Practice Information

Required Parent-Skier Pre-Season Meeting 

The required pre-season meeting for skiers and parents is necessary to share information on equipment, practices, races, carpooling and other topics integral to a successful season.  

• Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in Herr Tabisz's classroom, Room 328

Ski Camp for Beginner-Level Skiers

As soon as Battle Creek opens its trails, (anticipated mid-December) beginner levels skiers will learn all the basics at Ski Camp. Beginner and newish skiers are required to attend both days. (Experienced skiers are welcome to come and ski on their own, but there will be no formal practice as the focus is on beginner skiers.)

Ski Camp Anticipated Schedule (subject to weather and trail availability and conditions)

• Friday, December 12 - Battle Creek from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 

• Monday, December 15 - Battle Creek from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 

It's important for everyone, especially beginner skiers, to feel comfortable on skis before we head into winter break because once school resumes in January, the season will go by fast! 

First All-Team Practice

Trail conditions and weather permitting, the first official practice of the 2025-2026 season will take place on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Battle Creek. All skiers are expected to attend. 

• Friday, December 19 - Battle Creek from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 

Location

•  Battle Creek Regional Park West (75 Winthrop St. S., St. Paul, 55106)

Schedule

• Mondays and Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

  • • In the event of bad weather, poor trail conditions or a high school race, practice may be shortened or canceled all together. 

• Practice schedule includes a few mid-week practices to make up for Mondays and Fridays the team can't practice due to a school holiday or early-release

• Practice schedule

Families must provide transportation to practice. It is expected that families help each other out with carpooling. Transportation is the main barrier for some students to participate, particularly those who would otherwise be at Kinderclub. Volunteering to give other skiers rides to practice makes participation on the Nordic ski team more accessible. 

• Sign up to carpool to practice

Expectations of skiers at practice are straight-forward: show up on time and dressed to ski, listen to coaches and volunteers, participate, practice trail etiquette, (see below) be kind to your teammates and have a good attitude.

Skiers are held to the expectations they agreed to when they and their parents/guardians signed the Code of Conduct and Expectations.

Attendance

Skiing is both a technical and endurance sport, and regular attendance at practice is important in order to keep up with the progress of others on the team. Students are expected to attend both Monday and Friday practices every week throughout the season, unless discussed ahead of time with the coach or in case of injury or illness. 

Mathletes, dancers, runners and club skiers: If you are also on the Math, Dance or Indoor Track and Field teams at TCGIS or another club cross-country ski team, (Endurance United or MyXC) contact Coach Kirsten to discuss a schedule for participating in multiple activities. 

What to Bring

Minnesota weather is fickle and it's challenging to predict how much colder it will feel on a windswept trail or if you'll get too warm once you're moving. Forgetting gear that keeps you warm is a safety issue and could result in a skier not being allowed to practice. Skiers should bring everything on the gear list to practice and be prepared to spend the entire practice on the trail.

• TCGIS Nordic Ski Team Gear List

• Packing and remembering to bring equipment and gear is the skier's responsibly, not the parents'.  

See the Equipment & Attire page for more information on how to dress for skiing.

Ski Groups

Skiers are assigned a ski group, which they will often ski with during practice (during drills or free skiing, for example).  For safety and coaching purposes, skiers must remain with their ski groups during these times. Ski groups change often, sometimes from one practice to the next, and this is a great opportunity to get to know others on the team and build team camaraderie. 

Minimum Kilometers Per Season

Skiers are expected to ski a minimum of 25 kilometers in a season. This goal is attainable, even for beginners, by showing up to practice and races, putting in the effort and then tracking progress on the K-Counter. 

Skiing Outside of Practice

Becoming a better skier requires putting in the kilometers, so skiers are highly encouraged to ski outside of practice. Depending upon a skier's K-Counter goal, the skier will need to ski outside of practice every week. 

Warmup

Practice starts with a group dynamic warmup. 

Skill Development

The beginning of practice is often devoted to learning or practicing a particular skill, such as moving on skis, going up and downhill, turning, stopping and how to get up after falling. 

Skiing Without Poles

Skiers of all levels spend at least part of the practice skiing without poles. Without the distraction of poles in your hands, or relying on them for balance, you can better focus on practicing weight shift and balance, skills that are needed to kick and glide powerfully and efficiently. 

Games

Games are an integral part of practice because not only are they fun and foster team-building, you're practicing skills without even realizing it. Whether you’re racing in a relay or skiing away from the “Blob,” you’re honing your balance, coordination, feel for different snow conditions and agility. 

Free Ski

Most practices will include an opportunity to "just ski" and some practices will be devoted entirely to skiing (as opposed to drills and games). Students ski with their ski groups during free skiing.