Nordic
January 7 - February 6
$300* (early-bird pricing has ended)
Tues/Thurs 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. at Sunset Hills
or 10 a.m. Saturdays at Crosscut
*You can opt to extend this to 8 weeks later on.
Age cutoff: skiers should be ages 5-7 by January 1, 2020
January 7 - February 27
$275 * (early-bird pricing has ended)
Tues/Thurs 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. at Sunset Hills
or 10 a.m. Saturdays at Crosscut
Age cutoff: skiers should be ages 5-7 by January 1, 2020
January 7 - February 27
$450 * (early-bird pricing has ended)
Tues/Thurs 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. at Sunset Hills
or 10 a.m. Saturdays at Crosscut
Age cutoff: skiers should be ages 5-7 by January 1, 2020
October 2: Parent Info Meeting, 6:30 pm, Bozeman Public Library
November 1: Early-bird registration deadline
November 2: Program prices increase $50
December 1: Final registration deadline
January 7: First Day
BSF uses the U-age-group system.
Here’s how the U-system works:
Child’s age as of January 1 of this coming ski season:
U6= age 5 Stay on this page for all your info.
U8= ages 6-7 Stay on this page for all your info
U10 & U12 =ages 8-11 >> Go HERE
U14= ages 12-13 >> Go HERE
Ages 5-7
Learn to cross-country ski. We take holistic approach to skiing. We work on the fundamentals of skiing: agility, balance, and coordination. And we focus on creating a fun and supportive environment that can support a diverse range of skiers and create a healthy team atmosphere. For this age group, we focus on classic (or diagonal striding) technique, including double poling and double-pole kick, through games, exercises, relays and other fun activities. Kids work with U.S. Ski & Snowboard-certified coaches in groups of the same age and ability to build confidence, community, and skills.
These 5-7 year olds will have a blast learning to ski with friends during these 5- and 8-week introductory programs.
No prior ski experience necessary. Children are placed into groups based on age and ability. They can spend multiple years participating in BSF Intro, and when they want to move up to the Development Team (no racing required), they can easily make the move--even during mid season.
You choose the length and frequency:
5 weeks (2 days a week): $250
8 weeks (1 day a week): $225
8 weeks (2 days a week): $400
*If you choose 5 weeks, you have the option of extending to 8 weeks later on.
Tuesday & Thursday Sessions
4:15-5:30 p.m. at the Sunset Hills
Drop off zone at Lindley Center (1102 E. Curtiss St.). No parking at Lindley Center, but if you'd like to park, please use Cypress St., by the Lindley Pavilion.
Saturday Sessions
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Crosscut
Skiers will need a trail pass for Crosscut; a season's pass for children under 12 is just $5!
Park in the main parking lot. Meet in front of the ticket cabin/warming hut.
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Your skier can move up to the Development Team, starting at age 8. Or, they can remain in the Intro program up through age 11.
Ask a coach if you're not sure which program (Introductory or Development) is right for your child. If a skier wants to move up to the Development (Devo) program mid-season, just talk to a coach. We're flexible.
Moving up is easy. The Development Team is open to ages 8-15. Now with more options for skiers with varying interests! It's for the intermediate skier with 1-5 years of Nordic instruction. No racing is required. We continue to use games, exercises, relays and other fun activities to build both skills and age-appropriate endurance. Try us out. We think you'll like it!
You are not required to have a trail pass to participate in the Tues/Thurs program 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, and 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.
For those participating in Saturday programs, you will need to purchase a trail pass for Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. (These are typically in $5 range for a season pass for kids!)
Tues/Thursdays meet in front of the Lindley Center. Skiers can be dropped off in the Lindley Center Parking Lot (1102 E. Curtiss St). NO PARKING in the Lindley Center Parking Lot. If you'd like to park, we recommend parking on Cypress St., near the Lindley Pavilion and making the short walk over.
Saturday Intro sessions are at Crosscut Mountain Sports Center at 10 a.m. Use the main public parking lot. Meet in front of the ticket cabin/warming hut.
Last-minute schedule changes do sometimes occur: we'll announce those as needed, via email and the TeamReach app.
At the end of December, you will receive an email requesting you to fill out a survey. Please be sure to respond; your answers will help us make an the best initial placement of your child into a group on the first day.
BSF has a generous scholarship and financial aid program, thanks to our donors. BSF's new policy is that this program is now also open to our Intro Program participants! Applications for financial aid and most scholarships are due mid-October each year. Learn more here.
Proper equipment is required. U6 & U8 Intro skiers only need one pair of classic skis.
SKIS
Skiers in the Intro groups should use fish-scale (waxless) classic skis. We do NOT recommend 3-pin bindings; they tend to get stuck in the groomed tracks.
We do not recommend waxable classic skis for U6/U8/U10 age groups. But, if you do start looking towards a pair of waxable classic skis, which is what most U12 Development Team skiers begin to use, please know that parents are required to put kick-wax on their own child’s skis (BSF Intro coaches do not wax kids skis).
Classic sizing:
Skis - Classic skis should be approximately the height of the child or up to their wrist when their arm is raised above their head.
Poles - Classic poles should reach between the armpit and the shoulder.
BOOTS:
It is suggested for most U6/U8/U10/U12 skiers to have combi boots. These cross-country ski boots will come up over the ankle. Skiers will be able to classic ski and/or skate ski in these boots, enabling the U10 and U12 age groups to just have 1 pair of boots.
BINDINGS:
There are 2 binding systems in cross-country skiing, the SNS (Salomon) system and the NIS or NNN system. Please make sure your child’s boots and bindings match! If you have Salomon boots and NNN bindings - they will not go together. Fortunately, most youth combi boots and bindings have NIS/NNN binding systems - but if you’re not sure, please reach out and ask.
