Youth Ski Programs

The Juneau Nordic Ski Club is a proud recipient of the Youth Activities Grant, and thus partially funded by the citizens of the City and Borough of Juneau through sales tax revenue.
young male ski racing

High School Ski Team

young female skier classic skiing mid-stride

Middle School ski team

group of elementary age skiers standing together on a snowy day on skis with arms raised

Junior Nordic (Elementary)

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Elizabeth Arvold Haas Memorial Fund

AEL&P  –  Alaska Dental Arts  –  Alpine Integrative Acupuncture  –  Chordata, LLC  –  Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska  –  Harri Plumbing and Heating  –  Mallott’s Construction  –  Princess Cruises/Holland America  –  Simpson Tillinghast Sheehan  –  Southeast Medical Clinic  –  Tagish Marine Consulting  –  Taku Smokeries  –  University of Alaska Southeast  –  Wostmann and Associates
JNST logo featuring two skis crossed, ski poles, and mountains below

“There is no better feeling than flying down a well-groomed track with your friends!”

-Clem Taylor-Roth, ’11-’19

Juneau Nordic Ski Team (JNST)

girl with red hair and orange bandana skis down a snowy slope
a young female ski race in an orange, light blue and gray race suit skate skis down a hill
a group of young skiers on a sunny, bluebird day posing with arms over each other's shoulders in front of snow-capped peaks

10/17/23 Update: we are full! All new registrations will be placed on a waitlist and notified as space opens up.

High School Team

Our high school team focuses on individual and team goal setting through skill and race development. From new to xc skiing to “I’ve been skiing since I could walk”, our team is open to teens of all abilities and experience levels. We ask that each skier, regardless of experience, bring a commitment to the team and entire season, a desire to improve your skiing skills and times, and a willingness to have fun! Skiers participate in time trials, workshops, retreats, races, and adventure skis throughout the season. Race schedule is a mixture of local races and 2-3 travel meets.

2023/24 KEY DATES TO KNOW
Registration Opens: Sunday, September 17th

Gear Checkout: Thursday, November 2nd (after school)
Season: November 4, 2023 to February 24, 2024
Practices*: Mon-Fri 4:30-6pm, Sat 9:30-11:30am (Mon/Wed/Fri on snow; Tu/Th dryland & strength)
*Ski Waxing Skiers are also responsible for waxing their skis roughly every other week at neighborhood “wax hubs”. This is done outside of practice time, is important for ski care, and fun to learn!

Our Team Fee is offered on a sliding scale, $50-$800, whatever is affordable for each family, no questions asked. Your fee includes a JNSC youth memberships and covers costs like coaching stipends, local team retreats, races and events, ski wax, race suits, guest coaches, and all the many associated costs that go into running our program. While the true cost is ~$3,000+/skier, we offset the remainder of these costs by writing grants and asking all skiers to participate in our effort-based fundraising. 

Ski Equipment Our team uses both skate and (waxable) classic skis, so each skier needs to have both. Rentals are provided for those without gear and include skis, boots, and poles. One set is $65, both is $130.

Travel For those eligible for travel to away meets, there may be additional fees to cover the cost of transportation. However, we make every effort to keep our sport affordable and will work with families to ensure athletes can travel regardless of ability to pay.

*No one is denied participation in our programs based on ability to pay. If you are unable to afford the above fees, we encourage you to take advantage of the Zach Gordon Youth Center’s youth activity scholarship to help offset the cost our sport. It’s easy to apply and you can do it right here!

Questions about the Juneau Nordic High School Ski Team? Contact Coaches Jordan Tanguay or Abby McAllister

Sign Up!
Pay Team Fees

Middle school Team

For skiers of all abilities and experiences, our middle school team bridges the gap between our recreational Sunday program and our high school team. Practices focus on developing basic ski skills (technique, strength, balance), having lots of fun on skis, and learning how to develope a network of support among peers and adult mentors. No previous ski experience is required. We ask that each student bring a commitment to the team and entire season, a desire to improve your skiing skills, and a willingness to try new things! The season includes weekly practices, local retreats and guest-coach clinics, weekend races, and a trip to a race outside of Juneau – tentatively the Buckwheat Ski Classic.

