Nordic Ski Team

New for 2024/2025 - team communications will be via the SportsYou app. If you did not yet receive an invitation, please email chris.lawn@blackhawkskiclub.org to be added.

Blackhawk Nordic Ski Team (BNST) is a competitive team for high-school and middle-school cross-country skiers. Our goal is to provide:

A positive, team-focused Nordic skiing experience.
Racing opportunities as catalysts for learning to ski and train well.
A lifelong interest in Nordic skiing and fitness.
Development and growth for skiers of all abilities.

BNST competes in select Wisconsin Nordic Ski League (WNSL) events on weekends from mid-December through early March (https://www.wisconsinxcski.org/events/).  Race participation is strongly encouraged at all skill levels!

Some of our skiers compete in Junior National Qualifiers (JNQ) events (https://cxcskiing.org/programs/great-lakes-division/about.html); success at the JNQ level generally requires a skier to train year-round (coaches can provide additional information on resources available to support this level of commitment).

Some of our skiers participate in the Blackhawk Youth Biathlon program (https://blackhawkskiclub.org/programs/youth-biathlon); BNST coaches coordinate closely with the Biathlon coaches to schedule practices and racing opportunities.

Our coaching team brings a wealth of Nordic Skiing experience, including racing at the NCAA and elite citizen level. Most coaches are parents of current, former, and future BNST skiers. Our coaches continue to be involved with BNST because they love all things Nordic Skiing! All coaches and adult volunteers who ski with the team are Safe-Sport certified.

Blackhawk Ski Club has extensive snowmaking infrastructure and grooming equipment, which ensures fun, safe skiing even when natural snow is scarce.

Middle School Team (grades 5-8). Program cost, $300 plus optional gear rental.

Optional Dryland training begins November 4, 2024 (check SportsYou calendar "BNST-MS" for practice times & locations).
On-Snow training begins December 2, 2024 (may be earlier or later subject to snow conditions), Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 pm at Blackhawk Ski Club.

High School Team (grades 9-12). Program cost, $400 plus optional gear rental.

Optional Dryland training starts October 28, 2024 (check SportsYou calendar "BNST-HS" for practice times & locations). Activities include roller-skiing, strength training, pole hiking, hill bounding, running. Locations may vary.
On-Snow training begins in December 2, 2024 (may be earlier or later subject to snow conditions) and takes place 4 days per week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30 – 7:00 pm) at Blackhawk Ski Club.

Gear Rental

We rental skis and poles only, you must have your own boots. Boots can be purchased through Out There Nordic (our equipment partner) or other retailers. New for 2024/2025 - we have a Buy/Sell/Trade group on our SportsYou.
"A" Skis (new or slightly used equipment): $100 for Skate / $100 for Classic.
"B" Skis (equipment that is a few years old): $50 for Skate / $50 for Classic.
Rollerskis and Poles (HS only): $30 for Skate (no classic rentals). The Rollerski rental fee is new for 2024/2025 as we need to start accumulating funds to replace older rental equipment.

Skiers must have a Limited Access Membership or Full Access Membership in Blackhawk Ski Club before registering for the HS or MS program.  Registration for the 2024-2025 season opens September 10, 2024 (for returning club members) and September 24, 2024 (for new club members). For instructions, refer to: https://blackhawkskiclub.org/membership-types

After registration, skier families will be included in team communication via SportsYou.

Questions? Email chris.lawn@blackhawkskiclub.org.

Coaches: Chris Lawn, Alysa Hinde, Steve Swenson, Danny Sonnentag, Blaise Nemeth, Tim Bertram, Braeden Anex, Amy Grunewald-Mattison, Paul VanDuyne, Nathan Haggerty, David Hubanks, Melissa Hornung.

2024/2025 Event Schedule (UPDATED 10/13/2024, final calendar will be posted in SportYou):

10/29: Out There Nordic Team Event (ski fitting, gear purchases)

12/6-12/8: Ironwood On-Snow Camp

12/14: Pre-Season Intramural Race (Blackhawk)

12/22: Standing Rocks Sprints (Stevens Point)

1/4: Southern Conference Championship (Elver Park, Madison / Blackhawk is backup venue)

1/11: Snekkevik (Wausau)

1/12: Iola Skate Invite (Iola)

1/18-1/19: Hodag Challenge (Rhinelander)

1/26: Iola Norseman (Iola)

2/1-2/2: State Sprint Championships (Brillion)

2/8-2/9: State Distance Championships (Cable)