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Mansfield Nordic Club offers youth ski programming for all ages and abilities. Our programs are part of the Bill Koch Youth Ski League (BKL), an initiative designed to introduce children to cross-country skiing before high school. At Mansfield Nordic, our youth groups are open to skiers from age 4 through 8th grade. We strive to provide the right level of coaching, training and experiences for skiers, no matter their abilities or goals. The Mansfield Nordic Club’s BKL programs are all about having fun on skis, whether that means racing, training, practicing our jumping and agility, or playing games on skis!
Online program registration opens Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 9am.
Registration is a two part process. First is to sign up for a MNC Membership, then register for programs.
Registration Directions and Tips
Questions? e-mail: bkl@mansfieldnordic.org
Schedule and Location
For the 2025/2026 season our primary location BKL skiing will be Tomasi Meadow in Underhill Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our weekly schedule and practice location is subject to change due to weather and conditions. We are fortunate to have great skiing available locally including Sleepy Hollow (Huntington) and Catamount Outdoor Family Center (Williston).
Tomasi Meadow is a small set of community ski trails groomed by volunteers. There is no indoor warmup area or changing area, but there is a bathroom.
The Range in Jericho (Camp Ethan Allen Training Site/”CEATS”) is our traditional main hub for BKL skiing on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but due to ongoing trail and building improvements it is closed for the 25/26 ski season. We hope to be back at The Range in the future.
Dates: December 2025 to March 2026 Season Long Schedule
December 1st 7pm – Virtual Parent Meeting (registered families will receive meeting link via email)
December 4th – First day for JackRabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers and Devos
December 9th – First day for Penguins
Practice Times:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 – 5:15PM for Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers and Devos
Tuesdays 3:45-5:15PM for Penguins
Race Team and Devos add Saturday training 10:00-11:30 AM or a Saturday or Sunday race (times vary).
Equipment Info: Below you will find required equipment is listed with each program description below. We have also created a BKL Equipment 101 with more detail for kids ski equipment, info on our season lease program and the MNC Ski Swap.
Special Events and Races:
Throughout the season we also host several special events, such as Games Day with the UVM Ski Team and a Ski Day at Craftsbury. All families are invited.
Racing is an option for all skiers in our program. At the start of the season we will share a schedule of races we plan to attend and families may register for each race on their own. Weekend races are hosted by local BKL clubs (including ours!) at their own venues and are a great opportunity for the whole family to visit new touring centers and explore new trails. Our New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) district includes Sleepy Hollow BKL, Mad River BKL and Frost Mountain. We prioritize attending events and races hosted by these clubs.
The New England BKL Festival in March is always a highlight of the year. Festival weekend includes ski activities, adventures and racing for kids and families. This season’s festival is scheduled to be at JacksonXC Touring Center in Jackson, NH the weekend of February 28 to March 1. More Info
Discounts and Scholarships
MNC offers a discount for families with more than one child enrolled in BKL programs. This discount applies after the first full price 2- or 3-day enrollment. Additional children enrolled in the Winter 3-day and 2-day programs from the same family receive a $50 discount. This discount does not apply to additional children enrolled in our Penguins 1-day program. The BKL registration page includes the discount code that you will use at checkout.
We strive to make skiing accessible to all kids that want to join us. Our scholarships are partial or full fee waivers and/or financial aid toward participation in MNC programs for BKL and Junior skiers. Scholarships for BKL season lease ski equipment through the club are also available. See our Scholarship page for more information. If you plan to apply for a scholarship you must do so before registering for a BKL program.
MNC BKL Program Descriptions
Penguins Group 1-Day: Pre-K to 1st Grade
This is our youngest group of skiers who are in pre-school (minimum age 4) up to first grade. Penguins meet on Tuesdays only and a caregiver on skis must accompany each child. Coaches lead the group in games, relays, uphill and downhill skills and fun adventures. Penguins ski classic technique only.
Equipment needed: No-wax classic skis, boots, and poles. Equipment for Penguins is available for season lease through MNC.
Parent/Guardian equipment: Penguins need to have a guardian on skis with them and we recommend using classic no-wax nordic ski equipment.
