Cross Country NWT

Cross Country NWT's Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 8pm over Zoom.

To attend, email [email protected] for the link and documents.

Adam Clinton was one of four recipients of the CCNWT Post-Secondary Grant recipient in the 2025-26 school year and ski season.

In his words, here’s how the season went:

I am very grateful to have received the Cross Country NWT post-secondary funding for the 2025–26 ski season. This support has allowed me to continue pursuing both my academic and athletic goals while representing the Northwest Territories.

This year marked my first season competing for Carleton University while studying Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. Balancing a demanding engineering program with year round ski training was challenging, but skiing provided me with chances to get my mind away from school as well as helped me stay focused and disciplined.

Throughout the season, I competed in a number of high level events including Easterns and Nationals, I've continued building on my experience from the Yellowknife High Performance Team. Training in a competitive environment pushed me to improve, and I saw steady progress in my performance. As I continue training I am looking towards my next goal of representing the NWT at Canada Winter Games in 2027.

The funding helped offset major costs such as travel and accommodations at races, race and trail fees, and new equipment including poles and roller skis, making it possible for me to train and compete at this level.

Next year I hope to continue competing at a high level and representing the NWT and Yellowknife on the national stage.

Joseph Curran was one of four recipients of the CCNWT Post-Secondary Grant recipient in the 2025-26 school year and ski season.

In his words, here’s how the season went:

I am super grateful to have received the CCNWT post-secondary funding for the 2025-26 ski season. Training in Canmore/Calgary, I had access to some of the best training opportunities in all of Canada including the Canmore Nordic Center, Winsport, Banff, Peter Laugheed, etc.

For this season, I was racing with a new team called Peak Nordiq based out of the Calgary area supporting high level post-secondary U20/U23 athletes. I am stoked to have super supportive coaches and teammates from all over the country that help me focus on my strengths and achieve my goals. Building off of a great season last year, I was able to travel to the Okanagan for the Sovereign Invitational, Monte Sainte Anne for Canadian Nationals and race multiple Alberta Cups in the Canmore/Calgary area.

This year, with the very unpredictable snowfall and conditions we had, I was able to use some of the funding I received form CCNWT to purchase more skis and new poles to diversify my fleet. Also, CCNWT has supported me in getting to and from important races. Travel can often be a big expense and I am super grateful to have been able to travel and race at high caliber races across the country with the rest of my team. Some of my notable results from this past year include 5th in the CCUNC Nationals Relay, and 14th in the Nationals Skate Sprint. As well as attending some super fun training opportunities like the Lake Louise Snow Camp, and the Peter Lougheed Cookie Race.

I look forward to another season of training and hope that I will continue to push myself while continuing to represent the NWT!

Morgan Young was one of four recipients of the CCNWT Post-Secondary Grant recipient in the 2025-26 school year and ski season.

In his words, here’s how the season went:

2025-26 was my third year of competing on the Nipissing Ski Team and my third year of receiving the post-secondary grant. CCNWT has provided me the support I need for the last years of varsity skiing, and previously with my time with the Yellowknife Ski Team.

Located in North Bay, Ontario, Nipissing University has been recommended by multiple former coaches who previously studied and competed at the university. Our young team continued to get even stronger this year and continues to be a strong force in varsity skiing. While the season is only 3-4 months long, we train all year round, which includes long hours on rollerskis, high volume weeks and many strength and conditioning sessions in the gym.

Our team had a successful season, earning multiple Ontario Cup titles, multiple podium finishes at the national level, and a 4th-place finish at the OUA championships. We also delivered a strong performance at the national championships in Quebec City, Quebec. I was fortunate to win one of those Ontario Cup titles in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

In a world where many things are becoming less affordable, this grant provides aid to offset a lot of the costs that come with the sport, such as travel, equipment and race fees.

I am very thankful to Cross Country NWT for the continued support, and I am grateful for the lessons and experiences that this amazing sport has given me. I’m already looking forward to next season and what that will bring.

Kira Young was one of four recipients of the CCNWT Post-Secondary Grant recipient in the 2025-26 school year and ski season.

In her words, here’s how the season went:

2025-2026 was my second year training and racing for McMaster University. Although Hamilton is not known for its cross country skiing, my team trains creatively with a prolonged rollerski season, weekly drives North in the winter to a variety of training venues, and McMaster’s state-of-the-art dryland training facilities.

This type of training innovation is paradoxical but reminiscent of frigid nights in Yellowknife spent doing circuits in the ski club or on the ski erg. The funding I received from CCNWT played an important role in my training and racing this winter.

The grant funded essential gear, including a new pair of skate skis. The funds also subsidized race fees and critical travel expenses that enabled my training through the winter. This year, and with the help of CCNWT funding, I raced at several events across Ontario and Quebec, including the Eastern Canadian Championships, the Ontario University Championships, and the Ontario Cup circuit. These races were marked by personal best results in the U20 category and tremendous growth from the previous season.

Training in Southern Ontario to ski race demands flexibility and persistence, but I believe that’s in the nature of the sport. This season has been incredibly rewarding and community-building, and I look forward to training hard over the summer. It’s a privilege to pursue cross country-skiing with the support of CCNWT.

This year, we worked with Spirit North (thanks to funding from the Community Sport for All initiative) to run ski programming for 755 youth across the NWT. Here are some of the highlights!

Want to coach Team NT's cross country athletes at the 2027 Canada Winter Games? Get your application in by tomorrow!

Cross Country NWT's call-out for Canada Winter Games coaching staff is open until Thursday, April 30.

Canada Winter Games cross-country ski events take place in Quebec City over February 26-March 7, 2027. Positions available include: assistant coach, team manager, and wax technician.

Email [email protected] for a copy of the application and coach selection policy.

Reminder that applications for our administrative role are due tomorrow!

CCNWT is hiring a motivated and organized individual to support the growth of cross-country skiing across the Northwest Territories as an administrative contractor.

What you’ll do:
✔️ Support member clubs, communities, and partners
✔️ Coordinate programs, events, and athlete development
✔️ Manage communications, reporting, and online presence
✔️ Support the implementation of Safe Sport with our member clubs and executive
✔️ Assist with financial coordination, grants, and funding
✔️ Support Team NWT at major events like AWG, Nationals & CWG

Ideal for someone with experience in sport, non-profits, or community-based organizations who enjoys working collaboratively and independently.

Location: NWT
Position: Contract, Part-Time, 20-40 hours a month, start date June 1, 2026

Interested or know someone who’d be a great fit?

Contact Lisa McShane, President CCNWT at [email protected] for more information. Please submit your resume by April 30, 2026

We are offering free short-term ski rentals from Friday April 17th to Friday May 1st to Inuvik Ski Club members only. See poster for details. If you haven't already, you can purchase a membership on our website: https://www.inuvikskiclub.ca/membership

CCNWT is hiring a motivated and organized individual to support the growth of cross-country skiing across the Northwest Territories as an administrative contractor.

What you’ll do:
✔️ Support member clubs, communities, and partners
✔️ Coordinate programs, events, and athlete development
✔️ Manage communications, reporting, and online presence
✔️ Support the implementation of Safe Sport with our member clubs and executive
✔️ Assist with financial coordination, grants, and funding
✔️ Support Team NWT at major events like AWG, Nationals & CWG

Ideal for someone with experience in sport, non-profits, or community-based organizations who enjoys working collaboratively and independently.

Location: NWT
Position: Contract, Part-Time, 20-40 hours a month, start date June 1, 2026

Interested or know someone who’d be a great fit?

Contact Lisa McShane, President CCNWT at [email protected] for more information. Please submit your resume by April 30, 2026