Highland 9 Sunday SkiSparks Club

Welcome to the Highland 9 Sunday SkiSparks Club

The 2023-2024 season will be a great year for the kids at the Highland 9 Sunday Club! 
This is a volunteer led program.
Every family is urged to help in some way. Please see below for volunteer information.

Sixth Session on February 11 - Postponed

We are postponing our Sunday afternoon session due to lack of snow. Our new date will be posted shortly.

Third Session on January 21 - New Location

We will meet at Battle Creek Regional Park (75 Winthrop St. S.) from 4-5 p.m. See you out on the snow!

Second Session on January 14 - Postponed

We are postponing our Sunday afternoon session due to cold temperatures. Our new date will be posted shortly.

First Session on January 7 - New Location

We are thrilled to confirm that despite the lack of snow, the 2024 MyXC Ski Season for Highland 9 will still kick off on Sunday, January 7. 

However, due to poor snow conditions, we will meet at our back-up course, Battle Creek Regional Park (75 Winthrop Street S.). When meeting at our back-up course, our meet time is 4-5 p.m.*

Right now there is only a .6 km loop open (the "Pond Loop" in green) so we will all be in pretty close proximity throughout our session. 

For that reason, I'm having all groups meet near the trailhead (located next to the parking lot on the map). Coaches will still have their signs and tubs, and will do attendance there before heading out to make room on the course.

We're still working out all the logistics, so please be patient with us on the first day. The main goal = get everyone out on the snow! On the plus side: this location has bathrooms and a warming house! 

*This is because Battle Creek is a home course for other clubs who ski at our usual time, and is also the back-up course for several other east Metro clubs. 

Schedule and location

Highland 9 Sunday SkiSparks will meet for 8 Sundays beginning with our first meeting Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the Highland 9 Golf Course.   

Announcements and Ski Pass Information

Please consider volunteering and strengthening our ski community.

Weather and cancellation policy

Cancellations will be posted on this web page and notification sent through email.

Children should be dressed in layers.  A moisture wicking under layer, an insulating layer, and a wind proof layer are typically appropriate.  Please use your discretion noting your child’s activity level and the outside temperature/wind chill. Often a winter jacket and snow pants or a snowsuit are too warm once the child gets skiing unless they are young and in the beginner group.

Equipment

We have some great equipment for skiers to use for a nominal fee - $50 for the entire season.  This equipment can be taken home and used for family outings and to practice throughout the week.  Please remember we have a limited number of ski packages and sizes, so register early. If you paid for rental equipment on-line but were not able to be outfitted, you will be reimbursed for the fees.

Our rental skis are classic no-wax skis.  We do not have skate ski equipment available on a rental basis.  Children skiing in level 5 or above should have their own skate skis, boots, and poles.  In addition, for children skiing at level 4 or above, waxable classic skis are highly recommended. 

Registration

Levels and age guidelines are as follows:

For children who are new to MYSL, assign the child to the lowest skill level that spans their age as of January 1.  If a child has skied at least 10 times, consider advancing them one skill level. It is common for kids to repeat skill levels, so returning families need to choose a skill based on last season’s performance, but still staying within the age ranges.  Coaches will assess children at the first meeting, but it is important for parents to accurately assign levels by age during the registration process.

Classic ski lessons: Level I: Ages 4-7 (parents ski along with the child), Level 2: 6-8 (parents check in occasionally), Level 3: 7-10, Level 4: 8-12

Skate ski lessons: Level 5: 9-13, Level 6: 11-14

More about skill levels here: http://mysl.org/skill-levels.  Questions about levels? Contact us at highland9@myxc.org.

Communications

We will be communicating with Highland 9 Sunday SkiSparks families via email.  We need valid emails for all. When you register please include a correct e-mail address.  

MYSL is on Facebook!  You can “like” the MYSL page to get general announcements, photos and videos from each of the MYSL club.

Need to contact us? Email us at highland9@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. 

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 MYSL 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 highland9@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.  Contact us at highland9@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 highland9@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.