Author Archive | Liz Hollenbach

We are into the heart of winter and the skiing has been great. This week we have a few fun events for practice at Tomasi – see below for all the details. We will also need a few parent helpers.

This weekend there are several racing and non racing events. If you have been thinking about trying a weekend ski event, now is the time! The Sleepy Hollow Races and Fun on Skis! is Sunday and it’s a good local event with competitive and non competitive fun. Sunday is also the Tour de Stowe with a  5k BKL event – it’s an amazing opportunity to ski at Trapps and would be fun for Arctic Foxes and families.

Sub-Groups and Coach Info

Parent Meeting Notes

Season Long Schedule
Weekend Race and Event Schedule

Tuesday 1/28: Penguins, JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes & Racers
Location: Tomasi
Details:  Skate for JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes and Racers

Penguins (classic) are doing a Mini Marathon this week. We will setup a little course around Tomasi Meadow. Penguins and parents can ski at their own pace and with other Penguin friends around the mini-marathon course. There will be one snack stop at the lower Tomasi parking lot and hot cocoa near the parking lot at the end.

Thursday 1/30: Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers & Devos
Location: Tomasi for Tour de Underhill
Details: Classic for all. We’re doing a ski tour from Tomasi and skiing some trails across Pleasant Valley Rd, around Underhill Central and back to Tomasi. If your child has one please bring a water bottle and holder, drink belt or Camelbak on the ski. We’ll also have a drink/snack stop at the Underhill Central Playground.

We will need some snacks for our snack table, a few extra parent helpers to ski along with us and setup a snack station at UCS.  If you can bring snack or volunteer sign up here.

Saturday 2/1: Silver Fox Trot
Location: Oak Hill, Hanover, NH Registration |Info | Let coaches know you are coming
Details: Skate ski race hosted by our friends at Ford Sayre Ski Club

Sunday 2/3: Sleepy Hollow Ski Club BKL Race and Fun on Skis!
Location: Sleepy Hollow, Huntington, VT  Registration and Info | Let coaches know you are coming
Details: Classic ski race, Fun Park Ski Runs and a Ski Tour Scavenger Hunt – This is a really fun event and a great one for all MNC BKL skiers.

Sunday 2/3: Tour de Stowe
Location: Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT Registration and Info | Let other families know you are going
Details: Tour de Stowe is the perfect event for BKL skiers and families that want a non competitive event. We suggest this event for Jack Rabbits and Arctic Foxes.  It’s a fun ski adventure on the famous Trapp Family Lodge Trails with great food stops along the way, like Blueberry Soup! Parents are welcome to ski with kids at their discretion. We do not plan to have coaches at Tour de Stowe.  but if you are planning to go and want to help organize the group please reach out to bkl@mansfieldnordic.org and we can help coordinate.

It’s a cold week, but the snow is great!!  Kids should wear their warmest layers, MNC neck warmer, mittens (test if they fit in ski pole straps ahead of time). We have extra hand warmers if you need some – check in at the trail head as kids are getting equipment on.

The photos are in from the Skiathlon – you can check them out here.

Tuesday 1/21: Penguins, JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes & Racers
Location: Tomasi
Details:  Skate for JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes and Racers

Classic for Penguins  and they are doing ski with your stuffed animal day. Penguins bring a little stuffie from home and tuck it inside your pocket, jacket or little back pack while you ski together. (We will also have a bag of extras for anyone that forgets.)

Devos are at Sleepy with Coach Kristen – check the juniors training doc for technique and time.

Parking: The Tomasi lot on Mountain Rd. Please park tight, so there is space for everyone. Please don’t park on Pinnacle Ridge (it’s a private driveway). Underhill Central School is an overflow parking location.

Reminder: There is no inside space. Wear a headlamp! Thanks to the Underhill Rec Committee there is a porta potty in Tomasi parking lot.

Thursday 1/23: Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers & Devos
Location: Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston from 3:45-5:15
Details: Classic for JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers and Devos (bring rock skis if you have them, groups will be doing some classic ski touring and adventuring)

Sign up to Ski at Catamount: MNC is covering the cost for our group, but  we need to know if your child is coming. Please fill out the two forms linked below by 2pm on Thursday. Parents can ski too, see the details at the top of the MNC Team Signup Sheet.

The MNC Afternoon Masters group is also going to be at Catamount. If you are part of that group you can sign yourself up on the same list and waiver (below).

Parking, etc: Catamount has a big parking lot with a porta potty at one end. They don’t have an indoor space for changing.

*The primary entrance to Catamount is from North Williston Rd. Take note that there is a small section of Governor Chittenden Rd from Rt 2/Williston Rd, that is closed in the winter.

Saturday 1/25: Devos
Location: Craftsbury Outdoor Center Registration and More Info
Details: Classic Craftsbury Marathon BKL Distance with Coach Kristen

Sunday 1/26: Racers
Location: Craftsbury Outdoor Center  Registration and More Info
Details: Skate Craftsbury Marathon BKL Distance with parent chaperones

**After practice on Thursday we found a black diamond headlamp in the Tomasi parking lot – let me know if you are missing one bkl@mansfieldnordic.org. And I also have a Nalgene water bottle with lots of stickers on it from practice in December.

We had a fun MNC Skiathlon Race this weekend at Sleepy Hollow and you can read the full event report here. If your child is interested in trying a ski race our next one is Sunday, February 2nd hosted by Sleepy Hollow BKL. We’ll post more info in the next couple weeks (as soon as details come in from Sleepy BKL).

**This Tuesday for practice we are going on a field trip to Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Williston. They have good conditions right now and several lighted trails. Please fill out the two forms below before practice on Tuesday.

