Direct link to the Telemark Biathlon section of the Team Telemark website
The Team Telemark Biathlon Programs start with the developmental Biathlon-Bears program and continues with a competitive stream. Telemark also offers the non-competitive Biathlon Recreation 16+ program. The programs are fully integrated with the XC skiing programs and closely follow the Long Term Athlete development Model. All participants enrolled in the Biathlon Bears and competitive programs will ski with the XC skiing programs. Marksmanship (Range) sessions are typically held separately. These programs follow the Biathlon Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development model. Click on the tabs below for more details about each program.
Biathlon Bears – Jackrabbit U12 (10-11yrs) – $310 (No GST)
The Biathlon Bears-Jackrabbit U12 (Bears-JR) program is for participants younger who are new to both biathlon and cross-country skiing. The emphasis is on the ‘FUNdamentals’ of skiing, and the introduction to rifle marksmanship using .22 calibre rifles.
The Jackrabbit ski portion is coached by volunteer parent coaches in the Jackrabbit (U12) program.
The range sessions in this program are coached by qualified volunteer coaches with oversight by Biathlon Head Coach Chris Halldorson.
The goals of the Bear-JR program are to:
- Nurture a team/social atmosphere.
- Encourage FUN and participation building a lifelong interest in Biathlon and cross-country skiing.
- Encourage frequent cross-country skiing during the season through repeated practice.
- Develop technique in cross-country skiing and shooting marksmanship through the use of games and play.
- Develop the ability to safely handle a firearm, under the supervision of qualified coaches.
- Develop ABC’s: Agility, Balance, Coordination.
- Develop general physical literacy and speed.
Program fee include:
- ~22 Jackrabbit ski sessions Tuesdays and Saturdays from Dec to March.
- ~10 range sessions per week on Saturdays from Dec to March.
- Cost of rifle rental and ammunition is included.
Not included in the program fee:
- Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC membership and insurance.
- Personal Ski Equipment.
- Telemark Nordic Trail Pass.
*Biathlon Bears-Jackrabbit registration will only be open for remaining spots after Biathlon Bears – Track Attack and T2T-1 registration is filled. You may register and choose the Waitlist option.
Biathlon Bears – Track Attack U12 (10-11yrs) – $440 (No GST)
The Biathlon Bears – Track Attack U12 (Bears-TA) program is for participants who are both new to biathlon or have experience and are interested in developing further in the sport. The emphasis will be on ‘Learning to Train’ through ski and marksmanship skill development, fitness and teamwork. Participants will develop fitness and ski skills though the Track Attack (U12) program, as well as range practices to learn and perfect rifle marksmanship techniques.
The range sessions in this program are coached by qualified volunteer Biathlon Bears coaches with oversight by Biathlon head coach Chris Halldorson.
The Track Attack ski portion is led by paid Development Coach – Alex McDonald, with assistance from qualified volunteer coaches.
The goals of the Bears-TA program are to:
- Nurture a team/social atmosphere.
- Improve shooting marksmanship and ski technique through practice and the intervention of qualified coaches both on the trails and at the range.
- Learn through games, relays, racing and terrain parks to develop technique, speed, skills and fitness.
- Continue to develop confidence and safe rifle handling skills.
- Learn to ski safely in a wide variety of conditions & terrain.
- Begin to build fitness in the fall with dry land training sessions.
- Learn how to race with confidence and encourage participation in Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski races.
Program fee includes:
- 2 Track Attack ski sessions per week from Sept to March.
- 1 marksmanship session per week Sept to March.
- Cost of rifle rental and ammunition is included.
Not included in the program fee:
- Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC membership and insurance.
- Personal Ski Equipment.
- Telemark Team Uniforms.
- Telemark Nordic Trail Pass.
Biathlon Bears – Train to Train-1 U13 (12yrs) – $875 (No GST)
The Biathlon Bears – Train to Train-1 U13 (T1 Armband) program is for participants who really love Biathlon and are interested in participating in regional biathlon events. The emphasis will be on improving ski technique and fitness through a progressive season plan with the Train to Train program, while learning to shoot using an armband without the use of a rest.
Participants in this cohort bridge our Biathlon Bears and Train to Train programs. The range sessions of this program are held in conjunction with the Biathlon Bears program are and coached by qualified volunteer coaches with oversight by Biathlon head coach Chris Halldorson.
The T2T ski portion is coached by qualified volunteer coaches with the support of paid Development Coach Alex McDonald and oversight by Head Coach Adam Elliot.
Participants are also able to obtain a Canadian Firearms Licence, which is required to progress further in the sport.
