Venue:
Gamehaven Park
Greyed out options are no longer available.
Details:
| Registration: | Open Apply To Volunteer |
|---|---|
| Meets: | Sunday 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM |
| Starts: | Jan. 4, 2026 |
| Dates: | Jan 4, Jan 11, Jan 18, Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8, Feb 15, Mar 1 |
| Classic Rentals: | Club Rentals Classic - online - $70.00 |
| Membership: | $55.00 |
| Ski Pass Required: | |
| Leader: | Laura Cattaneo |
| Email: | rochester@myxc.org |
| Skill Levels Offered: | Levels 1-4 Classic only |
| Land Acknowledgement: | We honor and respect the Dakota people, the original stewards of the land where we ski at Gamehaven Park. We are grateful to enjoy the outdoors here and give thanks to those who cared for this land before us. |
Welcome to the Rochester Youth Ski Club
The 2026 season will be a great year for the kids at Gamehaven Park. This is a volunteer led program. Every family is urged to help in some way. Please see below for volunteer information.
Schedule and location
Rochester SkiSparks will meet for 8 Sundays beginning with our first meeting Sunday, January 4th 2026 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM at Gamehaven Park. Our last week of club meeting will be Sunday, March 1st. We will not meet on February 22.
Announcements
Any location changes will be posted on this website.
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. Always check the website or email rochester@myxc.org with questions. Cancellations will be posted on this Web page.
Dress for Success
LEVEL 1-3
Dress your child like they are going to play in the snow, because this is what they will be doing! The most important things are:
- Warm, dry socks. No cotton! A thin wool sock is best.
- Warm, dry mittens. Try to stay away from gloves to avoid cold fingers.
- Warm hat that covers your ears.
- Something to cover your neck.
Equipment
Our club has a limited supply of classic equipment for levels 1-3 available for seasonal rental.
A great option for buying new and used equipment is the MyXC Ski Swap on November 15, 2025 at Basecamp near Fort Snelling.
Registration
Please register early to insure a spot at Rochester. Club equipment rentals are limited. Please consider volunteering to get priority registration!
More info, tips and tricks:
Please take some time to review the general SkiSparks guidelines HERE (especially the information on skill levels)
Classic ski technique:
Level 1: Ages 4-7 (parents ski or walk along with the child)
Level 2: 6-8 (parents check in occasionally)
Level 3: 7-10
Questions about levels? Contact us at rochester@myxc.org
Communications
We will be communicating with Rochester SkiSparks families via email. When you register please include a contact e-mail address. You will be contacted for the following reasons:
- To let you know if we have to cancel or shift the meeting time.
- To clear up any questions we may have about your registration.
- To be given periodic updates with news and information about the ski club.
MyXC is on Facebook! You can "like” the MyXC page to get general announcements, photos and videos from each of the MyXC club.
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. More information on training for volunteering here. You do not have to be able to attend every session to volunteer!
Level 1 skiers will need to be accompanied by an adult (registered volunteer). Coaching at level 1 is a great way to accompany your child. We are also in very great need of coaches for all levels 1-6. Please consider coaching as it is our number one need! You do not necessarily need to coach at your child’s level.
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 level and each day's plan is available on an app. The 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. Coaching for SkiSparks qualifies as a service commitment for NHS, RNST, and other organizations. Build community, practice your leadership and coaching skills, and mentor the next generation of skiers!
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, 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.
Snack Coordinator:
Set up sign-up for parents to bring weekly snacks and send reminders. Be available on ski days to help organize and clean up snacks.
Need to contact us? Email us at rochester@myxc.org