About our Whistler biathlon programs
Our primary base of operations for our on-snow biathlon and dryland training sessions are at Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) in the Callaghan Valley. We also hold some mid-week dryland training at Squamish’s Legacy Park in the summer and fall.
We offer biathlon programming for adults and youth starting at age 8. These programs are designed to support:
- Beginner and recreational athletes interested in developing their skills, love the sport of biathlon, but are not necessarily interested in competing
- Competitive athletes who are interested in racing programs and pursuing biathlon as their winter sport of choice.
Biathlon program FAQs
What’s biathlon?
Biathlon is a winter sport that combines precision shooting with Nordic skiing. It’s the most watched winter sport in Europe.
Who is biathlon for?
Biathlon is best for youth ages 8+. And anyone can do it! You don’t have to be an amazing skier to try it. You can do it recreationally for fun with minimal commitment (1 day a week), or you can train competitively. Our programs support all levels.
What’s the best thing about biathlon?
First let’s think about this from a kids perspective 🙂: biathlon is like a live-action video game. You ski (or run around in the off-season), drop down, and try to knock down five targets while your heart is pounding. It’s a total rush. And very rewarding. Kids who are not necessarily the fastest, can excel if they can manage their breathing and steady their body.
From a parenting perspective, it’s the ultimate mindfulness sport. It teaches kids incredible emotional regulation, breath control, and how to focus when their adrenaline is spiking.
Is biathlon safe?
We take safety very seriously. Our youth programs use optical rifles or EcoAims which are completely safe. Our older competitive athletes and Master’s use .22 rifles. Regardless of the program we have strict safety guidelines. Keep reading for more about EcoAims and our precautions.
What are EcoAims (optical laser rifles)?
EcoAims are optical rifles, commonly referred to as “laser rifles”, though they are not actually lasers. This technology facilitates safe, economical, and precision shooting during training and racing for both competitive and amateur athletes. Because they are entirely electronic and don’t shoot any physical projectiles, they carry zero risk and can be safely used in a variety of locations, not just a designated range.
Sea to Sky Nordics has a fleet of EcoAims. These rifles are primarily being used by our beginner and younger athletes, as well as for biathlon demo and recruitment purposes.
What safety precautions are in place on the range?
We have mandatory safety sessions for all athletes at the outset of our biathlon programs. We have cease fire protocols in place. We take these training sessions – and range safety – very seriously, and there is zero tolerance for horseplay or joking of any kind on the range.
What should I expect in a typical biathlon session?
If you are a beginner, a typical session is at the Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) biathlon range or close by (for our EcoBears). You’ll be training with a group of 5-10 on cross country skis (skate or classic), led by a certified coach. Most people are beginner biathletes as well. Although we do see some variation in cross-country ski levels, that’s a-OK. In our youth programs, the focus is on games, drills, relays, and having fun. We also have fun in our adults programs too, but we get into more specifics of technique.
If you are a competitive athlete, a typical biathlon practice consists of a cross-country ski practice and a range practice separated by a lunch break at our flex space in the Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) Biathlon building.
Depending on the range schedule, you may ski either in the morning or after lunch. Athletes will ski during a range practice, but the focus will be on intensity of skiing and shooting. These sessions also include drills and games to improve shooting efficiency and precision.
Do athletes have to know how to cross country ski to join a biathlon program?
Yes, athletes entering our beginner programs should have some (ideally one season) cross country skiing experience. For all our competitive programs, we recommend at least two years of cross country ski experience.
We have kids who are under 8 who may want to try. Why do you recommend ages 8+?
This is entirely developmental. We find kids age 8 and up have an easier time understanding the basic concepts required to line up the view finder(s) with the target.
What weather do you practice in?
All kinds! If the weather is particularly wet or unusually cold, we have access to heated spaces (in wax trailer and flex space) for athletes to warm-up.
In the event of arctic weather, Sea to Sky Nordics follows BC Cross Country, Nordiq Canada, and Biathlon Canada guidelines for cold weather.
- We cancel ski and range practices or events when the temperature is -20C or colder.
- The coach will make the final decision to cancel the biathlon session and replace it with a ski only session when air temps are between -15 and -18 C.
Cancellations are typically made the night before practice and communicated through email and WhatsApp. Windchill is a factor in our decision to cancel practice. And we do also adjust practice plans when it’s cold out, but not yet at -20C threshold.
When it starts to get chilly out (-15 through to -20 C) consider the following:
- Athletes must arrive properly fueled and hydrated. Athletes must wear extra layers, with a hat (not a headband) and have a buff over their mouths. Athletes will need appropriate gloves, mitts or hand warmers.
- Training will be in Zone 1. If available, a warm up will be conducted indoors before the ski session. Options to shorten the session and warm up indoors will be available.
- Tips for migrating the cold for athletes and parents can be found on BC Cross Country risk management page
Do athletes need to own a rifle?
No, Sea to Sky athletes do not need to own a rifle.
Our youngest athletes use EcoAims, or optical rifles, sometimes called laser rifles. These are entirely electronic and don’t shoot any physical projectiles, they carry zero risk and can be safely used in a variety of locations, not just on a designated range.
If you are in a recreational program (13+) or a beginner Master, .22 rifle usage is included as a part of our program.
For our biathletes in a competitive track, you can rent a rifle from the club if you do not have your own. The cost of rifle rental is $350 per season.
Do athletes need a gun license (PAL)?
You do not need to have a gun license to participate in a Sea to Sky biathlon program. We, do however, strongly recommend it for anyone 12 and over, especially for those who are interested in pursuing the sport competitively.
Having a firearm license is a requirement for the program if you plan to handle (e.g., move a rifle from the range to storage) or volunteer for the program (e.g., as a coach). By law, if you plan to own or transport a rifle, you need a possession and acquisition licence (PAL). Information about the process and required safety courses are available on the RCMP website.
I’m left handed, will I need a left handed rifle?
If you’re left handed, you do not necessarily need to use a left-handed rifle, though it may feel more natural to you. The rifle you need actually depends on whether you are left or right eye dominant. There is an easy way to determine this – it’s called a dominance eye test, try it home! We’ll work with new athletes to determine the right set-up for you.
Our EcoAims accommodate both right and left-eyed athletes.
What’s the parent volunteer commitment?
Sea to Sky Nordics is a volunteer-run organization. We need parent involvement to keep the programs and events going. There’s lots of ways to get involved, and we have a lot of fun doing it. You’ll meet a passionate group of people in this sport, who get very nerdy about biathlon.
We encourage you to get involved. Email to ask us how you can get involved.
What’s the Talent Squad?
The Talent Squad is a Biathlon BC race team program designed to prepare athletes for competition at BC Cup races, and to progress to the next level of race development, the Development Squad. Athletes are invited to the program each year, which typically consists of a dryland training camp, and two on-snow camps across BC.
What’s the Dev Squad?
The Development Squad is a Biathlon BC race team program designed to prepare athletes for competition at National level races, and to progress to the highest level of race development, the Performance Squad.
What’s the Performance Squad?
The Performance Squad is for older athletes (typically post-secondary) and is the highest level of a Biathlon BC race team program. This program supports those who are training at Biathlon Canada approved centers (such as the Whistler Nordic Development Center) and high-performance clubs – racing at a national and international level.
Can I talk with a coach?
Yes, email biathlon@seatoskynordics.ca with your coach questions.
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