The Jackrabbits program has seen a large hop in attendance over last year.
The program has an extra 20 children participating. Last year 35 children took part in the cross-country skiing lessons. This year that number is 56, a two-thirds gain that hasn't lost momentum.
Last Saturday, new parents with children in tow were still showing up, eager to introduce their young ones to cross-country skiing.
Sunshine Borsato, who runs the program said, “one of the biggest reasons is having the rental shop now.”
“A lot of them are using the rental shop.”
The rental shop had increased their stock of children’s gear, as they had anticipated demand for children becoming larger, but Borsato said the shop had lent out all of its equipment for young people when the Jackrabbits came through.
“We’re going to have to increase that again for next year,” Borsato said.
The largest group of kids in the program is the five and under group, with 27 participants, a mass that will move up through the ranks for years to come.
“It’s amazing to see kids this young getting good balance, at this point it’s totally transferrable to other sports. And it’s nice to get them more active and to see families doing it together.”
The program begins with simply playing on skis, with more skill development as they get older. But for the children, the hot chocolate and cookies are the best part.
Robyn Anderson, a parent of three children in the program, said her children look forward to the lessons.
She enjoys the time on the snow as well.
“It’s such a great family activity. We can all get out and enjoy the beautiful winter,” she said.
“It’s so close and it’s such a great facility that you can’t not take advantage.”
For more information on the program, contact Sunshine Borsato by phone at 250-747-0777 or by email at sunshineborsato@hotmail.com.