Welcome to the 23/24 winter biathlon season! 

 

Biathlon registration requires a few steps, so please check out the task list below.

 

You may notice that names, dates, costs, groups, and other aspects of the program are different from years past. To give some background and perspective on many of the changes, check out the frequently asked questions below. If your family has further questions or needs further clarification reach out to Raleigh Goessling via raleigh@mvnsef.org. 

 

 Biathlon Registration Tasks

  1. Register for a Methow Valley Ski Team group- this is a prerequisite for biathlon.  
  2. Become a member of US Biathlon– all athletes must be US Biathlon members for insurance purposes. Most Methow athletes can purchase a U17 Novice Competitor license. Athletes who may want to attend Youth/Junior selection trials and race in the Youth class should purchase a Youth/Junior Competitor license. This membership comes with benefits, including access to deals on top brands through ExpertVoice! 
  3. Register for one of the two biathlon training groups below. If you are unsure what group to register for, read on! 
  4. If it is your young athlete’s first year in the program, they will need to register for and attend a new biathlete clinic to earn a rifle safety certification. Please note this when you register!  

 

FAQs

 

How old do you need to be to do biathlon? 

  • Athletes must be 9 years old by December 31st 2023 in the season (23/24) they wish to participate. 

 

Can my child start biathlon in middle or high school? 

  • YES! Young athletes can begin with biathlon at any point in their Methow Valley Ski Team experience provided that they are old enough to participate and are skiing with the ski team. 

 

Which group is right for my young athlete? 

  • Biathletes who have less than 2 years of biathlon experience with Methow Valley Biathlon must join the Development 1 group. Athletes with 2 or more years of experience can register for the Development 2 group. Athletes with less than 2 years of biathlon experience with the club wanting to train in the Development 2 group can petition the coaching staff via raleigh@mvnsef.org on Nov 1st, and again on Jan 1st, and February 1st.  
  • Key factors in selection for each training group and in the review of petitions are: knowledge and execution of safety rules, training efficiency, listening skills, situational awareness, and emotional control. 
  • Movement between the Development 1 and Development 2 groups is possible if a member of the Development 1 group shows consistent exemplary execution of the qualities listed above. Conversely, if a member of the Development 2 Group is not executing the elements above at a satisfactory level, they will be asked to train with the Development 1 group, regardless of age or ability.    

 

Why has the cost of the program increased?

  • As our program transitions from a volunteer-led program to one with multiple paid coaches, we have to account for the costs of this growth so that the program can be sustainable. 

What is the difference between the two groups?  

  • The Development 1 group only trains on select Saturdays, and has the lowest monetary cost of entry possible for the organization. The Development 2 group meets on select Saturdays and select Wednesdays and is more geared towards athletes with experience who want to develop their biathlon capacity toward competition.  

 

How will I know when practice is?

  • You will receive a weekly email with scheduling and other information on biathlon training. 

Is travel included in the costs? 

  • Travel and coaching costs for events outside of the Methow Valley are not included in the winter season tuition. This is done to keep the cost of the program down and not apply any pressure on families to travel if their athlete isn’t yet ready to take that step. There will be no coaching costs for biathlon events in the Valley, but event registration fees will apply.  

 

What about rifles and ammunition? 

  • The club has a limited number of rifles available for athletes who are training year round to rent and take home for a seasonal fee. For younger and less experienced athletes, the club will provide rifles for training days at no extra cost. For all athletes, ammunition is available for $5 a box (50 rounds per box). Please send your young biathlete to training with cash or a check written out to Methow Valley Nordic with “ammo” in the memo. Athletes should always have 2 boxes of ammo at training or money to buy it.