VSC (Vasa Ski Club) SkiSparks

Welcome to VSC (Vasa Ski Club) SkiSparks in Traverse City, Michigan!

VSC SkiSparks is an 8 week Cross Country Ski Program that gives kids a chance to learn cross country skiing. This program, available for Kindergarten through 5th Grade Students, is a collaboration between VASA Ski Club(VSC) and Minnesota Youth Ski League MyXC), who uses a research based curriculum with six age and experience skill levels that focus on FUNdamentals and physical literacy. Levels 1 - 4 rental skis are age appropriate and rented online through MyXC or you can use your own classic waxless equipment. Level 5 & 6 Skiers can rent Skate Ski Equipment through VSC in person by contacting Vasa Ski Sparks Club Leader, John Kostrzewa, if you do not have your own. The instructors and coaches are trained by certified coaches. Your child will learn how to ski and then progress their skills in a fun outdoor environment, providing them with a positive experience and incentive to continue the sport through middle school, and beyond. Hats, buffs, water resistant gloves/mittens, and snow/wind pants are encouraged to keep warm and dry. 

Please register for the club through the MyXC.org

 Once full, We have a waiting list for the club program if you can provide your own equipment.  To be put on the waiting list, please fill out this form.  

Schedule and location

Vasa SkiSparks is happening at Hickory Hills Ski Area - 2024

Vasa SkiSparks will meet for 8 Mondays on Snow beginning with our first meeting Monday, January 15th, 2024 4:30-6:00 at Hickory Hills Ski Area.  Please see schedule below. We will have a special online skier/parent orientation and rental equipment distribution instructions on Monday December 4, 2023. A virtual link will be provided to all members via email a week before. All program events will take place at Hickory Hills and/or Hickory Meadows.

Vasa SkiSparks - 2024 will meet from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm on the following Mondays at Hickory Hills Ski Area (2000 Randolph St, Traverse City MI 49684). Unless otherwise notified all classes will take place as long as Hickory Hills is open. We do not follow all of the LEAP guidelines, so we will still meet on non-school days.

• Monday, January 15th
• Monday, January 22nd
• Monday, January 29th
• Monday, February 5th
• Monday, February 12th
• Monday, February 19th
• Monday, February 26th
• Monday, March 4th

* Please note class will be held, even on days that school is closed provided Hickory Hills is open. We will keep March 11th, 2024 open as a Makeup date in case we have to cancel a session.

Registration will open October 25th. Registration deadline is dependent on equipment availability unless you have your own equipment, and registration skier limit of 85 participants. Early registration is encouraged to increase your chances of equipment availability.

Registration for this club is done through myxc.org website.  When you register on this website, each child will receive:

• Ability to participate in our online K-counter.
• Jessie Diggins blog written especially for MYSL kids.
• SnowNotes newsletter with important information about helping your child have fun this winter with skiing
• Information about year round options for skiing in our region.

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.  

• There is no guarantee of a make-up date in the case of inclement weather.

Clothing

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 Announcement:  Once all rental equipment has been spoken for.  We encourage you to register for the club and purchase equipment at a local ski shop.

Skiers must have their own classic skis or should rent skis through MyXC. These skis are traditional waxless skis with ski boots and poles included.  Classic Equipment rental is $45.00 for the season.

To register your child for a rental package, please register for a free membership on the MYXC website.  Go to myxc.org and click "Register Today."  You will need to enter accurate sizing information (height, weight and shoe size) so we are able to order the correct ski package for your child.  You can pay the $45.00 equipment rental fee online and the skis will be available for your child to take home before our first club meeting in January. if you need to rent *Skate Skis ($55) (Level 5 & 6) email Coach K jfkostrzewa@gmail.com *(LEVEL 5&6 Skiers do not rent skate skis online)

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:

We are in need of some non-skiing helpers to help assist with SkiSparks Leader roles. Please consider helping out by filling in as a Director, Equipment Manager, or Outreach Coordinator.

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 vasaskisparks@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 Vasa SkiSparks qualifies as a service commitment for NHS.  Think about how great this will look on a college application!  Contact us at vasaskisparks@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.  

Snack Coordinator

Snacks will usually be passed out by each group leader at the end of each session. If you would like to help out with this skier favorite, let us know. 

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

Contact info

Please email John Kostrzewa - jfkostrzewa@gmail.com or text 231-357-5346