Welcome to Blackhawk Nordic Ski Team
Welcome to BNST, the most popular Nordic ski team for youth in Greater Madison!
Welcome to BNST, the most popular Nordic ski team for youth in Greater Madison!
Mission
Mission
BNST's mission is to provide racing opportunities, coaching and support for high school and middle school Nordic (i.e. cross-country) skiers in the Greater Madison area. Our goals are to prepare athletes to perform their best, to foster a positive team ethic and to cultivate life-long interest in Nordic skiing. Our team includes skiers from grades 5 – 12, of all abilities. The team is a program of Blackhawk Ski Club and a member of the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League. Core values include:
BNST's mission is to provide racing opportunities, coaching and support for high school and middle school Nordic (i.e. cross-country) skiers in the Greater Madison area. Our goals are to prepare athletes to perform their best, to foster a positive team ethic and to cultivate life-long interest in Nordic skiing. Our team includes skiers from grades 5 – 12, of all abilities. The team is a program of Blackhawk Ski Club and a member of the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League. Core values include:
1. Racing. Skiers compete in state and regional level races.
1. Racing. Skiers compete in state and regional level races.
2. Skier development. Skiers train for both skate and classic techniques, fitness, outdoor skills and good sportsmanship.
2. Skier development. Skiers train for both skate and classic techniques, fitness, outdoor skills and good sportsmanship.
3. Community. Coaches and parents foster a positive attitude and inclusive participation in BNST’s competitive and social activities.
3. Community. Coaches and parents foster a positive attitude and inclusive participation in BNST’s competitive and social activities.
Come and join the most popular Nordic program in Greater Madison! Please send enquiries to the team manager at ccbarford@gmail.com.
Come and join the most popular Nordic program in Greater Madison! Please send enquiries to the team manager at ccbarford@gmail.com.
Team Info
Team Info
Practices are normally at Blackhawk Ski Club, which provides our primary training facility, snowmaking, grooming and winter safety. BNST occasionally trains at other local trails and facilities, especially in the pre-season. The team competes in approximately ten events in the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League each year, mid-December through early March. Race participation is optional but encouraged at all skill levels! Our skiers can also try the sport of biathlon at Blackhawk, the only youth biathlon program in Wisconsin.
Practices are normally at Blackhawk Ski Club, which provides our primary training facility, snowmaking, grooming and winter safety. BNST occasionally trains at other local trails and facilities, especially in the pre-season. The team competes in approximately ten events in the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League each year, mid-December through early March. Race participation is optional but encouraged at all skill levels! Our skiers can also try the sport of biathlon at Blackhawk, the only youth biathlon program in Wisconsin.
High School Team (grades 9-12):
High School Team (grades 9-12):
Dry-land training starts November 1st, and takes place 4 days per week (Saturday mornings plus three weeknights from 5:15-6:45pm, locations and days TBA).
Dry-land training starts November 1st, and takes place 4 days per week (Saturday mornings plus three weeknights from 5:15-6:45pm, locations and days TBA).
On-snow training starts ~ December 15 and takes place Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 – 6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club.
On-snow training starts ~ December 15 and takes place Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 – 6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club.
Middle School Team (grades 5-8):
Middle School Team (grades 5-8):
Optional dry-land training starts November 1 for returning skiers only, and takes place 2 days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:15-6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club).
Optional dry-land training starts November 1 for returning skiers only, and takes place 2 days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:15-6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club).
Dry-land training starts December 4 for all MS skiers, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 – 6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club.
Dry-land training starts December 4 for all MS skiers, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 – 6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club.
On-snow training starts ~ December 15 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 – 6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club.
On-snow training starts ~ December 15 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 – 6:45pm at Blackhawk Ski Club.
How to Join the 2017-2018 Team
How to Join the 2017-2018 Team
1. Register With the BNST Coaches: Enter your skier, parent/guardian, and emergency contact information. Please complete a form for *each* of your skiers. Medical release forms and concussion forms are part of this online registration. If there are questions about registration, please send to Roberta Eriksson at crunchyrabbit@hotmail.com.
1. Register With the BNST Coaches: Enter your skier, parent/guardian, and emergency contact information. Please complete a form for *each* of your skiers. Medical release forms and concussion forms are part of this online registration. If there are questions about registration, please send to Roberta Eriksson at crunchyrabbit@hotmail.com.
High school form: https://goo.gl/Ag1y3y
High school form: https://goo.gl/Ag1y3y
Middle school form: https://goo.gl/dXcwPa
Middle school form: https://goo.gl/dXcwPa
2. Join Blackhawk Ski Club and Pay Program Fee:
2. Join Blackhawk Ski Club and Pay Program Fee:
First, login to renew, or register for a "limited facility" (i.e. no-alpine) membership for either a student individual ($75) or a family ($225). Alpine membership (“unlimited facility”) is OK if you must ;-)
First, login to renew, or register for a "limited facility" (i.e. no-alpine) membership for either a student individual ($75) or a family ($225). Alpine membership (“unlimited facility”) is OK if you must ;-)
Proceed to "Shop for Classes" and select MS ($300) or HS ($400) X/C program for *each* of your skiers. This includes race entry fees.
