Bill Koch League (BKL) Nordic – Kindergarten to 8

Whether this is your introduction to the sport or you’re a competitive skier already, the emphasis will be on having fun and developing a lifelong love for Nordic skiing.

As Bill Koch remarked, “A love of sport, competitive or recreational, opens the door to fun, play and joy. Positive skiing experiences for all  our children are paramount. Not everyone can come in first, but everyone can challenge him or herself, learn from experiences, encourage each other, and celebrate together”.

Quick-links to Descriptions:

Important Notes for All XC Programs – Please Read:

  • Children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will participate in a program with ski practice on Monday afternoons.  
  • Children in 3rd to 4th grade will participate in one program with ski practice 2 afternoons a week, Tu/Th.
  • Children in 5th through 8th grade will have two program choices that meet 2 afternoons a week, Tu/Th. The programs have different emphases, objectives, and equipment requirements.
  • A subset of children in the 5th to 8th grade development/racing program may participate in the “Race Clinic”, which is an additional practice once a week on Fridays.  Interested and experienced 7th and 8th graders will also have the opportunity for a Weekend Program this winter.

Location of practice can vary, but will primarily occur at:

  • 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. Verification of location will be sent by e-mail and posted on the Ford Sayre BKL website the night before practice.

Cancellation of practice: Practice will be cancelled if the Dresden School District is closed, including snow days, early dismissals, or school vacations, OR if conditions are dangerous to children (cold temperatures, unsafe or icy trail conditions).

Practice times: Weather and trail conditions permitting, duration of practice for 3rd-8th grader skiers may be extended to 5:00pm end in February to coincide with the longer daylight hours. K-2nd practices will always remain 1 hour in duration.

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.

Attendance Expectations: Our programs have become very popular in recent years and each season we fill up to capacity. Out of respect for other skiers, we expect that participants who register have no regularly planned scheduling conflicts and that they 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. If and when they do attend, they often hold the group back and draw additional coaching attention, which is not fair to participants who have been regularly attending practices.

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.

Questions: Please contact the BKL Program Directors should you have any questions about enrolling your child in the Ford Sayre nordic programs for the upcoming season.

Co-Program Directors
Taissa Cox, JuniorBKL@fordsayre.org (Grades K-2)
Courtney Marchetti, BKL@fordsayre.org  (Grades 3-8)

BKL Calendar

Don’t see a calendar below?  Click here to see the BKL calendar. Embedded Google calendars no longer work in certain browsers.

BKL K-2: Kindergarten thru 2nd grade

This program is geared toward our youngest children who are in First through Second grade. Children will learn fundamental skiing skills of agility, balance, and coordination with a focus on ski play and fun.

  • Prior Experience: None
  • Grades:  K through 2nd grade
  • Technique: Classic
  • Equipment: Waxless classic skis (poles only needed for 1st & 2nd grades)
  • Practice Schedule: Mondays, December 4th thru March 4th, 3:30-4:30pm
    • No Practice on the following Mondays:
      • ​Mon Dec 25, Jan 1, Feb 19
    • We WILL have practice on Mon Jan 15 even though there is not school.
  • Location: Garipay Fields (Hanover, NH)
  • Program Fee: $195
  • Trail Pass: Our program fee covers the cost of using Oak Hill Outdoor Center trails during practice. If you wish to ski outside of practice, please purchase a daily or seasonal trail pass from Dartmouth.
  • Program Directors and Head Coach: Taissa Cox and Emmie Smith , JuniorBKL@fordsayre.org
  • Volunteer Requirement:  For every child enrolled in the program, one parent/guardian must volunteer for a minimum of one volunteer session.  More details will be provided at a later date, but there will be volunteer opportunities on & off snow, before, during & after practice times and during Ford Sayre events.

Registration for the K-2 program closes on November 20th.  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.

BKL 3-4: 3rd thru 4th grade

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.

