Beginner / Recreational

Ages 13 and up

Program Description

This is the perfect program for those who want to try biathlon but don’t want to fully commit to a season (yet….). We have a couple scheduling options available that run for a limited time over the winter.

Here’s what you need to know:

• No previous biathlon is required
• Previous ski experience is required, but you don’t need to be an expert!
• Club rifle and ammunition are provided for all sessions
• You do not need a gun license (i.e., a PAL/Possession and Acquisition Licence)

WINTER SCHEDULE 2025-2026

There are four sessions offered in the Winter 2025-26 season. Sign up for one session or more!

Monday nights:
Session 1: 6-8pm, Mondays in January (January 5, 12, 19, 26)
Session 2: 6-8pm Mondays in February (February 2, 9, 16, 23)

Sundays:
Session 1: 1-3pm, Sundays in January (January 4, 11, 18, 25)
Session 2: 1-3pm, Sundays in February (Feb 1, 8, 15, 22)

Location: Whistler Olympic Park, Biathlon range
Focus: Introduction to biathlon, range + ski
Equipment: Rifles (.22s) and ammunition are provided by the club

Athlete equipment required

• Skate ski equipment (skis, boots, poles). Rentals are available through Whistler Olympic Park, Cypress, and local ski shops.
• Ski gloves are a must! Mittens don’t work well when shooting a rifle.
• Be prepared for diverse weather conditions, especially as athletes will be lying down at the range mats that may be wet from snow!

PROGRAM FEES

• Sundays in January: $200
• Mondays in January: $200
• Sundays in February: $200
• Mondays in February: $200

A valid day ticket or season pass is required for Whistler Olympic Park and is not included in program fees. You must also be an active member of Biathlon Canada and BiBC, as well as Sea to Sky Nordics.

REGISTER TODAY

1. Become a member of Sea to Sky Nordics
2. Register for Biathlon BC and Biathlon Canada membership, select the Recreation category
3. Register for Biathlon Recreation program

AGES 8-10

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Biathlon EcoBears is an introductory program for children aged 8-10. This is a skills development program that aligns with Jack Rabbit 3/4 (Fundamentals) and Track Attack (Learn to Train/L2T).

Our goal is to help young athletes develop skiing and shooting skills using EcoAims (optical rifles) in a safe and fun environment. We do this through a combination of drills, games, and relays, introducing them to an active, outdoor sport-for-life mindset.

WINTER SCHEDULE 2025-2026

There are two sessions offered in the Winter 2025-26 season. Sign up for one session or two!

Session 1: Sundays in January (January 4, 11, 18, 25), 1-2pm
Session 2: Sundays in February (Feb 1, 8, 15, 22), 1-2pm

Location: Whistler Olympic Park, Biathlon range
Focus: Introduction to biathlon, range + ski
Equipment: EcoAims (optical rifles) are provided by the club

Athlete equipment required

• Skate or classic ski equipment (skis, boots, poles). Rentals are available through Whistler Olympic Park, Cypress, and local ski shops.
• Ski gloves are a must! Mittens don’t work well when shooting a rifle.
• Be prepared for diverse weather conditions, especially as athletes will be lying down at the range, mats that may be wet from snow!

Ski sessions
Ski instruction is not a part of the EcoBears program. EcoBears should participate in a cross-country ski program, such as Jack Rabbit 3/4 or Track Attack, to complement biathlon sessions.

Check out our Sea to Sky Nordics cross country ski programs or your local XC club for options.

Parent participation
It takes a community to run our club! Parent involvement is an important requirement of our programming. There are lots of ways to help. Parents can chip-in by doing setup and takedown at practices, assisting on the range, coaching, volunteering at events, and/or by assisting behind the scenes with program administration.

Please email us to learn more about how you can get involved.

ECOBEARS PROGRAM FEES

January Session: $80

February Session: $80

A valid day ticket or season pass is required for Whistler Olympic Park and is not included in program fees. You must also be an active member of Biathlon Canada and BiBC, as well as Sea to Sky Nordics.

