About Youth Biathlon

The opportunity to learn about and participate in biathlon is available to members who are also enrolled in a Middle School or High School cross-country ski racing program at Blackhawk or another club/school.  For more information about the Blackhawk Nordic Ski Team, click here.

Youth must demonstrate the mental and physical maturity to handle a biathlon rifle to be in the program. The program is led by Mark Torresani who is a certified USBA Coach.

The Introductory Middle School program is geared towards teaching basic biathlon skills including safety. Participants must have experience Nordic Skiing. The cost of the Introductory Middle School program is $175 and lasts from Early December through early March. The fee includes coaching, ammunition, use of a biathlon rifle at practice and other range equipment. Participants are expected to compete in local races throughout the season. Participation in races may require additional fees paid directly by participant.

The Advanced Middle School program is geared towards teaching biathlon racing skills including safety, Nordic ski racing technique, range procedures, and shooting skills for biathlon racing. The cost of the Advance Middle School program is $175 and lasts from Early late November through early March. The fee includes coaching, ammunition, use of a biathlon rifle at practice and other range equipment. Participants are expected to compete in local and regional races and can participate in their age group at national events, Race fees will be additional expense paid directly by participants.

The High School biathlon program is for biathletes with previous experience in biathlon races, Nordic ski racing and plan to participate in biathlon and Nordic races through the season. High School biathletes need to be physically strong enough to shoot standing and ski with a rifle. All participants in the high school biathlon program will need to have their own biathlon rifle or lease a biathlon rifle from Blackhawk.  A very limited number of club rifles are available for lease by youth in the high school program for a fee of $250 for the season. Biathletes leasing a rifle are expected to maintain the rifle and return it in good condition and cleaned. The cost of the high school biathlon program is $200 and lasts from October through March. The fee includes coaching and other range equipment and ammunition for practices. Participation in races will require additional fees paid directly by participants.

Practices

• Introductory Middle School practices are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and starts on December 5^th.
• Advanced Middle School practices are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and starts on November 7^th.
• High School practices will be held on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and starts on October 25^th.
• Adult biathlon practices are held on Tuesday evenings. Adult participants are expected to have their own skis, rifle and ammunition.  Adults must be “red book” safety certified and a Blackhawk Ski Club member to participate in any adult practice at Blackhawk. Please visit the Biathlon page for more information.

Other Events

TBD

2023-2024 Schedule of Events

*see link to Youth Race Results on the Adult Biathlon page

Date - Location - Event*

3 Dec 2023: MN Club Race - Mt Itasca, MN

10th Dec 2023: WI Club Race - Blackhawk Ski Club, Madison, WI

16-17th Dec 2023: Regional Race #1 & #2 - Mt. Itasca, MN

26th Dec - 1 Jan 2024: Youth & Junior Trials - Mt. Itasca, MN

7th Jan 2024: WI Club Race - Ariens Nordic Center

20th Jan 2024: MN HS Nordic Championships - Mora, MN

10-17th Jan 2024: World Master's Biathlon - Virmiglio, Italy

13-14th Jan 2024: Regional Race #3 & #4 - Elk River, MN

14-25th Jan 2024: Youth Winter Olympics, Korea

21nd Jan 2024: WI Club Race - McMiller, WI

27-28th Jan 2024: Regional Race #5 & #6 - Blackhawk Ski Club, Madison, WI

29th - Feb 10th 2024: Youth European Championships 

3rd Feb 2024: WI MS/HS Sprint Intro to Biathlon - Ariens Nordic Center

10-11th Feb 2024: WI HS Nordic Championships  - Cable, WI

14-15th Feb 2024: MN State Tournament - Giants Ridge, MN

18th Feb 2024: WI Club Race - McMiller or Ariens, TBD

21-24th Feb 2024: American Birkebeiner - Hayward, WI

25 Feb 2024: MN Club Race - Elk River, MN

22 Feb- 2 March 2024: Youth and Junior World Championships - Otepaa, Estonia

2nd March 2024: MN Club Race -  Snowflake, Duluth, MN 

3rd March 2024: WI Club Race - Blackhawk Ski Club, Madison, WI

9-10th March 2024: Regional Race #7 & #8 - Ariens Nordic Center

16th March 2024: MN Club Race - Mt. Itasca, MN

21-24th March 2024: USBA Nationals - Ft Kent, Maine

USBA Certification

USBA membership is required to participate in practices and races at Blackhawk. To participate in races or adult practices, USBA safety certification is required. Biathlon Safety Clinics are typically offered in December and April. Watch the Blackhawk calendar of events for the next scheduled safety clinic. USBA memberships are from $15 to $75 and are available at:

https://www.teamusa.org/us-biathlon/membership/join-usba-online

For more information about the Blackhawk biathlon programs, please mark.torresani@blackhawkskiclub.org.