Programs > Youth Ski League
Updated 11/5/07 @ 1005.
•YSL Updates.
•For skiers up to 13 years old.
•Contact Erich Pessl (epessl@aol.com).
•Preliminary race
calendar for 07-08 winter.
Youth Ski League (YSL)is part of the Bridger Ski Foundation-Nordic
program and is designed to provide opportunities for youth ages
5-13 to have fun while learning to cross country ski. YSL is a non-competitive
league, however, there will be race opportunities for those interested
(see below). We will encourage all children to learn classic cross-country
technique, but we will also teach beginning skate technique for
older children who are interested.
MEETING DATES, TIMES AND PLACES:
Wednesday Group:
Lessons will be at Lindley Park. Meet at the west hospital parking
lot from 4:00pm to 5:15pm. Wednesday Program includes seven lessons
from January 9th through February 20th, 2008.
Saturday Group:
Lessons will be held at the Bohart Ranch Cross-Country Ski Center.
Lessons will run from 10:00am to 11:30am. Saturday Program includes
seven lessons from January 5th through February 16th, 2008.
PROGRAM FEE SCHEDULE:
Includes 2008 trail pass for use of Lindley Park ski trails (Wednesdays)
and trail fees to ski at Bohard Ranch (Saturdays).
Saturday Only: $90
Wednesday Only: $80
Both Days: $160
BSF Membership * $15 for individual, $30 for family (* BSF Membership
is required for participation).
EQUIPMENT:
Each participant must bring his/her own skis, boots, and poles.
We recommend that skiers
dress in layered clothing. Remember that
most clothing designed for alpine skiing may
not be appropriate for cross-country skiing as it restricts movement
and causes the child to
overheat.
For skis/bindings, we do not recommend
three-pin bindings, as they tend to rub against
the tracks and make it harder for the skis to glide. For younger,
less-experienced children
who will be focusing on classic technique, we recommend waxless/fishscaled
skis. For
older children who might be interested in learning skate technique
as well, we recommend
“combi” skis that may be waxed for sessions when we
will teach classic technique.
A representative from the Nordic Ski Program will be available
to consult with you at the
BSF Ski Swap should you have questions while shopping there. New
equipment may be
purchased from Bangtail Ski Shop and Northern Lights, and should
be ordered early to
obtain BSF discounted prices.
As a rough guide for pole and ski length,
the following may be helpful: Ski length should
be 1-3 inches longer than the child’s height. Poles should
reach from the ground to the top
of the child’s shoulder. Combi boots and bindings are available
for older children
interested in skate technique.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
Parent/guardian assistance is critical to the success of YSL. Parents
who have some experience with nordic skiing are encouraged to volunteer
as instructors as the higher the instructor-child ratio, the better
experience the children will have. Nordic racing experience is not
necessary to be a good instructor for this age group of children—
enthusiasm is what counts. We will provide an instructor orientation
session, as well as a lesson book with simple games used to teach
children age-appropriate skills—and most instructors will
be paired with another instructor during lessons.
Parents who commit to serving as YSL instructors will have one
child’s program fees waived. If you have a volunteer obligation
for older children in BSF, 10 hours of your volunteer time can be
applied to that commitment.
OTHER INFORMATION:
If the temperature is 10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, lessons will
be cancelled. Notices about such cancellations and other program
updates will be posted on the BSF website under “News”
and “YSL Programs” (www.bsfnordic.com/news/). YSL Skiers
interested in competition should look for dates of the three Lindley
World Cup Series races to be held at Lindley Park on select Thursday
afternoons (www.bsfnordic.com/upcoming.htm).
Enf of Season Potluck
Will be held Thursday, February 21st; 4pm at Lindley Park. There
will be races, games, food and fun for all. Children and families
from both programs as well as siblings and friends are invited to
attend.
TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR YSL:
Complete the forms listed below, (also available under “Forms/Publications”
link in the left-hand menu above) and send them in to the BSF Office:
P.O. Box 1243, Bozeman, MT 59771 along with your payment.
Here is a list of what to include in your registration-packet:
1. YSL Registration
Form
2. Medical Release Form
3. Liability Release Form
4. BSF Membership
Form
5. Payment
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