Dear Nordic Ski Club,
We're excited for our fifth season, starting Monday December 10th from 4:15-5:15 at the Teton Lakes Golf Course. The ski club holds practice even if there's no snow, but only on days when school is held. So: if there's no snow, there IS ski club (it's called "dry land training"). BUT if it's a holiday, there's no ski club, and if school is cancelled, there's no ski club.
We meet Mondays and Thursdays, usually through the first week or two of February. We finish up when we run out of snow at the end of the season. For each clinic, we will offer coaching for both classic and skate skiing techniques; if you have access to both types, then feel free to alternate from practice to practice.
Busing: In the past, students have been able to ride buses from the Junior High or High School to Teton Lakes Golf Course (but no skis on the bus!). I checked with the Transportation Department (208- 359 - 3265), but you may also want to check to make sure you have permission and that you have the correct bus number, and find out if you need to switch buses en route to the golf course. The information I received is this:
- Junior High Students will get on Bus # 06-3 (in spot #6), then ride the bus to the Teton Lakes Golf Course.
- High School Students will get on Bus # 01-4 and then transfer to Bus # 06-3 at Valley Wide Co-Op. They will then ride the bus to the Teton Lakes Golf Course.
Register: Please register through the Rexburg Recreation site for the Nordic Ski Club. We need everyone to do this for liability reasons.
Skis: Although the City has a limited number of loaner skis (all six sets have been loaned out), participants are asked to provide their own equipment (much like the Mountain Bike team members buy their own bikes, or cross-country runners buy their own shoes, etc.). However, there are a number of options for people wanting to rent instead of buy. Please check out the tab above about rentals or look around for equipment. The City is expecting to purchase a new fleet of Classic Skis to be at the Golf Course for public rentals. It's possible that club members could rent on an hourly basis for ski club if necessary (but I'm not guaranteeing it - the skis aren't even available yet).
Storing Skis: As always, skis can be stored on site in our Ski Club shed. The shed is locked throughout the week, but we make no promises as to the security of the skis.
Clinic on Mondays, Free Ski on Thursdays: This year we plan to use Mondays as ski clinic days with instruction and coaching. On Thursdays, we plan to have kids use the time to just ski. This will give participants time to build endurance and practice form and enjoy time out on the course.
See you soon!
Coaches Stephanie Hancock, Steve Barrus and Joel Simpson
December 2017
Dear Nordic Ski Club,
Year number four...cool! Please read through last year's letter; nothing has really changed.
See you on the course!
December 2016
Dear Nordic Ski Club,
Wow! This makes three years in a row, and we are growing! Coaches Joel Simpson, Steve Barrus and Stephanie Hancock (you can call us Coach or our first names, or Coach [last name] or whatever you want) are returning this year for another wonderful winter season. Most of you have already registered (thanks!), but I’m including others from last year who might still be interested in joining this year. If you are interested, please register through the City Rec Dept. ASAP so we can get a good head count. Even if you aren’t using City Skis, we need to have you registered for liability reasons. Also, some of you may be attending only once a week instead of twice; that’s totally fine.
We have some of the best grooming around (I’d say the very best, actually), with wonderful skiing when we have snow (thanks, Randy and Doug!). We also have an on-site port-a-potty (thanks, Jeff C. and Rexburg City!). The Nordic Community is growing quickly. Welcome on board!
Our first practice will be December 12th at 4:15 (the bus usually drops kids off by 4, then they have time to put on winter clothes). We will hand out the few City Skis we have (they’ve all been loaned out, see below). If you can track down skis before then, you can either have a parent bring them that day or drop them off at my house before 2pm Monday and I can bring them for you.
PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS WHOLE LETTER FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION (sorry it’s so long!).
By the way, no experience is needed. Those who know a little more will help those who know a little less. Getting out in the winter is a great way to maintain fitness and sanity! :) We’ll have a lot of fun.
The City only has 8 sets of ski equipment, which have all been loaned out.
Rentals
However, if you don’t have skis don’t panic. We will try to get you on skis. Forrest Southam has a supply of classic skis, boots and poles that can be rented at Sticks N Stones at 49 East Main Street. For a season of rental skis, contact him directly at forrestglade at gmail dot com . Forrest is super easy to work with. He may have some skate skis, too (ask him about that). Additionally, you can rent classic and skate ski packages at the BYU-I Outdoor Resource Center (208-496-7337). I think that’s a daily rental, not a seasonal rental. In the past, they’ve offered ski club members a discount - ask them about that.
Finally, I have a couple of my own skis that we can try to fit people into as a last resort, but very limited boot sizes. We’ll do what we can - we want everyone to get out and ski.
Buy your own
Go ahead and look around on Craig’s List and local stores if you’re interested in purchasing skis (which I recommend if possible). They do NOT have to be high-end expensive skis. As you get into the sport more, you may want to upgrade eventually. Feel free to start on either classic skis (cheaper, and a good way to start) or skate skis (more pricey, but fun).
The closest ski shop is probably Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls. The closest specialty shops (which have a bigger selection) are in Driggs (Peaked Sports, Yostmark), West Yellowstone (Free Heel and Wheel), and Jackson (Skinny Skis). There’s also shop in Pocatello (Barrie’s Ski & Sports).