Cost: $105
Jack Rabbits Group 2-day: Grades 1-4
Jack Rabbits is our youngest 2-day-a-week group, typically made up of skiers who are new or still learning technique. Jack Rabbits may come in with experience in classic skiing and will learn how to skate ski – or work on improving both techniques. Practices include learning ski technique, building fitness and improving agility through games and on-snow adventures. Jack Rabbits may also learn about and try ski racing. Participation in local BKL races is encouraged, but not required.
At practice skiers are divided into small groups based on ability and age. Coaches work with the same group through the season.
Equipment requirements: Classic no-wax or waxable skis, classic length poles, skate skis, skate length poles and combi boots (or separate skate and classic boots).
Memberships: Jack Rabbits who want to race at the BKL Festival need to register for a NENSA Membership. (If you aren’t sure, please reach out to bkl@mansfieldnordic.org)
Cost: $329
Cost increases by $50 on November 15
Arctic Foxes Group 2-day: Grades 5-8
Arctic Foxes are for older skiers who ski two days a week, love having fun on snow and want to continue improving their technique and skill-set. Adventure skiing and ski games are a big part of practices. Arctic Foxes both classic ski and skate ski at practice. Prior ski experience is helpful but not required.
At practice skiers are divided into small groups based on ability and age. Coaches work with the same group through the season.
Equipment needed: Classic no-wax or waxable skis, classic length poles, skate skis, skate length poles and combi boots (or separate skate and classic boots).
Cost: $349
Cost increases by $50 on November 15
Race Team 3-day: Grades 5-8
The Race Team are older skiers who love to ski and want to learn how to go faster! These skiers train in club programming 3 days/week (Tues + Thurs + Sat or Sun) including a weekend BKL race if the calendar features a competition. The weekend practices are a great opportunity for skiers to get more individualized coaching, have fun bonding with their teammates and practice on more difficult terrain. Weekend races are hosted by local Vermont BKL clubs (including ours!) at their own venues and are a great opportunity for the whole family to visit new touring centers and explore their trails. Most race team skiers plan to attend the New England BKL Festival in March. For more info on the Racing Team or the BKL Festival please contact Head BKL Coach Liz at bkl@mansfieldnordic.org.
Equipment needed: Classic waxable skis, classic length poles, skate skis, skate length poles and combi boots (or separate skate and classic boots).
NENSA Membership Required
Cost: $459
Cost increases by $50 on November 15
Devo Team 3-day: Grades 7-8
Devos is for 7th and 8th graders who are at least 12 years old, have previous race experience and are interested in skiing at the Junior level when they become U16s. The U16 age group includes skiers aged 14-15 and born in 2010 and 2011. This program is designed to help them bridge from BKL Racing to the Junior level . Devos train with the Juniors and a dedicated Devo Coach one day per week (Tuesdays at Sleepy Hollow this year) and train with BKL Racers on the other two days (Thursday and one weekend day). Racing includes our local BKL races and the New England BKL Festival in March. In addition, Devos who will be U16s next ski season are invited to race one local Eastern Cup race and the EHS Qualifier in preparation for Junior racing.
In BKL, age categories are based on grade in school, but as ski racers move into older groups transition to age class.
U14 age 12 -13 and born in 2012 and 2013
U16 age 14-15 and born in 2010 and 2011
Equipment needed: Classic waxable skis, classic length poles, skate skis, skate length poles and combi boots (or separate skate and classic boots).
NENSA membership required
Coach approval required – email bkl@mansfieldnordic.org
Cost: $559
Cost increases by $50 on November 15
Coaching Opportunities
Parents interested in helping out or becoming a volunteer coach’s assistant should contact Coach Liz at bkl@mansfieldnordic.org.
About the Bill Koch Ski League (BKL)
BILL KOCH is one of America’s most famous cross country skiers. He emerged from the hills of Putney, Vermont to become a World Cup Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist. He grew up skiing in the woods and pastures around his house and was well known for his ability to duck under tap lines and launch off jumps…on his XC racing skis! When he retired from world cup skiing, NENSA honored “Kochie” by forming the Bill Koch Ski League (BKL) to introduce New England children to Nordic skiing and the joy of going fast on skis. MNC is proud to promote this league and share the sport of Nordic skiing with young athletes in VT and beyond.
