Youth Ski Programs

The Juneau Nordic Ski Club is a proud recipient of the Youth Activities Grant, and thus partially funded by the citizens of the City and Borough of Juneau through sales tax revenue.
young male ski racing

High School Ski Team

young female skier classic skiing mid-stride

Middle School ski team (6th-8th grades)

group of elementary age skiers standing together on a snowy day on skis with arms raised

Junior Nordic (grades Kindergarten-5th)

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Alaska Waste • Bartlett Regional Hospital • Dr. Jared Lee • Gear West •  Odom Corp • Skinny Skis • True North FCU • Valley Medical Care

ABM Photography • Alaska Vision Center • Arctic Carpet • Dr. Jared Erickson • Foodland IGA • Hansen Gress • Nizich Family Dental • Northwind Architects • Nugget Alaskan Outfitter • Poulson Law, LLC • Seaside Diesel Repair • Second Wind Sports • Sons of Norway • Southeast Childhood Collective • Tagish Marine • Tingey Orthodontics • Western Auto Marine • Worthy Seafoods

JNST logo featuring two skis crossed, ski poles, and mountains below

“There is no better feeling than flying down a well-groomed track with your friends!”

-Clem Taylor-Roth, ’11-’19
girl with red hair and orange bandana skis down a snowy slope
a young female ski race in an orange, light blue and gray race suit skate skis down a hill
a group of young skiers on a sunny, bluebird day posing with arms over each other's shoulders in front of snow-capped peaks

Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School Ski Team

All Juneau high school students (JDHS, YDHS, home school) are eligible to participate in this JNSC supported (ski rentals, fundraising, home meets, trail grooming, etc) school district sport! From first time skiers to “I’ve been skiing since I could walk”, our team is open to athletes of all abilities and experience levels so long as you bring a commitment to the team and entire season, a desire to improve your skiing skills, and a willingness to have fun!

2025/26 KEY DATES TO KNOW
Registration Opens: Wednesday, October 1st

Gear Checkout: TBD
Season: November 3, 2025 to February 28, 2026
Practices*: Monday-Thursday after school, Saturdays 9-11am
*Ski Waxing Skiers are also responsible for waxing their skis roughly every other week at neighborhood “wax hubs”. This is done outside of practice time, is important for ski care, and fun to learn!

Our Team Fee is offered on a sliding scale, $50-$800, whatever is affordable for each family, no questions asked. Your fee includes a JNSC youth memberships and covers costs like coaching stipends, local team retreats, races and events, ski wax, race suits, and all the many associated costs that go into running our program. While the true cost is ~$3,000+/skier, we offset the remainder of these costs by writing grants and asking all skiers to participate in our effort-based fundraising. 

Ski Equipment Our team uses both skate and (waxable) classic skis, so each skier needs to have both. Rentals are provided for those without gear and include skis, boots, and poles. One set is $65, both is $130.

Travel For those eligible for travel to away meets, there may be additional fees to cover the cost of transportation. However, we make every effort to keep our sport affordable and will work with families to ensure athletes can travel regardless of ability to pay.

*No one is denied participation in our programs based on ability to pay.

Questions about the JD Yadaa.at Kalé High School Ski Team? Email coaches Abby (abbylee.mcallister@gmail.com) and Ricky (ricardo.worl@gmail.com) for more information.

Registration opens October 1st!

Sign Up!

Juneau Nordic Middle (6th-8th Grades) Ski Team

For skiers in grades 6th-8th grades, of all abilities and experiences, our middle school program introduces skiers to the concept of being part of a team. Throughout the season we focus on developing basic ski skills, strengthening connections among peers and adult mentors, and most importantly: having lots of fun on skis. No previous ski experience is required. All we ask that each student bring a commitment the entire season, a desire to try new things, improve your skiing skills, and a willingness to support others doing the same! The season includes weekly practices, local retreats, a few races, and two travel opportunities outside of Juneau.

