Bill Koch Youth Ski Teams
Your child can learn to cross country ski! Our Bill Koch programs are fun, learn-to-ski programs geared towards children ages 4-11. The emphasis is on fostering a love for the sport and enjoying winter in Leadville. Skills such as coordination, agility, and balance will be taught through a variety of games and activities. The program meets once or twice a week January through early March. Coaches are volunteers and parents.
The four ski groups we offer are as follows:
Pikas (Preschool to Kindergarten): The Pikas group is perfect for first time young skiers from preschool to kindergarten to learn to move around on skis. This group meets one day a week (Friday afternoons).
Marmots (Kindergarten to 3rd Grade): The Marmots program is for first time and beginner skiers from kindergarten to 3rd grade to learn to nordic ski. This group meets one day a week (Friday afternoons).
Bobcats (1st to 4th Grade): The Bobcats program is for experienced (either some cross country skiing experience or moderate alpine experience) skiers in 1st to 4th grade. Skiers will focus on developing the ability to nordic ski through a variety of terrain comfortably and increasing their endurance on skis while still focusing on fun! This group meets two days a week (Friday and Tuesday afternoons).
Wolverines (2nd to 5th Grade): The Wolverines group is for experienced (either some cross country skiing experience or moderate alpine experience) skiers in 2nd to 5th grade. Skiers will focus on developing the ability to nordic ski through a variety of terrain comfortably and increasing their endurance on skis while still focusing on fun! It is a more advanced group compared to the Bobcats. This group meets two days a week (Friday and Tuesday afternoons).
Skiers can move up or down group based on ability and experience. We will help place your child in the appropriate group after you register.
How do I sign up my child?
Go the application page and follow the directions. The application is open from October 1st to October 31st for the 2023-2024 Winter.
When are practices?
All groups will practice on Friday afternoons at 1:30pm. The older groups (Bobcats and Wolverines) will also meet on Tuesday afternoons from 4-5pm. The program will start on January 8th and run until March 8th.
How much does the program cost?
The cost is $50 for the Bill Koch Program for the season.
What equipment does my child need? Where can I get it?
Skiers should have waxless (fish scale) classic skis, boots, and poles. We have partnered with GOL! so that Bill Koch skiers may rent equipment for the season with a membership to the GOL! gear library. This gear is available to rent from after winter break to before spring break.
About Bill Koch: Bill Koch, aka “Kochie,” is America’s first cross country skier Olympic medalist (1976). He emerged from the hills around Putney, Vermont to become a World Cup Champion. In addition to his international results, Bill was well known for fun and innovation. Often referred to as the father of skate skiing, Kochie helped popularize the technique in the early 80's leading to his bronze medal in the 1982 World Championships. When he was not helping create a new technique or racing in Europe, Kochie was often seen skiing though the back woods and pastures, jumping and just playing on his skis! When he retired from world cup skiing, USSA honored Bill by forming the Bill Koch Ski League to introduce America’s children to Nordic skiing and the joy of going fast on skis.