Intro to Waxing Your Nordic Skis
With Jonathan Weaver

Good ski wax can make the difference between a great day on snow and a frustrating one. Join Jonathan Weaver for a practical, beginner-friendly introduction to waxing your Nordic skis, designed to help you understand the basics and build confidence caring for your own gear.

This talk will cover the fundamentals of glide and kick wax, how to match wax to snow conditions, simple tools you’ll need, and common mistakes to avoid. Jonathan will also share tips for efficient at-home waxing and how proper ski prep can improve performance, control, and enjoyment on the trail.

Whether you’re brand new to waxing or looking to refine your routine, this session is a great way to demystify ski wax and get more out of your winter skiing.

📅 January 29
📍 Pushroot Brewery
⏰ 6:30 PM
🎟 Free | All Ages Welcome

Lander Little Nordies is a 7-week youth ski program with LNSA and run by volunteer coaches.  Kids will be divided into groups based on grade level: 

• Mini Nordies grades K - 1st,

• Little Nordies grades 2-3, and

• Nordic Crushers grades 4-5. 

Our programs are focused on play and building skiing skills, including: 

• Balance

• Gliding and pole use

• Agility and coordination on skis

• Building endurance and self-confidence

All of our skiers will ski on classic skis. If your child is interested in learning to skate ski, please reach out to see our availability for private lessons. Skiers must provide their own ski equipment. Please contact the coaches if you need help renting or finding gear.

We will ski at the Lander Golf Course and can use the clubhouse for changing into gear and post-ski treats.

• Drop off at the Club house at 2:45pm. Pick up at 4pm.

• Wednesdays: Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, 2026

Ice Skating: An Introduction to Wild Ice
With Scott Kane

Curious about skating beyond the rink? Join Scott Kane for an introduction to Ice skating on wild ice, a unique and fast-growing winter sport that blends long-blade skating with backcountry exploration. This talk will cover the fundamentals of skating on natural ice, including equipment basics, ice assessment, route selection, and essential safety considerations.

Scott will share insights from his own experiences skating frozen lakes and waterways, along with practical tips for getting started safely and confidently. Whether you’re a skier, skater, or winter adventurer looking for something new, this presentation offers an exciting look at a dynamic way to explore winter landscapes.

📅 January 21
📍 Pushroot Brewery
⏰ 6:30 PM
🎟 Free | All Ages Welcome

No prior experience required—just curiosity and a love of winter.

Lander Little Nordies is a 7-week youth ski program with LNSA and run by volunteer coaches.  Kids will be divided into groups based on grade level: 

• Mini Nordies grades K - 1st,

• Little Nordies grades 2-3, and

• Nordic Crushers grades 4-5. 

Our programs are focused on play and building skiing skills, including: 

• Balance

• Gliding and pole use

• Agility and coordination on skis

• Building endurance and self-confidence

All of our skiers will ski on classic skis. If your child is interested in learning to skate ski, please reach out to see our availability for private lessons. Skiers must provide their own ski equipment. Please contact the coaches if you need help renting or finding gear.

We will ski at the Lander Golf Course and can use the clubhouse for changing into gear and post-ski treats.

• Drop off at the Club house at 2:45pm. Pick up at 4pm.

• Wednesdays: Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, 2026

Lander’s smallest Nordic race!

Join us for the 3rd Annual Sugar Cookie Showdown where we cheer on the tiniest members of our community while they practice their Nordic ski skills! Categories include Preschool through 5th grade.

Little Loop (approximately .5km)- Recommended for preschool + kindergartners
Medium Loop (approximately 1.5 km)- Recommended for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Graders
Big Loop (approximately 3 km)- Recommended for 4th and 5th Graders

A registration fee of $10 helps us cover insurance and race snacks.

Race start is at 10 am at the Beaver Creek Stadium. We will have your bibs ready for pick up when you arrive at the venue. Each participant will receive a sugar cookie when they cross the finish line. This event is all about fun, so feel free to wear costumes and be sure to bring a smile!

