Columbia SkiSparks Club

Welcome to the Columbia MyXC Youth Ski Club

We will make a final  weather or conditions call on Sunday morning at 9am by posting it here and sending an email to all of the families.  

Schedule and location

We plan to have our first meeting on Sunday, January 21st, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM at the main Clubhouse at the Columbia Golf Club in Minneapolis.  Our last week of club meeting will be Sunday, March 10th.  In the event of cancellation due to weather, any make-up days will be communicated ahead of time.

Columbia Golf Club House

Weather and cancellation policy

We will not ski if the air temperature is below -2˚ F or the wind chill is below -10˚ F, or at the leader’s discretion.  Because the little kids ski out in the open, wind is a big factor at Columbia.  Always check the website or email columbia@myxc.org with questions.  Cancellations will be posted on this Web page.

Clothing

Dress warmly, but dress to move! It's best to dress in layers and avoid cotton or cotton-blends. Suggested layers*:

• Base layer (underwear layer) wicks sweat off your skin: polypropylene or lightweight wool long underwear tops and bottoms

• Middle layer (insulating layer) retains body heat to protect you from the cold: a second long-underwear top, a long-sleeve (non-cotton) t-shirt or a lightweight fleece

• Outer layer (shell layer) shields you from wind and snow: heavy fleece or jacket on top and fleece pants/leggings or pants designed for xc skiing on bottom

*Please use your discretion and take into account your child’s activity level and the outside temperature/wind chill. Often winter jackets and snow pants or a snowsuits are too warm once children get moving. However, kids in levels 1 and 2 and older beginners don't move as much and generally wear winter coats and snow pants/snowsuits.

Other tips for staying warm:

• Wool socks: Invest in a pair of wool (or non-cotton wool-alternative) socks that come up to mid-calf.

• Cover the head, ears and neck: We lose a lot of heat through our heads, so cover up with hats (that cover the ears), neck warmers, balaclavas or headbands.

• Dry boots: Cold, wet boots are no fun to put on. Bring ski boots in from the car and let them dry out between uses. Before driving to SkiSparks, have your kids put their boots on at home where it's warm.

• Mitten/gloves: Mittens will keep fingers warmer than gloves. Most kids where their waterproof snow gloves, but more advanced skiers may be more comfortable wearing breathable gloves designed for cross-country skiing.

• Hand/Foot warmers: For when it is really cold, hand and foot warmers are helpful. These are oxygen activated and you can “turn them off” by putting them in an airtight container (such as a glass jar) to get multiple uses.

• Calories: A skier who is low on calories will have a hard time staying warm. Bring extra snacks and drinks.

Equipment

Rental

Children grow quickly and so we are happy we can offer quality rental equipment for a low fee ($55/classic) for the entire season. The club typically distributes equipment in early December and collects it once the snow melts in the spring. That means that your children can take their equipment home and ski whenever they want. 

You can rent equipment at the same time you register for SkiSparks. Supplies, especially larger sizes, are limited, but we try our best to secure rental equipment for all skiers who request it. If you pay for rental equipment when you register and we ultimately cannot outfit your child(ren), we will reimburse you for the fees.

Purchase

If you plan to purchase skis this season, we encourage you to do so early (October is not too early) because there was a ski shortage last year. You can also purchase used equipment at MYXC's annual ski swap.

Communications

We will be communicating with Columbia MyXC families via email.  We need valid emails for all.  When you register please include a contact e-mail address.  You would be contacted for the following reasons:

1. In the event we cancel because of weather.

2. To let you know if we have to shift the time we are meeting because of weather or event at Columbia.

3. To clear up any questions we may have about your registration.

To be given periodic updates with news and information about the Columbia ski club.

Need to contact us? Email us at columbia@myxc.org

Volunteering

This is a volunteer run club.  The success and affordability of this program comes directly from your contributions of time, energy, and talent.  By registering for this club, you are committing to the club’s success and are agreeing to volunteer. 

All Level 1 skiers will need to be accompanied by an adult.  Coaching at level 1 is a great way to accompany your child.  We are also in very great need of coaches for all levels 1-4.  Please consider coaching as it is our number one need!  You do not necessarily need to coach at your child’s level.

Following are some suggested areas of volunteer service:

Coaching:

We really need your help!  This is our biggest need and is one of the most rewarding ways in which you can help the club.  Kids get more out of the program when the coach-to-kid ratio is low, and coaches need not be experienced skiers to volunteer.  The MyXC program makes it easy for a coach to know what to do.  An eight week curriculum has been prepared for every class level and each day's lesson is printed on a card that can be carried in your pocket.  The pocket guide also provides many helpful tips and games to keep classes enjoyable and interesting.  You do not have to be an elite level skier to be a coach.  All you need is a desire to help kids and have fun.  Contact us at columbia@myxc.org to sign up.   

Junior Coaches:

High-school aged skiers, we need you!  We rely heavily on high school volunteers, who are fun, friendly and in far better shape than most of us.  Coaching for Columbia MyXC qualifies as a service commitment for NHS.  Think about how great this will look on a college application!  Contact us at columbia@myxc.org to sign up.

Assistant and Sub Coaches:

As an assistant coach, you can support a coach by accompanying the group on the trails and helping skiers.  If you feel like your skiing level is at the same level as the level your kids are signed up for, you would be a fantastic assistant coach!  You are not in charge of the instruction, rather you are there to make sure the kids are safe, have an adult to bring them to the bathroom, and can assist with activities.  

If you are a sub coach, you can fill in when a coach isn’t able to make it to ski club.  

Contact us at columbia@myxc.org to sign up.    

If you have ideas about how to help kids learn to ski, now is your chance to make it happen.