Glen Lake SkiSparks Club

Welcome to the Glen Lake Youth Ski Club

Announcements 

Registration for the 2024 MyXC SkiSparks Glen Lake Ski Club season will begin as follows:

 

Registration Phase 1: Leadership Team Registration10/2/2024

Registration Phase 2: Primary On-snow Volunteers10/9/2024

Registration Phase 3: Remainder of Volunteer Roles10/21/2024

Registration Phase 4: Public Registration Begins10/24/2024

 

Schedule and location

Glen Lake SkiSparks will meet Sundays beginning, Sunday January 12, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM at Glen Lake Golf Course.  

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.  Always check the website or email glen_lake@myxc.org with questions. Cancellations will be posted on this web page.

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 and Passes

MyXC Glen Lake Ski Club has 14 sets of Classic Ski gear available to rent on a first-come, first-serve registration basis for $60 per set/per season. Skate Ski gear is $110/per set/per season. You will be responsible for holding on to these for the season and return them to the Equipment Manager at the end of the season. These go quickly!! The system will automatically cut-off that option when they are no longer available. If you do not see those available, PLEASE register and select the chalet rentals option, so that we have an accurate count for the Glen Lake Three Rivers Chalet. They have moderate amount of rentals available at the chalet for $7/day/child, and $10/day/adult.  Children skiing in level 5 or above should have their own skate skis, boots, and poles.  In addition, for children skiing at level 4, waxable classic skis are highly recommended. Please note that the park is open to the public during class times, so if you need to rent from the chalet, you will want to arrive early each class to ensure you are able to rent your gear.

Trail passes are not required for children 11 years old and younger.  Ages 12 and up (skiing parents/coaches as well) need to purchase day ($7) or annual ($32.55) Glen Lake season passes OR the annual Three Rivers parks season pass ($90), which excludes Elm Creek and Hyland.  Elm Creek and Hyland require an additional snowmaking ski pass. More information about passes can be found on the Three Rivers Park website.   

Registration

Please register early to ensure a spot at Glen Lake.  Register on the main page for MYSL by selecting "Club Membership."

Registration age/skill level guidelines are as follows:

For children who are new to XC skiing and/or MyXC, please assign the child to the lowest skill level that spans their age as of January 1.  If a child has skied at least 10 times, consider advancing them one skill level. It is common for kids to repeat skill levels, so returning families need to choose a skill based on last season’s performance, but still staying within the age ranges.  Coaches will assess children at the first meeting, but it is important for parents to accurately assign levels by age during the registration process, so that we can plan for coaching needs.

Classic ski Levels: Level I: Ages 4-5 (parents ski along with the child), Level 2: Ages 6-8 (parents check in occasionally), Level 3: Ages 7-10, Level 3*(beginners): Ages 11-14, Level 4: Ages 8-12

Skate ski Levels: Level 5: Ages 9-13, Level 6: Age 11-14

More about skill levels here: http://mysl.org/skill-levels.  Questions about levels? Contact us at glen_lake@myxc.org.

Communications

We will be communicating with Glen Lake SkiSparks families via email.  We need valid emails for all. When you register please include a contact e-mail address.

MYSL is on Facebook!  You can "like” the MYSL page to get general announcements, photos and videos from each of the MYSL club.

Need to contact us? Email us at kittie.brandel@gmail.com    

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.

Level 1 skiers will need to be accompanied by an adult.  Coaching at level 1 is a great way to accompany your child.  We are also in very great need of coaches for all levels 1-6.  Please consider coaching (or assisting as a sweeper - no experience skiing required!), as it is our number one need! You do not necessarily need to coach at your child’s level.

Following are some suggested areas of volunteer service:

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 panorquist@gmail.com 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 Glen Lake SkiSparks qualifies as a service commitment for NHS. Think about how great this will look on a college application!  

Assistant Coaches and Sweepers:

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.  There may be a random occasion where you might need to fill in for the head coach, in the event the coach cannot make it.

 

Snack Coordinator:

Set up sign-up for parents to bring weekly snacks and send reminders.  Be available on ski days to help organize and clean up snacks. Contact us at glen_lake@myxc.org to sign up.   

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