BIATHLON

Our biathlon programs and for ages 10 and up. Click on each program link for more details on each program including upcoming program dates and registration.

September 2020 Update – Volunteer Coaches Needed!

The capacity of our biathlon programs is limited by the number of NCCP certified skiing and shooting coaches we have. We are currently recruiting coaches to increase the capacity of our Biathlon Bears and Development Team programs. NCCP coaching courses and technical training are provided by local facilitators. Parents who coach are guaranteed spots in our programs for their children! If you are interested in becoming a coach for our biathlon program, please contact biathlon@seatoskynordics.ca.

Biathlon Bears Program Description

Biathlon Bears is a three-level progressive skills development program for youth ages 10-13.

The goal of the program is to continuously develop and refine skiing and shooting skills in a safe and fun environment through a combination of drills, games and relays, and to provide an introduction to an active, outdoor sport-for-life.

Biathlon Bears is for young athletes in the FUNdamentals and Learn to Train developmental stages of the Canadian Sport for Life Long Term Athlete Development Model. Biathlon Bears leads into our Development Team program or our Teen Leadership program.

Registration Prerequisites

In order to participate in our Biathlon Bears program, you must meet the following prerequisites:

– membership with the Sea to Sky Nordics (click here to register)
– registration with Biathlon Canada as a “Recreational Athlete” (click here to register)
– no biathlon or shooting experience is required, but prior participation in a biathlon camp, recreational biathlon race or demo day is recommended
– at least one season of cross country skiing experience is required for all levels of Biathlon Bears

Program Levels

The three levels of the program are called Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, and Polar Bears.

Athletes will be assigned into one of the three different levels based on their experience, ability, personal goals, and approach to training.

Black Bears is the entry level for our biathlon program. At this level the goal is to develop existing skiing skills while acquiring basic shooting skills. All participants without prior shooting experience will begin at the Black Bears level.

Grizzly Bears is the next level for experienced biathletes. At this level the goal is to continue to develop skiing skills while consolidating basic shooting skills. At least two years of skiing experience and one year in Black Bears, Young Vikings or equivalent shooting experience is a prerequisite for the Grizzly Bears level.

Polar Bears is for advanced skiers who are passionate about Biathlon and consider it their primary winter sport activity. This level is for young athletes who are interested in progressing to our Development Team. This level is designed to develop and refine skiing skills including speed, power and aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility, and to develop a solid foundation of basic shooting skills for progressing to the Development Team.

2020/21 Winter Schedule & Dates

This winter, the Biathlon Bears program offers training sessions on Wednesdays and Sundays. Optional additional skiing sessions on Tuesday nights in Whistler are also available.

In the winter, we recommend that Biathlon Bears ski once on weekends and at least one during the week. Polar Bears should be skiing three times a week.

SUNDAYS

Dates: Dec 6-Mar 7 (13 sessions – no practice on Dec 27)
Time: 8:45-14:00
Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Activities: skiing and shooting training.

WEDNESDAYS

Dates: (Dec 16-Mar 3 (11 sessions – no practice on Dec 30)
Two times/locations to choose from:
Cypress 17:00-18:30
Whistler Olympic Park: 17:00-18:30
Activities: Skiing only, no shooting training.

Program Fees

Program fees cover coaching, lane fees, ammunition, and use of club biathlon rifles.

Trail passes are not included in the program fee.

$52.50 discount season passes to Whistler Olympic Park and Lost Lake (each) can be purchased in connection with program registration.

Sundays and Wednesdays: $600

Equipment Required

Participants are required to provide their own ski equipment (skis, boots, poles), for both skate and classic skiing techniques. The skiing program follows the Track Attack coaching model and skiing techniques are split equally between classic and skate sessions throughout the season.

Equipment rentals are available through Whistler Olympic Park, Cypress, and local ski shops.

Participants should come to practice prepared for the weather conditions with multiple sets of pants, jackets, gloves, and hats. At least 3 pairs of gloves and 3 jackets are recommended in wet weather!

PARENT PARTICIPATION

Parent involvement is a required part of our Biathlon Bears program. This requirement can be fulfilled by helping with coaching, doing setup/takedown at practices, assisting on the range, volunteering at events, or by assisting with the administration of the program.

