Happy summer! Here's the news about upcoming programs and events in June! 

Car Tags and Stickers 

Car tags and stickers are processed in batches, and it can take a few weeks for them to be sent to you—thank you for your patience! **Remember to hang onto your car tags from year to year and update them with stickers each year.** Questions? Email cartags@blackhawkskiclub.org 

Mountain Biking 

Women's Mountain Bike Group Ride 

July 9 5:30-6:30pm, with social hour to follow. Meet at West Chalet for a no-drop ride. Women will self-select into skills groups, and we will lead them on trails based on abilities. Some groups may also ride over to Middleton trails, based on skill level. Afterwards, we will gather outside near picnic tables for a social hour. Contact bike@blackhawkskiclub.org for with questions. 

Summer Biathlon Updates 

Biathlon youth summer programming is starting the week of June 15. Please see the Blackhawk youth biathlon website or email joshua.wilson.215@gmail.com, todd.breiby@blackhawkskiclub.org, or jrenehamel@gmail.com for further information. 

Masters Biathlon practices have kicked off for the summer for adults, Wednesday nights from 5:30-7pm at the Biathlon Haus. Questions, or thinking about giving Biathlon a try? Email Ian at ianolson@gmail.com. 

Summer Nordic Ski Team Updates 

Welcome, new Nordic high school team head coach Alysa Hinde! 

Nordic Summer training will kick off with a campout at Blackhawk! Camp starts at 4pm on Friday June 27 and will wrap up the following day (Saturday June 28) by 4pm. Kids will be partaking in ski-specific agility & strength, pole hiking, running, roller skiing (beginner and advanced), campfire, good food, and camping near the Biathlon Haus! 

Summer programming will include Hill Bounding/Strength on Mondays at Blackhawk, Roller Skiing on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and an "over-distance" roller ski session some Sunday mornings for advanced skiers. Our Wednesday and Sunday sessions will be joint practices with the MadNorSki group!  

We will also be doing 3 youth roller ski clinics, led by the folks from OutThere Nordic (Bjorn and Kris Hanson). These will take place on June 20, July 18, and Aug 22 (all Friday mornings), meeting at Pope Farm School. 

Congratulations to Ken Matusek on Receiving the National Ski Patrol Leadership Commendation 

Blackhawk Ski Club and Ski Patrol proudly congratulate Ken Matusek on being awarded the Leadership Commendation Appointment by the National Ski Patrol at this spring’s annual regional awards banquet. This prestigious honor is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a significant positive impact at the regional, divisional, or national level within the National Ski Patrol.  Ken’s 34-year commitment to the organization exemplifies the spirit of service, leadership, and mentorship. His dedication has made a lasting impression on our patrol and the broader ski community. His many accomplishments include: 

• Serving as Patrol Director at Blackhawk for an extraordinary 30 years (1993–2022) 

• Being named Outstanding Patrol Director by the South Central Region in 2020 

• Leading the successful effort for Blackhawk to be recognized with the Outstanding Small Alpine Ski Patrol Award 

• Earning Senior Patroller status 

• Currently serving his third year on the Region Board of Directors as Section II Chief 

Please join us in congratulating Ken on this well-earned recognition. We are deeply grateful for his outstanding service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Thank you, Ken, for your remarkable contributions to the Blackhawk Ski Club, our patrol team, and the entire ski patrol community. 

Blackhawk Land Restoration

an edited interview by Jill Stevenson with club manager Casey Bingham and Mike Healy, President of Adaptive Restoration, whose crew has conducted prescribed burns, brush clearing, and invasive plant removal at Blackhawk.  

Blackhawk Ski Club property consists of a stream, springs and wet meadow, and upland areas, and it supports many species of native wildlife and plants. Why is land restoration at Blackhawk important to you? 

Casey:  For aesthetic reasons and wildlife benefits, but especially for practical reasons. Our restoration efforts have made it easier to manage this facility and control erosion. Easier mowing and trimming facilitates moving snowmaking equipment around, among other things. 

What work has been completed to date? 

Casey: A LOT of brush clearing, prescribed burns to remove invasive plants, and targeted spraying of particularly tough reed canary grass invading our wetlands.  

Can you talk about the importance of having a restoration plan that identifies priorities? 

Casey: A restoration plan would be especially helpful for guiding various groups of volunteers towards the same goal and improving communication with members.   

Mike: Planning ahead would help Blackhawk budget more effectively for this work, and following a plan results in fewer surprises. It takes time to generate a higher-functioning environment. 

What does a restored Blackhawk Ski Club property look like to you? 

Mike: First, it will do no harm to members and neighbors-the removal of dangerous invasive plants, wild parsnip (caution-burns!) and buckthorn, benefit us all, and that space will provide pollinator, wildlife, and aesthetic benefits on our land and more widely. Secondly, we are on our way towards wetland restoration-there are wildflowers and sedges now where previously there were brush piles engulfed by invasive plants. 

Casey: We would have trained volunteers who have learned about restoration techniques- they would continue to remove invasive plants, reseed with native plants, and be excited to come out here and enjoy the place. Look how beautiful it is out here! 

What are the next restoration activities taking place at Blackhawk and how can members engage in that work? 

Casey: I will continue to remove invasive brush. We hope to offer volunteers a late Summer/early Fall training workshop and workday collecting seeds. Check back here for volunteer opportunities for yourself (and your kids!).   

Upcoming Events 

For upcoming events and additional details, keep an eye on our club calendar

June 27-28 BNST Summer Training Kickoff Camp 

Week of July 7 NICA Practices begin (see calendar for details) 

September 9, 2025, 7pm Returning member registration:  

September 13, 2025, 1-3pm Open House 

September 30, 2025, 7pm New member registration