There used to be - and maybe still are - some consignment shops that might be a good spot to check:
Victor Outdoor Seconds in Victor, Idaho
Headwall Recycle Sports in Jackson,Wyoming
Also, I've been told that Play it Again Sports in Idaho Falls sometimes has good nordic ski equipment.
The City only has 8 sets of ski equipment, which have all been loaned out.
Rentals
However, if you don’t have skis don’t panic. We will try to get you on skis. Forrest Southam has a supply of classic skis, boots and poles that can be rented at Sticks N Stones at 49 East Main Street. For a season of rental skis, contact him directly at forrestglade at gmail dot com . Forrest is super easy to work with. He may have some skate skis, too (ask him about that). Additionally, you can rent classic and skate ski packages at the BYU-I Outdoor Resource Center (208-496-7337). I think that’s a daily rental, not a seasonal rental. In the past, they’ve offered ski club members a discount - ask them about that.
Finally, I have a couple of my own skis that we can try to fit people into as a last resort, but very limited boot sizes. We’ll do what we can - we want everyone to get out and ski.
Buy your own
Go ahead and look around on Craig’s List and local stores if you’re interested in purchasing skis (which I recommend if possible). They do NOT have to be high-end expensive skis. As you get into the sport more, you may want to upgrade eventually. Feel free to start on either classic skis (cheaper, and a good way to start) or skate skis (more pricey, but fun).
The closest ski shop is probably Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls. The closest specialty shops (which have a bigger selection) are in Driggs (Peaked Sports, Yostmark), West Yellowstone (Free Heel and Wheel), and Jackson (Skinny Skis). There’s also shop in Pocatello (Barrie’s Ski & Sports).
There used to be - and maybe still are - some consignment shops that might be a good spot to check:
Victor Outdoor Seconds in Victor, Idaho
Headwall Recycle Sports in Jackson,Wyoming
Also, I've been told that Play it Again Sports in Idaho Falls sometimes has good nordic ski equipment.
GENERAL INFO & SCHEDULE
Ages:
Grades 7-12Days:
M & Th Practice, excluding Holidays and school closure days. No practices over Christmas Break.Time:
4:15-5:15. Once we have more daylight, we may extend to 5:30 (probably mid-January).Dates:
December 12 through approximately February 27, as weather permits (if there's no snow, we can still do dry-land training. If it's a blizzard, we may cancel that day. Check the blog for updates, and I will send emails. If we run out of snow before Feb 27, we may end our season a little earlier than the 27th).
DRESS WARMLY AND IN LAYERS. Fingers need to be covered - please! Wear good gloves, hats, warm socks, warm layers of snow clothes. You may get too warm, so be prepared to shed layers.
SKIS can be stored on-site at our Ski Club Shed. I will show up early each practice to unlock the shed. You can leave your backpack and stuff in there during practice.
BUS: Check with the Madison School District Transportation Department (208)359-3265 to find out which Jr. High or which High School Bus takes kids to the TETON LAKES GOLF COURSE (not the Municipal Golf Course). You’ll likely need to send a note. NO SKIS ALLOWED ON BUSES.
I hope that’s everything for now. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Remember to check the blog regularly.
Many thanks,
Stephanie
Matt Johnson from the Rexburg Standard Journal took these pictures of the club. We are missing a few kids in the team picture who weren't there but they are very much a part of the club!
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For youth grades 7-12, this is the second year of the Rexburg Nordic Club.
Registration is open all season, meaning anyone can join in at any time, no previous experience necessary. Participants need to register through the Rexburg City Recreation Department (it's $10).
REXBURG NORDIC TEAM (YOUTH GRADES 7-12 CROSS COUNTRY SKI TEAM)
Description:
The Rexburg Nordic Team provides opportunities for youth in grades 7-12 to learn a new sport or continue developing as cross-country skiers through organized team practice. During team practices, members will learn technique and develop endurance, regardless of their personal experience levels. Both skate and classic techniques will be taught. Participants may also have the option of competing in local and area community races (you have to pay your own race fees). This is a great way for youth to stay active during the winter months. On days with no snow, we will hold dry-land practices at the Teton Lakes Golf Course.
No previous experience needed, all levels welcome. Dress warmly in layers with good gloves.
NOTE: Skis can be stored on site. While the Ski Shed is locked, we make no guarantees on the security. Students may have the option of riding the bus to the golf course for practice. Please check with the school district transportation department for information.
NOTE: Skis can be stored on site. While the Ski Shed is locked, we make no guarantees on the security. Students may have the option of riding the bus to the golf course for practice. Please check with the school district transportation department for information.
Ages:
Grades 7-12Days:
M & Th Practice, excluding Holidays and school closure days. No practices over Christmas Break.Time:
4:15-5:00/5:10. Once we have more daylight, we may extend to 5:30 (probably mid-January).Dates:
December 7-February 25, as weather permits (if there's no snow, we can still do dry-land training. If it's a blizzard, we may cancel that day. Check the blog for updates).Equipment:
Forrest Southam
Rexburg Cross Country Ski Rentals and Sales
email: forrestglade@gmail.comSkate Skiing and Classic Skiing coaching
Coached by Joel Simpson, Steve Barrus & Stephanie Hancock
PLEASE DRESS WARMLY!
Questions? Contact Stephanie Hancock at stephanie_hancock@mac.com
