The Junior Nordic program provides an opportunity for children to enjoy the Anchorage winter while learning the sport of cross-country skiing. Children ages 6 through 14 of all abilities are welcome to join and learn a sport they can pursue for a lifetime. The emphasis is on having fun and learning proper technique rather than competition.
The Junior Nordic program is structured as one session with two breaks for both the Anchorage School District winter and spring breaks. By observing the ASD calendar breaks, we have the opportunity for make-up practices should the weather force us to cancel some earlier in the season. The program runs from late November through the end of March to enjoy more of Anchorage’s awesome spring skiing conditions. Practices are split into both weekday and Saturday only times.
Please email juniornordic@anchoragenordicski.com or info@anchoragenordicski.com if you need assistance.
November 27th-March 30, 2024
December 22nd-January 5th, 2024
March 9th-15th, 2024
Monday, January 15th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 19th – President’s Day
Sunday, October 29th- 11am-3pm
Thursday, November 2nd – 6pm-8pm
Rescheduled – Sunday, November 12th – 1-3pm
We’ve got all the practice times, breaks, and dates to be aware of on the calendars below. Please choose from the list which calendar you want to either add to your Google calendar or download a pdf version for your fridge.
After School M/W 4:30PM-5:30PM Calendar
After School T/R 4:30PM-5:30PM Calendar
Evening M/W 6:30PM-7:30PM Calendar
Evening T/R 6:30PM-7:30PM Calendar
Saturday 10:00AM-11:30AM Calendar
The calendar below has only start, end dates and holiday breaks listed on it. You get to fill in the rest as you need to.
Practice meets outdoors behind Service High School at the Little Gym. Some Saturdays, we meet at the Hilltop Trailhead, which is at the far north end of the Hilltop Ski Area parking lot, off Abbott Road. Check your Remind App before practice for updates.
Practice meets outdoors in the area of Kincaid Park (9401 Raspberry Road). Some Saturdays, we meet at the Jodphur Trailhead at Kincaid, which is on Jodphur Road (West on Raspberry Rd to Sand Lake Rd, South on Sand Lake to Kincaid Rd, West on Kincaid to Jodphur, South on Jodphur to the Trailhead). Check your Remind App before practice for updates.
Practice meets in a slightly different location near the Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Springs Park (ie, in the upper golf course, in front of the chalet, or near the sledding hill) – more details to come. The Chalet is South of Debarr Road between Bragaw and Boniface, in Russian Jack Springs Park. Check your Remind App before practice for updates.
In an effort to decrease the normal Saturday group size, the practice day/times have been split into both weekday and Saturday only practice options.
| Choose Location/Days: | Practice Start Time |
| Russian Jack (M/W) | M/W: 6:30-7:30pm |
| Russian Jack (T/R) | T/R: 4:30-5:30pm |
| Russian Jack (T/R) | T/R: 6:30-7:30pm |
| Russian Jack (Sat only) | Sat: 10:00-11:30am |
| Kincaid (M/W) | M/W: 4:30-5:30pm |
| Kincaid (M/W) | M/W: 6:30-7:30pm |
| Kincaid (T/R) | T/R: 4:30-5:30pm |
| Kincaid (T/R) | T/R: 6:30-7:30pm |
| Kincaid (Sat only) | Sat: 10:00-11:30am |
| Hillside (M/W) | M/W: 4:30-5:30pm |
| Hillside (M/W) | M/W: 6:30-7:30pm |
| Hillside (T/R) | T/R: 4:30-5:30pm |
| Hillside (T/R) | T/R: 6:30-7:30pm |
| Hillside (Sat only) | Sat: 10:00-11:30am |
4:30 – 5:30 After-School is for Polar Cubs (1st time or beginner skiers) and Otters (beginner skiers) only.
6:30 – 7:30 Junior Nordic is for ALL levels (1st time skiers, Polar Cubs, Otters, Wolverines and Hawks).
