Age group: 6th - 8th graders
Goal: The Middle School Nordic Team is all about building a lifelong love of skiing. Many of our skiers have been with LWSC since their Sitzmark days, while others are joining us for the first time. New skiers are always welcome!
Our goal is simple: ski with friends, get outdoors, and have fun. Along the way, skiers build friendships, develop their classic and skate skiing technique, and learn what it means to be a supportive teammate.
Whether continuing their Nordic journey or just getting started, we want every skier to feel welcome, challenged, and excited to get out on the snow.
Practices: The team meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45–5:00 PM.
Our schedule generally follows the Cascade School District calendar. Practices begin the week school resumes after Winter Break. There are no practices during Mid-Winter Break. Snow conditions permitting, practices resume after the break and conclude the following week.
Registration Fee: $185
Contact: [email protected]
LWSC Membership: All Middle School Nordic Team participants are required to have an LWSC Annual Membership. Membership is included with registration, and additional instructions will be provided after registration.
Practices
The Middle School Nordic Team meets twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45–5:00 PM. Our schedule generally follows the Cascade School District calendar.
Practices begin the week school resumes after Winter Break, with no practices held during Mid-Winter Break. Snow conditions permitting, the season continues through the week following Mid-Winter Break.
Practices rotate between Leavenworth’s three Nordic venues: Icicle River Trails, Ski Hill, and the Golf Course. Occasionally, changing snow or weather conditions may require us to move or cancel a practice. We do our best to minimize last-minute changes and will communicate schedule updates as soon as possible.
Our schedule is designed to complement the Junior Alpine Ski Program, allowing interested skiers to participate in both programs.
Coaching
The Middle School Nordic Team is a community-supported program, and parent and community volunteers are essential to making it possible. We rely on volunteers to help with coaching, practices, and team operations, which allows us to keep the program welcoming, accessible, and affordable for local families.
You don’t need to be an expert Nordic skier to get involved. If you enjoy being outdoors, supporting young skiers, or sharing your love of skiing, we would love to have you join us.
Interested in coaching or volunteering? Please reach out—we’d love to hear from you!
Ability
Many Middle School Nordic Team skiers return season after season, building on the skills and confidence they’ve developed along the way. New skiers are always welcome, and no previous Nordic experience is required.
Our coaches work with skiers at all experience levels to develop and strengthen technique in both classic and skate skiing, build confidence on snow, and continue progressing at their own pace. Whether learning the basics or refining established skills, every skier is encouraged to learn, have fun, and enjoy being part of the team.
Communication
Team communication will take place through email and the team app. Coaches will provide additional information about schedules, locations, equipment, and any practice changes throughout the season.
Competition
Our focus: Middle School Nordic is not a race-focused program. Our focus is on getting outside, skiing with friends, building classic and skate technique, supporting one another, and developing a lifelong love of Nordic skiing.
There may be opportunities for skiers who are interested in racing, but competition is entirely optional and is not a central part of the program.
There are three races held in Leavenworth annually (Skirennen, Kick your Sticks and Bakke Cup). Skiers are encouraged to compete, and a few of these events will take the place of normal practices. There are additional weekends during the season when some coaches and team members will attend other regional races. We will do our best to have coaches available in town for those skiers who are not attending races.
At race events, the Middle School Nordic 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.
Parent Commitment
Parent/Guardian help is important and very much appreciated. There will be volunteer opportunities announced periodically; most notably we will need parent help with the three local races mentioned above.
LWSC Membership: All Middle School Nordic Team participants are required to have an LWSC Annual Membership. Membership is included with registration, and additional instructions will be provided after registration.
SKI INFO...
There are two pairs of skis needed for each skier, classic and skate.
As for classic skis, skiers should have either classic skis with skins or fish scales. There will not be a waxing table available before practices for skiers.
Skate skis have a smooth bottom and are designed to glide. Skate skis are usually a little shorter than classic skis.
The length of the skis really matters, and any sporting goods store that sells Nordic gear can help you find appropriately sized skis.
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 the systems are the same. The two options are NNN and SNS (profil or pilot) - and unfortunately they don't work together. Some skiers will use a ‘combi’ boot, which is made to function well for both classic and skate, but for better performance (racing), you’d want to have a separate pair of boots for skate and classic.
They will need Nordic ski poles, which have a more ergonomic grip than alpine poles, are longer and have a triangular shaped basket. Classic ski poles should be long enough to fit snugly in the armpits when standing up nice and tall. Skate ski poles should be a bit longer, approximately chin to nose high.
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.
Middle School Nordic Team 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.
There is scholarship money available to those who need help covering the cost of Ski Team registration fees. Request HERE.
Please contact [email protected] 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.
