FOR SKIERS IN GRADES 4-8.
Building Nordic skiing skills and athleticism in a positive, inclusive, and team-oriented environment.
UPDATE! Devo Pro is now the Prep Team.
We’re making an important change: Devo Progressive (Devo Pro) is now The Prep Team and will move under the umbrella of our high school Comp Team. The Prep Team remains a middle school program (grades 7 - 9).
The Development Team (aka “Devo Team”) is split into two teams (same pricing & same schedules):
Devo for Grades 4 & 5
Devo for Grades 6, 7, 8
Devo skiers are proficient in both classic and skate techniques and want to continue honing their skills. The Devo Team uses a skills-based model of training to develop agility, balance, strength, and coordination on skis. We encourage Devo Team athletes to participate in all local races with their team.
Skiers on the Devo Team love to Nordic ski, are ready for a longer season, are ready to ski 3 days/week, are interested in racing and are motivated to improve and develop as Nordic skiers.
Prior Nordic ski experience with both skate and classic techniques is required. Minimum of 1 year on skate skis. (No experience needed for summer dryland.) Skier should have a level of maturity to be able to listen to coaches and follow directions, participate in all drills and games, work in a group setting, and ski 2-3 days a week.
Optional racing: in local races. Team race travel is available for the IMD Youth Championships only (U14 & older).
We welcome and encourage new skiers to sign up for our Intro Program.
Those in grades 7-9 may also opt to move up to the Prep Team.
Summer & Fall: 2 days a week
Winter: 2-3 days a week (your choice)
You choose which of the four possible sessions to attend. *snow dependent*
Locations: Summer mainly at Lindley Park (on Thursdays, we meet at Lindley and take vans to trail heads for adventure day). Fall will be at in-town parks and trailheads close to town. Winter mainly at Sunset Hills/Lindley and Crosscut Mountain Sports Center.
Pro-rated discounts are not available.
SUMMER
TU: 8:30 -10:00 a.m.
TH: 8:30 -11:00 a.m.
FALL
TU: 4-5:30 p.m.
TH: 4-5:30 p.m.
WINTER
*You pick 2 or 3 days a week.
TU: 4-5:30 p.m.
WE: 4 - 5:30
TH: 4-5:30 p.m.
SA: 9 - 11 a.m.
June 17 - August 14, 2025
2 days a week
$550 until June 1
(Register now, pay later. Invoices will go out June 1). Price increases to $575 after June 1.
September 23 - Nov 6
November 11 - March 12
2 days a week: $1,395 until August 1
3 days a week: $1,795 until August 1
(Register now, pay later. Invoices will go out June 1). Prices increase by $200 after August 1.
November 11 - March 12
2 days a week: $1,095 until Sept 1
3 days a week: $1,550 until Sept 1
(Register now, pay later. Invoices will go out June 1). Prices increase by $200 after Sept 1.
Homestake: June 23-25, 2025 (U14 & U16)
BSF Pro Team Camp: July 16-19 (U14 & U16 from region)
In-Town Camp: early August (TBD) for Devo & Devo Pro
West Shortie Camp: November 28-29
Camp Info
Not sure which registration option is best for your skier?
We have the following documents to help you choose which program is the best fit:
Devo vs. Intro
Devo vs. Prep Team
Payment options:
At checkout, you can choose:
*See processing fees below.
Payment Plans
When checking out in SkiClub Pro (our registration system) choose "payment plan." The SkiClubPro system will automatically charge you for each of the payments over the course of the payment plan.
Processing fees:
The following processing fees will be added to your total. These are the fees charged by the payment processor; BSF does not keep any of these fees.
Credit cards: 3.5% fee
Bank ACH : 2.4%
We are no longer accepting American Express
BSF offers a generous scholarship and financial aid program. Applications are due in October each year.
Nordic athletes can also apply for Soren Joseph Hartnett Scholarships to help with fees and travel.
Please note: If you need assistance, apply for it! These funds are meant to keep kids skiing. Applications are confidential, and we take into account all your circumstances, not just taxable income. (Too often, we see families assume they make too much money to qualify for help, and yet they are considering limiting their child's participation in a program because of the cost. Apply! )
Your coaches will send out weekly training schedules via email on Mondays, with a schedule of times and locations.
Weekday winter sessions are typically at Sunset Hills (Lindley Center).
Last-minute schedule changes do sometimes occur: we'll announce those as needed, via email and TeamReach.