Arrive at least 15 minutes early so that your skier can find their group, wax skis, and receive necessary information from coaches.
Skiers arriving late will not be able to find their group without assistance from their parents. It is the responsibility of the parent to find the proper group if late. Do not drop off your child or expect a coach to find the right group. Junior Nordic will not be responsible for skiers who arrive late for practice. On occasions when you know you will be late, it is best to ski with your child until they connect with their group, or miss a practice.
$100 per child for ski rentals. Parents must provide boots and poles for their children. For more information about equipment, please go to the Parents Tab.
A rental waiver is required to complete during registration for all participants. Ski rentals are available and each child receives a program jacket. Hawks receive their club jackets after the ‘Cookie Tour’ group selection. Skis and jackets must be returned in the condition in which it was received. Charges for replacement will be applied (jacket ($120) & skis ($125) in the event gear is not returned or is returned in damaged condition.
A current NSAA membership is required in order to register for the Junior Nordic Program. If you and your family are trail users, please consider supporting NSAA with a family membership. Your membership DIRECTLY supports the trails that Junior Nordic Program use weekly, and helps NSAA continue to provide youth skiing opportunities for all ages and abilities.
Because the philosophy of Junior Nordic is to encourage children to learn and enjoy cross country skiing as a lifetime activity, competition and racing are not the focus of the program.
Ready 2 Race is a program geared towards Junior Nordic skiers who are interested in learning more about racing by offering clinics and race support during the season. Ready 2 Race is $50 for the season, with registration opening at the same time as Junior Nordic registration. This program is recommended for Wolverines & Hawks only.
This program is great for skiers looking to participate in middle school ski team or community races, such as the AMH Anchorage Cup races. Ready 2 Race coaches provide race support at AMH Anchorage Cup races including course preview, help with waxing, answer questions, and lead warm-ups.
Ready 2 Race practices are held on Sundays from 10:30am – 12:00pm unless there is an Anchorage Cup. Locations for practice are TBD and will be subject to change so please check Remind before heading out to Practice or a Race.
December 3rd – First practice and Parent orientation, 10:30am – 12:00pm
December 10th – Anchorage Cup #1, 12:00pm start
December 17th – Regular Practice & Solstice Tree Tour, 10:30am – 12:00pm
January 7th – Anchorage Cup #2, 12:00pm start
January 14th – Regular Practice, 10:30am – 12:00pm
January 21st – Anchorage Cup #3, 12:00pm start
January 28th – Regular Practice, 10:30am – 12:00pm
February 4th – Regular Practice, 10:30am – 12:00pm
February 11th – Anchorage Cup #4, 12:00pm start
February 18th – Anchorage Cup #5, 12:00pm start
February 25th – Regular Practice, 10:30am – 12:00pm
March 3rd – Tour of Anchorage (No Practice), participation encouraged
March 17th – Regular Practice, 10:30am – 12:00pm
March 24th – Regular Practice & End of R2R Season, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Parents and Guardians,
Please be sure to add your Junior Nordic group to Remind to receive the most up-to-date information on practices.
Sign up for Remind by texing the “@” code below to 81010
Or add a class in the Remind App using the codes below
Hillside MW 4:30: @earlyhmw
Hillside MW 630: @hillmweve
Hillside TR 430: @earlyhtt
Hillside TR 630: @hillsidett
Hillside Sat: @hillsatam
Kincaid MW 430: @kmwaft
Kincaid MW 630: @kincaidm
Kincaid TR 430: @earlyktt
Kincaid TR 630: @kincaidt
Kincaid Sat: @weekendkin
RJ MW 630: @russianjm
RJ TR 430: @earlyrjtt
RJ TR 630: @russianjt
RJ Sat: @weekendrj
NSAA rental skis are available on a first-come basis. Parents must provide boots and poles for their children. If renting NSAA skis, please provide boots compatible with NNN bindings. NSAA rental skis are combination skis—they work for both diagonal and skate skiing, but if you want high performance skis for an advanced skier they may not be appropriate.