We have made some important programmatic changes this season and we would like to share our rationale behind these decisions. The first is that we will offer two options for our 3rd & 4th Grade skiers: 

  • “Skate & Classic” Group (needing two pairs of skis) and 
  • “Skate Optional” Group (needing one pair of waxless classic skis, but can also have skate skis) 

The “Skate Optional Group” will primarily classic ski, but there will be days when skiers have the option to skate if they have the equipment and desire. This change is intended to to create an option for true beginner skiers to begin on classic skis and also to accommodate families who cannot find all the gear, or families who aren’t ready to make such a big financial investment in the sport. We ask that skiers select one of these two options at registration, but if a skier desires to switch groups during the season, we are open to accommodating that! 

The second change is that we will weigh skiing ability more heavily than other factors when creating our skier groupings. Year after year, especially at 3/4th, the biggest challenge has been managing groups with a wide range of ski speed – whether that was due to skill or motivation.  In the short term, that spread impacts safety and skier enjoyment at practices. In the longer term, it impacts coach enjoyment and ultimately coach retention (and to some extent, skier retention as well!). Ultimately, we want skiers and coaches to have the best possible experience, and we believe that grouping by ski speed and/or motivation will help towards that end. The groupings will remain fluid throughout the season so that skiers can move into the right fit as needed, so please be patient with the potential for changing group assignments in the first couple weeks on snow as coaches determine skiers’ speeds and optimal groupings.​​

  • Prior Experience: None
  • Grades: 3-4
  • Technique:
    • Classic & Skate – or – 
    • (Waxless) Classic, with the option to skate
  • Equipment:
    • Classic & Skate Group:
      • 1 Pair Skate Skis 
      • 1 Pair of classic skis (waxable or “skin tec” is best)
      • 2 sets of poles (classic & skate lengths) or 1 pair of adjustable youth Nordic Ski Poles (SWIX makes them now!)
      • 1 pair of Combi ski boots.
    • Skate-Optional Group:
      • 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 Program Director, Grade Level Lead or Group Coaches with any specific questions.

  • Practice Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays,
    • November 28 thru Feb 1,  3:30-4:30pm
    • February 6 – March 5th 3:30 – 5:00 (Because of more daylight)
  • Location: Oak Hill or Garipay Fields (Hanover, NH)
  • Program Fee: $365, plus $25 NENSA membership (New England Nordic Ski Association)
  • Trail Pass: Purchase through the Oak Hill Outdoor Center. Passes go on sale Oct. 1. https://www.oakhilloutdoorcenter.org/passes
  • Volunteer Requirement: For every child enrolled in the program, one parent/guardian must volunteer for a minimum of one volunteer session.  More details will be provided at a later date, but there will be volunteer opportunities on & off snow, before, during & after practice times and during Ford Sayre events.
  • Program Director: Courtney Marchetti, 774-696-4110,  BKL@fordsayre.org

Registration for the 3-4 program closes on November 1st. 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 and is provisional based on us meeting our coaching ratio requirement.

BKL 5-8 Adventure: 5th – 8th grade

This program is designed for skiers and families who prefer the recreational approach of skiing, the ease of waxless classic skis, and the opportunity to readily access and explore our local wilderness. The program will include skiing adventures on and off the groomed trails. The program emphasizes adventure, exploration, fun and skill development. Practice may also include learning about wilderness safety, orienteering, leadership skills, and exploration of the skate skiing technique. This program promotes skiing for health and fitness and as a lifelong sport.

  • Prior Experience: None
  • Grades: 5-8
  • Technique: Classic, with optional exploratory skate skiing
  • Equipment:
    • 1 pair of waxless classic skis required for classic technique days and may also be used on the exploratory skate technique days. 
    • 1 pair classic or combi ski boots
    • 1 pair of classic length poles
    • Additional pair of Skate skis and poles are optional for the skate technique days.
  • Practice Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays,
    • November 28 thru Feb 1,  3:30-4:30pm
    • February 6 – March 5th 3:30 – 5:00 (Because of more daylight)
  • Location: Oak Hill or Garipay Fields (Hanover, NH)
  • Program Fee: $365, plus $25 NENSA membership (New England Nordic Ski Association)
  • Trail Pass: Purchase through the Oak Hill Outdoor Center. Passes go on sale Oct. 1. https://www.oakhilloutdoorcenter.org/passes
  • Program Director: Courtney Marchetti, 774-696-4110,  BKL@fordsayre.org
  • Adventure Leads: Susan Frankenstein & Jennie Chamberlain

Registration for the 5-8 Adventure program closes on November 1st. 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 and is provisional based on us meeting our coaching ratio requirement.