Parents who are interested in coaching or volunteering at events are encouraged to take a Silver Coach workshop and an Entry Level Officials Course through the Whistler Biathlon Society.

No clubs will have access to the buildings or flexspaces at Whistler Olympic Park due to Covid-19 protocols. So, for the 2020/21 season, we are going old school! Parents are expected to stay at Whistler Olympic Park on Sundays and provide their vehicles for their children to have lunch and warm up between skiing and shooting. Athletes should not be sharing a vehicle with a different family due to the inability to socially distance.

Sign up for Biathlon Bears

Registration opens October 10th.

DEVELOPMENT TEAM PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Our Development Team is a skills development, training and race program for experienced skiers ages 13-18 who are passionate about Biathlon and consider it their primary winter sport activity.

Junior Development Team – J1 (13 years old)

The J1’s program is designed to develop and refine skiing skills including speed, power and aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility, and to develop a good foundation of shooting skills. The athletes are introduced to shooting with a sling and roller skiing. At this age, athletes are expected to train 2-3 times per week. Athletes in this group will participate in 2-3 competitions during the season, including travel to one or two BC Cup events during the winter.

Junior Development Team – J2 (14 years old)

The J2’s program builds on the J1 program and continues to develop and refine skiing and shooting ability. The J2 athletes participate in national testing events like Testival. At this age athletes are expected to train at least 3 times per week, including training on their own. Athletes will participate in 6-10 competitions during the season, including travel to one or two away BC Cup events during the winter.

Senior Development Team – (15 – 18 years old)

For 15-18-year old’s the program is structured to optimize performance in local, provincial and national competitions and athletes are expected to train at least 4 times per week, including training on their own. We introduce the standing format for shooting (Seniors 15-16 years) and then the athletes carrying their rifles while skiing (Youth 17-18 years). The Seniors program is designed around participation in BC Cup events, including travel to two or three away BC Cup events. For Youth athletes the program is designed around competition in North American Open Competitions, World Youth Trials and 2021 Nationals Championships.

The training program for Development Team athletes is based around a training plan. Our biathlon head coach will develop a training plan for each athlete, and will also monitor the athletes’ progress in following their plan throughout the year. Athletes will be expected to train on their own in addition to the scheduled biathlon practices, as prescribed in their training plans. One on one check-ins with coaching staff happen quarterly.

Parent involvement is a required part of our Development Team program. This requirement can be fulfilled by helping with setup/takedown at practices or by assisting with the administration of the program. Parent assistance will be required at all biathlon competitions that athletes attend, home and away.

Parents are encouraged to take NCCP coaching workshops and a Biathlon Canada Entry Level Officials Course through the Whistler Biathlon Society.

REGISTRATION PREREQUISITES

In order to register in our Development Team program, you must meet the following prerequisites:

– previous participation in our Development Team or Polar Bears program, or equivalent experience
– membership with the Sea to Sky Nordics (click here to register)
– registration with Biathlon Canada (Junior B/G or Senior B/G and older) (click here to register)
– have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)
– have your own biathlon rifle (see below for details about renting club rifles)

2020 FALL SEASON: SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER

In Fall, the Development Team program offers training sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays/Sundays.

We recommend that Development Team athletes train 3-4 times per week with the club in the Fall.

SATURDAYS (Seniors)/SUNDAYS (Juniors)

Dates: Sep 12-Nov 28 (No practice on Nov 29 for Juniors)
Time: 9:30-15:30
Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Activities: shooting training, and a mix of dryland training activities including roller skiing, running, strengthening, agility/balance/coordination and other activities.

MONDAYS (Seniors)

Virtual session for team meeting, strength/core, dryfiring and mindfulness training.

TUESDAYS (J1 and Seniors)

Dates: Sep 8-Nov 17
Times/Locations:
North Vancouver 18:30-20:00
Squamish 17:30-19:00
Whistler 17:30-19:00
Activities: a mix of dryland training activities including roller skiing, running, strengthening, agility/balance/coordination and other activities.

