Irondale SkiSparks Club

 Welcome to the Irondale Youth Ski Club

The 2024 season will be a great year for the kids at Irondale Youth Ski Club.  This is a volunteer led program. Every family is urged to help in some way. Please see below for volunteer information.

Irondale SkiSparks will meet for 8 Sundays beginning with our first meeting Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 1:00 – 2:30 PM at the Irondale High School. Please park in the north lot near the tennis courts, not in the lot near the ski room (map).

WE HAVE SOLD OUT OUR RENTALS FOR THIS SEASON!

Weather and cancellation policy

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

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 Irondale. Always check the website or email irondale@myxc.org with questions.

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.

Ski Pass & Equipment

We have some great equipment for skiers to use for a nominal fee - $55/classic or $100/skate 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.

A natural snow ski pass is required for skiers 13 and up as the trail is part of the Ramsey County trail system. You can purchase a pass here: https://www.myxc.org/ramsey-county-city-of-st-paul-ski-passes The pass will allow you to access other natural snow trails in the area as listed on the Ramsey County website.

Our rental skis are classic no-wax skis or skate skis.

Registration

Please register early to insure a spot at Irondale.  Register by clicking REGISTER, or at the myxc.org website and clicking "Register" in the upper right corner.

Registration Schedule Update! Please follow the link below for an updated schedule.

https://www.myxc.org/news/news-registration-updates-1

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) All Level 1 skiers REQUIRE a registered Level 1 Attendant volunteer.

                                   Level 2: Ages 6-8 (parents check in occasionally)

                                   Level 3: Ages 7-10

                                   Level 4: Ages 8-12

Skate ski lessons:

                                  Level 5: Ages 9-13

                                  Level 6: Ages 11-14

More about skill levels here: https://www.myxc.org/skisparks-1.  Questions about levels? Contact us at irondale@myxc.org.

Communications

We will be communicating with Irondale 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 irondale@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.

Please contact us @ irondale@myxc.org with any questions or register to volunteer by clicking here.

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.  

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.  

Assistant 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.  

Sweeper: 

Ski at the back of the pack to help and guide slower skiers.

Click here to view more information about the different volunteer roles.

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