BKL 5-8 Development / Racing: 5th – 8th grade

The Development/Racing program is dedicated to the teaching and improvement of proper classic and skate techniques, and emphasizes foundational skiing skills such as balance, speed, and agility, while also building fitness and having fun. The various levels of skier abilities will be accommodated by smaller groups. Skiers will be strongly encouraged to participate in local and regional races. Coaches will support skiers through races, including individual goal setting, waxing skis on race day and cheering. Skiers and families are expected to learn to wax and maintain two sets of skis (classic and skate).

  • Prior Experience: None
  • Grades: 5-8
  • Technique: Classic & Skate
  • Equipment:
    • 2 separate pairs of skis
      • Skate Skis
      • Classic Skis – waxable or skin-skis recommended**
    • 2 sets of poles (classic & skate lengths)
    • 1 pair of Combi ski boots. 
    • **Note that 7th & 8th graders who are also enrolled in Friday Race Clinic are required to have waxable classic skis, as learning to wax is an important part of learning to race!
  • Practice Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays,
    • November 28 thru Feb 1,  3:30-4:30pm
    • February 6 – March 5th 3:30 – 5:00 (Because of more daylight)
  • Location: Oak Hill or Garipay Fields (Hanover, NH)
  • Program Fee: $365, plus $25 NENSA membership (New England Nordic Ski Association)
  • Trail Pass: Purchase through the Oak Hill Outdoor Center. Passes go on sale Oct. 1. https://www.oakhilloutdoorcenter.org/passes
  • Program Director: Courtney Marchetti, 774-696-4110, BKL@fordsayre.org

Registration for the 5-8 Dev/Racing program closes on November 1st. Late registrants must contact the Program Director to apply, and will be subject to a $35 late fee. 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 and is provisional based on us meeting our coaching ratio requirement.

*NOTE: We require 2 pairs of skis for 5-8th grade skiers in our Development program (one pair of waxable classic skis and one pair of skate skis). Technique-specific skis often lead to more rapid skill progression, and reduce the time needed to wax and maintain skis. Refer to our ski gear page for more detailed information on equipment and contact the Program Director, Grade Level Lead or Group Coaches with any specific questions.

BKL 5-8 Race Clinics: 5th – 8th grade

The Race Clinic program is designed for children enrolled in the Development/Racing program who are motivated to ski fast and interested in racing. The Race Clinic program provides an additional day of practice to focus on race-specific techniques and strategies, and dedicated time to train and prepare for upcoming weekend races or events. Coaches will support skiers through races, including individual goal setting, waxing skis on race day, and cheering.

  • Prior Experience: Must be enrolled in the Development/Racing Program, have experience in both classic and skate techniques, AND have previous racing experience.
  • Grades: 5-8
  • Technique: Classic & Skate
  • Equipment:
    • 2 separate pairs of skis
      • Skate Skis
      • Classic Skis:
        • 5th & 6th Grade: Strongly encouraged to have waxable classic skis.
        • 7th & 8th Grade: Waxable classic skis are required! (Learning to wax is an important part of learning to race!)
  • 2 sets of poles (classic & skate lengths)
  • 1 pair of Combi ski boots. 
  • Practice Schedule: Fridays
    • Dec. 1 thru Feb 2,  3:30-4:30pm
    • February 9 – Feb 23 3:30 – 5:00 (Because of more daylight)
    • No practice Mar. 1 because of BKL Festival
    • Potentially a practice on Mar. 8, provided snow and coaching coverage!
  • Location: Primarily at Oak Hill, Garipay Fields (Hanover, NH)
  • Program Fee: $180 additional to BKL program fee
  • Program Director: Courtney Marchetti, 774-696-4110,  BKL@fordsayre.org
  • Race Clinic Lead: Dennis Page

We will cap our registrations for Race Clinic at 45 skiers so please register early!  Late registrants must contact the Program Director to apply, will be subject to a $35 late fee and is provisional based on us meeting our coaching ratio requirement.

