Last Chance Nordic Ski Club
Helena, Montana
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Youth Skiers Program

Last Chance Nordic Ski Club parents provide free Nordic ski lessons for children, ages three to twelve years old. This is a chance for your kids to learn and improve their nordic (cross country) skiing skills. Classes are held on Saturdays in January and February.

2020 Youth Ski Leaders

Greetings young skiers! Pete Behrends, Dave Tuss, and Chapin Storrar will be leading LCNSC Youth Skiing program again this year.

Ski Rentals, Lesson Sign-up

Ski Rentals and sign up will take place from 10 am to noon on Saturday, November 9 at 1523 Knight Street, Helena. Thanks to Dave and Kathryn Tuss for hosting at their garage this year; Lewis & Clark Library’s meeting room was unavailable due to remodeling.

2020 Youth Ski Schedule

Ski lessons will be at 10 am, Saturday 1/4, 1/11, 1/25, 2/1, and 2/8. Lessons will be at either the Bill Roberts Golf Course or MacDonald Pass, depending on snow and weather conditions. A weekly update will be posted to the website and email on Fridays.

For More Information

Please contact Pete Behrends at petebehrends@yahoo.com or at 406-461-4974.

Here’s What You Need to Know

Required Forms

Parents of participating children must complete the following forms:

  • Skier’s waiver
  • Emergency contacts form
Kids are Grouped by Ability

Children three-to-six years of age will ski for approximately thirty minutes and ages seven and older will ski for about an hour.

  • Beginning skiers must be accompanied by a parent/designated adult who stays with the group and helps as needed. Classes will take place in Carl’s Play Area (see map), which is up the hill and slightly beyond the Patrol Cabin, about 0.4 kilometer from the Parking Lot (see map). Please leave the parking lot by 10:00 a.m. to be on time.
  • Intermediate and advanced skiers (both classic and skate) will meet at Carl’s Play Area at 10:00 a.m. This means that they need to leave the Parking Lot (see map) by 9:45 a.m. to start their lesson in the play area by 10:00 a.m. Lessons will start in the play area and then move out onto the nearby Access Ski Trail. Advanced skiers may participate with classic or with optional skate skiing equipment.
Required Clothing
  • Warm hat
  • Layers of coats
  • Warm socks
  • Neck gaiter
  • Warm gloves
  • Snow pants
  • Optional: goggles and hand warmers
Required Equipment
  • Classic Skis (waxless skis, soft to flex, and in length long enough to reach between your child’s nose and forehead) or Skate Skis
  • Boots that are comfortable and warm
  • Poles long enough to fit snugly from the snow to up under your child’s armpit
Food to Share

If possible, bring in a thermos of hot water and a snack to share for apres ski hot chocolate. You may leave your thermos at the Patrol Cabin, about 0.4 kilometer from the Parking Lot.

Canceling Class Due to Weather

If cold or wind forces us to cancel classes, a cancellation notice will be posted on this website (https://lcnsc.org/youth-program) by Saturday at 8:00 a.m. We usually cancel classes when temperatures are less than 15 degrees F., or when there’s a strong wind.

Volunteer Teachers

Are just that, volunteers, who love to ski and share their love of skiing with your children. Please help your child’s teachers any way you can; and we’re always looking for volunteer teachers. If you are interested in teaching, please contact Youth Skiers program coordinator Pete Behrends.

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Youth Photos

Hazel
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Youth News

Monday, October 28, 2019 8:57 AM

2020 Youth Ski Rentals, Sign-up, & Schedule — Saturday Nov. 9

Greetings young skiers! Pete Behrends, Dave Tuss, and Chapin Storrar will be leading LCNSC Youth Skiing program again this year.

Ski Rentals and sign up will take place from 10 am to noon on Saturday, November 9 at 1523 Knight Street, Helena. Thanks to Dave and Kathryn Tuss for hosting at their garage this year; Lewis & Clark’s meeting room was unavailable due to remodeling.

Ski lessons will be at 10 am, Saturday 1/4, 1/11, 1/25, 2/1, and 2/8. Lessons will be at either the Bill Roberts Golf Course or MacDonald Pass, depending on snow and weather conditions. A weekly update will be posted to the website and email on Fridays.

Please contact Pete Behrends at petebehrends@yahoo.com or at 406-461-4974

Friday, February 8, 2019 4:31 PM

Youth Skiing Class Canceled for Saturday Feb. 9

Hello youth skiers,

Due to the forecasted subzero temperatures and windchill, we are going to cancel the kids ski for Saturday, February 9.

That said, there’s plenty of snow and both Mac Pass and the golf course should be great skiing. I’d encourage everyone to find a window of reasonable weather and get out there. 

This marks the last youth class for the season, as key instructors are unable to reschedule the class for the following weekend. Thanks everyone for your participation and enthusiasm this year! Ski rental returns will be in later March, I’ll send an update in a few weeks. 

Pete Behrends

Friday, February 1, 2019 10:59 PM

Youth Skiing Feb. 2

Youth skiing will meet this Saturday, February 2, at 10 am at the MacDonald Pass ski trails. Plan to meet in the parking lot and we will split into groups depending on age and experience. Please bring a sled to help the youngest skiers get to and from the cabin.


This will be our second-to-last ski group for the season. It’s been great to have so many enthusiastic kids and parents participating! Tomorrow looks like it will be a nice mild day for skiing (with plenty of snow on the trails) before the next snow storm arrives in the evening.


Bring a snack and thermos, we’ll provide some additional snacks and cocoa mix.


Please forward this notice on if I’ve missed anyone and contact me with questions.


Thanks,
Pete Behrends 406-461-4974

Friday, January 25, 2019 5:49 PM

Hello Youth Skiers


Youth skiing will meet this Saturday, January 26, 10am at the MacDonald Pass ski trails. Plan to meet in the parking lot and we will split into groups depending on age and experience. Please bring a sled to help the youngest skiers get to and from the cabin.


Mac Pass has plenty of new snow and will be forgiving and scenic tomorrow. Unfortunately, the golf course still needs a little more snow.
Bring a snack and thermos, we’ll provide some additional snacks and cocoa mix.


Please contact Pete Behrends with questions:

petebehrends@yahoo.com

406-461-4974

Thursday, January 10, 2019 8:52 PM

Youth Skiing Jan 12, 10am, Mac Pass Parking Lot

Youth skiing will meet Saturday, January 12, 10am at the MacDonald Pass ski trails. Plan to meet at the parking lot.
 
Mac Pass should be good skiing with this weekend with some new snow earlier this week and mild temperatures.
 
Please dress appropriately and bring a thermos of hot water and a snack if you wish. David and I will provide hot cocoa mix and light snacks.
 
Please forward this notice on if I have missed anyone. Please contact Pete Behrends (406-461-4974, petebehrends@yahoo.com) with questions.
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