Staying Warm, Dry, and Found in Winter Weather
Presented by Lander Nordic Ski Association & Lander Search & Rescue

Winter adventures are rewarding—but they come with real risks. Join Lander Search & Rescue for an engaging and practical talk on how to stay warm, dry, and found when recreating outdoors in winter conditions. Learn essential clothing and layering strategies, emergency preparedness tips, and the basics of navigation and communication that can make all the difference if something goes wrong. LSAR members will also share insight into how search and rescue operations work and what helps responders find lost or injured recreators more quickly.

📅 January 15
📍 Pushroot Brewery
⏰ 6:30 PM
🎟 Free | All Ages Welcome

Perfect for skiers, snowshoers, winter hikers, and anyone who spends time outside in cold weather.

Lander Little Nordies is a 7-week youth ski program with LNSA and run by volunteer coaches.  Kids will be divided into groups based on grade level: 

• Mini Nordies grades K - 1st,

• Little Nordies grades 2-3, and

• Nordic Crushers grades 4-5. 

Our programs are focused on play and building skiing skills, including: 

• Balance

• Gliding and pole use

• Agility and coordination on skis

• Building endurance and self-confidence

All of our skiers will ski on classic skis. If your child is interested in learning to skate ski, please reach out to see our availability for private lessons. Skiers must provide their own ski equipment. Please contact the coaches if you need help renting or finding gear.

We will ski at the Lander Golf Course and can use the clubhouse for changing into gear and post-ski treats.

• Drop off at the Club house at 2:45pm. Pick up at 4pm.

• Wednesdays: Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, 2026

Lander Little Nordies is a 7-week youth ski program with LNSA and run by volunteer coaches.  Kids will be divided into groups based on grade level: 

• Mini Nordies grades K - 1st,

• Little Nordies grades 2-3, and

• Nordic Crushers grades 4-5. 

Our programs are focused on play and building skiing skills, including: 

• Balance

• Gliding and pole use

• Agility and coordination on skis

• Building endurance and self-confidence

All of our skiers will ski on classic skis. If your child is interested in learning to skate ski, please reach out to see our availability for private lessons. Skiers must provide their own ski equipment. Please contact the coaches if you need help renting or finding gear.

We will ski at the Lander Golf Course and can use the clubhouse for changing into gear and post-ski treats.

• Drop off at the Club house at 2:45pm. Pick up at 4pm.

• Wednesdays: Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, 2026

Open to all! Free event. Just show up, just for fun!

Save the date! Our annual shindig with lots of BBQ, beverages, and a pretty dang good raffle.

Location TBD

Lander’s smallest Nordic race!

Join us for the 2nd annual Sugar Cookie Showdown where we cheer on the tiniest members of our community while they practice their Nordic ski skills! Categories include Preschool through 5th grade.

Little Loop (approximately .5km)- Recommended for preschool + kindergartners
Medium Loop (approximately 1.5 km)- Recommended for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Graders
Big Loop (approximately 3 km)- Recommended for 4th and 5th Graders

A registration fee of $10 helps us cover insurance and race snacks.

Old Coaches Race/Event - 2024 Edition

Dang near the 16th annual, although we missed some d/t laziness. Free!

History:

  The 1st OCR was about 2008.   On Dec. 24th we thought it would be fun to have an informal citizens race.  On Dec. 26th we had a very informal citizens race.  That level of preparation and organization has persisted since (except when we lacked preparation.) And it’s free!

We’ve had future worldcup racers and 4 year olds, so the field is open.

Race Goals:

To get a variety of skill levels skiers to enjoy and test themselves at whatever distance and technique they desire.  (and to beat Norm)

Race Rules:

Be serious now, you really think that we thought that far?  Rules change year to year, and sometimes even change during the race.  The primary rule is that if you don’t act like you enjoyed it, you are disqualified.  {The jury makes the decisions, and I’m the jury, but I’m prone to peer pressure and bribes.]  You can pay if you want!

This years Event:

 Sign up at the Beaver Creek yurt about 11:30 AM.  Saturday Dec. 28th. It’s Free!

