Welcome to Nordic Kids

Fall 2023 Nordic Kids: October 1, 8, 15, and 22

Come out and get ready for ski season and get to know each other!  Includes intro to pole hiking, ski bounding, endurance, strength and balance work. Limited to 30 participants.  Cost is $30/child.  Email xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org with questions or to volunteer. Hope to see you in the fall!

2023-2024 Registration Information:

September 12 begins a 2-week period for returning members to renew memberships and sign up for programs.  New members may begin signing up September 26.

In order to accommodate all skiers, please register for one day of lessons only.

Scholarships available: Email xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org to learn more.

Nordic Kids provides:

• Weekly lessons for parent-tot and kids ages 5-12 for $50/skier
• Ski rentals for $30 for the season (to be used during lessons and other times at Blackhawk trails only)
• Energetic instructors and assistants to help your skier grow in technique, endurance, and having fun in the snow!
• Fall & Spring Nordic Kids session for $25/skier to learn nordic hill bounding, improve agility,  and increase strength and fitness pre and post-winter season.  Limited to 30 skiers
• Junior Ski Team for experienced skiers interested in racing (all 4 color levels completed or equivalent and approval by director or coach)

What we need to make this year a success:

• YOU!  We need all parents to volunteer to help in many ways from early season ski prep to handing out gear to mixing hot cocoa!  Every parent needs to volunteer in some capacity to keep our program safe, fun and a great learning experience.  Sign up instructions will be sent following registration. 
• Instructors and Assistant instructors.  Email xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org to see how you can help.
• Early arrival times: We need all skiers, but especially those renting gear, to arrive 20-30 minutes ahead of lesson time. 

General Program Information:

The Blackhawk Nordic Kids Program is for children of all ages and abilities, parent-tot through age 12.*  The focus of this program is learning the fundamentals of cross country skiing (classic and skate technique) and having fun outdoors in the winter. Participants are separated into color groups, based on age & within an age group by ability, for instruction and ski games.

Nordic Kids Lessons are offered Sunday afternoons from 2:00-3:00 beginning on January 7, 2024 or Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30pm (time subject to change) beginning January 10, 2024. Lessons limited to 70 skiers per day. 

Parent-tot class (no charge) will be offered during Nordic Kids lessons as volunteers are available. This class is for parents who want to ski with a young child in a backpack or in a polk or ski alongside their young skier.  Children under 5 must begin in parent-tot class until they are ready to ski independently without a parent.

A parent or guardian is required to remain on the Blackhawk Ski Club premises during lessons.

Nordic Combined: On Sundays from 12:30-1:30 Intro to Ski Jumping will be offered for skiers interested in learning Nordic Combined, which is an event that scores both ski jumping and nordic skiing. Separate program registration and fees (for both programs) is required.

Nordic Kids Junior Ski Team (JST): Meeting on Sundays and Wednesdays during Nordic Kids lessons, the Junior Ski Team welcomes those skiers who have a desire to take their love for skiing to the next level. The Junior Ski Team looks to provide skiers with a transition to the Middle School team. Goals of the program include building efficiency in climbing, descending and cornering, using kick-double pole and double pole effectively, improving proficiency of v1, v2, and v2 alternate, and learning racing tips/strategy.  The program will work with both classic and skate technique. All skiers will be expected to have equipment (owned or rented) for both skate and classic technique. Skiers are highly encouraged to have their own boots if they are renting skis and poles. The program is open to skiers who have completed all 4 color levels of Nordic Kids or reached the equivalent at another program.  If interested, please email xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org with a description of your skier’s interest in the team and skiing experience prior to registration. Program cost $100.

Requirements: All participants must be members of Blackhawk Ski Club. This program relies 100% on the time and effort of parents and volunteer instructors. 

Program Fee: $50 per child for the season.

Equipment: The club owns and maintains a fleet of youth cross country equipment (skis, boots, poles for classic skiing; skis, poles and most boot sizes for skate skiing). This equipment is available to rent for use during Nordic Kids sessions and at other times on Blackhawk trails. The rental fee is $30 per child for the season. 

Registration: Register online at www.blackhawkskiclub.org beginning September 12, 2023 (returning members) and September 19, 2023 (new members).  A confirmation email will be sent early October with details on volunteer sign up.  Locations for lessons (dependent on snow conditions) are sent via email and posted on the website prior to each lesson.

Blackhawk Nordic Ski Team (BNST) is a great opportunity to ski with others from around Dane county and enjoy the winter outdoors.   Curriculum is based on racing, and skiers are encouraged to race.  Practices are twice weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30-7.  Email carol.barford@blackhawkskiclub.org for more info.

Questions: Questions can be directed to Amy Grunewald Mattison at xckids@blackhawkskiclub.org