If buying skis, do NOT get the NO WAX variety (fish scales on the bottom) since they will not work when your child starts to skate and they are SLOW for learning skiers. The best bet is a combination ski which is designed for both diagonal stride and skate techniques. If you already own waxless (fish scale) skis, it will be harder for your child to learn to skate ski when they become an Otter. It is recommended at that time that you rent NSAA skis.
IMPORTANT! Put your child’s name on their skis by writing it on a piece of electric tape and affixing to the topside of both skis. We provide tape for names when you pick up your skis at Kincaid.
Junior Nordic provides kick wax for when the kids are skiing classic technique. When the Otters, Wolverines and Hawks switch from classic to skate technique, the kick wax must be cleaned off the skis. We have wax remover at all of the venues, but you can also do this at home with wax remover, a plastic scraper, and rag or paper towel.
Ski Return: Returned skis need to be cleaned of all wax!
NSAA does not provide boots, even if you rent NSAA skis.
Boots must match the ski bindings.
NSAA skis have the New Nordic Norm (NNN) bindings.
Boots are specialized like skis, but a combination boot, which is designed to work for both the traditional diagonal and the skate techniques, is the best value. Remember to get boots that have a little extra room to accommodate wool socks and some foot growth during the season. Feet that are squeezed into boots that are too small are often COLD feet. Please be sure BEFORE you bring your child to ski that the boots fit and stay in the bindings.
NSAA does not rent poles. POLE length ideally varies with the technique.
Polar Cubs: poles should come just above the armpits.
Otters and Wolverines: poles that come almost to the child’s chin. Hawks: skating poles should come up to the mouth when standing on flat feet. Diagonal (classic) poles should come up just above the bottom of the arm pits.
See the Ski Sizing image above for reference.
The key to a happy skier is being warm enough for conditions, but not so bundled up as to prevent movement. The secret is to make sure you have the following LAYERING system:
VENTILATION—closest to the skin to allow perspiration to move away from the skin. Breathable polypropylene or other synthetic long underwear provides the ventilation layer. NO COTTON!
INSULATION—to trap the warmth generated by your body. Fleece, wool, or other synthetic material provides the insulation layer. NO COTTON!
PROTECTION—the outer layer that protects you from wind and wet. Junior Nordic jacket, a pullover type shell, provides the protection layer. Wind pants are often necessary during periods of wind or extreme cold. NO COTTON!
HEADS AND HANDS – Wearing a hat is a must. NO HAT, NO PRACTICE! For hands, mittens work much better than gloves. On cold days a neck warmer keeps both the neck and the lower face warm and is required for children with asthma. A neck warmer can easily be carried in the pocket of the Jr Nordic jacket.
You’ll need to vary the insulation layer based on the temperature, keeping in mind that skiers warm up when they are moving but cool off when they are not. Keeping the extremities warm is the biggest challenge when it is cold. Wool socks over polypro socks will help keep the feet warm. Toesies can be very helpful to keep the feet warm; however don’t follow the picture on the container. When using toesies, place the toesi on the top of the foot and toes so as to allow for heat exchange. If you place the toesies under the foot as in the picture, they will not have enough air flow to activate and will stay cold.
All skiers must be well fed and should take their medications before practice or as prescribed. A water bottle is required for Wolverines and Hawks and all children with asthma. It is also highly recommended that Otters and Polar Cubs carry water bottles.
MARK ALL OF YOUR CHILD’S CLOTHING, SKI BOOTS, POLES AND SKIS. Write your name on a piece of tape and tape it right on to the skis and poles.
First time participants receive a free Junior Nordic hat!
Local businesses have experts to help you buy the best fitting skis, boots and poles for your child. If you already have skis (or are renting Junior Nordic skis), bring your skis in with you when you go to purchase boots. If you already have boots, bring those with you when you go to purchase skis.
