The operation of Canada’s National Cross-Country Ski Team (the NST) is one of CCC’s most important functions. It involves the careful management of our most precious asset – talented athletes who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of excellence. For the Association, success in this endeavour is the ultimate validation that CCC’s mission has been achieved.

The NST Program provides for the training, support and race preparation of selected athletes after they have graduated from Club racing programs. Selection is made on the basis of criteria which are established to ensure that athletes in the Program have the appropriate balance of ability, potential, motivation and commitment required to be or to become competitive internationally. 

The NST Program encompasses both able-bodied and disabled components. The Program is structured so as to provide a continuum of graduated support which will enable athletes to steadily improve along or above the critical path specified in the Athlete Development Model. This structure is designed so that thoroughly prepared, experienced and internationally competitive teams are generated for each successive Winter Olympics/Paralympics. 

The Program encompasses the NST and a feeder system of training centres. The NST includes the Senior Team (Senior World Cup and Senior Development Teams), Junior Team and the Para-Nordic Senior Teams (Senior World Cup and Senior Development Teams). 

For information on the members of the Senior World Cup Team, click here.

For information on the members of the Senior Development Team, click here.

For information on the Junior Team, click here.

For information on the Para-Nordic Senior World Cup Team, click here.

For information on the Para-Nordic Senior Development Team, click here.

For information on the coaching staff, click on The Coaches.

To learn more about CCC’s training centres, click on Training Centres.

For details of the NST Program philosophy, operating principles, structure, and objectives and tasks for the current year, click on NST Operational Plan and select the year in which you are interested. 

To see the selection criteria established for trips and events in the current winter and for selection to the NST for the following year, click on Selection Criteria and select the criteria for the year in which you are interested.

For an explanation of how athletes should progress along the path from learning basic skills to performing at the national and international levels, click on Athlete Development Model.

For information on the Sport Canada carding system, click on Athlete Assistance.

The Athlete Council serves to provide a forum to exchange views and develop consensus on the athlete’s perspectives regarding CCC programs and management. The Athlete Council selects representatives to sit on the CCC Board of Directors and specified Operational Committees. For more information, click on Athlete Council.

For commentary and observations from an athlete’s perspective, click on Athlete Articles.