The Team
The Nevada Union Nordic Ski Team was established in 1984, is coed, and had 11 athletes in the 2017/2018 season (our smallest team in many years). We expect about 6 students will return for the 2018-19 season. Ideally, we would like a team of around 25 athletes, so there is plenty of room for beginners this year. The team trains at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center, Donner Summit, CA. The team competes in races organized by the California/Nevada Interscholastic Ski and Snowboard Federation at locations around the Tahoe Basin and as far south as Mammoth Lakes. Athletes can only participate after being cleared by the school and presenting the coaches with a signed Consent to Treat Form.
Nordic Skiing
Nordic skiing at NU is an official school sport and counts towards graduation Physical Education requirements. As long as we can arrange transportation, all physically active students are welcome to participate. We have never cut any athlete who has a positive attitude. No previous experience is necessary and beginners are welcome. Nordic ski racing is an Olympic Sport which develops balance, coordination, endurance and strength. It is a great sport to cross train for summer endurance sports such as running, cycling and rowing (though often after an athlete gets hooked, the perspective changes , and the summer sports are looked at as cross training!). Nordic Skiing is a lifelong sport and very physically demanding.
Team Costs
Compared with other snow sports, Nordic skiing is very economical. We ask for a donation of $110 to cover the wear and tear on equipment and supplies. A special discounted School Team Season Pass for the Auburn Ski Club is required in order to participate in on snow training (the price of this is not yet final but will probably be $35). The team provides all equipment that the athlete requires (except for minor items like gloves, hat, sun glasses and water bottle). Because of the new school schedule, athletes will have to provide a headlamp for practicing on snow during the darkest days of winter. All athletes are provided with skis, poles, boots, ski bag, roller skis, team uniforms and windbreakers. Returning athletes are encouraged to purchase some of their own equipment so that they may continue skiing when they leave school.
Roller Skiing
Because we only have limited time on snow, the team trains extensively using roller skis. Athletes are expected to provide their own helmets and other safety equipment. The team will loan roller skis, boots, poles and a visibility vest to athletes for training. There will be Beginner Clinics during the fall for NU students who wish to learn to ski.
Nordic Track
In addition to training on roller skis, this year we have added a number of Nordic Track machines which provide an excellent full body workout as well as simulating the motions of Classic Diagonal Striding. Our plan this year is to use these extensively for Dry-Land training when the light makes roller skiing difficult. During the Fall we have two early morning sessions per week before school.
Time Commitment
The team starts official training on October 29 doing dry-land drills, roller skiing, nordic track and skiing on grass with old skis. Before the snow arrives we practice Monday through Thursday after school till 6:00pm (on Collaboration Days we may finish earlier). When the snow arrives (usually mid to late November), we replace the Wednesday dry-land with on-snow training at the Auburn Ski Club (returning to school by 8:30pm) and reduce the dry-land practices by one. The Thursday practices before races are dedicated to waxing and equipment preparation. There is usually an optional free skiing trip arranged on Sundays. The League races are on usually Fridays, and athletes will miss school on some of these days. The State Championships are on a Saturday, March 2 this season. We encourage athletes to race in the many citizen races around the Tahoe Basin which are held on Sundays and holiday Mondays.