Youth Biathlon Program
Biathlon for young aspiring athletes
Crosscut’s youth biathlon clubs support a fun, welcoming, safe environment for youth of all ages and abilities to train, grow, and make new friends along the way. With U12, U14, and U16/U18 groups training year-round, we provide an encouraging and safe coaching environment for young athletes and aspiring competitors.
Our Youth Biathlon Program is very popular!
The program has more interest than we are currently able to accommodate. The best way to become a new participant is to get on the waitlist as early as possible. If you are interested in our Youth Biathlon Program, please fill out a Youth Biathlon Interest Form today.
Coach Spotlight: Ann Sorenson
Ann was a member of the US National Summer Biathlon team for 10 years and traveled around the world competing. She enjoys introducing folks to Biathlon and watching the excitement when that first target falls! She passes along the fun, the challenge, and the opportunities the sport can bring with her positive and outgoing personality.
Summer Camps
Below is the information, schedule, and pricing for our Summer 2024 Biathlon Camps. Fill out the Youth Biathlon Interest Form to join the waitlist for Summer 2025.
Our dryland biathlon training camps provide a safe, supportive environment for kids to gain an introduction and exposure to the sport of biathlon. The camps are held at Crosscut’s state-of-the-art biathlon stadium in Bridger Canyon.
For participants new to our biathlon program, one session of summer camp is a prerequisite to our Winter Biathlon Program
U12 Camp is for participants age 10-12 years old and Intro Camp is for participants age 13-17 years old — see the below section “What camp should my child join?” for more details
Intro Camp is designed to prepare kids to joining the Youth Biathlon Team for the subsequent fall and winter sessions
Each U12, Intro, & U14 camp is four days long, 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday; U16/18 camp is five days long, 9am to 4pm Sunday to Thursday
Transportation is provided from Story Mill Community Park to Crosscut each day of the camp
Cost for Summer 2024 is $550 for U12, Intro, & U14 camps; $650 for U16/18 camp
A 5% discount is offered for siblings attending camps the same week
We aim to provide accessible ways for everyone to enjoy more time spent outdoors, including ensuring programs are financially accessible and offer need-based scholarships and payment plans — contact us at camps@crosscutmt.org for more information
2024 Camp Dates |
Ages |
|
June 9-13 |
U16/18 (ages 14-18) |
|
June 17-20 |
Intro (ages 12-18) |
|
June 24-27 |
U12 (ages 10-12) |
|
July 15-18 |
U12 (ages 10-12) |
|
July 22-25 |
U14 (ages 12-13) |
Which camp should my child join?
USBA Age = your child’s age on December 31st
If USBA Age is 10 or 11 → U12 Summer Camp
If USBA Age is 12 and child has no biathlon experience → U12 Summer Camp
If USBA Age is 13 or older and child has no biathlon experience → Intro Summer Camp
If USBA Age is 12 or 13 and child has biathlon experience → U14 Summer Camp
If USBA Age is 14 or older and child has biathlon experience → U16/18 Summer Camp
Contact Ann Sorenson at ann@crosscutmt.org if your child does not fit in any of these categories or you have questions about placing your child.
Youth Biathlon Teams
Crosscut has three teams — U12 Team (ages 10-12), U14 Team (ages 12-13), and U16/18 Team (ages 14-17). The teams train for biathlon and Nordic skiing with the goal of competing in regional Nordic and biathlon races. Athletes in the U14 and U16/18 Teams are strongly encouraged to join a Nordic ski training program (i.e. Bridger Ski Foundation or Montana Endurance Academy) to complement their biathlon training.
The Youth Biathlon Program fees include coaching in biathlon, Nordic skiing instruction, Crosscut Mountain Sport Center winter season passes, rifle use (U12 and U14 only), and ammunition for practices and races. U16/18 Team members are required to own their own biathlon firearm. We have a fun, supportive, safe team environment.
Fill out the Youth Biathlon Interest Form to be considered for the team.
Youth Biathlon Interest Form
Complete this form if your child is new to the program or is interested in participating again after a break. Current Youth Biathlon families should contact their coach with questions about the program or placement.
Reach out!
Curious about our Biathlon Program? Wondering if it’s a good fit for your child? Want to learn more or talk to our program staff? Please reach out with your questions!
Soren Joseph Hartnett was a member of the BSF Nordic and Crosscut Biathlon. He died July 18, 2020 after suffering a fatal heart arrhythmia due to previously undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. He collapsed on July 15 while doing what he loved most, training with his Bridger Ski Foundation Nordic ski teammates. After his death, his liver and both kidneys were donated to 3 young transplant recipients and gave them a new chance at life.
Soren started biathlon at age 8 to be with his buddies. This interest developed into a strong passion for Biathlon and Nordic Skiing. Soren put all of his energy into it and was on a team representing the United States in biathlon in Norway in the winter of 2019-20. A talented and dedicated athlete, Soren kept at it even when competing against 1100 Norwegians.
He also loved backpacking with his crew, mountain biking, running with his team and playing the fiddle. He was central to Bozeman’s Nordic skiing and Biathlon community and his passing left many of us in overwhelming grief.
His family, parents Mary and Douglas and brother Rowland, created the Soren Joseph Hartnett Legacy Scholarship Fund in his memory to support skiers training with BSF Nordic and Crosscut Biathlon. This scholarship fund has been set up to provide financial assistance to young athletes pursuing Nordic skiing and biathlon with Bridger Ski Foundation Nordic and Crosscut Biathlon, and to provide AED funding for youth athletic groups in the Gallatin Valley.