What are Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 events and which can I enter?

Nordiq Canada groups events into tiers (definitions from the Nordiq Canada Events Primer, 2024-25 edition, the most recent published):

• Tier 1: a multi-divisional or national event, primarily for the U20 and Open categories (Learn to Compete 1 to Train to Win stages). Designated racers earn FIS and Canada Points List (CPL) points. Sanctioned by FIS and Nordiq Canada. Examples: Nordiq Cups, Canada Cups, Nationals.
• Tier 2: a divisional (provincial or territorial) event, primarily for the Train to Train to Learn to Compete 2 stages. Designated racers earn CPL points. Sanctioned by Nordiq Canada and the Division. Examples: provincial and territorial championships, provincial cups, Canada Winter Games.
• Tier 3: an event that is neither Tier 1 nor Tier 2, is open to racers who are not members of the host club, and collects more than $5 per participant. These suit the Fundamentals to Train to Train stages, inter-club events and community events.
• Club event: hosted by one club solely for its members.

Licence needed at a Tier 1 event (2026-2030 Tier 1 package, by the category you race in): Open and U20 need a FIS licence; U18 and U16 need a Nordiq Canada Race Licence; U14 and below are not eligible.

Sources: https://nordiqcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/Events-Primer-2024-25.pdf , https://nordiqcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/Nordiq-Canada-Tier-1-Events-Technical-Package-260903B.pdf