Our 3rd and 4th grade program teaches fundamental skills for the classic and skate skiing techniques. Having fun while developing skills through play will be an integral part of practices. For children interested in racing, Ford Sayre coaches will provide encouragement and support at local and regional races.

Registration is closed for the 2024/2025 season.

Family Night Info Session

Registration

Registration begins on October 1 each year ~~and closes on November 1~~. To register your child, please use the blue “Online Registration” button to the right. We will cap our registrations based on coach availability so please register early! Late registrants must contact the Program Director to apply, will be subject to a $35 late fee, parent must volunteer on snow, and is provisional based on us meeting our coaching ratio requirement.

Program Details

Prior Experience: None
Program Fee: $410 plus $25 NENSA membership (New England Nordic Ski Association) (Scholarships available)
Trail Pass: Required. Purchase through the Oak Hill Outdoor Center. Passes go on sale Oct. 1 (Discount pass information)
Volunteer Requirement: For every child enrolled in the program, one parent/guardian must volunteer for a minimum of one volunteer session. There will be volunteer opportunities on & off snow, before, during, & after practice times, and during Ford Sayre events.

Practice Information

November 19 to March 13
Tuesdays and Thursdays
- November 19 through January 30 from 3:30 – 4:30
- February 4 through March 12 from 3:30 – 5:00 (more daylight!)
- There will be optional evening practice on January 28 and 30 from 5:30-6:30 – skiers will sign up for regular afternoon practice or an evening practice (more info will be emailed in January)
No practice:
- Thanksgiving Break: November 28
- Winter Break: December 24, 26, 31, January 2
- SAU 70 February Break: February 18, 20
Practice location is determined by snow conditions. Location will be e-mailed the night before practice.
- Oak Hill: Oak Hill Drive, Hanover, NH; top parking lot of the Storrs Pond Recreation Area
- Garipay Fields: 9 Reservoir Rd, Hanover, NH; near the Dartmouth Rugby Fields
- These locations are within walking distance of the Ray School and Richmond Middle School.

Cancellation of Practice

Practice will be cancelled if the Dresden School District is closed, including snow days, early dismissals, and school vacations (except when noted), OR if conditions are dangerous to children or the trails (cold temperatures, unsafe or icy trail conditions, heavy rain).

Equipment

There are two program options for 3rd & 4th Grade skiers. This provides an option for true beginner skiers to start on classic skis, and accommodates families who cannot find all the gear or who aren’t ready to make such a big financial investment in the sport.

Option 1: Skate + Classic
- One day per week of classic skiing, one day per week of skate skiing
- Equipment:
  - 1 Pair Skate Skis
  - 1 Pair of classic skis (waxable or “skin tec” is best, fishscale skis acceptable)
  - 2 sets of poles (classic & skate lengths) or 1 pair of adjustable youth Nordic Ski Poles
  - 1 pair of Combi ski boots.
Option 2: Skate Optional:
- Primarily classic skiing for all practices, but skiers have the opportunity to skate some days if they have the equipment
- Equipment:
  - 1 Pair of waxless classic skis with fish scales or skin tec
  - 1 Pair of poles, classic length
  - 1 pair of Combi or Classic ski boots.
  - 1 pair of Skate Skis if skier is interested in skating

EQUIPMENT NOTE: We require 2 pairs of skis for 3-4 grade skiers doing the “Skate and Classic” group (one pair of classic skis and one pair of skate skis). Technique-specific skis lead to more rapid skill progression, are faster, and make skiing more fun!

There is a large variation in equipment speed within entry-level gear. Namely, classic fishscale skis are significantly slower than classic waxable or skin-tec skis. Having some skiers on fish scales and others on skin-tec or waxable skis can cause skier groups to get spread out to the point where coaches struggle to manage the group and it becomes a safety concern. Please help us to make better matched groupings by indicating (to the best of your knowledge) what equipment your skier will have / has this season. Please note that if you have multiple kids, skiers should have their own equipment and not be sharing equipment.

Refer to our Ski Gear Page for more detailed information on equipment and contact the Grade 3-8 Program Head or the Grade 3-4 Lead Coaches with any specific questions.

Take a look at the What to Wear When You Ski page to help dress your child appropriately for practice. It’s very different than for other winter activities!

Questions

Please contact the Grade 3-8 Program Head should you have any questions about enrolling your child in BKL 3-4 nordic programs for the upcoming season.

Attendance Expectations

Each season our programs fill up to capacity. Out of respect for other skiers, we expect that participants who register will have no regularly-planned scheduling conflicts and have every intention to attend as many practices as they can. Skiers who do not attend regularly often do not advance their skiing abilities at the same pace as the group; when they do attend, they often hold the group back and draw additional coaching attention. This is unfair to participants who have been regularly attending practices.

Participant Behavior Code

We expect that Ford Sayre nordic skiers will follow coaches’ instructions, adhere to COVID risk-mitigation protocols, make an effort to stay with the ski group, not interfere with other skiers’ learning, and generally maintain a positive attitude. Should a participant not be able to follow these expectations consistently, the age group Lead Coach or BKL Head Coach will call parents to discuss. If the pattern of behavior continues, the coaches and Program Director may determine that the BKL program is not a good fit for the participant and the parent will be notified. The program reserves the right to remove any participant from the program if inappropriate behavior cannot be modified.

Refund Policy

Please note that $60 of the program fee is non-refundable. Refunds of the remaining program fee will be issued at the discretion of the Program Director. Refunds cannot be granted for sessions not attended or canceled due to weather or safety factors.

Our Team

Hilary McNamee

Nordic Head Coach

Hilary hails from the most Northern reaches of Maine, where winter lasts nearly all year. Hilary began coaching with Ford Sayre in 2011, during her undergrad years at Dartmouth and later worked for four seasons as the Dartmouth Ski Team Assistant. She has a background in biathlon and attended five World Junior Championships representing USA. In her role as Ford Sayre Nordic Head Coach, she oversees all Nordic programming in addition to being the head coach for the Junior Nordic Team (JNT), Ford Sayre’s high school racing program. Her other passion in life is growing and arranging flowers. Hilary can be reached at: hilary@fordsayre.org

Jay Davis

BKL Head Coach

Jay started skiing in Bethel, ME, in elementary school. He lives in Lyme and works with first generation and low income students at Dartmouth College, where he captained the collegiate team as an undergraduate and then coached the college team for two years after graduation. He has two kids who have loved being part of Ford Sayre skiing and racing, and he has coached all grade levels with Ford Sayre in the 21 years he has been with the program. As Head Coach for the K-8 BKL Programs, he is responsible for the organization, preparation and direction of our fabulous coaching team. Please address all coaching inquiries to Jay at HeadCoachBKL@FordSayre.org.

Courtney Marchetti

Grade 3-8 Program Head

Courtney is a lifelong alpine and backcountry skier who discovered the joy of XC skiing, along with her two children and husband, ten years ago while living in southern Vermont. She has since become an enthusiastic volunteer and supporter of BKL programming in numerous youth programs throughout New England. When not outside seeking out adventures with her family and friends, she runs a child psychiatry practice in White River Junction. Email Courtney at BKL@fordsayre.org.

Rebecca Hanissian

Grade 3-4 Co-Lead Coach

Bio coming soon.

Theresa Lust