The goals of the T1 Armband are to:
- Foster a strong sense of team.
- Development of overall fitness and ski specific skills through a periodized season training plan.
- Focus on Aerobic training and building a base.
- Develop ski sound technique.
- Progression of marksmanship skills to shoot on prone targets with the use of an armband.
- Learn through games, relays, racing and terrain parks to develop technique, speed, skills and fitness and the intervention of qualified coaches both on the trails and at the range.
- Race up to BC U13 Biathlon Championships level and appropriate cross-country races.
- Complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and obtain a Canadian Firearms License (Minor’s Permit).
Program fee includes:
- 3 x 1.5hr-2hr sessions/week Train to Train ski training sessions (Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays Sept-April)
- ~ 20 integrated marksmanship sessions through the year (Saturdays Sept-April).
- Cost of rifle rental and ammunition is included.
- Race Support.
Not included in the program fee:
- Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC membership and insurance.
- There is an additional cost for completing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and obtaining a Canadian Firearms License, which is paid separately.
- Personal Ski Equipment.
- Telemark Team Uniforms.
- Telemark Nordic Trail Pass.
- Team Telemark van fares.
- Biathlon Train to Train Summer Add-on: Most T2T athletes will want to attend summer range sessions as well as train a bit through the summer. We offer a summer program for T2T athletes for $150 extra if registered during the program registration in the fall. The T2T Summer Add-On fee increases to $250 in the spring.
Biathlon Train to Train-2 U14 & U16 (13-15yrs) – $875 (No GST)
The Biathlon Train-to-Train-2 (Biathlon T2) is a competitive program for participants who have completed the Biathlon Bears T2T-1 program or are at a similar level of ability. Participants are now old enough to compete at Biathlon BC Cups and are ready to make more commitment to training and racing in the Junior B/G or Senior B/G Biathlon categories. Participants will develop fitness and ski skills through joint training with the Train to Train (U14 & U16) Nordic program.
The range sessions in this program are led by Biathlon Head Coach Chris Halldorson.
The T2T ski portion is coached by qualified volunteer coaches with the support of paid Development Coach Alex McDonald and oversight by Head Coach Adam Elliot.
The goals of the Biathlon T2 program are to:
- Foster a strong sense of team.
- Development of overall fitness and Biathlon (ski & marksmanship) skills.
- Focus on aerobic training and building base fitness.
- Develop the skills to participate in a progressive training program.
- Develop sound technique in cross-country skiing and marksmanship.
- Compete in biathlon and cross-country ski races up to the BC Championships level for younger ages and the National Championships for older ages.
- Learn to give back to the skiing community by mentoring Biathlon Bears, Track Attack and Jackrabbit skiers.
Program fee includes:
- Professional ski and marksmanship coaching.
- 3 x 1.5hr-2hr sessions/week Train to Train ski training sessions (Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays Sept-April)
- ~ 30 integrated marksmanship sessions through the year (Sundays Sept-April).
- Technical race support.
Not included in the program fee:
- Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC membership and insurance.
- Nordiq Canada Racing License.
- Athletes must supply their own:
- Biathlon rifle and ammunition (Telemark offers a club rifle program. The number of available rifles is limited).
- Personal Ski Equipment.
- Telemark Team Uniforms.
- Race fees.
- Telemark Nordic Trail Pass.
- Team Telemark van fares.
- Biathlon Train to Train Summer Add-on: Most T2T athletes will want to attend summer range sessions as well as train a bit through the summer. We offer a summer program for T2T athletes for $150 extra if registered during the program registration in the fall. The T2T Summer Add-On fee increases to $250 in the spring.
*Athletes 14 and older are required to have (or commit to obtaining) their Firearm Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) – Minor’s license.
Biathlon Learn to Compete U18 & U20 (15-19yrs) – $1390 (Plus GST)
The Biathlon Learn to Compete (Biathlon L2C) program is a competitive program for athletes who have completed the Biathlon T2T-2 program or are at a similar level of ability. Participants are ready to make a commitment to Biathlon as their primary sport and are racing in official Biathlon Canada categories. Participants train year-round for biathlon competitions in conjunction with the Learn to Compete (U18 & U20).
The range sessions in this program are led by Biathlon Head Coach Chris Halldorson.
The L2C ski program portion is coached by Head Coach Adam Elliot.
The goals of the Biathlon L2C program are to:
- Foster a strong sense of team.
- Incorporate year round training.
- Continue the development of fitness and Biathlon (ski & marksmanship) specific skills.
