The Jackrabbit ski program has a new name.

The Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club announced yesterday that Northwestel will sponsor the popular children’s learn-to-ski program, now known as the Northwestel Jackrabbits.

The northern telecommunications company donated $30,000 in cash and $16,500 value-in-kind to the club on Tuesday, and will continue its long-time support of the local club by donating this amount for the next three years.

“We have been impressed with the ski club’s children’s programs,” Northwestel CEO Paul Flaherty explained in a press release.

“We are delighted to be able to support them and help young children learn how to ski and perfect their technique.

“Our winters are long and skiing is a great way to stay active and healthy.”

The Northwestel Jackrabbits are part of a national program provided by Cross Country Canada and Cross Country Yukon.

The title sponsorship is a great way for Northwestel to continue their support of the ski club.

“Northwestel has supported the cross-country ski community through its partnership with the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club,” said ski club manager Mike Gladish.

“Northwestel has been a venue and loppet sponsor for nearly 30 years and generations of Jackrabbits have been hopping around the ski club for nearly as long.”

The Northwestel Jackrabbit program is offered to children between the ages of four and eight and provides a foundation to develop skills and a love of skiing through fun and games.

The program uses a progression of skill development to teach all the basic ski skills but the main focus is to encourage kids to have fun on skis by playing games and using a variety of terrain around the ski chalet.

Northwestel’s sponsorship of the ski program is just one of many donations it has made across the North this year.

The company is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

Registration for the Northwestel Jackrabbits program will take place Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at the ski club.

For more information visit the club’s website at xcskiwhitehorse.ca or call 668-4477.