Last Chance Nordic Ski Club
Helena, Montana
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2023-24 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.

Ski Rentals, Lesson Sign-up

Ski Rentals and sign up will be at 10 am to noon on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. We will be in the “Rustic Shelter”. It is the more enclosed picnic shelter located about 1 block northwest of the playground (it’s not the shelter immediately adjacent to the playground)

2023-24 Youth Ski Leaders

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

2023-24 Youth Ski Schedule

Ski lessons will be at 10 am, Saturday January 6, January 20, January 27, and February 3, 2023. Lessons will be at either the Bill Roberts Golf Course or MacDonald Pass, depending on snow and weather conditions. Other lesson dates may be added. More details will be provided in advance of the lessons.

For More Information

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

Here’s What You Need to Know

Required Forms

Parents of participating children must complete the following forms:

  • Skier’s waiver
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. Advanced older youth may ski further according to conditions and interest.

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
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 10 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.

Youth Photos

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Youth News

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 7:52 PM

Youth Ski Rentals and Group 2024

2024 Youth Skiing

Hello Youth Skiers, the 2024 ski season will be here soon!

Youth ski rentals will be at 10 am to noon on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. We will be in the “Rustic Shelter”. It is the more enclosed picnic shelter located about 1 block northwest of the playground (it’s not the shelter immediately adjacent to the playground).

Rental cost will be $75/set for the first 2 sets per family and $50/set after that. Equipment is sized for kids approximately 3 to 12 years old, with limited gear as the sizes get larger.

Youth ski group will meet at 10am on January 6, January 20, January 27, and February 3. We will be at either the Bill Roberts Golf Course or MacDonald Pass depending on conditions and will split up according to ability. Beginners will work on basic skills with games and skiing short distances. More advanced skiers will range further out with opportunities for both skate and classic skill development. More details will be posted in advance of the lesson dates. We are always appreciative of adult assistance.

Please contact Pete Behrends at petebehrends or 406-461-4974 with questions.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023 8:37 PM

LCNSC Youth Skiing – 2/4/23 – Mac Pass

Hello All,

The LCNSC youth skiers will meet for the third lesson on Saturday, February 4, 10am at MacDonald Pass. We will meet by the cabin. The youngest skiers and parents may want to bring a sled and/or walk along the edge of the trail to the cabin.

We will split up according to skill levels and the number of participants. The beginning skiers will play ski games by the cabin and then ski out a bit. More experienced skiers will ski until approximately 11:15 and beginning skiers will ski less than an hour. Please bring your own snack.

It should be a great Saturday at Mac with plenty of new snow and moderate temperatures.
Thanks, and see you then!
Pete Behrends

Saturday, January 28, 2023 8:36 AM

Youth Lessons Cancelled 1/28

It is too cold for lessons today, and the golf course conditions aren’t as good as hoped, so lessons are cancelled today. We will be in touch next week for a location and plan for 2/4 lessons.

Thursday, January 26, 2023 8:33 PM

LCNSC Youth Skiing – 1/28/23 – Bill Roberts Golf Course

Hello All,

LCNSC Youth Skiing is on for Saturday, January 28,10am at Bill Roberts Golf Course. Let’s take advantage of the forecasted snow! Due to the uncertainty of the weather, we will plan to send an email by 9am on Saturday if it’s on or not, so please check your email or the LCNSC website accordingly.

Meet in the large open area by the grooming equipment northwest of the parking area. We will split up according to skill levels and the number of participants. The beginning skiers will play ski games. More experienced skiers will do some loops and drills. We’ll plan for 45 minutes for beginners and an hour for older kids, less if it’s cold, slightly more if it’s great. Please bring your own snack.

The Older Juniors group is not meeting this Saturday due to races. Those who aren’t racing are welcome to join us too!

Thanks,
Pete Behrends

Thursday, January 19, 2023 8:41 PM

LCNSC Youth Skiing – 1/21/23 – Mac Pass

Hello All,

The LCNSC youth skiers will meet for the second lesson on Saturday, January 21, 10am at MacDonald Pass. We will meet by the cabin. The youngest skiers and parents may want to bring a sled and/or walk along the edge of the trail to the cabin.

We will split up according to skill levels and the number of participants. The beginning skiers will stay near the cabin and play ski games. More experienced skiers will ski until approximately 11:15 and beginning skiers will ski less than an hour. Please bring your own snack.

The Older Juniors group is not meeting this Saturday due to races. Those who aren’t racing are welcome to join us too.

Upcoming lessons are planned for 1/28 and 2/4, we’ll provide updates for those a few days ahead of time.

Thanks, and see you on Saturday!
Pete Behrends

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