Pick a distance, 1 lap = 5 km, 2 laps = 10 km.

Pick classic or skate.

Mass start at noon-ish.  Start and Finish at Yurt!

Sue Cessna is the chief timer, but really we’re just hoping to get placing accurately.  Times will be rounded to nice numbers.

The course will be marked with V-boards at the junctions.  But basically go CW from yurt, to 5 corners, back on Bear Claw, up Pipeline, around Pipedream, down Pipeline, around Inner Pipeline, and back to Yurt.  If you don’t like the route, pick another (ie take shorcuts).

There may be other people skiing the trails, so be alert and ready to yell, stop, or cuss..

If you want to pass somebody, it’s your responsibility to safely do so.  None of this hogwash about yelling “track” and expecting somebody to yield.  Besides, some of us are almost deaf. And it’s free!

Awards:

I still need to rummage through my garage, but I’m sure I’ll find some stuff that I want to unload, oops, I mean donate to some worthy skiers.  FYI, anybody nice enough to finish after I do is more likely to get something decent, but don’t rely on it. And it’s free!

Results:

May be posted online sometime in the next year.  Just depends. And it’s free!

Annual Lander Ski Swap. Lander High School Commons

(Drop off items to sell between 7:30-8:30AM)

Sell your old outdoor equipment and shop for great deals on used gear. The LVHS Nordic team is selling many retired skis, so there will be a good selection of Nordic equipment for sale. 30% of all consignment sales will be donated to Lander Youth Skiing LVHS Ski Team will be available to hot wax your skis for $10 per pair of skis, $5 for cleaning old kick-wax, $20 for snowboards.

Our annual shindig with lots of BBQ, beverages, and a pretty dang good raffle.

Location TBD

Skiing under a full moon with a bunch or rowdy LNSA members. Later we’ll chuck things into a fire.

Lander Golf Course, 7pm

Kids learn to ski class

Ages: 6-18

More details coming soon.

Location: Golf Course

Intermediate Skate is for skiers who are confident with their V1 skiing in varied terrain, and are ready to learn new “gears” for skiing more efficiently.

If you would like to learn how to V2 and V2-alternate for speed, this is the class for you. You’ll practice drills to elongate glide, tackle hills, and fine tune your technique. 

If you’d like to take this lessons, you need to reply to landernordic@gmail.com with your interest. You’ll be sent a release to complete and bring to class, along with payment of $20 for members.

If you’d like a private lesson, or a semi-private (2-3 skiers), please email landernordic@gmail.com with your interest. We’ve got some terrific coaches who you could be paired with.

Beginner Skate is not an introduction to skate skiing. It’s for skiers who can V1 on the flats, but face challenges on hills. If you’ve ever thought “Hmm, I can skate comfortably on the flats, and find the golf course hills a bit awkward…surely there’s an easier way….” then this is the class for you. Kara will provide a brief review of good basic technique, and then move onto adapting your skiing to the terrain, gliding, and mastering the V1 technique for hills.

If you’d like to take this lesson, you need to reply to landernordic@gmail.com with your interest. You’ll be sent a release to complete and bring to class, along with payment of $20 for members.

If you’d like a private lesson, or a semi-private (2-3 skiers), please email landernordic@gmail.com with your interest. We’ve got some terrific coaches who you could be paired with.

The Old Coach’s Race is back!

Join us for a minimally organized Lander Nordic tradition at the Beaver Creek Nordic Ski Trails on December 30th. This event is an excuse to gather in the cold wearing our old race suits, tutus, capes, or other fancy underwear while trying to go really fast (or not) on the snow with expensive sticks on our feet. There will be a 5k and 10k course with one mass start (commencing at noon). Start and finish will be at the yurt and race organizers will try medium hard to ensure everyone gets timed correctly. “Awards” will be given in both skate and classic categories and shall be comprised of random items found in Web’s garage.