Only one van will be available for transportation after school provided from each CJMS and Sac MS and BHS. Athletes will need to carpool. Van transportation after school is not guaranteed to middle school Devo Team athletes at Sac MS or CJMS. Van transport provided to all IMD races.
When you register for the program, you will be added to an email list. Your coaches will send weekly emails with the full schedule, important notes, and info for parents. Last-minute changes may also be emailed. (It’s important that you do not unsubscribe to any BSF emails, as this is our main mode of communication in the winter.) If for some reason, you are not receiving emails from us, let us know!
We also use the Team Reach app, for schedules and last-minute communications.
Concussion Baseline Testing is required for all Nordic athletes 8th grade and older who are on the Comp Team or Devo Progressive team. The testing is free and can be done on a computer; a link will be emailed after registration.
Baseline testing establishes a baseline for your athlete so that if they ever have a concussion, a medical professional will have established baseline data and can make a more informed decision when treating the athlete and clearing them for return to sport. More info on Impact Testing HERE.
(Suggested donation calculated based on an average volunteer session of 3 hours and the industry standard value of volunteer time ($25/hour).)
One of the ways BSF keeps program fees lower is through volunteer hours. Without your volunteer hours, we would need to use additional paid staff to fill the void; this would increase program costs significantly, which would also make it more difficult for some families to afford BSF. When only a small percentage of BSF parents take on the brunt of volunteer hours, it leads to volunteer burnout.
We have openings for help at practices, organizing ski and fundraising events, helping at the events themselves, as well as trail work and volunteering for our community trails. We encourage you to volunteer for ANY program--Nordic, Alpine, Freestyle, or trails. If you have a specific skill set you think would be helpful, please let us know. There are always little things we need, from photography, to database entry, to hanging up posters around town.
We highly encourage BSF athletes to volunteer as well, not just parents!
We post signup sheets and volunteer needs throughout the year HERE.
Nordic skiers should dress in layered clothing that allows for a good range of movement and can be removed if the need arises. This prevents overheating but still protects them from the elements. Multiple layers are better than one thick, insulated layer. It is very often colder and windier at Sunset Hills (Lindley) than it is anywhere else in town. Even on a warm winter day, a hat, gloves, and a windproof jacket (fleece alone is not warm enough in the wind) are important, especially when it starts to get dark earlier in the evening.
Remember to eat a small snack between school and skiing. Cold temperatures lead to higher energy requirements for skiing and keeping warm.
Devo skiers need both classic and skate ski setups. BSF has a limited number of skate ski package rentals for $50 for the season. BSF does not rent classic skis but Round House Sports now offers a leasing program for classic cross country skis.
One Pair: U10 and U12 skiers can get by with one pair of "combi" skis and boots and one set of poles. These skis should be wax-able. Keep in mind, however, that with combi skis you will have to clean the classic kick wax off the skis before your skier will be able to skate on them. (Sometimes, it's just easier to have two pairs!)
Combi gear sizing: ski length should be 1-3 inches longer than the child's height. Poles should reach from the ground to the top of the child's shoulder.
Two Pairs: Some skiers choose to have both classic and skate skis and poles, and one pair of combi boots. For skate and classic specific gear, it is best to use the manufacturer's size charts which correlate the skier's weight and height to ski length and stiffness. At the Ski Swap, BSF volunteers/coaches will be on hand with a flex-test board to help match your skier with the best skis available. Please take advantage of this opportunity--skis that are too stiff or too soft can make for a very frustrating skiing experience. When purchasing new equipment through a local retailer, they will provide similar testing.
For classic skis, development skiers want to start looking towards a pair of waxable classic skis, which is what most U10/U12 Development Team skiers begin to use.
Ski poles for skate should reach between the skiers chin and "mustache area."
Classic poles should reach between the armpit and the shoulder.
If you have waxable classic skis: On classic days, please send your skier with a range of inexpensive kick waxes and a cork (local ski shops can recommend a few general kick waxes--blue, extra blue, purple, red--which can be kept in a baggie in your skier's bag), and their coach will help them put it on.
New Equipment may be purchased at Bangtail Ski Shop, Round House, or Homestake Lodge. Order early at Bangtail and receive discounted BSF prices. Both Bangtail and Round House also offer Nordic team nights each fall.
Intra-Team Swap: each October, before the big Ski Swap, all BSF Nordic skiers get together and buy/sell used gear. It's an easy way to source good equipment with a coach on hand to answer questions.