REGISTER starting Sept 17

1. Become a member of Sea to Sky Nordics
2. Register for Biathlon BC and Biathlon Canada membership, select the Recreation category (for EcoAims)
3. Register for Biathlon EcoBears

Explore our fall options for dryland and range sessions:

• Recreational, ages 8+, including adults
• Race development, ages 13+ (T2T/L2C)
• Masters, adults

Recreational (ages 8+, 13+/adults)

Our recreational biathlon program is for beginner youth and adults who want to try biathlon before the snow falls. We have two options, one midweek in Squamish and one on Sundays at Whistler Olympic Park.

Athletes must be a Sea to Sky Nordics member, and Biathlon BC membership is required. Note program cost is lower to help subsidize the Biathlon membership costs.

Midweek in Squamish

September 16 – October 14 (no session September 30)
Tuesdays, 4:30pm-5:30pm (ages 8-12), 6-7pm (13+/adults)
Location: John Heilig Squamish Legacy Sports Park
Focus: Intro to biathlon, skill development on the range
Equipment: EcoAims (optical rifles) and .22s

Cost: $100

Weekends at WOP

September 21-October 19 (no session October 12)
Sundays, 10am-11:30am, ages 13+/adults
Location: Whistler Olympic Park, biathlon range
Focus: Intro to biathlon, skill development on the range
Equipment: EcoAims (optical rifles) and .22s

Cost: $125

Athlete equipment required:

• Weather appropriate clothing
• Running shoes
• Gloves (if weather is cold)

Register now

1. Become a member of Sea to Sky Nordics
2. Register for Biathlon BC and Biathlon Canada membership, select the Recreation category (for EcoAims)
3. Register for the Recreational program

Race Development (Ages 13+)

Get ready for the biathlon season ahead with Sea to Sky Nordics Biathlon dryland and range sessions. This program is for those athletes who are interested in racing biathlon in the season ahead. This is part of the T2T and L2C pathway.

Note: Depending on weather and arrival of snow, some sessions may shift to training sessions on skis in November.

September 14 – November 30
No sessions October 12 & 13

Monday dryland
Mondays, 5pm-7pm, subject to slight adjustments as the light changes
Locations*: North Vancouver | Squamish | Whistler
Focus: Dryland–running, strength, games, agility, team building
Equipment: Runners, weather appropriate clothing

* Location subject to change based on demand.

Wednesday rollerski
Wednesdays, 5-6:30pm
Locations: North Vancouver | Whistler Olympic Park
Focus: Roller ski session
Equipment: Skate roller skis and poles

Note that location and sessions are TBC on October 29/November 2, pending roll-out of the Callaghan Gold loop. Transition to snow likely by November 9.

Thursday range
Thursday, 5pm-7pm, subject to slight adjustments as the light changes
Location: John Heilig Squamish Legacy Sports Park
Focus: Range/shooting
Equipment: Rifle, cuff, runners, weather appropriate clothing

These sessions will end October 23rd as they are light dependent. Will switch to a shorter online dryfire session.

Sundays rollerski + range
Sundays, Morning 10am-12pm: Roller ski, run/hike | Afternoon 1-3pm: Range
Location: Whistler Olympic Park

Athlete equipment required

• Runners and weather appropriate attire
• Roller skis (can be borrowed from club), poles, boots
• Rifle cuff
• Rifle and ammunition: If you don’t own your own rifle, you can rent these from the club for the season. Ammunition may be purchased from the club.

Cost:
Monday dryland: $150
Wednesday dryland: $150
Thursday range: $150
Sunday dryland: $200
Sunday range: $350

Athletes must also be a Sea to Sky Nordics and Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC member.

Register now

1. Become a member of Sea to Sky Nordics
2. Register for Biathlon BC and Biathlon Canada membership, select the Dev, U17 stand or Youth category
3. Register for the Race program

Masters

These fall range sessions are for returning Masters athletes aged 18+, including both recreational and competitive athletes.

Note: Depending on weather and arrival of snow, some sessions may shift to range sessions on skis in November.

September 14 – November 24
No session October 12

Thursday range
Thursday, 5pm-7pm, subject to slight adjustments as the light changes
Location: John Heilig Squamish Legacy Sports Park
Focus: Range/shooting
Equipment: Rifle, cuff, runners, weather appropriate clothing

These sessions will end October 23rd as they are light dependent.

