U16-U20 (Ages 14-19

5 days per week

The Competitive Team (aka "Comp Team") offers a great team atmosphere and advanced coaching for the dedicated skier. The typical training season runs mid-May through early April, but we
also offer options for summer-only training. Coaches work with athletes one-on-one to develop training schedules.

We take a holistic approach to skiing, focusing on technique, fitness, and strength, as well as personal wellness, team dynamics, and club culture. We're here to help athletes reach their potential; but we're also here to have fun and help them grow into great people. BSF takes full advantage of the 70+km of trails we groom, as well as nearby Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. During dryland, we live the ultimate Bozeman life--running incredible mountain trails, roller skiing on rolling hills, jumping in the water to cool off, mountain biking, playing games, and more. Optional camps provide additional training experiences. We understand that some athletes have other extra-curricular conflicts; we're flexible and work with multi-sport athletes. Talk to your coach. You can still join us as your schedule allows.

How much you travel and/or race is up to you. See the athlete development plan and your coach for suggestions.

SCHEDULES

Typically meets 5 days a week. (Some athletes may go up to 6 days per week, with training on their own.)

*locations and activities vary. Coaches will send out weekly schedules.

Spring (May until school gets out):

TU: 4 - 6 p.m.
WE: 4-6 p.m.

TH: 4-6 p.m.

Summer:

TU: 8-10 a.m.

WE: 8-10 a.m.

TH: 8-10 a.m.

FR: 8-10 a.m.
SA: 8-10 a.m.

Fall & Winter:

TU: 4 - 6 p.m.
WE: 4-6 p.m.

TH: 4-6 p.m.
SA: a.m. (Fall 9-11 a.m.; winter 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
SU: a.m. (Fall 9-11 a.m.; winter 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

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REGISTRATION OPTIONS

U16 Year-round: 2023 TBD

U18 & U20 Year-round: 2023 TBD

Summer Only: 2023 TBD

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• 10.5 months of training
• Transportation to training (varies: see coach for details)

• Team apparel (optional)
• Canmore summer camp (optional)
• Beartooth camp (optional)
• June on-snow camp (optional)
• Thanksgiving camp (optional)
• Homestake Camp (optional)
• Race fees & travel costs (dependent on amount of racing)
• Intermountain Division (IMD) license (required
  for Junior National qualification)
  
• U.S. Ski & Snowboard license (required for national level races)
• FIS license (required for international races)
• Crosscut Mountain Sports Center pass
  Skiers should purchase a trail pass for Crosscut Mountain Sports Center; we will use that terrain on some weekends. (They offer a reasonable youth season's pass. Buy early for lower prices.)
• Community Nordic Trails Pass (optional)
  You are not required to have a trail pass to participate in ski programs on the in-town Community Nordic Trails. However, if you can afford it, we highly encourage all who use the winter trails to purchase a voluntary trail pass. The voluntary trail pass is a unique system, but it only works if skiers contribute. Bridger Ski Foundation grooms over 70km of trails for the community, which is an expensive proposition--from labor and maintenance to equipment. Donations and trail pass sales are vital to continuing this service. Be sure to explore all the trails.

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Payment options:

At checkout, you can choose:

• credit card (pay in full)*
• payment plan* (credit card or bank transfer)
• payment in full via bank transfer
  

*See processing fees below.

Payment Plans

For invoices over $1500, payments can be made in 3 payments. IMPORTANT: If your family is registering multiple children, please be sure to register and checkout all in one transaction if you'd like a payment plan option. The newly updated system does not allow us to combine orders/create payment plans after the fact. If participants are registered in separate transactions, it will result in separate payment plans.

(*If you have extenuating circumstances with the $1500 starting point on payment plans, please contact us.)

How the payment plan works: When checking out in SkiClub Pro (our registration system) choose "payment plan." New this year: the SkiClubPro system will automatically charge you for each of the three payments.

Processing fees:

The following processing fees will be added to your total. These are the fees charged by the payment processor; BSF does not keep any of these fees.

Credit cards paying in full: 3% fee

Bank transfer paying in full: no fee

Credit cards payment plan: 3% fee and $1.50 per payment ($4.50 total)

Bank transfer payment plan: $2.50 fee per payment ($7.50 total)

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BSF offers a generous scholarship and financial aid program. Applications are due mid-October each year.

Please note: If you need assistance, apply for it! These funds are meant to keep kids skiing. Applications are confidential, and we take into account all your circumstances, not just taxable income. (Too often, we see families assume they make too much money to qualify for help, and yet they are considering dropping out of a program because of the cost. Apply! )

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WHERE DO WE MEET?

Your coaches will send out weekly training schedules via email on Mondays, with a schedule of times and locations.

Weekday winter sessions are typically at Sunset Hills & Highland Glen.

Last-minute schedule changes do sometimes occur: we'll announce those as needed, via email.

TRANSPORTATION

BSF has sprinter vans, and we are able to provide complimentary transportation for some of our Comp athletes, with pickup at the Bozeman High School. Because space is limited, please talk to your coach about space and transportation needs. (Note for 2020-21: due to COVID-19, van use may be suspended.) BSF uses team vans or buses to travel to camps and competitions.

EMAIL

When you register for the program, you will be added to an email list. Your coaches will send weekly emails with the full schedule, important notes, and info for parents. Last-minute changes may also be emailed. (It’s important that you do not unsubscribe to any BSF emails, as this is our main mode of communication in the winter.) If for some reason, you are not receiving emails from us, let us know!

Team Reach App:

We also use the Team Reach app, for schedules and last-minute communications.

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VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS FOR EACH FAMILY

• Intro Programs: 1 to 3 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $75 - $225) 
• Devo Programs: 3 to 5 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $225 - $375)
• Comp Programs: 5 to 7 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $375 to $525) 
  

(Suggested donation calculated based on an average volunteer session of 3 hours and the industry standard value of volunteer time ($25/hour).)

One of the ways BSF keeps program fees lower is through volunteer hours. Without your volunteer hours, we would need to use additional paid staff to fill the void; this would increase program costs significantly, which would also make it more difficult for some families to afford BSF. When only a small percentage of BSF parents take on the brunt of volunteer hours, it leads to volunteer burnout.

We have openings for help at practices, organizing ski and fundraising events, helping at the events themselves, as well as trail work and volunteering for our community trails. We encourage you to volunteer for ANY program--Nordic, Alpine, Freestyle, or trails. If you have a specific skill set you think would be helpful, please let us know. There are always little things we need, from photography, to database entry, to hanging up posters around town. 

We highly encourage BSF Comp athletes to volunteer for these hours, not just parents!

We post signup sheets and volunteer needs throughout the year HERE.

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.

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Bozeman kids are a hardy bunch, but we will cancel a session if temperatures are extreme--especially if paired with wind. Whenever possible, an email/TeamReach message will be sent out notifying everyone as soon as it is determined to be too cold to train.

Your best bet is to always bring lots of warm layers; weather changes quickly.

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

BSF Newsletters contain regular "Parent Corner" articles to help you navigate the parent/athlete dynamic.

Intermountain Division (IMD) License

U.S. Ski & Snowboard License

FIS License

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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 Intro to the Development Teams, to the Competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult Masters athlete.

The LTAD is a living document that changes frequently. View the most up-to-date LTAD for Nordic HERE.

The following are excerpts from relevant phases of the LTAD: 

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.

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