IMPORTANT: XC does not offer drive up options for lessons - everyone must take the bus. To participate in our trips and lessons/guided snowshoeing, you must be a member. Find out more information about membership here.
November 17 update: We have confirmed our full schedule as well as the resort prices for this season.
As a heads up, we will be offering three virtual sessions for new and potential members in November/December. Check under social events for the registration modules.
Enjoy the fall and wait for more information to come!
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What are "marginal" conditions? This generally means not ideal skiing conditions - for example, a thin bumpy snow base, some bare patches to avoid, or icy conditions. For beginner skiers, these can be challenging conditions. These conditions are common at the start and end of the ski season as the snow builds up or starts to disappear. We also see larger differences between night and day temperatures, which affects the snow (i.e., there can by icy conditions in the morning and slushy conditions in the afternoon). However, with rising average winter temperatures due to climate change, meaning more warm spells and rain events during the height of ski season, these conditions can happen during the entire season (as we have seen the last couple seasons). Some skiers don't like these conditions; others love to get out on the trails no matter what. To figure it out for yourself, you will need to experiment on trips. Then know our policies, and make your decisions accordingly. While we do our best, it can be very difficult to predict conditions on a given day and this is only getting more difficult. We win some, and lose some - outdoor sports are always an adventure!
Schedule
Our schedule is available here. Locations are subject to change due to weather, illness, and other circumstances outside our control. This schedule is what we hope happens! Then nature dictates.
Registration Overview
Deadlines: Registration closes at 6:00 pm on the Wednesday before each trip. Sometimes it will stay open later if we know we are running the trip, but the bus isn't full. If the trip sells out early, join the waitlist and you may be moved on the trip if there are cancellations (see below). To cancel a trip, you must email cancellations@hpsc.ca by the Tuesday at 8pm prior to the trip. Do not respond to the confirmation email. See our cancellation policies and procedures for more information.
Registration Modules: As trip modules are created, they will appear in the calendar below (which you can change to list view if you wish). The date and time the trips open for registration is on the module trip descriptions.The registration button will only appear once the trip is open for registration. If you don't see it, either the trip is not yet open, the registration deadline has passed, or the trip is full. Anything out of the ordinary will be noted on the trip description.
Waitlists: Once a trip is full, we will enable the waitlist. Many members get on trips through the waitlist as there are always cancellations. Click "join waitlist" and you will register just like you would normally (choosing your trail pass, lesson, rental, bus options), but you won't pay. Once you are moved onto the trip from the waitlist, you will automatically be sent an email instructing you to pay. If you do not promptly pay, we will remind you and then give your spot to the next person on the waitlist. Keep a close eye on your email if you are on the waitlist.To pay, you need to log in to the website and then you will see a notification for the invoice in the lower right hand corner. If you want to be removed from the waitlist, email crosscountry@hpsc.ca so we can more quickly get people on trips.
Another advantage of the waitlist is that we can gauge if there is enough interest to add a second bus (if the resort allows it).
Walk-ons: If you miss the deadline and there are still spots available on the bus, we may allow "walk ons." Members can get on the bus without registering and we invoice you after. There is a $10 fee unless otherwise indicated. Check the status page to see if walk ons are allowed, at what stops, if there is a walk on fee, and any other details about it (you need to be logged in). The status page is updated by Friday at 12pm.
"Bring a friend" trips (i.e., guests): Guests are allowed on limited trips, usually at the end of the season when there is more space on the bus. Guests must know someone on the trip who registers them and is responsible for them. There is a $20 guest fee. There are detailed instructions on the registration module and in the FAQ on how to register guests (if allowed on that trip). Guests are only allowed on the bus (no drive ups), must be registered in advance (no walk ons) and MUST sign the waiver. Your guest must print the waiver, sign it, and bring is on the bus. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Information about the trip - facilities available at the resort, pick up locations and times etc. - are sent by email to participants and put on the trip status page by Friday at 12pm. Please do not email asking for these details prior to that time - we are busy getting organized!
Registration Instructions
Note: if you don't log in first, find the trip you want below, click register, and then you will have to provide the email you used when you registered for the club (if you use another one, you will not be able to successfully register). Then you may proceed with registration.
Click here for a PDF step-by-step guide with screenshots of the registration process.