The Stevenson Youth Program (SYP) is designed to foster a lifelong appreciation for the sport of Nordic skiing, a love for the outdoors, and a basic understanding of our amazing winter environment. In the SYP skiers in 2nd through 5th grade, (ages 7-11) will participate from January through March in progressive, age appropriate activities that will develop their XC skiing skills, fitness, environmental awareness, and love for the outdoors in fun and challenging environment. SYP participants are offered a fun environment where they can play group games, embark on trail adventures, experiment with racing, learn how to take care of their equipment and ski in small groups based on age, focus and ability.

Again For 2022-2023:  Flexible Classic and Skating Sessions. It is critical that these young skiers have successful skiing experiences and at times the weather in the Cascades can make that a challenge. To accomplish this, MBSEF will announce the schedule of classic and skating sessions by email (based on weather reports, grooming, etc.) before each weekend. There does come a point where skiers need to learn to ski in all conditions, but at this age our number one goal is help the skiers find success and have fun.

2023 SYP Parent/Athlete Handbook

The MBSEF Nordic Middle School Program is designed for young people ages 11-14 in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade. A limited number of younger experienced skiers will be accepted into the program. With Nordic Program Director approval, highly motivated U14’s may opt to join the Winter Term Program for more intense training. The program is for competitive and non-competitive skiers. The program offers an accommodating schedule where skiers can choose 1-4 sessions per week with session options on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. A 4 day spring camp is included at no charge March 29 to April 1.  Over the course of the season, skiers will follow a progressive program designed to develop their physical fitness, knowledge of the sport, and classic and skating technique.

Again for 2022/2023:  Along with the standard 17 week program which runs November 30 through March 26, we are offering a shorter 12 week program to accommodate athletes participating in other fall sports.  The 12 week program will run January 4 through March 26.  Choose the option that fits with your other sports schedules.

Our Fall Conditioning Dryland Program for Middle Schoolers will be offered again this year September 7 to November 18.

Winter Term and Collegiate skiing is an important part of most skier’s development, and again this year MBSEF strives to better support student athletes.  The Winter Term and Collegiate Program is specifically designed to bring motivated skiers together to supplement their school program, to train with other highly motivated skiers, and accelerate their development. The program has flexibility of schedule and a training plan which allows skiers to maximize their progress in the sport while competing as part of their high school and collegiate team.  Skiers preparing for Junior Olympic Qualifiers who are still in Middle School are eligible for this program.  This program focuses on a systematic improvement of all techniques, developing a well-rounded education of the sport, developing an understanding of training planning and training principles, developing an understanding and learning to practice proper equipment care, and coordination of training with the skiers other sports activities.

Skiers can choose a 1, 2, 3, or 4 day/week program. Skiers can choose the days of the week that best compliment their other activities. 

Nordic Winter Term/Collegiate Fall Training

The Nordic Fall Training program is designed to prepare Nordic skiers age 13 to 22 for the upcoming ski season. Whether skiers want improve on last year’s results or continue building a base from a summer of training, or prepare for the upcoming High School or College season, the fall training program will most certainly pave a smooth transition onto the snowy trails. Using diverse training tools and varied terrain, the program strives to provide a well-rounded approach to ski specific fitness. This program is the perfect preparation for skiers enrolling in the Nordic Winter Term and Collegiate program. Highly motivated Middle School Skiers can participate in this program with coach’s approval. For skiers in fall sports, MBSEF coaches will work with the skier to create a custom fall program to supplement their fall sports activity.

The MBSEF Nordic Full Time program is designed to help skiers between the ages of 14 and 19 grow athletically, academically and personally through their pursuit of excellence in Nordic skiing. Through goal setting, open communication, and personalization, and interaction with the community the MBSEF staff will create a program that will continuously help skiers grow, mature, and find success.

Full Time skiers will be part of seven months of organized ski training with 5-6 days of organized, supported, and monitored dryland and on-snow coaching. In addition the coaches will assist skiers in the selection and maintenance of equipment, planning an appropriate race schedule, and balancing social, academic, and personal demands with their athletic pursuit. MBSEF coaches will coordinate with a skiers high school program to maximize the skiers development physically, technically, and competitively.

Full Time athletes are eligible for MBSEF tuition grants, which must be submitted by August 31, 2022.

Nordic WT/FT Fall Training

The Nordic Fall Training program is designed to prepare Nordic skiers age 13 to 19 for the upcoming ski season. Whether skiers want improve on last year’s results or continue building a base from a summer of training, or prepare for the upcoming High School and Collegiate season, the fall training program will most certainly pave a smooth transition onto the snowy trails. Using diverse training tools and varied terrain, the program strives to provide a well-rounded approach to ski specific fitness. This program is the perfect preparation for skiers enrolling in the Winter Term/Collegiate Nordic program. Highly motivated Middle School Skiers can participate in this program with coach’s approval. For skiers in fall sports, MBSEF coaches will work with the skier to create a custom fall program to supplement their fall sports activity.

The MBSEF Ski Mountaineering program aims to introduce youth athletes ages 14-18 interested in ski mountaineering to the sport through a program designed around both competition and fun.

The “skimo” program will focus on the skills and tools needed to execute a successful training and racing season along with education in gear, technique, training and racing principles, and more. The Skimo program is designed for youth athletes ages 14-18 with two days of training per week.

A background in Alpine or Nordic skiing is recommended. This 6 week program will give youth interested in skimo the opportunity to learn from the basics all the way up to their first race experience. This program focuses on ski mountaineering as a competitive sport rather than a touring perspective and will be taught with the intention of racing a skimo race.

Participants will work with the team two days per week and given a full training program for fitness training on their own if they would like. The program will start with series of classroom sessions to introduce the basics of gear and skimo technique, then lead into on-hill training to emphasize technique and gain fitness.

The program will also include the opportunity to race in a local or regional skimo race (entry fee and travel not included).

About the Coach

Max King has been coaching youth athletes for the past 15 years in various running programs and camps. He sees skimo as a natural progression for endurance athletes in learning a new sport, cross training for summer activities, and learning a new way to enjoy the winter. With the inclusion of Skimo in the 2026 winter Olympics this seemed like the perfect opportunity to work with youth in a new sport and introduce them to this awesome winter activity.

Max is a professional running athlete for Salomon and competes all over the world. He started skimo 8 years ago as a way to improve his mountain running, cross train, and find a way to enjoy the Central Oregon winter. Since then he has participated in numerous skimo races around the West and can’t wait to share what he’s learned.