What is a Sitzmark? It's a depression made in the snow by a skier falling backwards!
Age group: Kindergarten and 1st graders
Goal: A playful introduction to Classic skiing.
Practices: Sitzmark meets Thursdays from 4-5pm at the Icicle River Trails. We follow the Cascade School District calendar. Practices begin the week school resumes after Winter Break, and no practices are held during Mid-Winter Break. If we continue to have good snow, practice ends the week following Mid-Winter Break.
Registration Fee: $125
Contact: [email protected]
LWSC Membership: All Ski Team members are required to have a LWSC Annual Membership which is included with registration. Instructions will be provided post-registration.
Practices
Sitzmark meets Thursdays from 4-5pm at the Icicle River Trails. Starting the first week in January. We follow the Cascade School District calendar. Practices begin the week school resumes after Winter Break, and no practices are held during Mid-Winter Break. If we continue to have good snow, practice ends the week following Mid-Winter Break.
Coaching
LWSC teams are primarily self-funded and rely on dedicated parent and community volunteers for coaching and team operations. Their support helps us keep our programs accessible and affordable for local families.
Interested in getting involved? We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to learn more about coaching or volunteering with LWSC.
Ability
This is a fun introduction to cross country skiing - skiers need not have any prior experience on skis. No poles needed until later in the season.
Competition
Entirely Optional. There are three races held in Leavenworth annually (Skirennen, Kick your Sticks and Bakke Cup). Skiers are encouraged to compete, but these events will take place outside of normal practice times.
At race events, the Sitzmark racers will compete by age and gender brackets against skiers from all over the Northwest. If skiers choose to race, they will represent the LWSC Junior Nordic Team. Coaches and parents will be present as a support network to aid skiers in registration/ bib collection/ warm ups/ etc.
Communication
The team will use email and app for communication. Your coach will have further details.
Parent Commitment
Parent/Guardian help is important and very much appreciated. Contact [email protected] to see how you can help.
Sitzmark skiers need one set of skis and boots. Poles are optional and may be used later in the season.
We use waxless classic skis. These have a fish scale pattern on the base which grips the snow to propel the skier forward and keep them from sliding backwards. The length of the ski is determined by skier weight. It’s not an exact science and in this introductory program it is okay to have skis that are 'close enough'.
Your skier will need a pair of cross-country ski boots that are compatible with the bindings on their skis. If you don't get your skis and boots at the same time or from the same place, be sure to check that binding systems are the same. The two options are NNN and SNS - and unfortunately they don't work together.
The ski poles should be Nordic ski poles, which have a more ergonomic grip than alpine poles, are longer and have a triangular shaped basket. They should be long enough to fit snugly in the armpits when standing up nice and tall.
Still have questions? email [email protected].
Arlberg Sports Haus and Der Sportsmann carry new kid-sized gear, Arlberg Sports Haus does seasonal rentals and used gear is available via Craigslist, Colchuck Consignment, the LWSC facebook Buy & Sell page, your neighbor and the LWSC Gear Swap.
Sitzmark Registration
Registration Fees go towards purchasing training materials, subsidizing Team Apparel costs, purchasing U.S. Ski & Snowboard memberships and SafeSport training for all of our coaches, and paying our Nordic Team Lead Coaches, Devo Coaches, and Senior Coaches.
Sitzmark Assistant Coaches are volunteers - be sure to let them know how much you appreciate them!
There is scholarship money available to those who need help covering the cost of registration fees. Request HERE.
Please contact skieducation@skileavenworth with any questions.
LWSC TEAM CODE OF CONDUCT
- I WILL be respectful, kind, supportive, and encouraging of my fellow teammates.
- I will NOT participate in bullying, teasing, or taunting (both physical and verbal).
- I WILL stay with my group and coaches.
- I WILL do my best to pay attention and follow coaches' instructions.
- I WILL talk to a coach or a parent if I am having a concern or problem.
PARENT/GUARDIAN CODE OF CONDUCT
- Parents /Guardians will support the LWSC mission.
- Parents/Guardians will support their skier in adhering to the Skier Code of Conduct.
- Coaches are almost all Volunteers: they are here for the kids because they love teaching skiers, they are not babysitters.
- IF your skier cannot adhere to the Skier Code of Conduct, they will forfeit their ability to participate on the ski team for the season.
- Parents/Guardians will be on time with pick up/drop off and communicate with coaches about missed practices and outlying circumstances.
