This is our last full week of BKL practice. We should be OK to ski at the Range this week but we will most likely be on the man-made loops.

Tuesday 3/15- Will be our Awards Day and last BKL practice. This will also be our rental ski and rental race suit return day unless you make other arrangements with Rosemary (sheacobb19@gmail.com).

Please also take a moment to fill out the END OF SEASON SURVEY.  We use this survey data to evaluate our programs and refocus our efforts to provide you with the best coaching and programs we can. Thank you for filling out this survey!

Tuesday 3/08: Penguins Classic, Everyone Else Skate

Games & Fun Day! We’ve all been working hard on our skiing and many have been racing hard too. We’ll set up some fun activities and some agility challenges and play on skis!

Thursday 3/10: Classic Distance Day

With partly sunny skis and warm temps, it’s time for a nice long easy ski. For Racers and any others on waxable skis, meet us at the wax bench and you will learn how to klister up your skis!

Racers Weekends are all finished.

We stop practices on weekends after the Festival unless there is a chance to do something really fun, like a fun race or a backcountry adventure. Unfortunately, the weather looks like rain for Saturday’s Breadloaf Citizen’s 5k and then it will freeze up for Sunday which means the back-country won’t be very good that day. Boo hoo! Let’s keep our eye on the weather and maybe things will change!

Vacation Scheduling Reminders:

*No Racer practice 2/19 or 2/20.

*No regular practice 2/22 or 2/24.

* Craftsbury Day on Wednesday, 2/23. All invited. Meet at 10 AM at Craftsbury Outdoor Center for a long ski tour and some play on the hills. Details will be posted next weekend. $5 trail pass for kids, $10 for adults.

*Racers and everyone invited to NWVT BKL Mini-fest Relays at Rikert Touring center 2/27. Registration soon to be live on SkiReg. Relays and a mini-marathon on the beautiful trails at Rikert. You can sign up with a relay partner or we’ll find one for you! Details forth coming!

*Practice at the Range resumes on Tuesday, March 1st.

Practice this week:

Tuesday 2/15: Penguins Classic, Everyone else Skate

Penguins will do a special Valentine’s Day themed activity!

Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes & Racers:  It’s time for the Mini-marathon! How many k’s can you ski during our practice?  We will be skiing, skiing, skiing with stops only for water and a snack!  We will warm up and get organized from 3:45 to 4 and start all together at 4 pm.

• I need a couple of parents dressed warmly to help with the lap counting and snack table! Please email me (sheacobb19@gmail.com) if you can help!
• Each child should bring a water bottle LABELLED  with their name so they can get a drink when they need to. They can put it in the snow by the card table and fence.
• We open up a snack table about half way through the marathon.  This year, I’d like to limit it to pre-packaged granola or sports bars so that we don’t share germs. It would be great if some parents would donate some boxes of bars for the snack table. Thanks!

Thursday 2/17: Classic

Right now the weather is forecasted to be 50 degrees F and raining. The Range sometimes closes on days like this, so be sure to check the website before you leave!  If we ski, wear a raincoat and if you have waxable skis, get ready to put on some klister!

• We need some parents to help with Jack Rabbits 2- Peter Vile’s group- today. Email Rosemary (sheacobb19@gmail.com) if you can help!

With snow on the way, the skiing should be great this week if everything gets plowed, groomed and it doesn’t get too cold.

*Be sure to check the website before you leave on Tuesday to be sure nothing has changed.

* Please check in at the Range gate as MNC.

Tuesday, 1/18: Classic for everyone

There should be powder but don’t count on tracks- the groomers may have their hands filled just getting things packed out depending on how much snow we get.

Bundle up the kids in layers and wear buffs, hats, and warm gloves or mittens! The high is supposed to be only 11F today.

Wax at home if you can: Swix special green, V20, Toko Blue, or anything else for cold, fresh snow. Most greens & blues will work well today.

Thursday, 1/20: Skate

It’s supposed to be a bit warmer with highs in the teens. Bundle up again!

Saturday 1/22: BKL RACE in the Mad River Valley

Technique will be SKATE except for grades 1/2 which will classic.  The race will be at the Ole’s in Warren, in the afternoon, 12:30-2:15 PM.  

Registration is online until Friday. Day of Race registration also available. See the link below for all information!  

Coach Rosemary will be there to preview the course with kids. Please sign our MNC race roster so we know your child is coming (& for last minute updates). 

Mad River BKL Race at Ole’s 1/22/22

Tuesday, 12/21, All BKL: Classic at the Range!

3:45- 5:15– Normal time- we now have lights!

GETTING INTO THE RANGE:

1. Please tell them you are with USBA  (US Biathlon) at the gate today. We are skiing under their name today.
2. Give them your child’s name- it will be on the list. Parent name is only on the list if you signed yourself up for a program (masters or Range access).
3. Present your driver’s license.
4. Drive 25 MPH!! Absolutely no speeding!
5. Directions to the Range HERE
6. Kids should have a mask in a pocket- they need a mask to go inside and use the bathrooms.

PENGUINS: Bring a stuffed animal to ski with today (one that is OK to get a little snowy)!

Bring Headlamps

Wax:  should be TOKO Yellow or SWIX Purple.  We will be waxing by the Walker Building.

Reminder: No practice Thursday 12/23 – January 1, 2022- Have a great holiday break!