biathlon Programs

Combining endurance and fun with marksmanship for all ages and abilities.

Durango Nordic is excited to launch biathlon programming, made possible by generous donations of equipment, coaching expertise, and an LPEA Round Up Foundation grant.

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, requiring both physical and mental control. During non-snow seasons, biathlon events combine running or biking with rifle shooting. In all biathlon events, athletes ski, run or bike the race course and stop mid-race at a shooting range, pick up a rifle and take five shots at targets. Missed shots result in penalty laps. If you’ve never shot a rifle before, this is a perfect opportunity to give it a try in a safe, fun and supportive environment. Durango Nordic uses laser rifles and electronic targets. Check out this YouTube video explaining biathlon.

Youth winter biathlon

  • Learn. Play. Ski. Aim. Have Fun.

    This 8-week program introduces 3rd–8th graders to the exciting, one‑of‑a‑kind sport of biathlon. Using safe, lightweight laser rifles, kids will work on the fundamentals of skate skiing and target shooting through fun challenges, creative games, and supportive coaching.

    Biathlon asks athletes to ski hard and then quickly shift into calm, steady focus — a skill that feels challenging but is also lots of fun for kids. During practices, the kids will learn how to control their breathing, concentrate, and develop consistent, repeatable shooting and skiing habits.

    The youth program is built around a fun first, skills second approach. Kids learn naturally through movement, exploration, and games that make biathlon feel like an adventure.

  • This Program Teaches:

    • Playful learning — drills become games, and challenges feel like discoveries rather than instructions

    • Confidence building — celebrating effort, persistence, and each athlete’s growing sense of capability

    • Coaching support — clear guidance, positive reinforcement, and age‑appropriate instruction that helps every athlete progress

    • Whole‑athlete development — coordination, balance, focus, composure, and body awareness

    • Positive winter experience — helping kids discover a fun, rewarding way to enjoy skiing and snow

    This program will help young athletes develop not only skiing and shooting skills, but also patience, resilience, and the ability to stay composed under playful pressure — lessons that carry into many parts of life.

  • Wednesdays 4:30pm - 6:30pm: January 6th through February 24th

  • $250 per participant

  • Limited DNSC rental gear available for $65 for the 8 week program duration. Please email us at info@durangonordic.org to be included in our planning for seasonal rentals this winter. 

    Pine Needle Mountaineering has seasonal rentals and Durango Outdoor Exchange is a good place to shop for used gear. 

    DNSC’s annual Nordic Night Ski Swap will be on Thursday November 12th.

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Adult Winter biathlon

  • Learn. Ski. Shoot. Challenge Yourself.

    This 8-week program is for 8th graders through adults who want to discover the unique challenge of biathlon. Using laser rifles, participants will learn the fundamentals of both skate skiing and marksmanship while developing the ability to transition between the two very different skills. 

    Whether you are looking for a fun and different way to enjoy skiing, want to develop new physical and mental skills, or are interested in eventually pursuing competitive biathlon with a .22 rifle, this program provides a foundation for continued growth in the sport and general life skills. 

  • This Program Teaches

    • Skate skiing technique — efficiency, balance, strength and control

    • Biathlon rifle safety and range procedures

    • Shooting fundamentals — body position, sight alignment, breathing, trigger control, and developing a consistent shooting routine

    • Ski-to-shoot transitions — learning to settle your breathing and heart rate and shoot accurately after skiing hard

    • Focus and composure — maintaining concentration and control under physical and mental pressure

    • Race skills and strategy — pacing, managing effort, and making smart decisions

    • Coordination and fine-motor skills

    • An appreciation for the unique combination of endurance, precision, and mental discipline that makes biathlon an Olympic sport

    • A love for a challenging, rewarding, and uniquely fun way to enjoy skiing

    • How to be playful with this sport through drills and games

    Why biathlon is so much fun:  It's such a unique and compelling sport and practice.  You are skiing hard and efficiently and then have stop and be precise, disciplined, focused and calm. These are skills that are intriguing and that can translate into other parts of our lives.

  • Thursdays 4:30pm - 6:30pm: January 7th through February 25th

  • $300 per participant

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We are planning weekend biathlon activities for all ages as well. Please stay tuned as we finalize these details.