WEDNESDAYS (J2 and Seniors)

Dates: Sep 9-Nov 18
Times/Locations:
North Vancouver 17:30-19:00
Whistler: Whistler Olympic Park 16:30-18:00
Activities: a mix of dryland training activities including roller skiing, running, strengthening, agility/balance/coordination and other activities.

THURSDAYS (Seniors)

Dates: Sep 10-Oct 15
Times: 15:45 – 17:00 and 17:15 – 18:30
Location: Squamish Legacy Sports Park biathlon range
Activities: shooting training, incorporating a mix of dryland training activities including running, strengthening, agility/balance/coordination and other activities.

2020/21 WINTER SEASON: DECEMBER-MARCH

SATURDAYS (Juniors and Seniors)

Dates: Dec 5-Mar 6 (13 sessions – no practice on Dec 26)

Times:
J1/J2 – 8:45 – 14:00
Seniors – 10:30 – 16:00

Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Activities: skiing and shooting training.

SUNDAYS (Optional – Juniors and Seniors)

Dates: Dec 6-Mar 7 (13 sessions – no practice on Dec 27)
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Activities: skiing

MONDAYS (Seniors)

Virtual session for team meeting, strength/core, dryfiring and foundations training.

TUESDAYS (Seniors and optional for Juniors)

Dates: Dec 15-Mar 2 (11 sessions – no practice on Dec 29)
Time: 18:15-19:45
Locations: Lost Lake
Activities: Skiing – Classic and skate techniques

WEDNESDAYS

Dates: (Dec 16-Mar 3 (11 sessions – no practice on Dec 30)
Two times/locations to choose from:
Cypress 17:00-18:30
Whistler Olympic Park 17:00-18:30
Activities: Skiing – Classic and skate techniques

PROGRAM FEES

Program fees include coaching, training plans, ammunition and lane fees at training sessions.

Trail passes are not included in the program fee.

$52.50 discount season passes to Whistler Olympic Park and Lost Lake (each) can be purchased in connection with program registration.

FALL SEASON: SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER

J1 (Tues and Sunday): $500
J2: (Wed and Sunday): $500
Seniors: (Mon, Tues, Wed and Sat): $800
Tuesday (optional for J2): $100
Thursdays (optional for Seniors): $125

WINTER SEASON: DECEMBER-MARCH

J1 and J2: (Wed and Sat): $600
Seniors: (Mon, Wed, Sat): $700

Tuesdays: $100 (optional)

Sundays: $100 (optional)

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Development team athletes must provide their own biathlon rifle and ski equipment.

For dryland training, skate roller skis are required, with roller ski pole tips, bike helmet, and high-visibility clothing/vest.

For on-snow training, skate skiing and classic skiing equipment is required. For skating, athletes should have one pair of training skis, and at least one pair of race skis. For classic, we recommend one pair of waxable race skis and one pair of skin skis.

There are a limited number of biathlon rifles available for rent through the club. If you are interested in renting a biathlon rifle please contact biathlon@seatoskynordics.ca.

Sign up for Development Team

Registration for Winter programs opens October 10th.

Masters Biathlon Program Description

Our Masters Biathlon program is a training program for experienced biathletes age 19 and older. Organized shooting training sessions are provided in connection with our Development Team practices.

Registration Prerequisites

In order to register in our Masters/Recreational Biathlon program, you must meet the following prerequisites:

– previous participation in our Masters Biathlon program or Recreational Biathlon program, or equivalent experience
– membership with the Sea to Sky Nordics (click here to register)
– registration with Biathlon Canada as a “Masters Athlete” (click here to register)
– have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)
– have your own biathlon rifle

2020/21 Schedule & Dates

FALL SEASON: SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER

In Fall, our Masters Biathlon program is offering self-paced training on Saturdays. There is no cost to participate in these sessions.

WINTER SEASON: DECEMBER-MARCH

SATURDAYS

Dates: Dec 6-Mar 7 (13 sessions – no practice on Dec 27)
Time: 11:00 -16:00
Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Activities: shooting and skiing training.

WEDNESDAYS (combined sessions with Whistler Nordics)

Dates: Dec 16 – 3 (11 sessions – no practice on Dec 30)
Time: 17:00 – 18:30
Locations: Whistler Olympic Park
Activities: Skiing