Thanks to our volunteer snowmakers and club manager Casey Bingham, we have snow! There’s a Nordic snow loop from the bottom of Hill 2 to Leonard’s way, and we anticipate on-snow programs starting on Saturday, Dec 9, with open downhill skiing and snowboarding THIS WEEKEND! Watch our website, Instagram, and Facebook for updates! 

Winter Volunteer Opportunities 

Help us run the club this winter! Take a look at our volunteer page and email the listed contact or kelsey.berg@blackhawkskiclub.org to sign up to help!  

Tow Rope Monitor Training and Sign-Up for Full Access Members  

Ski Patrol is holding training sessions for tow rope monitors starting this weekend. We are asking that every full access member have a representative attend one training session. Trainings will be held at the West Chalet and walk out onto the hill on:  

Saturday, December 9 at 9am, 10:15am, and 11:30am  

Sunday, December 10 at 9:45am and 11am  

Monday, December 11 at 6pm  

Thursday, December 14 at 6pm  

BART and Ski Jumping: training dates will be announced once practices begin  

Blackhawk Ski Patrol News

CONGRATULATIONS to our new ski patrollers for an outstanding effort in receiving their Outdoor Emergency Care certification this past November!

Joining our roster for the 2023-2024 season are:

Rachel McMinn 

Noah Pollard 

Andrew Shea 

Sara Taylor 

Tiffany Virag 

We’re super excited to have you as part of our patrol. 

Please ski and snowboard safely while enjoying our hills and trails this season. 

Join Blackhawk Ski Patrol! Toboggan Training starts Monday, 12/11! 

Interested in joining the Blackhawk Ski Patrol? We still have space in our toboggan training class, which starts Monday, December 11!  

In this fun class, you'll refine your ski or snowboard skills, learn how to safely transport a patient down the hill, and meet awesome new people! 

Classes will be held on Monday evenings from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and will last approximately ten weeks, with an on-hill exam at the end.  

If you are interested in becoming a patroller or would like more information, please email Rob Kudrle, Blackhawk Patrol Director, at skipatrol@blackhawkskiclub.org. 

You can also visit our Ski Patrol web page for more information. 

Uphill Skiing at Blackhawk  

Uphill skiing is an essential skill to master and a great workout that many of our members enjoy, from biathlon, nordic, and even the occasional skinning by telemark and alpine skiers.  

To ensure this is a safe activity for everyone, please be mindful of our uphill skiing rules and guidelines. 

• Always be visible to snowcats and other skiers, especially in the dark! 

• All skiers must abide by the skier responsibility code. 

• When descending, watch for marked slow zones, blind spots and other skiers 

• When tow ropes are running, uphill skiing is limited to specific areas and/or hours with exceptions for nordic programs further defined in our uphill skiing guidelines. 

Private Nordic Ski Lessons 

Want to learn how to cross-country ski or improve your skills? Lessons are coordinated by the XC Private Lesson Coordinator (Amy Grunewald Mattison) and can be arranged at xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org. When inquiring, please dates/times for possible lesson, name of skier, youth (please provide age) or adult, technique (classic or skate) and goal of lesson as well as contact text/phone number. 

Outdoor Exploration Update & Events 

November was a great month for Outdoor Exploration, especially our Family Orienteering Challenge on 11/22 and our Family Night on 12/2! Thanks to all of the families that came out and found clues, made pinecone bird feeders and paper snowflakes, and ate so many s’mores with us! For more details, and to register for events (or volunteer to help!) visit the Outdoor Exploration page. 

This Friday, Dec 8 is our Parents’ Night! Moms, Dads, Grandparents, all caretakers of kids, this night is for you! Join us for a grownup-members-only, fireside evening at the West Chalet. We’ll learn a few nature-inspired crafts, preview upcoming Outdoor Exploration events, and battle it out in a 90s music trivia contest! Bring your favorite mug and a snack to share. Pre-registration is appreciated at https://blackhawkskiclub.org/youth-programs/outdoor-exploration or email jen.stclair@blackhawkskiclub.org. (If you can’t make it but would like to be added to our mailing list, email Jen for that as well.) 

 
Friday 12/15 1-3pm - Outdoor Exploration Homeschool Time (Meet at West Chalet) 

Join us for a short hike and some orienteering lessons! All ages are welcome, parents must be present. 

 
Monday 1/1 10am-12pm - New Years Day Hike (Meet at Nordic Kids Trailer) 

Get your adventure resolutions kicked off with a fun hike/snowshoe (will depend on conditions.)  

 
Friday 1/19 6pm-8pm - Parents Night (Meet at West Chalet) 

Join us for a fire, tea and cocoa, and a book chat about Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods. 

Fat Biking Update

Winter Fat Biking season has begun. Please not a few important updates: 

1. Some trails have been closed (i.e., those leading to the bottom on Hill #2), and some are now 2-way. Please check out the new Winter Fat Bike and Snowshoe Trail Map. As you can see, bikes now avoid the busy areas near the cross country trails down by the biathlon range.  

2. There are a few cross country ski trail crossings on the East side, and on the Lower Springs trail. Bikes should yield to skiers.  

3. Please don't walk on the fat bike/snowshoe trails. Boots and shoes sink in, and can ruin the trail. If you'd like to walk the trails, please use snowshoes.  

3. Don't forget to check out MadCitydirt.com for trail conditions.  

Finally, contact bike@blackhawkskiclub.org if you have any questions or concerns about fat biking. 

Women's Alpine Ski Clinic 

We are offering an alpine ski clinic for women taught by women! Do you want to improve your skiing or take it to the next level? Want to ski with friends and make some new friends? Need some tips to ski longer or more efficiently? Join us for an afternoon of skiing Sunday, January 14 from 1-3pm. Cost is $60/per session. Email kelsey.berg@blackhawkskiclub.org to sign up. 

Intro to Ski Jumping Lessons 

Introduction to Ski Jumping classes are Tuesday evenings at 5:45, Saturday mornings at 10:15, and Sunday afternoons at 12:30. Learn more at SKI JUMPING. Questions? Contact Contact Girly Gessner at jumping@blackhawkskiclub.org. 

Parking Tags 

Returning members will receive updated stickers for the parking tags and new members will receive their tags in the next few weeks. Please be patient, this is a very labor-intensive process being done by volunteers. 

Important Dates 

Friday 12/8 7pm-9pm - Parents Night  

Friday 12/15 1-3pm - Outdoor Exploration Homeschool Time (Meet at West Chalet) 
Monday 1/1 10am-12pm - New Years Day Hike (Meet at Nordic Kids Trailer) 
Friday 1/19 7pm-9pm - Parents Night (Meet at West Chalet) 

1/14/24 1-3pm Women's Alpine Ski Clinic

2/17/24 Winter Carnival 

2/24/24 Hugh Jass Bike Race