TRANSPORTATION

We'll have one van to pick athletes up from the Bozeman High School. Please contact your coach for additional details.

LOCATION?

Locations vary. Your coach(es) will send out weekly training schedules on Mondays. Schedule change announcements are emailed as needed.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Comp members are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Applications are due in mid October each year.

DRYLAND? 

The Devo Comp team spends the non-ski-season months training--running, biking, roller skiing, hiking, playing games, and so on. This kind of dryland training throughout the year is what works best for skiers. However, we do understand that some athletes have other extra-curricular conflicts. We're flexible. Talk to your coach. You can still join us whenever your schedule allows.

WHERE TO BUY EQUIPMENT

Since skiing is not an inexpensive sport to participate in, we make every effort to help parents and athletes secure gear in a variety of ways. BSF coaches will be available at all swaps to help answer questions.

• The Nordic Team holds an intra-club gear swap each October (before the big BSF Ski Swap at the Fairgrounds). This is a great time to source (and sell) used equipment among fellow teammates.
• Local retailers or online. (Your BSF membership gets you discounts at several local shops.) Also, keep your eyes out for the team BSF emails—occasionally retailers will sponsor team nights with discounts. 
• The Ski Swap, held each November at the Fairgrounds. Thousands of items. (It’s also one of BSF’s biggest fundraisers.) BSF members get in an hour early. If you volunteer at the event, you get in even earlier!

EQUIPMENT

SKIS

Skiers should have both classic and skate skis and poles. For skate and classic specific gear, it is best to use the manufacturer's size charts, which correlate the skier's weight and height to ski length and stiffness. At the ski swap, BSF volunteers/coaches will be on hand with a flex-test board to help match your skier with the best skis available. Please take advantage of this opportunity—skis that are too stiff or too soft can make for a very frustrating skiing experience. When purchasing new equipment through a local retailer, they will provide similar testing. 

Ski poles for skate should reach between the skiers chin and "mustache area." 

Classic poles should reach between the armpit and the shoulder. 

SKI WAX

On classic days, have a range of inexpensive kick waxes and a cork (local ski shops can recommend a few general kick waxes--blue, extra blue, purple, red--which can be kept in a baggie in your skier's bag. 

PARENT & ATHLETE RESOURCES

Please make yourself familiar with our policies, the BSF Athlete & Parent Handbook, and other important information on the Resources Page.

COMMUNICATION

When you register for the program, you will be added to an email list. Your coaches will communicate weekly details to you through email. (It’s important that you do not unsubscribe to BSF emails, as this is our main mode of communication.) If for some reason, you are not receiving emails from us, let us know!

We have also started using the Teach Reach App to convey last-minute changes and communications.

VOLUNTEERING

Races: Parent/volunteer assistance with races is needed and is a fun place for parents to learn about ski racing. No experience necessary. Look for info in emails. 

Other chances:

BSF is a traditional nonprofit, relying on donations and fundraisers to cover approximately 50% of our program costs. Volunteers donate thousands of hours each year. We couldn’t do it without you! We’re always looking for volunteers to help with our fundraisers, serve on committees, or help at Nordic, Alpine, and Freestyle/Freeskiing competitions.

LINKS:

Intermountain Division (IMD) License

U.S. Ski & Snowboard License

FIS License

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The why & how behind skier's progress through our pipeline

There’s a bigger picture to what BSF teaches skiers, when and why. BSF’s programs are consistent with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Systems.

What does that mean? We’re not focused on short-term success—and the hazards (and burnout) that often come with it. Instead, we follow LTAD plans that are individualized and based on science to make sure your child can maximize their long-term potential as a skier (should they wish to do so) and their enjoyment in the sport. We take into account a child’s development physiologically, cognitively and socially, as well as their experience skiing.

This makes it easy for your child to progress through our programs—from Youth Ski League, the Development Teams, to the competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult Masters athlete.

(View the entire LTAD for all skiing disciplines HERE.) 

PHASE 5

(puberty after growth spurt)

Girls: ages: 12-17

Boys: ages 14-17

Years in skiing: 6-11

Days per week: 5-7 in season, 4-6 out of season

TRAINING EMPHASIS

The emphasis on training becomes year round. Continue to use in complementary sports and activities for variety and to enhance conditioning. Implement periodized training with varying volumes and intensity.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL EMPHASIS

Athlete implements a periodized training program that places stress on the body and subsequent recovery time.  Athlete uses low-intensity aerobic, high intensity aerobic and anaerobic training to improve race fitness.  Athlete maintains a training log. Refine event specific technical and tactical skills to achieve desired outcome.  Integrate the increased strength, power and body size to achieve more complex movements and precision of skill application. Seeks more challenging terrain.

 PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY EMPHASIS  

Reinforce the idea that hard work creates more opportunity for success. Accountability is important. Self-analysis and the acceptance of feedback is encouraged.  Athletes analyze their own performance and identify areas for improvement. Enforce the concept that success is attributable to personal effort.

PHASE 6

(full maturation)

Girls ages 16+ 

Boys ages 17+ 

6-10 training sessions per week includes some two-a-day sessions. 7-12 sessions per week out of season.

TRAINING EMPHASIS

The emphasis on training is year round. Continue to use in complementary sports and activities for injury prevention, avoiding burnout, and to enhance conditioning. Use periodized training with varying volumes and intensity.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL EMPHASIS

All components of training are now periodized and individualized. Masters all techniques and develops personal style. Mastery of tactical strategies based on the athlete's strengths, discipline and goals. 

PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY EMPHASIS  

Athletes continue to have opportunities to experience success and the coach-athlete relationship is built on a mutual trust and respect. The coach-athlete relationship develops into a collaborative partnership with the athlete "self-coaching" and sharing feedback with coaches. Athletes refine their use of positive self-talk and imagery. Work towards mastery of more complicated techniques. Practice with distractions to challenge athletes. Identify the ideal performance state and implement strategies to achieve this state consistently. Work towards mastery of all aspects of preparing mentally for competition.