Junior Nordic Team: U16, U18, U20

The Junior Nordic Team (JNT) is a team for U16, U18 and U20s who are committed skiers with previous race experience and a willingness to train year-round for ski racing. This program emphasizes skiing improvement, competition, and the development of athletes with skills in all facets of Nordic racing. Skiers in this program often participate in other sports, but their primary athletic focus is developing as cross country skiers.

Coaches expect that JNT skiers will complete a training log, communicate with coaches on a regular basis, attend at least 3 practices per week, and follow a training plan, even on days when there is no practice. 

Participants in this program travel together to compete in Eastern Cups, Junior National Qualifiers, New England U16 Championships, and/or Eastern High School Championships. Each season, some skiers in this group race at Senior and/or Junior National Championships. 

We use a mix of criteria to create a cohesive team and training group, including a simple application process for the winter season (application pdf, due Oct. 15). Final winter enrollment is contingent upon previous Nordic racing experience and consultation with the coaches. With very few exceptions, members are expected to join in the summer to allow for more effective coaching during the competition season. Typically, there are 12-15 skiers on the team. Priority is given to previous participants who have demonstrated their commitment to the program and to attaining personal goals. 

Summer Training

(Mid June – late Aug)

Prerequisites: Prior racing experience; 1 season of rollerski experience. 

Summer Program Fee: $450

During the summer months, when daylight hours are endless and athletes don’t have school, the training focus is on building fitness base and enjoying adventures and training outdoors with teammates. At the JNT level, Ford Sayre offers 6-8 coached sessions a week, with a combination of running, bounding, rollerskiing, strength and mobility. JNT skiers in the summer program are comfortable to confident rollerskiers. Beginner rollerskiers will be placed in our high school summer programs. Skiers from programs other than Ford Sayre BKL must meet with a coach prior to registering. All new skiers are invited to an informational meeting prior to registering. 

Fall Training

(Mid Sept. – early Nov.)

Prerequisites: Prior ski racing experience; 1 season of rollerski experience and/or coach approval.

Program Fee: $175 / $350

With the reintroduction of school, falling temperatures, and waning daylight, the training emphasis shifts to quality over quantity. Athletes can expect to see an increase in specificity and intensity, but a drop in overall weekly hours. Practice times move to 3:30pm to accommodate shorter days, with the exception of weekend training sessions which are either in the morning or evening. Recognizing that weekends are often the best opportunity for fall-sport athletes to attend Nordic practice, the emphasis on weekends will be rollerskiing and strength. All athletes who intend to participate in the winter programming are expected to maintain a training log over the fall, even if they are participating in fall HS sports. Ford Sayre offers two fall Nordic program options:

Winter Race Season

(Early Nov.  – late Mar.)

Prerequisites: Participation in summer training and/or coach approval

JNT winter program is for focused U16-U20 skiers who want to improve as ski racers. JNT is a racing development program and currently intended to be an athlete’s primary ski team. The racing schedule follows the Eastern Cup circuit, with a few stops at VT/NH qualifier races and local races. Many athletes also participate in season-end championship events, such as U16 Championships, Eastern High School Championships, or Junior Nationals. For all regular season overnight race trips, JNT offers travel, lodging and meal support to all teammates and coaches. JNT offers up to 5 coached sessions a week on snow, as conditions allow.

Most practices will be held at either Garipay or Oak Hill in Hanover, NH, with some travel locally to Woodstock, Strafford, or Greens Woodlands. 

Winter Program Fee: $2500 base program fee covers coaching and race support, some team camp expenses, and most training or instructor fees (like trail passes at non-local venues or team yoga classes). There is also a part-time option if a skier is also skiing for their high school. This fee is $1700. For the 2023-2024 season, each big race weekend (4x Eastern Cups) will be $200 each to attend and will include all travel, lodging, meals, and support. For an athlete competing in all for Eastern Cups (JN Qualifying races), this will come out to $3100, while also giving athletes the opportunity to not compete in Eastern Cups. 

Additional out-of-pocket costs will be associated with races and/or training camps, including travel, lodging, and food, typically for Thanksgiving Camp and NH State level racing. All of this is detailed in the handbook. 

Register Online for all programs. June 7 for Summer, Sept. 10 for Fall, Oct. 15 for Winter. No late registration, please.

Scholarships are available for all programs.

Training Calendar