draft 1 2025-26 Para Nordic Athlete Assistance Program Selection Criteria (click to view)

This is your opportunity to send us your comments and thoughts, which will contribute to developing the final version of the criteria. 

Submit Feedback 

The deadline for feedback on Draft 1 is November 7th. We encourage you to offer your input before this date, to allow time to consider all perspectives.

The final version will be published on the Nordiq Canada website.  

Questions: Cjefferies@nordiqcanada.ca

Thank you, we look forward to your feedback. 

Draft 1 2025-26 Para Nordic National Ski Team Selection Criteria (click to view)

This is your opportunity to send us your comments and thoughts, which will contribute to the development of the final version of the criteria. 

Submit Feedback (click to view)

The deadline for feedback on Draft 1 is October 28th. We encourage you to offer your input before this date, to allow time to consider all perspectives.

The final version will be published on the Nordiq Canada website.  

Questions: Cjefferies@nordiqcanada.ca

Thank you, we look forward to your feedback. 

Frozen Thunder is financed and operated through a partnership agreement between: Nordiq Canada, Biathlon Canada, Alberta World Cup Academy, Alberta Biathlon, Nordiq Alberta and a grant from Alberta Tourism and Sport and the Alberta Government. Frozen Thunder operates with the support of the Canmore Nordic Centre

Frozen Thunder Reserved Track Time is Monday-Sunday 07:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 

• Skiers must purchase and wear a Bib to use Frozen Thunder during reserved track time, as well as a Canmore Nordic Centre trail pass, which can be purchased at the day lodge or online.  

Anyone not wearing a bib or without a trail pass during reserved scheduled times will be asked to leave the Track even if they are a member of a funding partner.  

• Reserved time periods are for high performance athletes training at high speed and intensity. Slower skiers MUST yield to faster skiers so as not to interfere with or impede this training.  
• Pulks, child ski carriers or any other skier towed devise not directly used for training, coaching, or health and safety response are NOT allowed on Frozen Thunder during this time. 
• November 6, 8, & 9 – Biathlon Canada Trials. Only users invited or registered to participate in the events will have access to Frozen Thunder until it is finished.  
• NOTE: Nov 5 and 7 are training days for the Trials.  
• November 13 & 14 – Nordiq Thunder Races. Nordiq Canada will be hosting 2-days of races in the classic and sprint formats. Registration is done separately through Zone 4.  
• Non-reserved Frozen Thunder track times: Monday – Sunday from 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM.  
• Users do not require a bib to ski during this period.  
• A Canmore Nordic Centre trail pass is required to ski between 12:00 – 5:00 PM. 
• Use of Frozen Thunder after 5:00 PM is free. 

Bibs

• Cost for Bibs during the reserved Track times are: 
• $115 for All Access (4+ days of skiing) 
• $35 for Single Day access  
• Only people skiing on Frozen Thunder need to purchase a bib.  
• Bibs must be purchased BEFORE booking the Biathlon Range (which is booked through the Canmore Nordic Centre). 
• All bibs are purchased online through Zone 4 starting October 8, 2024, at 10:30 AM MST. No bibs will be sold in person.  
• There is a $20 bib deposit fee. The deposit will be refunded upon return of the bib. Refunds will not be accommodated after Dec 20, 2024. 
• Bibs must be ordered by noon the day prior to the pickup date so they can be properly packaged and prepared. Bibs to be picked up Saturday, Sunday or Monday must be purchased by noon on the preceding Friday.   
• Bibs are picked up from and returned outside the Nordiq Canada office located at the Canmore Nordic Centre (100, 1995 Olympic Way).  

For more information or assistance contact: Cindy Chetley – Manager, PN High Performance and Athlete Services, Nordiq Canada 

The results from the survey are below:

Based on the survey results, survey comments, community feedback and allocation of resources, Nordiq Canada has decided not to implement a Wax Protocol for the 2024-2025 Nordiq Canada sanctioned races.

Fluoro Testing:

Nordiq Canada’s testing philosophy is to employ a community minded trust approach.

This includes:  

• Canada Cups

• Nordiq Cups (COC) / Nordiq Canada Selection Trials

• Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals

• Tier 2 events (Provincial)

• Tier 3 events

Not Permitted:

• Fluoro kick wax

• High fluoro (HF), medium fluoro (MF), or low fluoro (LF) glide wax,

• (New bullet) Including HF, MF, or LF powders, pucks, blocks and liquids

• Fluoro cold weather powder additives and hardeners

• Fluoro grip powders

Learn More