MBSEF Skimo Program

December/January 2024/25

The MBSEF Ski Mountaineering program aims to introduce youth athletes ages 11-18 interested in ski mountaineering to the sport through a program designed around both competition and fun.

The “skimo” program will focus on the skills and tools needed to execute a successful training and racing season along with education in gear, technique, training and racing principles, and more. The Skimo program is designed for youth athletes ages 11-18 with two days of training per week.

A background in Alpine or Nordic skiing is recommended. This program focuses on ski mountaineering as a competitive sport rather than a touring perspective and will be taught with the intention of racing a skimo race.

Participants will work with the team two days per week and given a full training program for fitness training on their own if they would like. The program will start with series of classroom sessions to introduce the basics of gear and skimo technique, then lead into on-hill training to emphasize technique and gain fitness.

Three Week Intro To Skimo

The intro session is intended for athletes with no prior skimo or touring experience.  This session is $145. The first two weeks will get athletes up to speed on pieces of equipment and how to use them. We’ll start with several classroom sessions to become familiar with the gear and how to tour safely. We’ll move to the ski hill to practice what we’ve learned in the classroom and work on the basics of moving uphill and downhill and transitioning in between. 

To extend the Intro session to 5 more weeks on snow, the fee is an additional $375.  

Six Week Skimo Training

The 6 week Skimo Training program is intended for athletes with some touring experience and will get right into the training aspect of skimo.  This session is $450. We’ll use the first sessions to re-familiarize ourselves with the lighter weight skimo equipment and how it works. We’ll work on transitions and technical skills needed for skimo and then move into specific skimo workouts focused on fitness. 

The program will also include the opportunity to race in a local or regional skimo race (entry fee and travel not included).

One 3 Week Session in Dec 2024 - First timers, introduction to gear and how to use it.

• Dec 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22

One 6 Week Session Dec/Jan - For returners that are familiar with skimo gear and how to use it on snow.

• Dec 18, 22 Jan 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 25, 29, Feb 2, 5, 9

  
  

ABOUT THE COACH Max King has been coaching youth athletes for the past 15 years in various running programs and camps. He sees skimo as a natural progression for endurance athletes in learning a new sport, cross training for summer activities, and learning a new way to enjoy the winter. With the inclusion of Skimo in the 2026 winter Olympics this seemed like the perfect opportunity to work with youth in a new sport and introduce them to this awesome winter activity.

Max is a professional running athlete for Salomon and competes all over the world. He started skimo 8 years ago as a way to improve his mountain running, cross train, and find a way to enjoy the Central Oregon winter. Since then he has participated in numerous skimo races around the West and can’t wait to share what he’s learned.