Who We Are

The Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI) is a non-profit organization designed to promote and advance the sports of cross country and telemark skiing in Canada through the provision of high quality instruction. CANSI strives to promote a positive and proactive approach to the teaching of cross country and telemark skiing skills through lesson planning and instruction.

CANSI offers four levels of certification in Cross Country techniques and three in Telemark. Telemark skiing is a downhill style utilized with free-heel bindings and specialized equipment. Advancement through the levels in both areas marks a progression in an individual's ability to teach more advanced or expert skiers. Although CANSI's primary focus is certifying instructors to teach the general public, services beyond instructor certification are also available.

CANSI is the body through which new technical advances in the sport are directed to the learning skier.

Each region appoints their national representative through regional elections. To be a member of the National Board of Directors, an individual must be an active member in good standing with the association and be elected by the region in which they reside.

History

CANSI was formed in 1976 through the influence of Nordic instruction programs of the Canadian Ski Association, the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance, and Ski Quebec.

There are dedicated members who have been a part of CANSI for many years. From the legendary Sigge Bjorklund to more recent members, CANSI has seen the introduction of skate technique and the addition of telemark instruction as a distinct discipline. CANSI continues to shape the future of nordic skiing in Canada.

Mandate/Goals

  1. To provide a standard of excellence in certified Nordic instruction by maintaining a uniform and current level of expertise in Nordic skiing and by delivering nationally sanctioned pedagogy to the skiing public.
  2. To educate the skiing public to the advantages of instruction in Nordic skiing.
  3. To maintain a viable and functioning communciation network, focusing on technical and pedagogical advancements, which in turn, will provice supportive and stimulating resources to instructors to pass on to the public.
  4. To promote and maintain national and international liaison within the Nordic disciplines.

National Board of Directors

CANSI is governed by a Board of Directors made up of one representative from each of the six regions of Canada

    Pacific - British Columbia and Yukon

    Mountain - Alberta, Northwest Territories

    Central - Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut

    Ontario

    Quebec

    Atlantic - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador

Each region appoints their national representative through regional elections. To be a member of the National Board of Directors, an individual must be an active member in good standing with the association and be elected by the region in which they reside.

Technical Committee

The CANSI Technical Committee reports to the National Board of Directors, and is made up of representatives and advisors from each of the six regions of Canada. The responsibilities of the Technical Committee include:

  1. Develop and advance Canadian nordic XC and telemark skiing technique and teaching
  2. Establish standards, resources and procedures for the delivery of CANSI technique and training (ski technique, pedagogy, and certification progression)
  3. Ensure that CANSI technique and training is delivered in a professional manner
  4. Actively collaborate with the technical groups of other snow-sport instructional organizations
  5. Coordinate National Level courses (XC Level III, IV and Telemark Level III)

The Technical Committee meets by teleconference on a regular basis, and in person at the National Technical Seminar. On matters that require a vote, each region has one vote which is cast by the regional representative. The chair of the Technical Committee does not cast a vote, except to break a tie.

The regional technical representatives are responsible for disseminating technical information to their regions through regional briefings, and the coordination of regional level courses (XC Level I,II, and Telemark Level I, II).