As we continue to enjoy the summer on the trails, countless volunteers are working behind the scenes to prepare the club for fall programming! Here’s the latest on what’s going on at Blackhawk!
Our summer women's mountain bike rides were well-attended and a ton of fun!
Run the Hawk 8/23--Twist 'n Shout Will be Closed
Join us for the annual Run the Hawk race 8/23! Details here. Please note that Twist 'n Shout will be closed for the race.
Open House September 13, 1-3pm
Bring a friend and join us for our annual open house! Wander the property, chat with program leaders, and get ready for another great year at the club!
Fall Ski Jumping Opportunities
Did you know ski jumping isn’t just a winter sport at Blackhawk? Blackhawk was the first club in North America to install plastic on their landing hills allowing training to occur year round. Starting in September there are two different ski jumping classes offered. All you need is the ability to ski down hill 2 comfortably, alpine equipment, helmet and rope tow gloves. Our coaching staff will teach you the rest! You can register for classes now on the Blackhawk Website. Questions - email jumping@blackhawkskiclub.org
2025 Intro to Fall Ski Jumping Tuesday’s at 6:15 P.M.
Tuesday lessons will take place from 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. beginning on Sept. 16th ending on Oct. 21st.
● Jumpers should be dressed and ready to jump at 6:15 p.m.
● Lessons canceled due to weather will be made up on Thursday’s when possible.
2025 Fall Ski Jumping Team
Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
● Soccer and warm ups from 5:45 to 6:10
● Jumpers should be dressed and ready to jump by 6:20 p.m.
● Fall Team jumping runs from Thursday, September 9th - October 30th (weather permitting)
Biathlon Updates
Biathlon just wrapped up a fantastic summer training session. Lots of progress was made with all the athletes and we are excited for the winter season.
But, before it gets cold enough for snow, we have a couple of Fall running races on the books: Oct 12th and Nov 9th. Be on the lookout for details and signups. There will be availability for racers without any previous experience or equipment to participate. So, if you're interested in trying out biathlon, these will be a great opportunity!
The US Biathlon Association and International Biathlon Union have implemented a new safety measure, and Blackhawk Biathlon has implemented it as well: chamber flags are required in all rifles when not in use for training or competition. Coaches and athletes that participated in the summer session are well trained in the new procedures. For any athletes unfamiliar with the rules, please speak with a coach. All Blackhawk Biathletes will receive a club supplied chamber flag.
Nordic Ski Updates
Borah Team Store now open for 10% off (only discount time all year!). Get your Nordic gear before the snow flies! https://blackhawknordic.itemorder.com/
Nordic Kids
Sunday slots fill up fast for Nordic Kids, and try as we might to add an additional weekend time, we do not have the staff at this time. So please sign up promptly on Sept 9 to ensure a Sunday lesson time! We will have private group lessons on the weekend.
Interested in teaching? We are looking for a few more instructors for our Nordic Kids program as well as private instructors – email xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org to learn more!
BNST (Blackhawk Nordic Ski Team)
Summer training wraps up next week with our last Out There Nordic clinic on Aug 22 8-10am. Registration for the winter begins for returning skiers on Sept 9. Middle School ski team (grades 5-8) and high school ski team (grades 9-12) begin practice in November. Questions about the team? Email alysa.hinde@blackhawkskiclub.org for high school and amy.grunewald@blackhawkskiclub.org for middle school. Hope to see some new skiers this winter!
Nordic Committee
Interested in getting more involved in our Nordic Program? Join us for our fall planning meeting on Sept 10 at 7pm in the West Chalet. Email xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org with questions.
Mountain Biking Updates
Women's MTB Rides Continue this Fall-9/24 and 10/22
Meet at the West Chalet at 6pm on 9/24 and 10/22 for a no-drop ride around Blackhawk!
Blackhawk Trail Crew Partners with Bike Parks for Kids Foundation and Lake View Elementary School to Provide Biking Opportunities
By Pat Remington
Lake View Elementary School, located on Madison's North side, is one of the most diverse schools in Madison. James Kersten is the Physical Education teacher, and he has worked tirelessly to provide more outdoor opportunities for his students, including getting them out on bikes. James developed a small bike trail in the woods at the school and is working to get bikes for the kids and improve the trails.
This week, several members of Blackhawk's Trail Crew went out to the school and built a single-track mountain bike trail that connects the existing trail to the school. We plan to continue this work by adding wood skills features and extending the trail around the school. The Bike Parks for Kids Foundation is providing a grant to support this work.
If you're interested in learning more about this partnership or supporting the work, please contact me at plremington@gmail.com.
Learn more about the Bike Park for Kids Foundation here.
Help us Rename the Pines Jump Line
Want to help rename one of our most popular trails? Suggest a name here.
Blackhawk Trail Crew Accomplishments This Summer
As you may have noticed, this year the Club focused its work on trail maintenance and improvements, rather than building new trails. Our hired trail crew—Mike Dobrient and Reid Watson—worked closely with Casey Bingham, our Facility Manager to mow, weed-whack, and trim all the trails during the warm rainy weather.
They also worked with many Trail Crew volunteers* to make a number of improvements in the existing trails, including:
· Improved the Playground Pump Track with bigger rollers and berms,
· Touched up a couple of Roller Coaster’s berms, and improved flow and drainage,
· Added two skinny wooden features to Lower Springs,
· Renovated the berms and rollers at the start of Howling Wolff, and added an optional jump,
· Rerouted the end of the West Connector to have a gentler climb with proper drainages,
· Re-worked the split between Gully Jumps and East Connector, creating more separation between the two trails for safety,
· Improved the top section of East Connector, including a small reroute for better drainage,
· Re-routed and improved sections of Dropper Down to provide better flow and removing hazardous exposed edges,
· Improved the second half of the green Pines Loop Trail, adding several new turns, existing turns banked for better cornering, and improved flow and drainage,
· Added a new rock garden on Deer Run for a more technical ride and erosion control, along with several new drains, and
· Reinforced the bridge on the Pines Jump Line.
*Including Bob Curry, Fritz Bush, Jeff Hoerning, Jim L'Heureux, John Riley, Lila Vanderloo, Kierstin Kloekner, Landon Arkens, Laurence Meade, Leah St. Clair, Luke Lamers, Pat Remington, Paul Wozniak, Tim Escher, Tom Anoszko, Troy Kattreh, Tye Gribb, and Walter Meanwell, and more!
Micro-Adventures at Blackhawk
by Jill Stevenson
It is hot and muggy, but there is a riot of color and activity at Blackhawk this month! Several native plants are blooming-look for the tall pink Joe Pye weed and its attendant pollinator bees! Also, the fawns are getting bolder; they are not just hiding in the grass anymore.
Strengthen your connection with nature (and your companion) by having small adventures at Blackhawk in the coming weeks. My recommendations for all ages:
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Picnic at the Otter Den on a breezy day
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Try out the Bike Skills park followed by a walk and talk down Hill 6 to cut a few flowers
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Take a dip in the cool spring pond after biking, ski jumping, or biathlon practice
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Head across Blackhawk Rd to hike the restored prairie and oak woodland at Pope Farm Park in early morning or evening
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Use your phone camera to capture a few nature photos to share-even the West Chalet flower bed is particularly inviting for closeups of native plant varieties.
Enjoy these Summer days!
Upcoming Events
For upcoming events and additional details, keep an eye on our club calendar: https://blackhawkskiclub.org/news/club-calendar
August 23, 2025 – Run the Hawk Race
September 9, 2025, 7pm - Returning member registration begins
September 13, 2025, 1-3pm - Open House
September 30, 2025, 7pm - New member registration begins