About Us

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.

Check out our video, produced in 2020 by members of our team! Click here to watch the video via Dropbox: Nordic Ski Team.

BNST competes in Wisconsin Nordic Ski League events on weekends from early January through early March.  Some of our skiers compete in Junior National Qualifiers and other regional events. Race participation is encouraged at all skill levels! 

Our coaches have skied for NCAA teams and have a wealth of national and international racing experience.  We work closely with top national coaches to ensure quality, state-of-the-art programs.  In addition, Blackhawk Ski Club has the most extensive snowmaking infrastructure for Nordic skiing in Wisconsin, which ensures fun, safe skiing even when natural snow is scarce. 

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

• Dryland training starts November 30, 2022. Practices take place Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30 - 7:00 pm at Blackhawk Ski Club. Activities include strength training, pole hiking, hill bounding, running. 

• On-snow training begins in mid-December, 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. 

• Dryland training starts November 1, 2022. Practice is held 5:30 - 7:00 pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, plus Saturday mornings. Activities include roller-skiing, strength training, pole hiking, hill bounding, running. Locations may vary. 

• On-snow training begins in mid-December and takes place 4 days per week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30 – 7:00 pm) at Blackhawk Ski Club. 

Skiers must first have a Limited Access Membership or Full Access Membership in Blackhawk Ski Club before registering for the HS or MS program.  Registration for the 2022-2023 season opens September 19, 2022 (for returning club members) and October 3, 2022 (for new club members). See: 

< https://www.blackhawkskiclub.org/membership/signup-instructions> 

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

Tentative Event Schedule 

• First HS practice and gear night (Tues, Nov. 1) 

• Season Kickoff & Potluck (Sun, Nov. 13) 

• First MS practice and gear night (Weds, Nov. 30) 

• On-snow Camp (Dec. 2-4) Ironwood, MI  

• Snekkevik Classic (Jan 7) Wausau, WI 

• Iola Invite (Jan 8) Iola, WI  

• Open (Jan 14-15), possibly Amazing Race at Blackhawk 

• HAVOC at CAVOC / Hodag (Jan 21-22) Rhinelander, WI 

• Southern Conference Championships (Jan 29) Iola, WI 

• CXC Sprints (Feb 4-5) Middleton, WI 

• State Championships (Feb 10-12) Cable, WI 

• Greenbush Challenge (Feb 18) Greenbush, WI 

• [Birkie Feb 25-26; not a BNST event, just for reference] 

• Loopy Loppet (Mar 4) Minocqua, WI 

• Awards & Potluck (Sun, Mar 19) 

Coaches 

Chris Lawn (head coach). He coaches, he grooms, he founded Nordic Kids! Growing Nordic at Blackhawk for over 15 years. 

Carol Barford. Mom of 2 BNST alums and recovering triathlete. Coach, shepherd or manager with BNST since 2011. 

Nathan Haggerty. UW-Hoofers alum. Lifetime Nordic and (Gasp!) downhill skier. BNST coach since 2022. 

Alysa Hinde. UW-Hoofers alum. Making it fun for BNST skiers since 2019. 

Helen Matsoff. UW-Hoofers alum and classic specialist. Bringing that Minnesota-Nordic vibe since 2021! 

Aaron Ostrander. UW-Hoofers & Hayward Ski team alum. Lifetime skier and classic specialist. BNST coach since 2022; Helen lured him in! 

Danny Sonnentag. UW-Hoofers and Peak Nordic alum. Keeping BNST skiers honest since 2016. 

Steve Swenson. NCAA Division II skier, USSS certified coach and student of all things Nordic. BNST coach since 2010. 

All coaches and adult volunteers who ski with the team are Safe-Sport certified and take COVID safety seriously.  BNST follows Dane County orders and Blackhawk Ski Club protocols for everyone’s health and well-being. 

Questions? Email carol.barford@blackhawkskiclub.org.