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The ARCTIC SMILE Program

An adrenaline charged activity and a challenging way to explore the frozen Arctic!


Through a simple vehicle capturing wind-power, Kunoki opens-up the possibility for northern residents to sail over the frozen bay, rivers or snowy tundra for a unique outdoors workout. The Paraski, is this new dynamic activity, high in color and adrenaline, and tailored to Arctic winter-spring environment. To get a quick overview, play the video;

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A new activity, a new vehicle, a new sport

In sync with local environment and culture
Paraskiing is associated with nature, health and adventure. It is refreshing and youthful, offering a new level of freedom to scout the land, hunt, fish or just have fun on the bay.

Trendy, challenging and cross-generational
Paraskiing is one of the family of booming kite sports. Head-to-head races are natural challenges between kiters. Races and games are easy to organize and favor cross-generational gatherings and interaction. Fun, health and friendship are all found in this windy side of paradise which makes the Arctic Smile Program truly inspirational.

The Program includes: initiation camps, instructor training courses, and the organization of specific events aimed at fostering cross-generation gatherings and the meeting with other Arctic communities.



Initiation Camps

Kunoki has developed an original, hands-on approach that enables communities to get easily and quickly acquainted with this new sporting activity, a week-long initiation camp that your kids are not about to forget!

Our instructors gather all the equipment on an open field, where it is most convenient for all the community to observe and access what is sure to become a genuine "amusement park". Our colorful tent becomes the meeting point and base camp for all enquiries and registration matters for the week.

A typical six-day camp includes:

  • Video conference to the school on first day of arrival
  • Daily initiations (first steps to follow-through courses) with qualified Kunoki instructors
  • All the needed equipment, comprised of 10 to 20 Paraski sails, harnesses, skis and bindings, ski boots, protective helmets and the base camp tent.


Instructor Training Camps

These specific training camps are reserved for Nunavik, Nunavut and Northwest Territories residents who want to become paraski instructors in their own communities. The camps are generally held in communities with an established Kunoki club*, in order to benefit from the human and material resources already in place.

The newly-formed instructors will assist the club-owning community in the management of the club and form new paraskiers with the provided gear. They will also be called upon to help out in future initiation camps and/or Kunoki events in other Arctic communities.

The First Kunoki Rider's Team In 2007, Kunoki plans to set up the first Kunoki Arctic Rider's Team. Composed of the best Inuit riders, this team will participate in the initiation camps and events planned in the Nunavik and Nunavut

Team selection will be held during the fist Instructor training camp. Camp date to be confirmed.

Interested? Fill in the application form to reserve your place. Maximum 12 participants.