CLOTHING:
We recommend that skiers dress in layered clothing that does not restrict movement and prevents overheating but still protects them from the elements. Multiple layers are better than one thick, insulated layer. We recommend a buff/neck warmer for cold and windy days. Skiers are required to have (at a minimum): waterproof gloves/mittens, a hat, and a windproof jacket layer. Younger skiers (U6 and U8) will often wear their snow-pants. Older skiers (U10 and U12) will often wear a lighter weight weather-proof cross-country ski pant.
Skiers may want to have a headlamp for the first few weeks of practice when it gets dark so early.
SNACKS: Remember to eat a small snack between school and skiing. Cold temperatures lead to higher energy requirements for skiing and keeping warm. Kids should also bring a water bottle (please label with name) so they can stay hydrated during practice. BSF will provide hot cocoa and snacks at the end of every Intro session - as long as there is a parent volunteer to organize this!
Bozeman kids are a hardy bunch. Lessons will only be canceled due to extreme temperatures. Coaches will make those decisions as necessary. Sessions will not be canceled or postponed due to lack of snow or snow conditions; instead, we’ll communicate instructions for dry-land training (ski-specific activities for outside when snow is not available).
We do not have make-up days, for either sickness or weather-related
cancelations. No refund for canceled or missed practices.
While we don’t put on formal races in the Intro program, we typically organize fun relays. Should they wish, BSF hosts a FUNSKI series, which many kids jump into (often with a parent), including a fun relay with costumes. There are a number of other local races in Montana with youth categories. At this age, it's important to keep racing a fun experience; it's not about the results. As a parent, you can help by focusing on the experience of watching your child: "I love to watch you ski," rather than focusing on their performance.
Also, it's important to note that racing is never mandatory in any of BSF's programs. Ultimately, we hope that most skiers come to love the personal challenge of a race. But they can also choose to participate in the BSF training only, even as they get older.
When you register for the program, you will be added to an email list. Our coaches will communicate weekly details to you through email, as well as any last-minute changes. (It’s important that you do not unsubscribe to BSF emails, as this is our main mode of communication in the winter.) If for some reason, you are not receiving emails from the Intro Coordinator, let us know!
BSF is a volunteer-based nonprofit. We highly encourage all families to get involved. You can help improve the experience of our kids, and you can help us keep program fees as affordable as possible. New this year, we are encouraging parents to volunteer during Nordic Intro practices! We will have several opportunities at every practice (including skiing along with a group and serving snacks and cocoa). Thank you in advance!
If you aren't available during practice, BSF has plenty of other volunteer needs to fill: www.bridgerskifoundation.org/about/volunteer
The trails we use in and around Bozeman, including those at Lindley and Sunset Hills, are groomed in the winter by Bridger Ski Foundation. BSF must fundraise to cover grooming and maintenance costs; donations and trail pass sales are vital to continuing this service. Trail passes are voluntary; please consider purchasing a family pass if you can. And be sure to explore all the trails.
It's on to U10 (ages 8-9)! U10 skiers can choose between Intro and Development. And your child can move between these programs as they're ready--even during the middle of the season. If your child is loving skiing, the Development Team meets 3 days a week and is a great, fun option. Please don't hesitate to talk to a coach if you have questions about which U10 program is best for your child. Everyone is different.
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.
The LTAD is the ideal progression for an athlete, based on science, and allows for an individualized approach. This makes it easy for your child to progress through our programs as they age and develop, even on to skiing as an adult Masters athlete. That being said, not every skier has the opportunity to start at Phase 1. Skiers are welcome to join us at any stage.
The LTAD is a living document and is updated frequently. View the most up-to-date LTAD for Nordic HERE.)
Ages: 2-6
Years skiing: 1-4
Days per week: 1-3
An emphasis on outdoor recreation. Ski for play, fun and balance. Parents should encourage play, rather than training. Child should participate in many physical activities and explore individual coordination or balance-based sports. Team sports are encouraged to build teamwork, ethics and fair play.
Begin to develop fundamental movement skills through play, fun, novel activities. Explore activities and games that use a variety of body movements and that encourage range-of-motion and exploration of movement options. Fast movements developed by running, jumping, throwing. Create a foundation for agility, balance and coordination through participation in multiple sports or physical activities. Endurance is established through sustained activity and play.
Athletes in Phase 1 should have fun on snow, with games and play enhancing both enjoyment and skills. This includes learning how to run on skis, gaining confidence, general athletic skills, fitness and coordination. Terrain should be flatter, shorter trails.
At this time, it’s important to foster an environment that promotes enjoyment amongst the participants. Provide participants opportunities to experience success with even the most fundamental of tasks and positively reinforce these behaviors. Inspire a passion for the sport.
Competition only exists in the form of cooperative games or relays on skis.
Ages: 6-10
Years in skiing: 1-4
Days per week: 2-6 or as enjoyable
An emphasis on outdoor recreation. Parents should emphasize activity versus training. Child should play many sports, with active participation in coordination- or balance-based sports.
Increase play to enhance specific elements of physical fitness in open environments. Continue to establish foundations of endurance through sustained activity and play. Add duration to activities and games. Introduce and practice mobility exercises through unorganized play and some structured activities. Use fun playful activities to enhance body awareness, spatial awareness and object manipulation.
Athletes in Phase 2 should have fun on snow, with games and play enhancing both enjoyment and skills. Gaining confidence and coordination while running on skis in multiple directions. Ability to balance on both skis while moving downhill. Tactics are learned through self-discovery by skiing and adapting to different terrain.
Continued cultivation of a fun environment to allow child to continue to experience success. Use simple self-talk cue words to reinforce task-oriented behaviors. Focus on the love of sport.
Compete for fun. Local competition at age-appropriate distances.