2023/24 SEASON DATES TO KNOW
Gear Checkout: Sunday, December 3rd
Parent Meeting: Thursday, Dec 14th after practice
Season: December 14th, 21st, and January 6th, 2023 – March 10th, 2024
Practices: Tues/Thur 3:45-5:15pm, Sat 9:00-11:00am (location dependent on snow)
Tentative Retreats/Travel: Jan 13&14 (retreat @ Methodist Camp), 3rd or 4th Weekend in February (Haines Ski Trip!), Buckwheat Ski Festival (March 8-10)

Our Team Fee is offered on a sliding scale, $0-$400, whatever is affordable for each family, no questions asked. Your fee includes a JNSC youth memberships and covers costs such as coaching stipends, local team retreats, races and events, ski wax, race suits, guest coaches, and all the many associated costs that go into running our program. While the true cost is more than $800/skier, we close this gap by writing grants and ask all skiers to participate in effort-based fundraising.

Ski Equipment Our team uses both skate and (waxable) classic skis, so each skier needs to have both. Rentals are provided for those without gear and include skis, boots, and poles. One set is $65, both are $130.

Travel For those attending our two travel opportunities (tentatively Haines Ski Trip end of February and Buckwheat Ski Classic 2nd weekend in March), there may be additional fees to cover cost of transportation, etc. However, we make every effort to keep our sport affordable and will work with families to ensure athletes can travel regardless of ability to pay.

*No one is denied participation in our programs based on ability to pay. If you are unable to afford the above fees, we encourage you to take advantage of the Zach Gordon Youth Center’s youth activity scholarship to help offset the cost our sport. It’s easy to apply and you can do it right here!

Questions about the Juneau Nordic Middle School Ski Team? Contact Tristan Knutson-Lombardo (tkl1289@gmail.com, 723-1772).

Sign Up!
Pay Team Fees
group of young skiers standing on skis, side by side, on a snowy day
a young female ski race in an orange, light blue and gray race suit skate skis down a hill

Registration opens Sunday, September 24th!

a small girl with a mask on skis and in winter clothing, standing in front of her moth on skis on a snowy trail

Questions about the Junior Nordic program? Contact Megan Buzby at buzbymh@hotmail.com.

Junior Nordic

Junior Nordic is a nine-week program for elementary-aged youth. Skiers will gain an appreciation for being outside, learn new ski skills and/or build upon previous ski experience, all while having fun with others doing the same! Our goal is to develop a healthy, enjoyable, lifelong connection to being active outdoors. Skiers will be grouped based on a combination of age, ability, and technique (skate or classic), and will be lead by an exuberant cast of coaches (sometimes in costume).

2023/24 Season Sundays January – March 3, 1:30-3:00pm (locations vary depending on snow)

  • Sun, Dec 3th, 2023 – Gear Distribution
  • Sun, Jan 7th, 2024 – First Session!
  • Sun, Mar 3rd, 2024 – Final session and end of season celebration!

Cost $75 (includes Juneau Nordic Ski Club youth membership)

Gear Athletes are asked to choose one technique to focus on over the season, either skate or classic. Rentals are available for $65 (includes boots, poles, and skis).
*Skate option is available to skiers in 2nd grade and older, and must have classic skied for at least one season prior. Classic skiing is fundamental in developing an understanding of basic ski skills such as balance and weight shift.

Registration opens Sunday, October 8th!

Sign Up!
Pay Program Fees

Youth Nordic skiing in alaska’s capital city

In 1998, a group of parents decided Alaska’s Capital City needed a new cross country ski program for Juneau’s youth. Formed in partnership with 4H as a recreational program geared towards skiers of all ages, the program expanded in 2011 to include a combined middle and high school race team, now called the Juneau Nordic Ski Team (JNST) . In 2020, the Juneau Nordic Ski Club (JNSC) assumed all youth Nordic ski programs, aligning under one banner in an effort to continue strengthening cross country ski opportunities for youth and families in Juneau. In 2021, middle and high school race teams were separated into unique programs, while the original 4H Sunday recreational program was rebranded, Junior Nordic, with a focus on serving elementary-aged skiers and families. All groups practice several days per week, host races and local events, travel to out of town meets, and welcome skiers of any ability or experience level!

high school skiers pose in front of a snowy John Muir Cabin