Youth Programs
Fun, skill-building, and adventure on skis — programs for every young skier.
At Durango Nordic Ski Club, skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s a way to explore, play, and grow. Our youth programs support kids in building confidence, developing skills, and making new friends on the snow. We offer youth program scholarships to help connect kids to Nordic skiing.
Explore the programs below to find the perfect fit!
We’ve updated our youth programs based on your feedback. We remain flexible and want to help your child have a great experience and achieve their personal goals. Please contact our Head Coach to discuss your child’s needs.
We have set tentative program dates that are snow-dependent. We still stay in touch as snow falls if there are any changes to these dates.
As always, youth program participants ski all season at Durango Nordic Center with their program registration. Parents can purchase discounted season passes when they register their child in a program.
SNOWBURNERS (never evers)
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Play to Play!
Snowburners is an introductory, non-competitive program for K-1st graders to learn cross-country skiing through fun and games.
This Program Teaches
Balance/body control
Strength and coordination
Classic skiing
Most importantly - a safe and invigorating way for kids to enjoy winter!
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Sundays 9:30am-11:30am: January 3rd through February 21st
and/or
Mondays 3:30pm-5:30pm: January 4th through February 22nd
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$150 for one day per week
$250 for two days per week
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Limited DNSC rental gear is available for $55. This is for youth-sized classic skis, boots, and poles for your Snowburner to use for the entire season. Rental gear must remain on the Durango Nordic Center premises.
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.
Snow-Mads
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Train to Train!
Snow-Mads is a program for 4th-12th graders and will train once or twice a week alongside the race program. This program is designed for athletes looking to cross train and enjoy the winter, and U12 and U14 skiers who are interested in competitive racing and want to try out the race team. All skiers are welcome at local events and Snow-Mads can elect to add an additional training day to their registration.
This Program Teaches
Advanced classic and skate technique instruction
Advanced Skiing endurance
Balance/body control
Strength and coordination
Beginnings of race strategies
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Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:30pm: January 5th through February 24th
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$300 for day per week or $550 for two days, with the option to add additional training days for $100 each additional day and $150 to join the race team at JNQ races
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Limited DNSC rental gear is available for $75. This is for skate and classic skis, boots, and poles for your Snow-Mad to use for the entire season. Rental gear must remain on the Durango Nordic Center premises.
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.
RISING STARS
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Play to Learn!
Rising Stars is a non-competitive program for 2nd-3rd graders to learn cross country skiing through fun and games.
This Program Teaches
Combines classic and skate technique instruction
Balance/body control
Strength and coordination
Most importantly offers a safe and invigorating way for kids to enjoy winter!
-
Sundays 9:30am-11:30am: January 3rd through February 21st
and/or
Mondays 3:30pm-5:30pm: January 4th through February 22nd
-
$200 for one day per week
$350 for two days per week
-
Limited DNSC rental gear is available for $75. This is for both classic and skate skis, boots, and poles for your Rising Star to use for the entire season. Rental gear must remain on the Durango Nordic Center premises.
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.
Youth Winter Biathlon
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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.
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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.
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Wednesdays 4:30pm - 6:30pm: January 6th through February 24th
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$250 per participant
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Laser biathlon rifles will be provided by DNSC.
Limited DNSC rental gear is available for $75. This is for skate skis, boots, and poles for your Biathlete to use for the entire season. Rental gear must remain on the Durango Nordic Center premises.
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.
CRUISERS
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Play to Train!
Cruisers is a non-competitive program for 3rd - 8th graders that helps emerging skiers develop their skills and have a blast doing it! Perfect for kids who love being outside, making friends, improving ski skills, and staying active.
This Program Teaches
Combines classic and skate technique instruction
Skiing endurance
Balance/body control
Strength and coordination
Optional intro to local races
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Sundays 9:30am-11:30am: January 3rd through February 21st
and/or
Mondays 3:30pm-5:30pm: January 4th through February 22nd
and/or
Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:30pm: January 6th through February 24th
-
$250 for one day per week
$450 for two days per week
$600 for three days per week
-
Limited DNSC rental gear is available for $75. This is for both classic and skate skis, boots, and poles for your Cruiser to use for the entire season. Rental gear must remain on the Durango Nordic Center premises.
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.
NORDIES
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Explore the Outdoors!
Nordies is for adventurous kids from 3rd to 12th grade who want to get off the beaten path and use skiing as a way to venture out into the wilderness in a fun and safe environment on scaled touring or classic skis, snowshoes, and/or on foot.
This Program Teaches
Balance/body control
Strength and coordination
Outdoor and backcountry awareness
A love of nature in the winter
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Thursdays 4pm-6pm: January 7th through February 25th
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$250 per participant
YOUTH PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS
We believe every athlete should have the opportunity to experience the joy of Nordic skiing. Financial assistance is available to families who need support. Please apply by December 31, 2026.