U14/U16 Race Program (Race Clinic & Weekend)

For 6th-8th grade skiers who are passionate about ski racing and who desire a more focused training regimen. This program also includes Friday Race Clinic, plus a 4th program day on weekends this winter. This additional day (either Saturday or Sunday each week, depending on race schedules) will include over-distance training on land (roller skiing, running, hiking), on snow (skiing!), and some extra race opportunities (community racing and/or Eastern Cup).  Families will be responsible for transportation to practice and races, and any additional trail passes & race fees.

***Any questions, please contact Head Coach Hilary McNamee hilary@fordsayre.org

  • Prior Experience: Program is open to 6th – 8th grade skiers who participated in the summer and/or fall program. Other interested 6th-8th graders must have a conversation with the U14/16 Coach (TBD) to discuss participation prior to registration.
  • Grades: 6th-8th
  • Technique: Classic & Skate
  • Equipment: 2 separate pairs of skis (waxable classic & skate skis)
  • Practice Schedule: Saturday or Sunday, typically mornings. Day and time will vary. Schedule will be emailed to parents each week.
  • Location: Variable
  • Program Fee: $180 additional to BKL fee
  • Program Director: Courtney Marchetti, 774-696-4110, BKL@fordsayre.org
  • Program Lead: TBD

U14/U16 Summer Nordic

This is a summer program for rising 7th and 8th grade Nordic skiers who are passionate about ski racing and want to add ski-specific activities to their summer. Skiers will meet 2 days per week to work on rollerski skills, improve their strength and agility, learn about the sport and have fun outside with peers and enthusiastic Nordic ski community members. Coaches will send out weekly emails on Sunday or Monday with practice locations and details.

***Please note that the offering of this program is contingent upon the employment of the appropriate coaching staff. Any questions, please contact Nordic Head Coach Hilary McNamee at hilary@fordsayre.org

  • Prior Experience: Program is open to rising 7th & 8th grade skiers. This program is geared toward skiers who participated in our winter Development and/or Race Clinic programs. Skiers who participated in winter Adventure programming, but are interested in joining summer Nordic should meet with the Lead Coach prior to registration.
  • Grades: Rising 7 & 8
  • Activities: Skate Rollerskiing and foot-based activities like running, bounding and strength.
  • Equipment:
    • Running shoes
    • 1 pr. bounding poles (btwn sternum and armpit)
    • 1 pr. rollerski poles (btwn top of shoulder and nose)
    • 1 pr. rollerski ferrules (tips) mounted on rollerski poles (Omer & Bob’s can help)
    • 1 pr. skate or combi boots (NNN compatible)
    • High-viz shirt/vest (bright yellow, orange or pink)
    • Properly-fitting helmet
    • Watch
    • Waterbottle or waterbelt/carrier
    • Mask or face covering for beginning and end of practice
    • Rollerskis are not required; we will provide rollerskis to participants.
  • Practice Schedule:
    • Tuesdays, 5:00 – 6:15pm  On-Foot (starting June 22, 2021)
    • Thursdays, 5:00 – 6:15pm  Rollerskiing (ending Aug 19, 2021)
  • Location: Variable. Mostly Oak Hill in Hanover, Ray Elementary School and North Thetford Rd., in Lyme.
  • Program Fee: $240
  • Program Director: Courtney Marchetti, 774-696-4110, BKL@fordsayre.org
  • Lead Coach: