Winter 2024-2025 ski programs
Program basics
Memberships: do you have your annual membership for the winter? Membership is required to register for our ski programs. Plus, subscribing to the member e-news is a great way to stay in the know about all sorts of things.
Registration: Early registration for winter programs begins at 8:00pm on October 1. A link will be posted below. Registration for all winter programs closes on December 15 or as soon as program caps are met—whichever comes first. Some programs fill within hours of registration opening. Fees increase (by 10%) on November 15. Late registrations are typically not accepted but are occasionally permitted in certain circumstances.
Get some answers: Check our our FAQs and read through the Craftsbury Ski Club parent & athlete handbook to learn about our coaching philosophy, expectations, racing opportunities for all ages, and more. Not sure which program to join? Have questions about how our ski programs work, and what to expect? You’ll probably find a lot of answers in those documents. Take a look, then email our coaches if you still have questions or want to know more.
Communication: Information is posted at the start of each week on our club updates page, and most other communication happens through Slack, a simple communication platform. Upon registration you will receive an email with directions on how to join our Slack workspace.
Financial aid: Here at Craftsbury we strive to make our programs as affordable as possible. Although actual program costs are several times the program fees, we realize that our sport is expensive and costs may be prohibitive for some families. Check out our scholarship fund to learn more.
Winter 2024-2025 Program Details
Read on for more information on our many winter programs. Note that some of our programs, especially Catamounts and BKL, have some big changes this year, so please take a look! Please note that, at this time, this is a draft and details are subject to change.
Catamounts - now rolled into BKL!
Registration for programs will open on Tuesday, October 1st, at 8:00pm. Click the link below to make sure your account & memberships are in good working order! Navigate to the “programs” section of your account and program registration options will appear at 8:00pm.
Note: please don’t be discouraged if your program is full and you have to sign up for the waitlist! We move many people off the waitlists every year.
Updated 11/24/24.
Catamounts
Catamounts is shifting gears this year!
Our beloved Catamounts program is now getting rolled into the larger umbrella of our Bill Koch League (BKL) programs. But don’t worry! We’ll still retain many of the best elements of Catamounts. In making this change, our hope is to provide a cohesive program for all kids; a simpler registration process; and a clear progression through our programs.
BKL
Our Bill Koch League (BKL) program is now for kids grades 1-8, both those without and without skiing experience. Kids sign up by grade level, and then our mega-huge BKL blob will be broken down into many subgroups by our coaching staff. At the BKL level, we focus on two priorities: (1) fostering a love of skiing; and (2) developing skills through fun and age- and experience-appropriate games, drills, and adventures.
Note: skiers who cannot participate
Wondering what on earth the "Bill Koch League" is? Bill Koch (pronounced "coke") was America's first Olympic medalist in cross country skiing, and New England's youth ski league is named for him.
Program Name
BKL
Aimed At
Kids grades 1-8 who are excited about skiing. Note that this year we are changing the minimum age from “6 years old by December 1” to first grade.
Program Dates
Starts: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024.
Practice Days/Times
BKL practices happen on the following days and times:
- Tuesdays at 3:30pm (grades 1-8)
- Thursdays at 3:30pm (grades 1-8)
- Sundays at 11:00am (grades 5-8) and at 1:00pm (grades 1-4)
There are various configuration options, depending on grade:
- Grades 1-2 can sign up for 1 or 2 days per week. NEW skiers in grades 1-2 are encouraged to sign up for only Tuesdays, or perhaps Tuesdays and Thursdays if they’re super motivated. Sundays typically involve more of an adventure ski and can be tough our youngest skiers if they’re brand new to the sport!
- Grades 3-8 can sign up for 1, 2, or 3 days per week. NEW skiers in grades 3-4 are discouraged from choosing 3 days per week, as that typically feels overwhelming to beginners.
Sundays are only available as an option when combined with another day—there is not a Sunday-only, 1-day-per-week option. Options will be limited by enrollment capacity. Practices typically run for an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.
Practices will not be held December 22-26. Participants who do not attend any sessions during the first three weeks of practices will forfeit their spot to someone on the waitlist.
Program Fee
$100 for 1 day/week; $200 for 2 days/week; and $300 for 3 days/week. Fees increase 10% on November 15.
NENSA Membership (required to participate in BKL Festival)
NENSA membership is only required for those looking to participate in regional races. You’ll need a "Bill Koch League (Youth)" membership. Register yourself at NENSA here. This will also suffice for U14s wishing to "race up" in Eastern Cups.
Equipment (required - either your own or rented)
You can either procure your own equipment or rent it through us. For kids enrolled in our programs (and ONLY for kids enrolled in our programs), we offer season-long rental setups that you can take home for the duration of the winter. The season-long rental system is evolving, but you can see last year’s offerings here for reference. Equipment rentals are expected to open in mid- to late-October. Supplies are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis as rental orders are placed. Fittings and gear pickup happen in November.
Grades 1-4: All participants in these age groups will need to have complete classic setups (waxless/“fishscale”-style recommended). These skiers will also skate ski and have two options regarding skate equipment: either they can acquire/rent a setup for the season, or borrow skate equipment from our Touring Center for skate practices. Those who are really excited about skating are strongly encouraged to have their own setups!
Grades 5-8: All participants in these age group will need to have complete classic AND skate rental setups. Borrowing skate gear from the Touring Center is not an option for these age groups—we really want them to have skate gear to hang onto for the season.
Uniform/jacket (optional)
Various options are available for purchase or rent in our online store.
Coaching Staff
Coached by our junior/BKL coaching staff and numerous part-time coaches and volunteers. Learn more here.
Contact Info
Email: jrskiing@craftsbury.com; Phone: (802)-586-7767 x344.
U14 Competitive
Photo courtesy Dave Priganc
The U14 competitive program is for kids ages 12-14 who have several years of experience and are really excited about training and racing, even with older kids. This group will often mimic the junior practices.
Program Name
U14 Competitive
Aimed At
Kids ages 12-14 who have several years of experience and are excited about racing.
Program Dates
Starts: Sunday, November 10. Ends: mid-March.
Practice Days/Times
Tuesday - Friday afternoons @ 3:30pm; Sundays @ 9:00am. You pick a 2 day/week or 3+ day/week option but your days don’t necessarily need to be consistent. Practices typically run for an hour and 15 minutes, with some Sundays running longer (which will be communicated at the start of the week if so).
Program Fee
$250 for 2 days/week; $350 for 3+ days/week. Fees increase 10% on November 15.
NENSA Membership (required to participate in BKL Festival)
U14s should get a "Bill Koch League (Youth)" membership. Register yourself at NENSA here. This will also suffice for U14s wishing to "race up" in Eastern Cups.
US Ski & Snowboard Membership (required to race in Eastern Cups)
In addition to your NENSA membership, those of you U14s interested in "racing up" in some Eastern Cups will need a US Ski & Snowboard "General" membership. You can read about membership types here and register here.
Equipment (required - either your own or rented)
You can either procure your own equipment or rent it through us. For kids enrolled in our programs (and ONLY for kids enrolled in our programs), we offer season-long rental setups that you can take home for the duration of the winter. The season-long rental system is evolving, but you can see last year’s offerings here for reference. Equipment rentals are expected to open in mid- to late-October. Supplies are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis as rental orders are placed. Fittings and gear pickup happen in November.
Waxing
U14 comp skiers are expected to have their own wax boxes with a range of basic waxing supplies. Ask coaches for more details.
Uniform/jacket (optional)
Various options are available for purchase or rent in our online store.
Coaching Staff
Coached by our junior coaching staff. Learn more here.
Contact Info
Email: jrskiing@craftsbury.com; Phone: (802)-538-0981. Communication will take place primarily through a Slack channel. You will be sent an invite to join the channel once you register.
Juniors
The Junior program is for all experienced high school-aged skiers who are excited about training, racing, and being part of a team. Although our group will be large and diverse, we’re planning to staff accordingly to meet everyone’s needs. We expect to have some skiers who are focused exclusively on high school racing and others who are eager to compete at regional, national, and international levels.
This group has training options 5 days per week but participants will choose their commitment level at registration. All Junior program participants have access to: a weekly and yearly training plan, one-on-one technique coaching, a coach-reviewed training log, goal-setting meetings, season-long equipment rentals, and waxing support at the Vermont U16/EHSC qualifier race. Full-time participants will also receive full wax support at Eastern Cup races (available per diem to non-full-timers). This winter, all juniors will also have access to team travel to the first and second Eastern Cups for an additional fee.
If you have questions about the group or equipment, please send an email to jrskiing@craftsbury.com.
Program Name
Juniors
Aimed At
High school-aged racers
Program Dates
Starts: Sunday, November 3rd. Ends: late March.
Practice Days/Times
Tuesdays - Fridays @ 3:30pm & Sundays @ 9:00am. Practice duration is variable depending on training goals, but weekday practices are typically an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half, while Sunday practices may go a little longer. Talk to coaches with questions.
Program Fee
$300 for 2 days/week; $400 for 3 days/week; $600 for full-time (unlike the part-time options, this includes full Eastern Cup wax support). Fees increase 10% November 15. New participants should reach out to coaches before registering.
NENSA Membership (required to participate in Eastern Cups, U16 Champs, Eastern High Schools)
You will need to become a NENSA member to participate in Eastern Cups, though not all members of this group may want to do that. Check out our distillation of license needs here. Register yourself online for NENSA here. A NENSA membership is not required for those not racing in those events, but is a good way to support the New England ski community.
US Ski & Snowboard Membership (required to participate in Eastern Cups)
You will need a US Ski & Snowboard membership to race in Eastern Cups. Check out our distillation of license needs here. You can read about US Ski & Snowboard membership types here and register here. For juniors racing in Eastern Cups, there are two main options:
1. A "general" membership for those interested in the racing experience but unconcerned with scoring points toward Junior Nationals, etc. (A “short-term” membership is also possible for those who only want to do ONE Eastern Cup race.)
2. A “Competitor U13 and over” membership for those who ARE interested in scoring points
Waxing
Participants are expected to have basic wax boxes for training. More experienced participants should have more stuff in their arsenals! Newer participants shouldn’t let waxing intimidate them—we’ll help you. See our junior wax box suggestions here. All juniors have access to waxing guidance for practices and also coach-led waxing support for the VT U16/EHSC qualifier. The wax fee for Eastern Cups is included in the “full-time” program fee; non-full-timers are expected to pay for per diem Eastern Cup wax support when they want it ($25/race or $50/weekend—this will be billed directly to families after racing each weekend).
Equipment
Participants in this group are expected to have complete skate and classic setups for racing and/or everyday skiing. We highly recommend owning the basic setups at this level, but we do have season-long rentals available for newer/younger participants. For kids enrolled in our programs (and ONLY for kids enrolled in our programs), we offer season-long rental setups that you can take home for the duration of the winter. The season-long rental system is evolving, but you can see last year’s offerings here for reference. Equipment rentals are expected to open in mid- to late-October. Supplies are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis as rental orders are placed. Fittings and gear pickup happen in November.
Uniform/jacket (recommended)
Various options are available for purchase or rent in our online store.
Coaching staff
Coached by our junior coaching staff. Learn more here.
Contact info
Email: jrskiing@craftsbury.com; Phone: (802)-538-0981. Communication will take place primarily through a Slack channel. You will be sent an invite to join the channel once you register.
Biathlon
We offer biathlon as an add-on option for skiers ages 9+ who are already enrolled in our BKL, U14, or Junior programs. Our biathlon sessions are run by coaches Susan Dunklee, Ethan Dreissigacker, Rick Costanza, and our GRP biathletes. Sessions are scheduled to precede or follow other programs as closely as staffing permits. Sometimes practice times are wiggled around a little to accommodate various other practice constraints. There are 3 distinct biathlon groups: Junior/U14 biathlon; Experienced BKL biathlon; and Beginner BKL biathlon. Beginner BKL biathletes can only sign up for 1 day/week, but experienced biathletes may sign up for 2 days/week.
Program Name
Biathlon
Aimed At
Experienced skiers ages 9 and up seeking to improve their biathlon skills. Small 9-year-olds may struggle with rifle handling (they’re big!).
Program Dates
Start dates TBD.
Practice Days/Times (Note: Junior/U14s and experienced BKL biathletes may choose whether to do 1 or 2 days/week of biathlon. Beginner BKL biathletes must pick just one day.)
- Beginner BKL biathlon: Tuesdays at 4:45pm OR Sundays at 1:00pm (one day only)
- Experienced BKL biathlon: Thursdays at 4:45pm and/or Sundays at 10:00am
- Junior/U14 biathlon: Wednesdays at 5:15pm and/or Sundays at 11:00am
Practices typically run for 40 minutes.
Program Fee
$120 for 1 day/week or $240 for 2 days/week (includes use of ammo and rifles). Fees increase 10% on November 15.
Coaching Staff
Susan Dunklee, Ethan Dreissigacker, Rick Costanza and GRP biathletes (current and retired). Learn more here.
Contact info
Email: jrskiing@craftsbury.com and biathlon@craftsbury.com; Phone: (802)-538-0981. Communication will take place primarily through a Slack channel. You will be sent an invite to join the channel once you register.
Beginner Adults - 1 & 2
This winter we are again offering groups for beginner adults—but this year we’re going to have both “Beginner 1” and “Beginner 2” groups! Come join us to build a solid foundation of basics in both skate and classic technique. Beginner 1 is aimed at new or very inexperienced adult skiers, while Beginner 2 targets skiers with a bit more experience, such as those who did Beginner 1 last year and feel ready for the next step. Each cohort will progress at the group's pace with time for individual tips throughout each lesson. The goal of this time together is camaraderie on skis while learning the skills that can lead you to a longer, happier ski on your own, with friends, or move you along to a different group in the future. Questions about where you fit in best? Reach out to our staff (info below). Technique will generally switch from week to week (alternating skate and classic as much as the weather allows).
Program Name
Beginner Adults
Aimed At
New and/or relatively inexperienced skiers ages 20 and up
Program Dates
January 7 or 9, 2025 until mid-March
Practice Days/Times
- Beginner 1: Tuesdays @ 10:00am - 11:00am
- Beginner 2: Thursdays @ 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Program Fee
$125. Fees increase 10% on November 15.
Equipment
Participants in this group are expected to have complete skate and classic setups, as we will work on both techniques. You can either rent a setup from our Touring Center each time you come or acquire your own. For classic, waxless equipment is encouraged (“fish-scale” skis or skin skis). We do not offer season-long rentals for adults at this time, as we simply don’t have the inventory to support it.
Coaching Staff
Kara Dunn, Amy Schulz, and others TBD
Contact info
Email: jrskiing@craftsbury.com
Intermediate Adults
Looking to improve your ski technique this winter? Join our intermediate masters group once a week! The Intermediate Adults group is aimed at improving your ski technique so you can get more out of skiing. Whether your goal is to ski longer, farther, or just more efficiently, this group is perfect for those masters skiers who are not as interested in racing. Technique focus will switch from week to week (alternating skate and classic, though sometimes weather throws a wrench in that a little). Questions? Email Gina and our coaching staff.
Program Name
Intermediate Adults
Aimed At
Intermediate skiers ages 20 and up
Program Dates
January 6 or 7, 2025 until mid-March
Practice Days/Times
- Mondays at 2:30pm - 3:30pm with Gina and Molly OR
- Tuesdays at 1:00pm - 2:00pm with Kara and Rick
Program Fee
$125. Fees increase 10% on November 15.
Equipment
Participants in this group are expected to have complete skate and classic setups, as we will work on both techniques. You can either rent a setup from our Touring Center each time you come or acquire your own. For classic, waxless equipment is encouraged (“fish-scale” skis or skin skis). We do not offer season-long rentals for adults at this time, as we simply don’t have the inventory to support it.
Coaching Staff
Gina Campoli, Molly Sease, Kara Dunn, Rick Costanza, and possibly others TBD.
Contact info
Email: ginacampolivt@gmail.com, jrskiing@craftsbury.com
Competitive Masters/Adults
Our competitive masters/adults training group is appropriate for experienced adult skiers ages 30+. Members of this group can choose whether to sign up for one or both days of training. Our masters group is diverse, with some participants setting competitive racing goals and others mainly seeking to improve fitness and skills, but those without extensive skiing experience should choose the intermediate masters group instead. Competitive masters work on fundamentals of fitness and strength, fine-tune skate and classic technique, and work with the coaching staff for guidance toward individual goals. Most importantly, we have a blast!
Program Name
Competitive masters/adults
Aimed At
Intermediate to advanced skiers ages 20 and up
Program Dates
December 5, 2024 until mid-March
Practice Days/Times (choose one or both)
- Thursdays @ 9:30am - 10:45am
- Sundays @ 9:00am - 10:30am
Program Fee
$125 for 1 day/week and $250 for 2 days/week. Fees increase 10% on November 15.
Equipment
Participants in this group are expected to have complete skate and classic setups of their own.
NENSA Membership (required for some races, like Eastern Cups and other regional races)
Register yourself online for NENSA here. While not required, adult memberships help to support skiing in New England!
USSA Membership (required for some races, like Eastern Cups)
You will need to become a USSA member if you want to race Eastern Cups. Register yourself online for USSA here.
Coaching Staff
TBD. Learn more about our coaching staff here.
Contact info
Email: ollie.burruss@craftsbury.com; Phone: (802)-538-0981. Communication will take place primarily through a Slack channel. You will be sent an invite to join the channel once you register.
Seniors/Green Racing Project
The Green Racing Project is Craftsbury's elite racing team. Composed of post-collegiate racers from all over the country, the GRP has skiers and biathletes that compete across the globe at a number of levels, historically including the SuperTour, World Cup, and Olympic levels. To learn more about the GRP, visit their website. This elite training group is by application only; applications are solicited in the spring of each year. In addition to the GRP, we typically accept a small number of U23 athletes for summer training as well. Interested skiers should contact us via skiing@craftsbury.com for more details.
School Groups
Groups of kids from area schools can come ski for free on our professionally maintained trails through our school groups program. Equipment is also provided free of charge. Helping promote Nordic skiing and making it accessible to the local public is an important part of our mission. School teachers and administrators are encouraged to contact us to learn more about this great opportunity. Reach out early! The school group calendar fills up fast.
Scholarships
Part of our mission is to make lifelong sport accessible to one and all. As such, we have a scholarship program to support kids who may not otherwise be able to participate in our programs. We also offer assistance to families in our programs whose children have qualified for and are traveling to major skiing competitions. You can complete a scholarship application here. Feel free to contact junior coach Anna Schulz with questions about scholarships.
Still have questions? Contact us via skiing@craftsbury.com for more details.
Hope to see you on the trails!