Tuesday 1/14: Penguins, Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes & Racers
Location: Catamount Outdoor Family Center under the lights!
Details: Skate for JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes and Racers. Classic for Penguins. Devos are at Sleepy with Coach Kristen – check the juniors training doc for technique and time (it’s later than normal due to a high school race).

We are also going to have hot chocolate at the end of practice. Supplies provided, but we need a couple parent volunteers to make and serve. Email bkl@mansfieldnordic.org if you can help.

Sign up to Ski at Catamount: MNC is covering the cost for our group, but  we need to know if your child is coming. Please fill out the two forms linked below by 2pm on Tuesday. (If you are a parent and want to ski you can use a your reciprocal from another ski area or add your name to the list and bring me $5)

The MNC Afternoon Masters group is also going to be at Catamount today. If you are part of that group you can sign yourself up on the same list and waiver (below) as your child.

Parking, etc: Catamount has a big parking lot with porta potty at one end. They don’t have a indoor space for changing.

Thursday 1/16: JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers & Devos
Location: Tomasi
Details:  Classic for all

Practice Waxing Info: If you raced this past weekend it would be good to use a putty knife and some wax remover to clean-off our kick zone before putting on some new kick wax. Forecast is for low 20s and something like Swix Blue, Swix VR 45, Toko Red kick wax should work well.  We’ll have the wax bench setup on the side of the parking lot near the trailhead. Please come a few minutes early if you would like to wax.

Parking: The Tomasi lot on Mountain Rd. Please park tight, so there is space for everyone. Please don’t park on Pinnacle Ridge (it’s a private driveway). Underhill Central School is an overflow parking location.

Reminder: There is no inside space. Wear a headlamp! Thanks to the Underhill Rec Committee there is a porta potty in Tomasi parking lot.

Saturday 1/18:  Racers & Devos
Location: Sleepy Hollow
Details:  Classic ski practice with Coaches Liz and Peter D. 10-11:30. Come early if you need wax. If you want to wax at home start with Swix Violet or something similar. The forcast is for 34 at 10am and we’ll be on a mix of snowmaking snow and packed powder. Temps are warming through the day tomorrow.

Saturday 1/18: BKL Beginner Waxing Clinic and Open Waxing 2-3:30pm

Location: MNCC in Jonesville

We’ll start with a short beginner waxing clinic followed by some open time where you can wax your own skis. Bring your own wax and tools or use ours. Coaches and volunteers will be around to answer questions and help with waxing. Suggested for kids grade 4-8 and their parents. The waxing clinic is open to all BKL Families, but there is limited space for the open waxing time at the end. Sign Up Here

Thursday 1PM Update: Practice is on, but it is snowy out there, so please feel free to stay home if you come from farther away and don’t want to venture out. The trails are getting groomed just before practice and the Thursday plan below for more details.

Tuesday Update: Practice is on and we will classic ski in the powder. It’s snowy out there, so if you come from farther away or don’t feel like venturing out in the weather please feel free to stay home. At home you can get out in your yard for a ski, go sledding or play in the snow.

It’s MNC Skiathlon week! This is our “home” ski race for all ages and proceeds go to support the MNC scholarship fund. Everyone is invited to race or come cheer and check out the scene (details and registration link below). At practice this week kids that are planning to race will do some skiathlon practice. On Thursday we’ll practice with skate boots and both skate and classic skis and poles.

It looks chilly and snowy this week – To stay warm wear warm layers, use hand warmers and eat a big snack before practice.

Tuesday 1/7: Penguins, Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes & Racers
Location: Tomasi Meadow
Details: Classic for ALL – Racers are practicing at Sleepy with Peter Davis. Devos are also at Sleepy with Coach Kristen – check the juniors training doc for technique.

Practice Waxing Info: If you raced this past weekend at the Bogburn it would be good to use a putty knife and some wax remover to clean-off our kick zone before putting on some new kick wax. Forecast is for mid teens and something like Swix Blue, Swix VR 40/45, Toko Red should work well.  We’ll have the wax bench setup on the side of the parking lot near the trailhead. Please come a few minutes early if you need wax.

Parking: The Tomasi lot on Mountain Rd. Please park tight, so there is space for everyone. Please don’t park on Pinnacle Ridge (it’s a private driveway). Underhill Central School is an overflow parking location.

Reminder: There is no inside space or bathrooms (go before heading over). Wear a headlamp!

Thursday 1/9: JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers & Devos
Location: Tomasi
Details:  Skate for some and Skiathlon Practice for kids signed up to race this weekend.

Skiathlon Practice for Racers, Devos, Jack Rabbit Red Group and any Arctic Fox or Jack Rabbit in Grades 3 or 4 that are doing the Skiathlon: Wear the boots you use for skating and bring both Skate & Classic Equipment for Skiathlon Practice. Let your coach know and they will help connect you with a group that is practicing Skiathlon.

Parking: The Tomasi lot on Mountain Rd. Please park tight, so there is space for everyone. Please don’t park on Pinnacle Ridge (it’s a private driveway). Underhill Central School is an overflow parking location.

Reminder: There is no inside space or bathrooms (go before heading over). Wear a headlamp.

Sunday 1/12: Skiathlon at Sleepy Hollow
Online registration closes Saturday 1/11 at 5pm (BKL $12 and lollipop free)
Day of race registration is also available (BKL $20 and lollipop free)
Let coaches know you are coming: Racer Sign Up List
We do need some parents to Make Cookies for Finish Line Prizes  and help feed hungry racers Bring Something for our Team Snack Table

MNC Team Info will be updated here on Thursday and will also be email it to everyone on our Racer Sign Up List.