NSAA offers scholarships to local families who are new to Junior Nordic and interested in getting started with the Program. In order to be considered for an NSAA Junior Nordic Scholarship, families still need to be current NSAA members for the season they are applying for. Just click on the scholarship button and download the application from this page and send your application to the NSAA office before October 13th to be considered for the current season. The office will notify the recipients by October 20th.
Sunday October 29th 11am-3pm
Thursday, November 2nd 6pm-8pm
Rescheduled – Sunday, November 12th – 1-3pm
Kincaid Wax Bunk
In order to help us get everyone their gear in a timely manner, we are asking that families plan ahead.
Because the philosophy of Junior Nordic is to encourage children to learn and enjoy cross country skiing as a lifetime activity, competition and racing are not the focus of the program.
Ready 2 Race is a program geared towards Junior Nordic skiers who are interested in learning more about racing by offering clinics and race support during the season. Ready 2 Race is $50 for the season, with registration opening at the same time as Junior Nordic registration. This program is recommended for Wolverines & Hawks only.
This program is great for skiers looking to participate in middle school ski team or community races, such as the AMH Anchorage Cup races. Ready 2 Race coaches provide race support at AMH Anchorage Cup races including course preview, help with waxing, answer questions, and lead warm-ups.
Ready 2 Race practices are held on Sundays from 10:30am – 12:00pm unless there is an Anchorage Cup. Locations for practice are TBD and will be subject to change so please check Remind before heading out to Practice or a Race.
December 3rd – First practice and Parent orientation, 11am – 12:30pm
December 10th – Anchorage Cup #1, 12:00pm start
December 17th – Regular Practice & Solstice Tree Tour, 11am – 12:30pm
January 7th – Anchorage Cup #2, 12:00pm start
January 14th – Regular Practice, 11am – 12:30pm
January 21st – Anchorage Cup #3, 12:00pm start
January 28th – Regular Practice, 11am – 12:30pm
February 4th – Regular Practice, 11am – 12:30pm
February 11th – Anchorage Cup #4, 12:00pm start
February 18th – Anchorage Cup #5, 12:00pm start
February 25th – Regular Practice, 11am – 12:30pm
March 3rd – Tour of Anchorage (No Practice), participation encouraged
March 17th – Regular Practice, 11am – 12:30pm
March 24th – Regular Practice & End of R2R Season, 11am – 12:30pm
We’re always looking for three categories of coaches:
A regular Junior Nordic coach attends three practices per week. Possible times are as follows:
And note that our practice times are organized so that a person can work as a regular coach for both an afternoon (4:30-5:30PM) and an evening (6:30-7:30PM) session. We teach sessions at Hillside, Kincaid Park, and Russian Jack Park.
Coaches get their children enrolled in the program for free. Please let our Junior Nordic Sport Director know that you’d like your children enrolled in the program.
Substitute coaches step in when our regular coaches can’t make practice for any reason. If you sign up as a sub, you’ll be added to the list of people who can help with a practice when a regular coach can’t attend. During the sign-up process you can indicate both days and sites that you’re available to help.
All you need in order to coach for Junior Nordic is a pair of skis, a fun-loving attitude, and the ability to wrangle a group of kids! We teach kids ages 6 to 14, and skill levels range from kids who are on skis for the first time, to middle school kids that are beginning to race at a more competitive level. We certainly need some coaches who are experienced skiers who can help kids refine and improve both classic and skate techniques. However, we also need coaches who can ski with complete beginners. So don’t worry if you’re not an “expert” skier. If you love spending time on trails with kids, then there’s a place for you as a a Junior Nordic coach!
We also love to teach! We’ll work with you to help develop your coaching skills, through day-to-day mentoring and through formal certifications with organizations such as PSIA.
Thanks to our generous Junior Nordic sponsors!
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