This event is free and open to all ages. If you have never “raced” before, this event is especially free to you, and we hope you come. See details below

Registration will take place on site starting at 11am

Old Coaches Race/Event - 2023 Edition

Dang near the 15th annual, although we missed some d/t laziness. Free!

History:

  The 1st OCR was about 2008.   On Dec. 24th we thought it would be fun to have an informal citizens race.  On Dec. 26th we had a very informal citizens race.  That level of preparation and organization has persisted since (except when we lacked preparation.) And it’s free!

We’ve had future worldcup racers and 4 year olds, so the field is open.

Race Goals:

To get a variety of skill levels skiers to enjoy and test themselves at whatever distance and technique they desire.  (and to beat Norm)

Race Rules:

Be serious now, you really think that we thought that far?  Rules change year to year, and sometimes even change during the race.  The primary rule is that if you don’t act like you enjoyed it, you are disqualified.  {The jury makes the decisions, and I’m the jury, but I’m prone to peer pressure and bribes.]  You can pay if you want!

This years Event:

 Sign up at the yurt about 11:30 AM.  Saturday Dec. 30th. It’s Free!

Pick a distance, 1 lap = 5 km, 2 laps = 10 km.

Pick classic or skate.

Mass start at noon-ish.  Start and Finish at Yurt!

Sue Cessna is the chief timer, but really we’re just hoping to get placing accurately.  Times will be rounded to nice numbers.

The course will be marked with V-boards at the junctions.  But basically go CW from yurt, to 5 corners, back on Bear Claw, up Pipeline, around Pipedream, down Pipeline, around Inner Pipeline, and back to Yurt.  If you don’t like the route, pick another (ie take shorcuts).

There may be other people skiing the trails, so be alert and ready to yell, stop, or cuss..

If you want to pass somebody, it’s your responsibility to safely do so.  None of this hogwash about yelling “track” and expecting somebody to yield.  Besides, some of us are almost deaf. And it’s free!

Awards:

I still need to rummage through my garage, but I’m sure I’ll find some stuff that I want to unload, oops, I mean donate to some worthy skiers.  FYI, anybody nice enough to finish after I do is more likely to get something decent, but don’t rely on it. And it’s free!

Results:

May be posted online sometime in the next year.  Just depends. And it’s free!

Intro to Skate Skiing, or “free style”

10-11:30 at Golf Course

$20 for members, $30 non-members

This lesson is for those who have never skate skied before, or would like a deep overview of the fundamentals. The focus on balance, the skating motion, timing, and pole placement to set skiers up with a solid foundation. Gannett Peak Sports opens at 9 am, so you have time to rent skis/boots/poles for the class.

How to sign up

Each class is limited to 6 skiers. Since this is coming in short order and we need a minimum number of participants to run these, email your interest to landernordic@gmail.com by 7 pm Friday. You’ll receive a release form to sign and bring to lesson, as well as cash or check made to Lander Nordic.

8:30-10 am at Golf Course

$20 for members, $30 non-members

If you’re a classic skier currently getting a bit of glide and you want to glide and be more efficient, this is the lesson for you. We will focus on transitioning from a sort glide to longer gliding, as well as some uphill and downhill techniques. 

How to sign up

Each class is limited to 6 skiers. Since this is coming in short order and we need a minimum number of participants to run these, email your interest to landernordic@gmail,com by 7 pm Friday. You’ll receive a release form to sign and bring to lesson, as well as cash or check made to Lander Nordic.

Annual Ski and Gear Swap. Arrive early to get the best deals.

Lander Valley High School Commons

Join us for the second annual Roll and Slide Poker Ride.

Details coming soon.

This event is open to all Lander Nordic Members. This year we wont be skiing during our membership party, but we will be enjoying each others company, eating burgers and brats, and crossing our fingers during our annual raffle!

You'll fill out your raffle ticket(s) at the MAP. The higher level of membership, the more raffle tickets-- and chances to win!-- you'll have. Bronze members get 1 ticket, Rock Star members receive 20.

Raffle: Remember to sign up for a membership to get your raffle entries for awesome prizes.

Food: Burgers, brats, and beer!