Sundays range
Sundays, 1-3pm
Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Focus: Range/shooting

Athlete equipment required

• Runners
• Roller skis, poles, boots
• Rifle cuff
• Rifle and ammunition: If you don’t own your own rifle, you can rent these from the club for the season. Ammunition may be purchased from the club.

Cost:
Thursdays: $150
Sundays: $400

Athletes must also be a Sea to Sky Nordics and Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC member

Register now

1. Become a member of Sea to Sky Nordics
2. Register for Biathlon BC and Biathlon Canada membership, select the Adult category)
3. Register for the Master’s program

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, as well as ski training at Cypress Park.

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

Do athletes need to own a rifle?

No, Sea to Sky athletes do not need to own a rifle. 

For our youngest athletes, we have a fleet of EcoAims (optical rifles, sometimes called laser rifles) and .22s for use depending on their level of experience.

If you are a Master beginner, interested in recreational biathlon, 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 $300 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. 

What safety precautions are in place to ensure athlete, coach, and safety of those near 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 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. 

Sea to Sky Nordics now has a small fleet of EcoAims (6). These rifles are primarily being used by our beginner and younger athletes, as well as for biathlon demo and recruitment purposes.

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.

Do athletes have to know how to cross country ski to join a biathlon program?

Yes, athletes entering our beginner programs should have one season of cross country skiing experience. For all our other programs, we recommend at least two years of cross country ski experience. 

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 is the structure of a typical biathlon weekend practice?

A typical Sea to Sky Nordics biathlon practice typically 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. 

In the 2025-26 season, our programs will be run on Sundays to better collaborate with our XC skiing programs.

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 TeamSnap. 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 

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’t find your question and answer?

Contact us with your question today.

AGES 11-12

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Biathlon Bears is a progressive skills development program for youth aged 11-12. This program aligns with Track Attack 1/2 (Learn to Train/L2T).

Our goal is to help young athletes develop skiing and shooting skills in a safe and fun environment. We do this through a combination of drills, games, and relays, introducing them to  an active, outdoor sport-for-life mindset.

WINTER SCHEDULE 2025-2026

January 4-March 15 (11 weeks/sessions)

Sundays, 1-2:30pm
Location: Whistler Olympic Park, Biathlon Range
Focus: These sessions include one hour of shooting on skate skis
Equipment: Rifles (.22s) and ammunition are provided by the club 

Athlete equipment required

• Skate ski equipment (skis, boots, poles). Rentals are available through Whistler Olympic Park, Cypress, and local ski shops.
• Gloves (not mittens) for the range
• Come to practice prepared for the weather conditions with multiple sets of pants, jackets, gloves, and hats. At least 2 pairs of gloves and 2 jackets are recommended in wet weather!
  

Ski sessions
Ski instruction is not a part of the Bears program. Bears should participate in a cross-country ski program, such as Jack Rabbit level 4 or Track Attack 1/2. 

Check out our Sea to Sky Nordics cross country ski programs or your local XC club for options.

Racing
Biathlon Bears should plan to participate in our club biathlon series race on March 15. This is a great way to try racing in a fun, community setting. 

We also encourage Bears to participate in the Biathlon U13 Championships. This year the race will be hosted by Telmark, in West Kelowna, February 28-March 1. 

Race fees are not covered as a part of our program, however we do often subsidize costs when budget allows.

Parent participation
It takes a community to run our club – and parent involvement is an important requirement of our  programming. There are lots of ways to help. Parents can chip-in by doing setup and takedown at practices, assisting on the range, coaching, volunteering at events, and/or by assisting behind the scenes with program administration.

Parents who are interested in coaching or volunteering at events are encouraged to take a Community Coach course for biathlon.

Ask us about these classes or how to get involved.

BEARS PROGRAM FEES

Full Winter Session: $275

Program fees cover use of club biathlon rifles and ammunition. A valid day ticket or season pass is required for Whistler Olympic Park and is not included in program fees. You must also be an active member of Biathlon Canada and BiBC, as well as Sea to Sky Nordics.

