Bloomington Nordic Ski Team Philosophy

Team Mission, Leadership and Commitment

To encourage a positive team environment, where an appreciation for sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation is developed and practiced.
To instill in all skiers a level of self-confidence, pride in oneself, and self-discipline.
Contribute to the total educational experience offered to the students.
To keep skiers involved in the sport all four years.
To encourage a healthy lifestyle and lifelong love for Nordic skiing.

How to join the Team

School Athletic Registration
Skiers must also register through their area high school (Jefferson or Kennedy) for the Nordic Ski Team. For more information about how to do that please visit the High School Athletics pages.

Booster Club Fees
$130 per skier; $100 for siblings
Venmo to Bloomington Nordic or send a check to Bloomington Nordic Booster Club, c/o Tania Ishaug, 11031 Yukon Circle S, Bloomington, MN 55438.

Team Communications - TeamSnap
Team Communications is run through TeamSnap. Please email maureenanngray@gmail.com to find out more about how to be added to TeamSnap.

Bloomington Nordic Booster Club Purpose and Events

The purpose of the Booster Club:

1) to provide the team with resources beyond what is funded by our school system.
2) to provide adult support to the activities and special events that help to raise funds and enhance team spirit.

Families of all Nordic skiers are encouraged to join the Booster Club. The Booster Club leadership is provided through the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and the coaches.

If you would like to participate as an active member of the booster club, have a potential fundraising idea, or would simply like to learn about the booster club activities, please contact one of the people listed on the Board Member List on our main page.

Booster Club Fees:
Booster Club finances are raised through family dues and fundraisers. Our booster expenditures include bus expenses (the school district covers only a portion of the bus costs), coach honorarium to supplement the modest amounts provided by the school district, supplement trip expenses, race suits and jackets, wax benches, team tent, and meet entry fees. A portion of each skier's booster fee covers their banquet ticket and a team t-shirt.

Special Events and Activities:
The Booster Club is responsible for helping coordinate the following activities and events:

Kick-off Meeting
All team members and parents are expected to attend this informational meeting in October.
Optional Training Weekend Trip
All team members are invited to participate in a weekend-long training event at a Resort in the Midwest. Locations have included Maplelag in Minnesota and Heartwood in Wisconsin. Parents are welcome but not required to attend. Skiers stay in cabins with their teammates and are chaperoned by coaches and booster parents. Details are published each year for the specifics of the event.
Cub Foods Fundraiser
We will bag groceries at Cub Foods on Lyndale. All tips we earn will go to the booster club. We need parents and skiers to volunteer.
Awards Banquet Post Season
This end-of-the-season dinner banquet is for skiers and their families. Coaches recognize the accomplishments of each skier and awards are given.
Minnesota Valley Country Club, 6300 Auto Club Road, Bloomington, MN
Menu: Taco Bar including flour and corn tortillas, beef and chicken, beans, rice, lettuce, sour cream, onions, olives, salsa, cheese, chips and queso.

$25 per person - Skiers are free if you have paid your Booster Club fee. Venmo BloomingtonNordic, or make checks payable to Bloomington Nordic Booster Club and mail to: Tania Ishaug, 11031 Yukon Circle S, Bloomington, MN 55438

Athletes are encouraged to plan ahead for these special events!

Team Communication/Practices/Cost

Communication - TeamSnap:

The head coach will communicate with the team and parents via TeamSnap on a regular basis. It is important that registration for TeamSnap begins with the skiers email, and then Parents may be added as family members under the athlete. Registration with TeamSnap is essential as changes in race venue and cancellations can occur up to 11:00 am the day of the race. It is the responsibility of each skier to check his or her email/TeamSnap each night after 9:00 pm. Topics will include:
What to bring to practice the following day.
Changes in the location of practices and races.
Results from ski races.
General information that the coach needs to communicate.

Nordic Equipment and Gear

Cross Country Nordic Skiing is a sport that requires a lot of gear! Classic and Skate Skiing are the two different Cross-Country Ski Techniques that the Bloomington Nordic High School Team practices and races. The video to the right explains the different techniques. Below are some specialty shops that we recommend. Remember to mention that you are a high school skier for a discount on your entire purchase.

Season Practices:
Medical forms, permission forms and the athletic registration fee (payable to Bloomington School District #271) should be turned in to the school office before the season begins.  Official team practice begins in early November at Jefferson.  Skier-led practices will start the week prior to official practice and will be held at Jefferson.

Most Practices will begin at 3:15 pm and will usually be done between 5-5:30.  Practices are held Monday through Friday.  Coaches may call for practices on Saturday mornings.  Attendance at practice is mandatory.  If an athlete has a conflict, he or she must notify a coach or captain ahead of time.  Missing a practice the day before a meet will generally disqualify that athlete from participating on the varsity team for that meet.  The coaches develop practices that respect the varying experience and ability of skiers.  Athletes will need to arrange for their transportation home from practices.  Bus service is not available.

During early season weeks, the students will be working on dry-land training techniques, often off-site at Hyland Park or JHS.  During school weeks when sufficient natural snow is present, ski practices will be held at Hyland Lake Park in Bloomington.  When the natural snow is insufficient for trails, ski practices may be held on area lakes or in one of the several areas where artificial snow is made (Hyland downhill area, Theodore Wirth, or Elm Creek Park Reserve).

Skiers should check TeamSnap for updates regularly.

**** Note: When practices are held off site, it is the responsibility of the skiers and or parents to get the skiers to the practice location by 3:15 where they will meet the coaches.

Financial Commitment:
Required Fees:

Athletic fee collected by Jefferson or Kennedy (cost varies each year)
Booster Club 22-23 Fee: $130 per skier; $100 for sibling
Three Rivers Park District Ski Trail Pass included in Booster Fee: Each skier must have their park passes on their person at all times when we are skiing at a Three Rivers Park.

Other Potential Fees:

Weekend ski training trip to a Midwest resort. Locations have included Maplelag Resort in Callaway, MN and Heartwood Resort in WI. Cost is approximately $250 per skier including transportation, ski trail passes, two nights lodging, and five meals.
End of the year banquet (~$25 per person) Included in booster fee for skiers who paid the booster club fee.

Hyland Lake Park Main Visitor Center

Jan's Place at Hyland Lake

Join the Nordic Ski Team

Contact Bloomington Nordic Ski Team.
Thomas Jefferson High School: 4001 W 102nd St, Bloomington, MN 55437
John F. Kennedy High School: 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420

Bloomington Nordic Ski Team

High School Cross-Country Ski Team

4001 W 102nd St. Bloomington, MN

Phone: (952) 806-7600