Youth race team

Building strong skiers, teammates, and leaders—one stride at a time.

At Durango Nordic Ski Club, our Race Team is where passion meets performance. Designed for competition-oriented youth skiers, the program helps athletes reach their full potential through skill development, teamwork, and racing around the region. Whether your skier dreams of Junior Nationals or simply loves the challenge of racing, this program builds strength, technique, and confidence—all while having fun on snow.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The DNSC U16/U18 Race Program (contact headcoach@durangonordic.org for advanced U14s) is for high school aged skiers with a focus on racing, advanced technique, weight lifting, and sophisticated endurance training. Athletes will have fun and strive to develop their skills and build fitness while competing and earning points in four Rocky Mountain Nordic (RMN) Junior National Qualifiers (JNQs). These points will rank them in the region and potentially earn them a spot on the RMN National Team. There is an add on summer training option (June-July) with the season beginning the end of October with dryland training and continuing through Nationals in mid March. Each individual works with their coach to establish goals and develop an annual training plan. Athletes will meet with coaches for a mid and an end of season evaluation.

Summer DRYLAND TRAINING

Durango Nordic helps its youth race team athletes stay active throughout the year. Summer dryland training kicks off in June and runs through August. Then, after a short break, the team starts fall dryland training in October to continue building endurance, strength, and balance. Athletes roller ski, run, hike, and complete bodyweight workouts to prepare for the winter season. These workouts simulate ski movements, build cardiovascular fitness, and create strong team bonds before the snow even falls.

JUNIOR NATIONAL QUALIFIERS (JNQS)

DNSC athletes compete in Rocky Mountain Nordic (RMN) Junior National Qualifier races across the state, with opportunities to earn points toward Junior Nationals. Races include both skate and classic techniques and vary in format from sprints to distance events.

2026-2027 Race Schedule

JNQ #1 – Crested Butte Nordic Center
Location: Crested Butte, CO
Dates: December 19-20, 2026

JNQ #2 – Super Q at Soldier Hollow
Location: Midway, UT
Dates: January 23–24, 2027

JNQ #3 – Howelson Hill Ski Area
Location: Steamboat Springs, CO
Dates: January 29-30, 2027

JNQ #4 – Maloit Park
Location: Minturn, CO
Dates: February 21–22, 2027

Mike Elliott Youth Festival at Durango Nordic Center
Location: Durango, CO
Dates: March 6-7, 2027

Junior Nationals
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Dates: March 11-15, 2027

Eastern U16 Championships
Location: Titcomb, ME
Dates: March 12-14, 2027

Race Team

Train to Perform!
The Durango Nordic Race Program is open to skiers who want to train and compete at a high level throughout the season.
This Program Teaches
- Advanced classic and skate technique instruction
- Advanced skiing endurance
- Advanced weightlifting
- Balance/body control
- Strength and coordination
- Goal setting
- How to become a complete athlete and supportive team member
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Race Weekends from mid-November until early March. Typical practice time = 4:30pm-6:30pm.
$1,450 per individual
Van Seat for the Season = $300