Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club will be operating a little differently this year, but with everyone’s cooperation, we will be able to offer the nordic skiing and programs you know and love in these COVID times.
The situation respecting COVID-19 continues to change frequently as it affects the activities of the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and its members.
This COVID-19 Plan has been developed in consultation with resources from Nordiq Canada, Cross Country Ski Ontario (XCSO), Nordiq Canada, Algoma Public Health, and the Government of Ontario in order to modify operations to align with public health measures in place across Canada.
Click here to read the COVID-19 policy approved by the SFNSC Board of Directors, October 27, 2020. This plan may be updated as requirements change.
Let’s work together to have a safe return to the sport of cross country skiing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child or will I be able to participate in programming this year?
Yes, however, all participants (athletes, coaches, parent assistants) are required to complete a screening questionnaire in person before participating in each session.
No one should arrive at the ski trails if they are feeling ill.
Participants should leave immediately if there are signs of infection, contact public health if recommended, and follow self-isolation directives.
Will the blue clubhouse or the Hiawatha building be open for use?
The SFNSC blue clubhouse will be closed for use other than for essential access by designated volunteers and staff. There will be no access permitted for general club members or athletes for gathering purposes. The wax facilities in this building will be closed for the season.
Access to the Hiawatha Highlands building will be permitted with enforced controls for washroom use, rentals, and trail pass sales. An outdoor washroom will be located near the Hiawatha Highlands building. Please follow their protocol if you need to enter the Hiawatha Highlands building. Be prepared for bad weather. We encourage you to arrive ready to ski and stay safe by remaining outdoors.
Will there be changes to parking?
As per public health guidelines, we ask that you remain in your vehicle until you can maintain 2 meters apart from others outside your vehicle. Winter parking is especially difficult and we ask that all members make every attempt to maintain physical distancing in parking lots.
Do I have to wear a face mask?
Yes, employees, volunteers and members of the public are required to wear a face mask indoors and when unable to maintain physical distancing outdoors. This includes vehicles, storage buildings, warming stations and outdoor washrooms. The Algoma Public Health recommends NOT using a buff as a substitute for a face mask. A buff (a tube of thin, stretchy knit fabric that can be worn around the neck and pulled up to cover the nose and mouth) is usually too thin to provide adequate protection. These items become moist easily and are difficult to put on or remove without contamination. Likewise, masks with exhalation valves can allow your droplets to escape into the air. Face Masks – What You Need To Know
Will there be adult lessons this year?
Yes, adult lessons will be offered this season. Pre-booking is required (see website for details). All participants (instructors and participants) are required to complete a screening questionnaire in person before participating in each session. Attendance will be logged to help with contact tracing.
Will there be changes to Youth Skills Development programs?
Yes, there will be some changes to ensure everyone’s safety throughout the season.
Every participant (participants, coaches, volunteers) will complete and successfully pass a screening questionnaire in order to attend each session.
Attendance of all participants, coaches, assistants, (and where appropriate) participating parents will be logged to help with contact tracing.
To reduce high traffic areas, group sessions may have different starting locations, and staggered start times. Drop-off and pick-up protocols must be followed to facilitate physical distancing. Make sure you know where and when your session begins and ends.
Practice duration may vary to account for limited or no access to indoor spaces/warming facilities.
Equipment sharing should be avoided. This includes personal ski equipment, clothing, and lesson/game/training equipment. Where sharing happens, equipment must be cleaned between users.
Group sizes are limited based on XCSO guidelines. Coaches and assistants should be the same every week. Groups are divided into smaller numbers where necessary. There are enough leaders for the number of groups and children.
Coaches should plan to maintain two meters between all participants and volunteers (including parents and guardians) throughout the session including games or drills.
Participants should keep gloves or mittens on. If removed, hand-washing or sanitizer should be used when needed.
Individual bathroom breaks are favoured over group bathroom breaks, maintaining required supervision.
There will be a “no sharing” food and drink policy, and potluck style meals are to be avoided. Children/youth bring filled water bottles or drink belts and their own snacks.
Will there be training and races this year?
There will not be any SFNSC sanctioned races this year, however, your coaches may choose to hold time trials (individual start only). The provincial race schedule will be available online at the Cross Country Ski Ontario website.
Training may look a little different this year. Please adhere to the following protocol:
A record of participants for all practices and races should be maintained.
- All athletes, coaches and volunteers will complete and successfully pass a screening questionnaire in order to attend each session.
- “Get in, Train, Get out.” Athletes arrive ready to go and do not mingle with the group upon arrival or departure.
- Athletes (and parents) do not congregate, including in parking lots and stadiums.
- Participants have acknowledged the rules and restrictions set out in the CSA Guidelines for Remote Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (https://www.canadasnowboard.ca/files/CSA%20Guidelines%20for%20Remote%20Training%20During%20Pandemic.pdf)
- Equipment and surfaces are sanitized between users or not shared at all.
- Club equipment, skis, boots, or other equipment is assigned to an individual skier for the duration of public health measures and kept separate from other skiers and their equipment (i.e., brought home.)
- Team meetings are conducted online.
- Car shuttles (e.g., roller ski hill workouts) are not used during training sessions.
- Food and beverages are not shared.
- Personal belongings (e.g., phones, gloves, helmets) and training equipment (e.g., balls, ropes) are not shared or touched by more than one person.
- Training groups are kept consistent and do not change from one session to the next. This is to reduce the chance of cross-contamination from one group of athletes to another.
- Sessions do not take place concurrently in the same location or adequate space to separate groups is provided.
- Wherever possible, training sessions are held outdoors. Most jurisdictions have additional directives for indoor activities.
I am a Coach, do I need to know anything else?
Yes, coaches will follow the XCSO Return to Sport protocol for all training sessions, whether in-person or physically distanced.
All SFNSC coaches will be required to sign the SFNSC Coach Agreement
Coaches need to plan lessons and training activities that are structured so physical distancing (2 meters) is maintained.
Athlete arrival and departure times will be staggered to limit mingling.
Training sessions should be prepared ahead of time, keeping in mind individual athlete abilities in order to mitigate congestion.
The drop-off and pick-up sites, and other specific session directions and instructions should be communicated prior to arrival on site.