- Introduce and focus on advanced training methods.
- Focus on advanced technique improvement.
- Compete in Biathlon and cross-country ski races up to the national level. Advanced athletes are interested in competing at the World Youth/Junior Championships and Junior IBU Cup level.
Program fee includes:
- Professional ski and marksmanship coaching.
- 3-4 x L2C ski training sessions/week throughout the entire year
- 2 x L2C marksmanship sessions/week through the year.
- Individualized training plan.
- Technical race support.
Not included in the program fee:
- Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC membership and insurance.
- Nordiq Canada Racing License.
- Athletes must supply their own:
- Biathlon rifle and ammunition (Telemark offers a club rifle program. The number of available rifles is limited).
- Personal Ski Equipment.
- Telemark Team Uniforms.
- Telemark Nordic Trail Pass.
- Team Telemark van fares.
- Race fees.
- Select camp fees.
- Select trip fees.
*Athletes 14 and older are required to have (or commit to obtaining) their Firearm Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) – Minor’s license. The Minor’s license must be converted to an Adult PAL when the older turns 18 years of age.
Biathlon Train to Compete & Post Secondary Biathlon Program (19+yrs) – $2100 (Plus GST)
The Biathlon Train to Compete & Post Secondary Biathlon Program (U23) is a competitive program for those who have completed Learn to Compete and are ready for a full-time program or who want to attend post-secondary school at the same time as training.
This program is led by biathlon head coach Chris Halldorson. and head coach Adam Elliot.
The goals of the T2C program are to:
- Continue development of overall fitness and ski specific skills.
- Focus on advanced training techniques.
- Incorporation of integrated support such as Physiology, massage, strength etc.
- Refine advanced technique.
- Racing up to Nationals/NorAm level with some international competition possible.
- Foster a strong sense of team.
- Incorporate full year training.
- Provide opportunities for athletes to train and attend university or college.
Program fee includes:
- 3-4 x ski training sessions/week throughout the entire year.
- Individualized training plan.
- Technical race support.
Not included in the program fee:
- Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC membership and insurance.
- Nordiq Canada Racing License.
- Athletes must supply their own personal ski equipment.
- Telemark Team Uniforms.
- Telemark Nordic Trail Pass.
- Team Telemark van fares.
- Race fees.
- Select camp fees.
- Select trip fees.
Biathlon Recreation 16yrs+ $430 (plus GST)
The Biathlon Recreation (16yrs+) (Biathlon-Rec) is for Active for Life participants who just love Biathlon.The focus of the program is on participation encouraged across a wide spectrum of skills and capabilities. Marksmanship will focus on fundamental shooting technique and accuracy in combination with skiing. The program is led by qualified volunteer coaches supported by biathlon Head Coach Chris Halldorson.
- Nurture a fun, social atmosphere.
- Improve shooting marksmanship through practice and the intervention of volunteer coaches on the range.
- Learn through games and drills to develop technique and understand the marksmanship component of biathlon.
- Develop confidence and safe rifle handling skills.
- Complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and obtain a Canadian Firearms License (if not already completed).
Program fee includes:
- Biathlon-Rec Shooting only option:
- 2 x 1.5hr-2hr range sessions/week Dec-March.
- Biathlon-Rec / Smooth Cruisers Light option:
- 1 x 1.5hr-2hr range sessions/week Dec-March
- 7 x 2 hr ski sessions Dec-March
Not included in the program fee:
- Biathlon Canada/Biathlon BC membership and insurance.
- Participants must supply their own:
- Biathlon rifle and ammunition (Telemark offers a club rifle program. The number of available rifles is limited).
- Personal Ski Equipment.
- Race fees. (Some Biathlon-Rec skiers may choose to race occasionally. If you decide to race there is an additional race support/wax fee that is paid on a per race basis).
- Telemark Nordic Trail Pass.
- Biathlon-Rec Summer Add-on: Some keen Biathlon-Rec participants will want to attend summer range sessions as well as train a bit through the summer. We offer a summer program for Biathlon-Rec participants for $150 extra if registered during the program registration in the fall. The Biathlon-Rec Summer Add-On fee increases to $250 in the spring.
*Participants 14 and older are required to have (or commit to obtaining) their Firearm Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) – Minor’s license. The Minor’s license must be converted to an Adult PAL when the holder turns 18 years of age.
The Team Telemark Competitive Biathlon Programs run year around and the coaches maintain a separate website, Team Telemark Race Program Website which includes technical resources and an event calendar that is regularly updated with training, racing, fundraising and social events.