ISD 196 Nordic Boosters Guidebook of Frequently Asked Questions
This list of questions and answers was accumulated by the Booster Board to help share
information to help new (and returning!) parents navigate the sport of Nordic Skiing.
Hopefully this document will help answer some questions you have, or even answer some questions
you did not know you even needed to ask! We will update this list as the season progresses with
questions/suggestions/changes the Board receives.
We hope you and your skier enjoy the sport as much as we do!
The 2016/2017 Booster Club Board
How do I stay informed?
The sport of Nordic skiing is one that in inherent with uncertainty due to constantly changing
weather conditions. It is not a matter of if, but when something will change from originally intended.
It is critical that you stay informed.
The best way to be up to the minute on the latest information is to:
Sign up for team texting (parents and skiers)! Enter this number 81010 , Text this message
@nordic16 Each person new or returning must sign-up each year in order to receive
messages
Watch the website! The ISD 196 Nordic Team now has a fully functional team website located
at: http://www.eteamz.com/ISD196NordicSki/
All important information will be posted on the website including: practice/meet locations, times, and
results; scheduling changes; fundraising opportunities; waxing schedules etc. Schedule for the
upcoming week is typically posted on the website by 7:00 on Sunday evening by Coach Abery.
Texting will be the main form of quick and/or last minute communication.
What needs to be done before the season starts?
Register for Nordic through school district SchoolView/FeePay
If you are new to high school sports and/or have not had a physical in 3 years you will need to obtain
an athletics participation physical form, schedule a physical examination, and have the form filled out
by your physician. This is needed in order to register.
Completed registration prior to a student to begin taking part in practices is a requirement, per school
district regulations. If athletes come to practice before this process is fully completed they will need to
be sent home due to the fact they are not covered under the school insurance policy.
Sign up for Text messages as noted above
Sign up for Website as noted above
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How can I help support the team?
It takes a lot of volunteers to help support a Nordic Ski team. There are plenty of options for
volunteering. Please reach out to a board member and check out the website for more information.
Please also watch for texts for calls for volunteers. Please consider volunteering and help us make a
difference in the success of the Nordic season. Volunteering will be a great way to support your skier,
meet other parents and get more involved in the ISD 196 skiing community.
The Nordic Ski Team is supported by:
Five member Booster Club Board
Various Committees – generally with leads and assistants
Volunteers –to support Valleywood trail maintenance, race day needs, banquet, and other
various needs
Sign up Genius is generally used for volunteer tracking. Link is on the website.
When is practice?
Practice will be held even if there is not snow! Practice starts on Monday 11/14 – regardless of
if there is snow.
Practices will typically run Monday thru Friday from 3:15 - 5:00 PM for varsity and JV skiers with
shorter practices scheduled on the days prior to competitions (due to waxing) and during the time of
the year when it gets dark earlier. Please come pick up your skier no later than 5:00 or dark
(whichever is earlier). Please check website for most recent information.
Please be respectful of our busy coaching staff and be on time to pick up your skier. Coaches have to
stay until every skier is picked up.
Optional on-snow practices will be scheduled on some Saturdays as time permits to assist skiers who
would like additional technique work.
Varsity skiers should expect to attend Saturday practices.
Where is practice?
Our main practice location for on-snow training is Valleywood Golf Course in Apple Valley. Lebanon
Hills Park (Holland Lake and Schultz Lake Trailheads) are used prior to adequate snow for dryland
training. Other locations in the metro area (e.g., Hyland Hills Recreation Area in Bloomington) will
also be used in case of inadequate natural snow. Check the website and watch for texts regarding
practice location, which may change depending on conditions.
Is there practice over school breaks?
YES. Practice is held over school breaks. A relatively short season of 14-weeks means that some
years have only 8-10 weeks on snow. Therefore, when there is snow available...we ski. Coach asks
to please plan on your family being in town other than for that time immediately surrounding holidays.
He understands that skiers have family obligations but like other athletic teams we do not allow 1 ½ to
2-week breaks in the middle of the season. When athletes are not able to take part in practice for
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such an extended period of time, they require additional coaching when they return with the absence
thereby affecting not just them but their team mates as well.
An optional (but encouraged) trip is planned for 3 days/2 nights over the winter break. This trip has an
addition cost associated with it that is not covered by team fees. However, the Booster Club works
hard to insure that the trip is affordable for everyone. Skiers who do not attend the trip will be
expected to attend practices in the local area during this time period.
