Archive | BKL Race Blog

The Mini Marathon is one of our favorite days of the season! It’s a fun affair where kids are in charge. They choose who they ski with and how many laps of the course they ski. There are no warmup games or technique sessions, it’s just skiing!

This year we had to postpone one week (due to a school snow day), which landed us just days after the biggest snowstorms of the season (of the last couple seasons for that matter). Groomer and coach Peter Davis did a tremendous job whipping the windblown snow into shape and setting a beautiful double classic track around the whole course.  A double track is the perfect way to visit with friends while gliding along side by side.

Skiers had the choice of skiing a short lap and a long lap.  At the end of each lap volunteers at the tally sheets recorded the laps skied.

The snack table is another highlight of the Mini Marathon. After everyone skis a few laps the snack table opens and skiers are treated to a snack at the end of each lap.

This year the MNC BKL skied 255KM! That’s from Montpelier, the Capitol of Vermont to, Albany, the Capitol of New York.

Thanks to our skiers, coaches and parent volunteers for helping make this a really fun ski event.

Photos

It’s almost February vacation week and if you are sticking around Vermont we have a couple fun BKL ski options this week. (We don’t have regular Tues/Thurs BKL during February Vacation, but practice resumes Tuesday, March 4th.)

Please RSVP and let coaches know that you are coming (There is a tab for each of these events on the spreadsheet)

Sunday, February 23th 11:30am-1pm- Ski Games Day with the UVM Ski Team at Sleepy Hollow

Everyone is invited. We’ll play games on skis and have fun with the UVM Ski Team.

Meeting Time: 11:30am at Molly’s Meadow Sleepy Hollow. Eat a big snack before you come and bring a water bottle. If you arrive late get your skis on and meet us up in Molly’s Meadow (this is where the Skiathlon start and finish were a couple weeks ago). Sleepy Hollow Website

Ending Time: We’ll ski until about 12:30pm, then gather for hot chocolate and snacks with our UVM skier friends.

Technique: We’ll skate ski.  Penguins and anyone else that’s more comfortable can classic ski.

Tickets: Everyone needs a Sleepy Hollow ticket or season pass. We’ve organized $5 Sleepy Hollow tickets for this event. Please purchase your ticket inside the lodge when you arrive.

We had a ton of fun playing games at Craftsbury last year!

Wednesday, February 26th 10am- Craftsbury Ski Day
Join us for our traditional MNC BKL ski adventure day at Craftsbury.

This is a family event! Parents are encouraged to ski with us. We’ll have all different abilities and speeds and only a few coaches.  If you have never been to Craftsbury, you are in for a treat! There is tons of snow and beautiful trails and it’s very affordable.  Craftsbury Outdoor Center Website

Getting There:  In google maps or your map app, enter: Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury Common, VT

Meeting Time: 10:00am in the upper field, just outside the Nordic Center Lodge (bring a water bottle and holder)

Ending Time: It’s a little fluid. We will ski from 10 to about 11:30, have lunch and then play some games and do some relays, probably ending about 2. You are welcome to stay as long as you want!

Technique: We will skate ski. Penguins classic. And any parents that want to join, but don’t skate ski, can classic too.

Lunch: Bring lunch! There is also a food option in the Nordic Center. Front Seat Coffee (of Hardwick) has an outpost at Craftsbury and they serve m-f 10-4 with sandwiches, baked goods, drinks and coffee.

Tickets: Everyone who skis needs a day pass or membership. It’s $5 for kids, $10 for adults, Free for 6 & under and you can get tickets in the lodge when you arrive.

Conditions: Craftsbury Trail Conditions

January Mansfield Nordic BKL Events- Starting this weekend

Hi BKL Families-

To celebrate what looks like the return of winter, I wanted to let you know about some upcoming weekend events. This weekend is our annual Skiathlon Race at Sleepy Hollow. It’s a fun team event and everyone is welcome!

Thanks to support from a couple families in our program we have custom neck gaiters for all our skiers! Coaches started handing them out last week and we hope to hand out the rest this week. They are perfect for cross country skiers.

BKL Beginner Waxing Clinics and Open Waxing Time – Sat, Jan 11 and Sat, Jan 18 from 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

Backcountry Film Festival – Saturday, January 11

Our friends at the Underhill Recreation Committee are hosting a movie night at the Underhill Town Hall. See their Facebook Page for more info and tickets.

MNC Skiathlon Race at Sleepy Hollow – Sunday, January 12

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.

The day starts with adult racing from 10-11:00 am followed by BKL racing from 11:45am-1:15pm. It’s classic skiing only for Lollipop and Grade 1/2. Then Grade 3/4, 5/6 + 7/8 all race the Skiathlon, which starts with a classic loop and skiers change equipment midrace and finish with a skate loop.  More Info/Registration (online closes 1/11 at 5pm and there is registration on the day of the event)

We will have a team waxing setup and coaches skiing the course with small groups to explain how the race works. We’ll also practice the Skiathlon equipment transition this Thursday at practice for anyone that is planning to race.

Most of the event volunteer jobs are filled, but we could use a little help for BKL.

Make Cookies for Finish Line Prizes or Bring Something for our Team Snack Table

SkiRack Ski Swap and Winter Sale- Gear intake Jan 8-10 and the Swap Jan 11

This weekend is also the SkiRack Swap and Winter Sale.  More Info

Sleepy Hollow BKL Race – February 2

Mark your calendars for this fun event. The event includes kids races, speed runs and a ski tour. More info coming soon.

If you want to look ahead to more events this winter please check out the MNC BKL Weekend Race and Event Schedule

Lollipop racers on the start line