Proceed to "Shop for Classes" and select MS ($300) or HS ($400) X/C program for *each* of your skiers. This includes race entry fees.
In the drop-down menu next to each skier/program choice, select an equipment option. First-year skiers can borrow equipment for free when the season begins. Returning skiers wishing to rent skis & poles will select and pay a rental fee ($100). Others please select "I have my own equipment."
In the drop-down menu next to each skier/program choice, select an equipment option. First-year skiers can borrow equipment for free when the season begins. Returning skiers wishing to rent skis & poles will select and pay a rental fee ($100). Others please select "I have my own equipment."
Notes about equipment: All skiers must provide their own boots. Skiers using team skis should buy combi / skiathlon type boots that are Salomon or Atomic brand, Profil- or Pilot-compatible. Sizes 38-42 boots can be especially hard to find in November & December, so please plan ahead (to the extent possible with growing feet!). If you have questions about skis or poles, including sizing and whether to rent or buy, please ask a coach ASAP. Coaches are glad to help navigate these decisions! Email Coach Steve Swenson at steveswenson922@gmail.com.
Notes about equipment: All skiers must provide their own boots. Skiers using team skis should buy combi / skiathlon type boots that are Salomon or Atomic brand, Profil- or Pilot-compatible. Sizes 38-42 boots can be especially hard to find in November & December, so please plan ahead (to the extent possible with growing feet!). If you have questions about skis or poles, including sizing and whether to rent or buy, please ask a coach ASAP. Coaches are glad to help navigate these decisions! Email Coach Steve Swenson at steveswenson922@gmail.com.
3. BNST uses the TeamSnap communication platform. After you register, you will receive an invitation to join TeamSnap. Contact ccbarford@gmail.com if you have any questions or have not received your invitation within 1-2 weeks of registering.
3. BNST uses the TeamSnap communication platform. After you register, you will receive an invitation to join TeamSnap. Contact ccbarford@gmail.com if you have any questions or have not received your invitation within 1-2 weeks of registering.
Race Schedule (tentative)
Race Schedule (tentative)
Ice Age Nordic Invitational (Lodi, WI) December 16, 2017
Ice Age Nordic Invitational (Lodi, WI) December 16, 2017
Hodag Challenge (Rhinelander, WI) January 6 & 7, 2018
Hodag Challenge (Rhinelander, WI) January 6 & 7, 2018
Snekkevik Classic (Wausau, WI) January 13, 2018
Snekkevik Classic (Wausau, WI) January 13, 2018
Iola Skate Invite (Iola, WI) January 14, 2018
Iola Skate Invite (Iola, WI) January 14, 2018
Southern Conference (Greenbush, WI) January 27, 2018
Southern Conference (Greenbush, WI) January 27, 2018
Iola Norseman (Iola, WI) January 28, 2018
Iola Norseman (Iola, WI) January 28, 2018
Elver Ski-Cross Event (Madison, WI) February 3 & 4, 2018
Elver Ski-Cross Event (Madison, WI) February 3 & 4, 2018
State Championships (Cable, WI) February 10 & 11, 2018
State Championships (Cable, WI) February 10 & 11, 2018
Squirrel Hill Skiathlon (Minocqua, WI) March 3, 2018 (?)
Squirrel Hill Skiathlon (Minocqua, WI) March 3, 2018 (?)
Coach Profiles
Coach Profiles
Steve Swenson (Head Coach). Steve skied for Northern Michigan University (NCAA Div II) and is a USSA-certified coach. He has coached Wisconsin Nordic Ski League championship teams and successful Junior National and collegiate skiers.
Steve Swenson (Head Coach). Steve skied for Northern Michigan University (NCAA Div II) and is a USSA-certified coach. He has coached Wisconsin Nordic Ski League championship teams and successful Junior National and collegiate skiers.
Claire Luby (HS Coach). Claire was the captain of the Nordic ski team at Middlebury College (NCAA Div III). She has coached for both Loppet Nordic Racing and Blackhawk, helping many racers move into state championship, collegiate and national-level racing.
Claire Luby (HS Coach). Claire was the captain of the Nordic ski team at Middlebury College (NCAA Div III). She has coached for both Loppet Nordic Racing and Blackhawk, helping many racers move into state championship, collegiate and national-level racing.
Danny Sonnentag (MS Coach). Danny skied for Peak Nordic in high school and then for UW–Madison’s Nordic ski team. Danny helped lead BNST’s middle school girls team to first place at the 2017 WNSL State Championships.
Danny Sonnentag (MS Coach). Danny skied for Peak Nordic in high school and then for UW–Madison’s Nordic ski team. Danny helped lead BNST’s middle school girls team to first place at the 2017 WNSL State Championships.
© Carol Barford, 2017
© Carol Barford, 2017