REGISTER starting Sept 17

1. Become a member of Sea to Sky Nordics
2. Register for Biathlon BC and Biathlon Canada membership, select the Recreation category
3. Register for Biathlon Bears

Bunny Rabbits Program Description

(Year of Birth: 2020-2021, ages 4-5)

Our Bunny Rabbits program is directed at children four and five years old (the ‘Active Start’ stage of athlete development).  The program is designed to develop fundamental movement skills (with a focus on balance and agility), coordination, self-confidence, imagination and social skills. Parent attendance is generally required.

2025/26 Schedule & Fees

Practices: Sundays December 7th to March 8th (with a break over the holidays), 10:30 – 11:30 am at Whistler Olympic Park.

Registration: Opens on September 17, 2025 at 10am. Note that our program fills up quickly. Volunteer coaches will get priority registration for their kids.

Program Fee: $155 plus approx. $21 CCBC and Nordiq Canada Membership plus Sea to Sky Nordics Membership (approx. $60 family, required, can be purchased at time of registration). The program fee includes free entry into Coast and BC Cups.

Children 6 and under ski free at Whistler Olympic Park. Please note parents solely accompanying children for lessons do not need to buy a WoP pass, but if you plan to ski outside of lesson time, you will need to purchase a pass.

Program Schedule: Sessions will take place on Sundays from December 7th to March 8th (no sessions December 21st and 28th). The end of year banquet will be held on February 28th. 

Events

Optional race events are a way for your child to test their ski skills out on the snow. We know a lot of kids are a bit tentative about racing, so registration includes entry fees for Coast and BC Cups. We hope kids come out and give them a try! Please see the event schedule here.

Event dates

Equipment Required

Classic skis and boots only. Your child does not need poles for bunny rabbits (and will be asked to leave them behind if they bring them). Please see the parent handbook for more information about gear.

Parent/Guardian Volunteers

We are a community club and the success of our programs and events is built on parent participation. Each family is expected to make some volunteer contribution. We need volunteers in many roles, from coaching to parent helping, to assisting at an event, planning and administration roles and more. Information on volunteer roles can be found here.

Jackrabbits Program Description

(Year of Birth: 2016-2019, ages 6-9)

Our Jackrabbit program is directed at children ages 6-9 (the ‘FUNdamentals’ stage of athlete development), and is divided into four levels, based on ability and experience.

The objective is for children to learn basic cross-country ski skills (classic in Levels 1 and 2; classic and skate skiing in levels 3 and 4) and to instill a lifelong interest in the sport.

2025/26 Schedule & Fees

Practice Dates: Sundays from December 7 to March 8 (with a break over the holidays), 10:30am-12pm at Whistler Olympic Park.

*For this year we are hoping to add a Wednesday night option for Jackrabbits 3 and up. If your child is at least 8 years old and keen to ski twice a week, please see the link in registration.*

Registration:

Opens on September 17, 2025 at 10am. Note that our program fills up quickly. Volunteer coaches will get priority registration for their kids.

Program Fee: $220 plus approx. $21 CCBC and Nordiq Canada Membership plus Sea to Sky Nordics Membership Fee (Approx. $60 per family, required, can be purchased at time of registration). 

The program fee includes free entry into Coast and BC Cups.

The program fee does not include a Whistler Olympic Park season pass. Please purchase a youth pass directly from Whistler Olympic Park here. Please note parents dropping off children do not need to buy a WoP pass. If you plan to ski while your child skis, then you do need a pass.

Events

Race events are a way for your kid to test their ski skills out on the snow. We know a lot of kids are a bit tentative and shy about racing, so registration includes entry fees for Coast and BC Cups. Please see the event schedule here.

Pre Season Camps 

There is a Teck Regional Fall Dryland Camp taking place in Whistler from Sep 26-28.  

We also have four rooms (8 kid spots) reserved for Teck regional winter camp Dec 5-7th, staying at the Whistler Athletes’ Centre and skiing daily at WoP. We will send out more info about this after registration.