2025/26 SEASON DATES TO KNOW
Registration Opens: Wednesday, October 1st 2025
Gear Checkout: Sunday, December 14th, 2025
Parent Meeting: TBD
Season: January 3rd – March 8th, 2026
Practices: Tues/Thur 4:00-5:30pm, Sat 9:00-11:00am (locations dependent on snow)
Tentative Retreats/Travel: Jan 10-11 (retreat @ Methodist Camp), February 6-8 (Marsh Lake, Yukon), Buckwheat Ski Festival (March 6-8).

Our Team Fee is offered on a sliding scale, $0-$450, whatever is affordable for each family, no questions asked. Your fee includes a JNSC youth memberships and covers costs such as coaching stipends, local team retreats, races and events, ski wax, race suits, and all the many associated costs that go into running our program. While the true cost is roughly $900/skier, we close this gap by writing grants and ask all skiers to participate in effort-based fundraising.

Ski Equipment Our team uses both skate and (waxable) classic skis, so each skier needs to have both. Rentals are provided for those without gear and include skis, boots, and poles. One set is $65, both are $130.

Travel For those attending our two travel opportunities (tentatively Haines Ski Trip end of February and Buckwheat Ski Classic 2nd weekend in March), there may be additional fees to cover cost of transportation, etc. However, we make every effort to keep our sport affordable and will work with families to ensure athletes can travel regardless of ability to pay.

*No one is denied participation in our programs based on ability to pay. If you are unable to afford the above fees, we encourage you to take advantage of the Zach Gordon Youth Center’s youth activity scholarship to help offset the cost our sport. It’s easy to apply and you can do it right here!

Questions about the Juneau Nordic Middle School Ski Team? Contact Tristan Knutson-Lombardo (tkl1289@gmail.com, 723-1772).

Registration opens October 1st, 2025!

Sign Up!
group of young skiers standing on skis, side by side, on a snowy day
a young female ski race in an orange, light blue and gray race suit skate skis down a hill
a small girl with a mask on skis and in winter clothing, standing in front of her moth on skis on a snowy trail

Questions about the Junior Nordic program? Contact Megan Buzby at buzbymh@hotmail.com.

Junior Nordic (Grades K-5)

Junior Nordic is a nine-week program for elementary-aged (kinder-5th grade) youth. Skiers will gain an appreciation for being outside, learn new ski skills/build upon previous ski experience, all while having fun with others doing the same! Our goal is to develop a healthy, enjoyable, lifelong connection to being active outdoors. Skiers will be grouped based on a combination of age, ability, and technique (skate or classic), and will be lead by an exuberant cast of coaches (sometimes in costume).

2025/26 Season Sundays January 11th – March 8th, 1:30-3:00pm (locations vary depending on snow)

  • Sun, Dec 14th, 2025 – Gear Distribution
  • Sun, Jan 11th, 2026 – First Session!
  • Sun, Mar 8th, 2026 – Final session and end of season celebration!

Cost $100 (includes Juneau Nordic Ski Club youth membership)

Gear Athletes are asked to choose one technique to focus on over the season, either skate or classic. Rentals are available for $65 (includes boots, poles, and skis).
*Skate option is available to skiers in 2nd grade and older, and must have classic skied for at least one season prior. Classic skiing is fundamental in developing an understanding of basic ski skills such as balance and weight shift.

Registration opens October 1st, 2025!

Sign Up!

Youth Nordic skiing in alaska’s capital city

In 1998, a group of parents decided Alaska’s Capital City needed a new cross country ski program for Juneau’s youth. Formed in partnership with 4H as a recreational program geared towards skiers of all ages, the program expanded in 2011 to include a combined middle and high school race team, now called the Juneau Nordic Ski Team (JNST) . In 2020, the Juneau Nordic Ski Club (JNSC) assumed all youth Nordic ski programs, aligning under one banner in an effort to continue strengthening cross country ski opportunities for youth and families in Juneau. In 2021, middle and high school race teams were separated into unique programs, while the original 4H Sunday recreational program was rebranded, Junior Nordic, with a focus on serving elementary-aged skiers and families. All groups practice several days per week, host races and local events, travel to out of town meets, and welcome skiers of any ability or experience level!

high school skiers pose in front of a snowy John Muir Cabin