The BSF Ski Swap held each November at the Fairgrounds. Thousands of items. (It's also one of BSF's biggest fundraisers.) BSF members get in an hour early. If you volunteer at the event, you get in even earlier! Coaches will be on hand to help with equipment selection.
Cold Weather Guidelines can be found HERE for the Nordic team.
Bozeman kids are a hardy bunch, but we will cancel a session if temperatures are extreme--especially if paired with wind. Whenever possible, an email or teamreach message will be sent out notifying everyone as soon as it is determined to be too cold to train.
Your best bet is to always bring lots of warm layers; weather changes quickly.
Please make yourself familiar with our policies, the BSF Athlete & Parent Handbook, and other important information on the Resources Page.
BSF Newsletters contain regular "Parent Corner" articles to help you navigate the parent/athlete dynamic.
Intermountain Division (IMD) License
There’s a bigger picture to what BSF teaches skiers, when and why. BSF’s programs are consistent with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Systems.
What does that mean? We’re not focused on short-term success—and the hazards (and burnout) that often come with it. Instead, we follow LTAD plans that are individualized and based on science to make sure your child can maximize their long-term potential as a skier (should they wish to do so) and their enjoyment in the sport. We take into account a child’s development physiologically, cognitively and socially, as well as their experience skiing.
This makes it easy for your child to progress through our programs—from Intro to the Development Teams, to the Competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult Masters athlete.
The LTAD is a living document that changes frequently. View the most up-to-date LTAD for Nordic HERE.
Below is a partial summary of relevant phases for Devo skiers.
Ages: 6-10
Years in skiing: 1-4
Days per week: 2-6 or as enjoyable
An emphasis on outdoor recreation. Parents should emphasize activity versus training. Child should play many sports, with active participation in coordination- or balance-based sports.
Increase play to enhance specific elements of physical fitness in open environments. Continue to establish foundations of endurance through sustained activity and play. Add duration to activities and games. Introduce and practice mobility exercises through unorganized play and some structured activities. Use fun playful activities to enhance body awareness, spatial awareness and object manipulation.
Athletes in Phase 2 should have fun on snow, with games and play enhancing both enjoyment and skills. Gaining confidence and coordination while running on skis in multiple directions. Ability to balance on both skis while moving downhill. Tactics are learned through self-discovery by skiing and adapting to different terrain.
Continued cultivation of a fun environment to allow child to continue to experience success. Use simple self-talk cue words to reinforce task-oriented behaviors. Focus on the love of sport.
Compete for fun. Local competition at age-appropriate distances.
(prepuberty before growth spurt)
Girls ages: 10-13
Boys ages: 11-14
Years in skiing: 4-8
Days per week: 2-4 training sessions per week, year round
Emphasize outdoor recreation and introduce fun competition. Continue to participate in many activities and sports. Begin to identify with primary vs. complementary sports.
In phase 3, skiers are gaining comfort in applying various tactics in order to ski terrain using different strategies to achieve differing results.
Coach-athlete relationships, based on trust and respect, are built through effective communication before, during and after practice. Consistency in talk and behavior is key to developing a trusting relationship. Develop positive self talk, work ethic, and perseverance. Focus on the process, not the results.
Local racing leads to state and divisional championships, which may lead to regional events. Race at age-appropriate distances. Suggested number of competitions: 5-15 starts.
(puberty and growth spurt)
Girls: ages: 11-14
Boys: ages 12-15
Years in skiing: 5-9
Days per week: 3-5 in season, 2-4 out of season
Emphasize fun training, with physical fitness becoming an integral part of the season. Increase hours of training with varied volumes and intensity. Continue to participate in complementary sports while identifying clear goals in primary sport.
Athlete is introduced to structured training including aerobic, anaerobic and strength training. In addition to ski training, athlete is engaged regularly in cross-training activities including balance, coordination, endurance, speed and strength building. High intensity and more complex movement patterns are mastered. Dynamic and complex movement patterns are emphasized to achieve a desired outcome on specific terrain and features.
Promote consistent use of self-talk and imagery in training and competition. Begin to challenge athletes with more competition-specific scenarios, but maintain opportunities for athletes to experience success. Identify relevant factors from prior successful performance. Athletes create a detailed list of what they do prior to the competition from a physical, mental, and environmental aspect. Athlete focuses on what they can and can't control.
Jack Christianson, Nordic Youth Development Director
jack.christianson@bridgerskifoundation.org