Fun. Friends. Trails.
Grades: 9th - 12th graders
About the Team: About the Team: The High School Nordic Team is about getting outside, skiing with friends, and exploring the incredible trails our valley has to offer. It’s a chance to build Nordic skills, discover new places, have fun together, and develop a lifelong connection to skiing and the outdoors.
An important part of the team is also learning to lead, coach, and mentor. High school skiers will work alongside LWSC coaches to support younger athletes, learning how to teach skills, communicate effectively, encourage others, and lead by example. By sharing their experience and love of skiing with younger kids, team members build confidence and leadership skills while giving back to the ski community that helped them grow.
This is a recreational team—not a race-focused program. Skiers will build Nordic skills while exploring trails throughout the valley, having adventures with their teammates, and gaining confidence and independence on skis. Leadership, mentorship, and giving back to our ski community are also important parts of the program.
A foundation in Nordic skiing is encouraged, but not required. We welcome high school students who are excited to get outside, learn, contribute, and be part of the team.
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 & Mentorship
The High School Nordic Team meets 3:30-5:30pm Mondays and Thursdays beginning in early 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.
Mondays are for skiing and adventure. The team will focus on Nordic skill development, skiing with friends, and exploring trails throughout our valley. Practices may begin at Ski Hill or use the Ski Team van to access other Nordic locations.
Thursdays are for leadership and mentorship. High School Nordic Team members will work alongside LWSC coaches to help teach and mentor younger skiers. Depending on the week, this may include the After School Downhill Program at Ski Hill or Sitzmark, or helping with Koos Cruisers.
Thursday mentorship is about more than teaching ski skills. High school skiers will learn how to be positive role models, communicate clearly, encourage younger athletes, work alongside other coaches, and adapt their approach to different personalities and abilities. They’ll practice patience, responsibility, problem-solving, and what it means to lead by example.
By teaching and supporting younger skiers, our high school athletes will have opportunities to grow personally, gain confidence as leaders, and discover how rewarding it can be to help someone else succeed. It’s also a chance to give back to the LWSC community and help create the same fun, supportive ski experience for the next generation.
Optional weekend adventures and activities may also be offered throughout the season. Schedules and locations may occasionally change due to weather, snow, or trail conditions. Any changes will be communicated as early as possible.
Coaching
The High 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
The majority of skiers will have had some experience on skis (Nordic or Alpine), but it is absolutely not required. We welcome all who want to join.
Communication
The team will use email and app for communication. Your coach will have further details.
Competition
Competition is not the focus of this group. They will not be training to race but to develop a lifelong appreciation of skiing and the outdoors. There are three races held in Leavenworth annually (Skirennen, Kick your Sticks and Bakke Cup). Skiers are encouraged to compete but not mandatory.
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.
SKI INFO....
There are two pairs of skis needed for each skier, classic and skate.
As for classic skis, skiers are asked to either have classic skis with skins or fish scales. We will not have a waxing table available at practices.
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 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.
High 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 Ski Team registration fees. Request HERE.
Please contact skie[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.