Is there transportation to/from practice?
No. Please connect with others from your school – older skiers who drive or parents of other skiers
from your school are good options for carpooling. The Booster Board will provide information we have
available (phone numbers, e-mail addresses), to aid you in reaching out to other Nordic families at
your school. Per school district policy, the coaching staff and Booster Board are not able to assist with
this process.
Where are meets?
The most recent meet schedule can be found on the website. Typical meet locations include
Valleywood, Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington, Kenwood Trails in Lakeville, and Murphy
Hannrahan Park in Savage as well as various other locations.
Will the meet schedule/locations change?
Likely – YES! Depending on snow conditions meets may need to be moved to different days,
different locations or cancelled if necessary. We will post information to the website and also text as
soon as we find out about changes. In low snow conditions meets are typically moved to Hyland
(where they make snow).
Locations can change up to 11:00 a.m. on race day. Stay connected to your phone for texts or the
website on race days!
Is there transportation to/from meets?
Busses are typically provided for away meets in Minneapolis, Bloomington, St. Paul, or that are at
more distant locations. Per district policy, buses are not provided for local meets. Watch the
website/texts for information about timing and location of busing. As our team covers the entire school
district, buses are generally set up to depart from the high school with the most skiers. In recent years
this has typically been either Eagan or Eastview High School. Skiers will need to get to that high
school ‘on their own’.
Varsity busses usually leave earlier due to earlier varsity race times. A second bus for JV leaves later.
This will generally require players to be dismissed from school early on race days. 7th hour Winter Tri
study hall is a great option for Varsity skiers, if their schedule permits.
What about ski equipment?
Coach Abery requests that you please do not purchase any ski equipment prior to having a
conversation with him. Although there are a number of ski shops in the area, only 3 (Finn-Sisu,
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Gear West, Boulder Nordic Sport) have the expertise and inventory to provide your skier with quality
equipment that fits appropriately.
Skiers will need ski equipment for both classic and freestyle techniques. This will generally require
two sets of skis and poles (as both are different lengths for the different disciplines). One set of
“combi” boots that can be used for both techniques is all that is needed for beginning skiers.
Skiers should have their equipment prior to the first ‘on snow’ practice day.
BUY - If you need ski equipment and wish to purchase it new, watch for sign up at the orientation
meeting for a time Coach Abery will be meeting skiers/parents at Finn-Sisu Ski Shop in St. Paul.
Coach makes sure that skiers are purchasing equipment that is appropriate for their ability level.
RENT – The team has a good number of rental skis and bindings available. Priority for rentals goes to
first year skiers in the following grade order – 9th, 10th, 11th, 7th, 8th, 12th. The process of exact order to
fit/distribute equipment is on a random lottery basis. Skiers will be notified 2-weeks in advance of
rental fittings where their name was drawn in the lottery and assigned a time to be fit. Arriving at that
time is necessary to keep one’s place in the ski fitting order. As size of equipment is specific to each
skier’s height and weight, it is likely that we will not have equipment to fit every skier. That means that
regardless of where a skier ends up in the rental lottery, there is still a chance that there will be skis
available that will fit when it is his or her time for fitting.
We will do our best to fit your skier and to provide rental opportunities to as many skiers as we
possibly can.
NOTE: Ski poles are almost always used for ‘dry land’ practice prior to skiable snow. These poles
should be inexpensive and fit somewhere between the armpit and shoulder. Used poles can
sometime be purchased quite cheaply at Play it Again Sports.
What about learning to wax skis?
All new skiers are required to attend a hands on waxing education session given by the coaches at
the beginning of the season (bring skis!). At this session, skiers will learn about how to appropriately
care for their skis and wax them to suit different snow conditions.
When do skis get waxed for meets?
Wax and waxing equipment is provided by the team. Skiers are responsible for: (a) bringing clean
skis to waxing; and (b) waxing their own skis. The team does this as a group, typically the day before
a race. Be aware - practice schedules are typically adjusted on waxing days (to stagger the timing of
waxing), and waxing can go into the early evening.
All skiers should purchase a plastic scraper, ski wax remover, and several scotch brite or similar
cleaning pads prior to the beginning of the season so that they can clean their skis prior to waxing.
How is the Booster Club funded?
