New to Skiing or MyXC?

SkiSparks Clubs are a group of youth, families, and community members learning to cross-country ski and enjoy winter together.  During club time kids are divided into groups according to their age & ability level.  Groups are led by trained volunteer coaches.  Each group plays games, learns new skills and explores the trails together. 

 

Caregivers are welcome to volunteer as a coach or assistant coach (using our fabulous SkiSparks Curriculum App) or to ski and learn along with their child.

Steps to participate in SkiSparks:

  1. Select a Skill Level for your skier
  2. Select a Club Location (some locations have multiple time slots and in the Mpls metro, you will want to have a 2nd and 3rd choice picked out)
  3. Review your Equipment Options (some clubs have rentals, some facilities have rentals). Note: Level 1-4 requires classic equipment and Level 5-6 requires skating equipment. Equipment Policies.
  4. Apply to Volunteer (most volunteers get priority registration)
  5. Register your skier(s) (also called club membership)
  6. Dress for winter fun
  7. Attend club meetings and smile!!

More on Equipment

 

Ski equipment is sized in the metric system. So please familiarize yourself with the appropriate numbers! Here is the MyXC Youth Sizing Chart.

 

The boots are in Euro sizing: 

 

EU Size

US Size (Youth)

US Size (Women)

US Size (Men)

28

10.5

    

29

11

    

30

12

    

31

13

    

32

13.5

    

33

1.5

    

34

2

    

35

3

4

3

36

  

4.5

3.5

37

  

5.5

4.5

38

  

6.5

5.5

39

  

7

6

40

  

8

7

41

  

9

8

42

  

10

9

42+

not available at most clubs

 

 

Tips for purchasing:

  • New equipment
    • Local ski shops are going to have the best service for new equipment.  They can guide you through the purchase and most ski shops in our region are familiar with what an MyXC skier needs.  Make sure you mention your skier is joining MyXC, you may qualify for a discount! 
  • Used equipment.
    • There are different types of bindings. The boots must be compatible with the bindings on the skis!
    • We recommend NNN or SNS bindings.
    • The MyXC Ski Swap is a great option
  • Skiers should grow out of equipment not into it (its better if the equipment is too small rather than too big)
 

More on Dressing Fun for Winter

Levels 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. Wool socks are the best if they are available to you.
  • Warm, dry mittens. Try to stay away from gloves to avoid cold fingers.
  • Warm hat that covers your ears.
  • Something to cover your neck.

Levels 4-6

Some skiers may wear more traditional xc ski pants and jackets so it's easier to move fast, but it's not necessary.  The most important thing is dressing your skier in layers (on the top) so they can take off a layer when they get hot.

  • Winter jacket
  • Fleece jacket/light jacket
  • Long sleeve (not cotton) shirt
  • Warm, dry socks. Thin wool socks are the best.
  • Warm, dry mittens
  • Warm hat that covers your ears.
  • Something to cover your neck.
Club Meeting Tips
  • Plan to arrive at club time 15 minutes early so you can get your skier bib and skis on, adjust your layers for the weather and check in with your coach.
  • Some locations have tricky parking situations.  Always leave plenty of time for parking at locations such as Elm Creek, Hyland and Wirth.
  • Club leaders will notify you if your club is not meeting because of cold weather.  Clubs do everything they can to meet unless the temperatures are below our guidelines.
    • Northern clubs: -10 air temperature, -15 windchill
    • Southern clubs (Twin Cities and south): -2 air temperature, -10 windchill