Twice each winter Methow Valley Biathlon hosts a day where skiers interested in sampling biathlon can swing by the range and learn the basics! MVB shares details on equipment, history, safety and training before participants have the opportunity to try shooting and skiing a short loop. Try Biathlon is open to skiers age 9 and older, no previous biathlon experience is required. At the Mazama range.

Visit our calendar for more details on our Christmas break Try Biathlon and our President’s Day weekend Try Biathlon events.

Adult biathletes are invited to attend practice sessions in Winthrop devoted to them, and be coached by Biathlon Program Director Raleigh Goessling. Raleigh is a very experienced athlete and coach who will most likely make a big difference in your biathlon and help you make significant improvement. Raleigh will work with you where you are at, generally starting with your position and building from there. Fall sessions will be Sundays at 3 pm on the following dates in 2023: 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5. Winter sessions will start with these Saturdays:  11/18, 12/9,  and 12/23.  Sessions after New Year’s TBD.  All sessions will be at the Liberty Bell High School range and will last 1-2 hrs.

Cost is just $15 per session and you will get individual attention from Raleigh for part of every session. He will also direct drills and games during the session, and be available to talk about anything biathlon related, so bring your questions and be prepared to learn as well as have some fun! Your session fee includes access to the range that day and paper targets. Come and take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy not only the permanent range and excellent trails at LBHS (running/mountain biking/skiing) but also take advantage of the beautiful settings and fantastic training available elsewhere in the Methow Valley during your time here.

Please prepay for any number of sessions you wish at the Webscorer registration, and we will deduct from your balance as you attend sessions. Your balance never expires and can be used in winter too.  You must also sign in at least one day before any session you plan to attend at our Google sheet for RSVP.  MVB membership is not required to take part in these sessions; however, USBA membership and completion of USBA’s Basic Rifle Safety Course are required for participation. Please contact Raleigh or Scott Waichler for more info.

In addition to the weekly practice sessions described above, we will have a clinic day for adults on Jan 21 2024, the day after our annual Chasing the Sun race.  This clinic is geared towards adults who have already done some biathlon and want to improve their skills.  If you are new to the sport, we strongly encourage you to take Washington Biathlon Association’s 2-day Newcomer Clinic, offered twice per winter and twice in summer/fall. Their winter clinics this season will be Jan 6-7 and Feb 10-11, 2024 at Stevens Pass Nordic Center. See all their offerings at Washington Biathlon Association.

MVB adults also meet regularly without formal coaching to practice and help each other with technique and facilitate range setup and cleanup. Adults who wish to take part in these practices must (a) be a member of Methow Valley Nordic and Methow Valley Biathlon (b) be a member of US Biathlon for insurance purposes, and (c) have completed USBA’s Basic Rifle Safety Course. For more info, contact Raleigh.  Self-directed practices for adults happen at the Mazama range, generally one weekday for most of the winter.  Join MVB to get on the email list to learn about this opportunity or contact Scott Waichler for more info.

Membership fees support range upkeep and maintenance. All members are encouraged to participate in range maintenance parties that occur semi-annually.

MVB hosts the Methow Valley Summer Biathlon and the winter Chasing the Sun races each year.  Our LBHS range and McCabe Trails venue is also the site of races organized by Washington Biathlon Association in some years. See the biathlon calendar for all local biathlon events.

For additional race opportunities visit our resources page for events happening in the broader region or visit Washington Biathlon for further info.