The Booster Club raises funds to help provide critical resources for the operation of the team. Items
such as coaches, trail maintenance, a snowmobile, uniforms, etc are not provided by the district.
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Restaurant night fundraisers help to support the team.
Each skier is expected to contribute to the funding of the Booster Club at the following minimum level:
Grade of skier
9 – 12
7–8
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Number of practices attended per week
1–3
4–5
$200
$200
$100
$200
0
0
Are there opportunities for skiers to fundraise to meet their responsibility?
The Booster Club does organize fundraising opportunities such as grocery store bagging events,
phone book delivery, and restaurant card sales. These events are optional, but a great way for skiers
to earn money that is applied to their skier account.
Sign up Genius is generally used for fundraising tracking. Link is on the website.
What clothing/skin/eye protection is recommended?
While there are a number of items of clothing that you will need to remain comfortable during
practices and at races, most skiers will already have at least some of the items. It is not necessary to
purchase new clothing if you already have stuff that fits and works well for you. Below are Coach
Abery’s clothing recommendations:
Thermal underwear (top and bottom) - A variety of types of thermal underwear are currently
made that both keep you warm and wick moisture away from the body so you don’t get chilled.
It is available in a variety of different thicknesses. For most people, the lightweight type is fine
for Nordic skiing. If you get cold easily, the mid-weight type will probably be best for you. It also
works best if you purchase a top that has a zippered t-neck. The most important factor is fit
and that the material is hydrophobic (repels moisture).
Windstopper briefs: When we race, all a skier will be wearing is a lycra racing suit with
thermal underwear underneath. This is fine for most days, but when it’s cold AND windy briefs
with windstopper fabric are a must unless you want to place duct tape over the front of your
underwear for wind protection.
T-neck - A t-neck shirt helps you keep warm on colder days. Avoid cotton as it loses most of
its ability to retain heat when it gets wet.
Polar Fleece - A light polar fleece top is great to have on extremely cold days.
Warm-ups (top and bottom) - A wind proof zippered jacket and pair of warm-up pants is
essential for Nordic skiing. While it is possible to wear sweats on warm days, they are not wind
resistant and become quite cold if you fall and get them wet. This clothing DOES NOT have to
be of the expensive variety. Gear that is used for winter running, purchased at Target or Kohls
for a very reasonable price can be used as long as under laying is appropriate,
Gloves and Glove Liners - It is important for all skiers to have good quality Nordic ski gloves
or mittens. A glove made for purposes other than Nordic skiing will not last long since there is
a considerable friction between the glove and pole grip as one skis. Alpine ski gloves are far
too warm and bulky. If you are a person whose hands get cold easily, do yourself a favor and
get a pair of mittens instead of gloves. An option for those who are in-between are gloves
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called “Lobster mitts”, which are a cross between a glove and a mitten. If your hands don’t get
cold easily get a pair of XC ski gloves. They come in a variety of warmth rating but use
thinsulate for insulation so you have a much better feel for your poles. In addition, get a pair of
polypro glove liners. They will extend the comfort range of your gloves 7-10 degrees.
Socks – One pair of medium weight socks or two pairs of thinner socks work best for Nordic
skiing. The inner pair should be a light thermal sock made of material similar to the thermal
underwear noted above. The outer pair should be wool or a man-made hydrophobic material.
Cotton socks are not what you want to wear if your goal is to be comfortable.
Hat and Earmuffs - A light wool or lycra hat works best for Nordic skiing. Heavy wool hats
lead to skiers quickly overheating and, often leads to taking their hats off thereby increasing
the probability of frostbite. Make sure the hat allows you to pull it down over your ears. It is also
a good idea to buy a “buff” which you can use as a neck warmer and pull up over your ears
when necessary or a pair of slim earmuffs that you can wear under your hat.
Skin Protection – Sunscreen (It’s easy to get sunburned on sunny winter days even if the
temperature is 0) and Dermatone or Vaseline (Useful for preventing frostbite on the nose and
cheeks. Essential on cold and windy days.)
Eye Protection – Sunglasses, they protect one’s eyes from ultraviolet rays, snow and the tips
of other skier’s poles. You don’t need to purchase expensive sunglasses since the cheap ones
work almost as well as the more expensive. We suggest trying the tinted safety glasses you
can get at Home Depot. Don’t get too dark a color or you’ll be unable to use then when it’s
snowing. If you are willing to spend a little more $$$ look for glasses that have interchangeable
lenses.
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