These programs are for kids ages 9+. If you are interested please email seatoskynordics@gmail.com and we can put you in touch with the head coaches for those programs.

Fall Dryland Training 

If you’re 8+ and interested in getting a jump on the season, register for one of the fall dryland training programs being offered through our biathlon program. If you have questions, or are wondering if it’s a fit, please reach out!  

Equipment Required

Classic skis, poles and boots (levels 1 – 4).

Skate skis, poles and boots (levels 3-4 only). This is in addition to the classic set up.

Ski equipment can be rented at Whistler Olympic Park. Valhalla Pure, Source for Sports and Whistler Olympic Park, Coast Outdoors, MEC, and Sports Junkies Broadway (2nd hand) all sell Nordic ski equipment. For more information, check out our parent handbook.

Ski Jump – TRY IT – Sessions

The Ski Jump TRY IT sessions are designed to give participants a quick single session immersion into Nordic Jumping. This is for 8-15 years old participants who want to understand the sport and get a taste of flight on skis

Registration Prerequisites:
To register you must meet the following prerequisites:

– at least one year of experience cross-country or downhill skiing

– no jumping experience is required

– Book by noon on the day of the program

2025-2026 Winter Schedule and Dates:
TRY IT sessions are in conjunction with Session 1 (17:00 to 18:15 hours) of our regular program.

WEDNESDAYS at Whistler Olympic Park:
Dates: Dec 10 – March 11 (No jumping Dec 24 or Dec 31)

Program Fees:
Program fees cover coaching and ski jumping equipment

17:00-18:15 Session 1                       $10.00 for one TRY IT session

Trail passes are not included in the program fee.

Equipment Required:
All jumping equipment provided (jump skis, boots, helmet).

Participants should come to practice prepared for the weather conditions with multiple clothing layers and extra essentials such as gloves.

SKI JUMPING PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Ski Jumping program is designed for 8-15 years old participants who want to experience the exhilaration of flight on skis while learning about the sport in a safe and controlled manner.

The jumping program employs an individualized skill development progression to bring participants from introduction to competent jumping on our 10-meter snow bump, 20m and 40m jumps.  There is no pressure to jump on larger hills until the participant feels ready to move up.

The Ski Jumping program is for participants in the FUNdamentals and Learn to Train stages of the Canadian Sport for Life – Long Term Athlete Development Model.

Parent Involvement:
Parent involvement is appreciated.  This could entail helping with equipment set-up, hill preparation, driving snowmobiles for uphill transportation or assisting with coaching support (training provided).

Parents who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Rick Smith through  info@seatoskynordics.ca  to let us know of your interest and availability.

Registration Prerequisites:
To register in the Ski Jumping program, you must meet the following prerequisites:

– membership with the Sea to Sky Nordics  (Click Here)

– at least one year of experience cross-country or downhill skiing

– no jumping experience is required

Program Levels:
The nature of ski jump training allows for a broad range of ages and skill levels to train together. Each participant chooses the hill that they feel most comfortable on and the coaches develop an individualized program to meet their specific needs.

2025-26 Winter Schedule and Dates:
This winter we will again be offering 2 sessions per night.  The first from 17:00pm – 18:15pm and the second from 18:30 to 20:00.

WEDNESDAYS at Whistler Olympic Park:
Dates: Dec 10 2025 – March 11 2026, no sessions on Dec 24 and Dec 31

Two times to choose from:
17:00-18:15
18:30-20:00

Due to possible weather cancellations, registration in the Wednesday program also includes 2 Saturday sessions in March. Saturday sessions will be held during daylight hours, timing dependent on temperature.

This year we will be offering a Thursday program starting mid-February. Cost and registration details to be announced.

Program Fees:
Program fees cover coaching and ski jumping equipment

17:00-18:15 session 1                       $375

18:30-20:00 session 2                       $375

Trail passes are not included in the program fee.

Participants are required to purchase a Youth Sport Pass to Whistler Olympic Park, directly from Whistler Olympic Park.

Equipment Required:
All jumping equipment provided (jump skis, boots, helmets).

Participants should come to practice prepared for the weather conditions with multiple clothing layers and extra essentials such as gloves.

Come Fly with us!