Description: MBNA is pleased to again offer children ages 8 to 16 years old the opportunity to enjoy Nordic skiing and to improve their skills by skiing with other kids under the direction of qualified coaches. The point of this class is for every child to increase his or her enjoyment of skiing by learning to ski better. This is not a racing program, but children interested in racing can learn some techniques and also learn about local and regional races.  This year, our program will include two groups, to allow skiers of the same abilities to ski together.  Intermediate and advanced skiers (including those returning to the program) will practice 3 afternoons each week.  For the first-time junior skiers, we offer practices 2 afternoons per week.  Please note that this split program will make the practices more fun and the coaching more effective only if the groups are composed of skiers with similar abilities.  Our intent is not to offer 2 practices per week to skiers who simply don’t want to sign up for 3 practices per week.  If you are unsure which group your skier should be in, please talk with the head coach, Dan Lewis.

Who is Eligible?  Any child 8 to 16 years old who can ski at least a mile comfortably and who wants to have fun learning to ski better.  For kids who do not want to ski distances this long, we suggest the Kid Ski class offered on 4 weekends in February.

Season:  INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED SKIERS:  December 1^st  through March 11th.  If snow conditions are poor early the season, then a few dry-land practices will be held in a Laramie park.  STARTING SKIERS:  December 7^th.

Fees:  INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED SKIERS:  $185.00.  STARTING SKIERS:  $140.00.

Practice Schedule:  INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED SKIERS:  4:00 - 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday.  STARTING SKIERS:  4:00 - 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.  ALL SKIERS, please arrive early enough that your child will be ready to ski at 4:00, with appropriate clothing.  Practice will end at 5:30 later in the season when daylight lasts longer.

Coaching:  Dan Lewis & Eliah Pederson will return this season.  If the beginning group is large enough, Dan & Eliah will have help from a third coach.

Location:  Happy Jack ski trails.  Skiers will meet for every practice at the warming hut at the Tie City Trailhead, off of the Happy Jack Road (Wyoming Highway 210) 12 miles east of Laramie.

Equipment:  Skis, boots, and poles suitable for both classic and skate technique.  “Combi” skis and boots work well for both, especially for beginning and intermediate skiers.  Waxable skis are better than waxless skis; the latter are very difficult to skate-ski on.  Every participant must provide his or her own equipment, which can be rented from Cross Country Connection (2nd & Ivinson, 721-2851) or Fine Edge Ski & Cycle (1660 N. 4th St., 745-4499.  Please be sure that your child comes with warm clothing, including mittens or gloves, and a hat or hood, to every practice.

Registration: Please download the 09-10_junior_registration_form.pdf and Activity Waiver.pdf, complete, and mail with a check made out to Medicine Bow Nordic Association to Ellen Axtmann (MBNA Administrative Coordinator), 500 11th Street, Laramie, WY 82070.  If you have questions about the program, contact George Jones (jonesgp@vcn.com, 742-0056) or Dan Lewis (MBNAJuniors@gmail.com, 307-699-2383).  If you are uncertain which group your skier should be in, talk with Dan.

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