Please check the VIBC Club Calendar (click here) for lesson dates for each program.
TWO options each weekend
Saturdays: 11:30am – 3:00pm
or
Sundays: 11:30am – 3:00pm
Click here to find out more about how to register!
Program fee includes: 8 Lessons and 2 Fun Club Races.
Program Fee: Early Bird $250 until Nov 30th, includes ammunition
Rifle Rental Fee: $80 – for program use only
New for 2025:
– Creation of a new mid-day FUNdamental ski technique lesson for all program participants, club members, parents, siblings, etc. (both Saturday and Sunday) – Follow this up with an optional Club Group Ski. Everyone will have a group to ski with by skill level. (Lots of flexibility. Programs could stick together. There could be cross-coaching of groups. Parents could do a parents-only ski. etc…)
– Afternoon programs will start with the mid-day ski lesson and group ski, and follow this up with a shooting lesson. (Program timing: 11:30am to 3:00pm)
The Biathlon Bears Program is a “Parent Coached and Supported” program. By signing your child up for this program, you are committing to helping with setup and cleanup of the range for each session, attending the safety training during the first session, volunteering to help during at least 2 lessons, and volunteering at the 2 club events.
Typical Lesson format:
- 11:30am – 12:00pm – FUNdamentals Ski Technique lesson
- 12:00am – 1:00pm – Club group ski
- 1:00pm – 1:15pm – lunch/snack break, transition to shooting
- 1:15pm – 2:30pm – Shooting lesson
- 2:30pm – 3:00pm – rifle and range cleanup
(note: The schedule for each day may be different, depending on the lesson plan and/or weather conditions.)R
- Check out the lesson Schedule here on the club calendar
Note: Dates, programs, and events are subject to change, depending on weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
Program Overview
The Recreational Youth Program will tailor the learning plan to each individual athlete, based on their specific goals for the season. (i.e. to simply have fun, to hit more targets, to ski faster, etc).
This program is intended for any graduating Bears, or those new to biathlon, that would like to continue improving their shooting and skiing skills, alongside peers their same age.
The program’s focus will be on having fun, building friendships, biathlon skill development, and less on competing.
This program could also work as a stepping stone for athletes wanting to improve their biathlon skills prior to joining the Competitive Youth team in future years.
Ski Equipment:
Participants are required to provide their own skate skiing equipment (skis, boots, and poles). If you would like to rent equipment, we recommend the seasonal rental package from the Raven Lodge.
VIBC Apparel:
To foster a sense of team and belonging to the club, we encourage participants and parents to consider ordering VIBC apparel.
Toques, headbands, neck warmers (buffs), jackets, and pants are available in the unique VIBC design. (They make great Christmas gifts!)
You can view the items by clicking here.
The club plans to submit a group order at a discounted rate in mid- December, so the items will be available for the beginning of the programs, so please express your interest in ordering as soon as possible.
All orders are to be placed through the club, to ensure the best deal possible.
Please contact secretaryvibc@gmail.com to express your interest and/or place an order.
For more details, please visit our apparel page: (click here)
Additional Ski Training:
VIBC encourages all program participants to seek additional ski coaching (including classic technique) outside the biathlon program in order to build the ski skills necessary to be a biathlete.
Our sister club, the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club offers Youth Learn to Ski (ages 10-13) or DEVO team (ages 9-12) programs on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings from 10am -12pm.
Please see the SNSC website for more details www.strathconanordics.com.
Rifles:
Recreational Youth participants are not required to have their own rifle. Rifles are available for rent for the program, and can be done while registering for the program.
Registration:
Recreational Youth participants need to be a member of the Vancouver Island Biathlon Club, as well as Biathlon Canada and Biathlon BC for insurance purposes. Please see the website membership & registration page for details.
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Please see the VIBC registration page for more information (click here).
Medical Information:
Please fill out and return an “Athlete Medical History Form” for each Recreational Youth participant. These forms will be kept confidential and locked up in the biathlon hut.
Fun Races:
The club will host 2 fun races which are included as part of the Recreational Youth program. These races are lots of fun and provide the participant with the opportunity to really put it all together.
Ski Passes:
Athletes are required to have a valid Mt. Washington Alpine Resort trail pass. You may purchase individual day passes, but season passes are generally more economical for the duration of the program. Please see the website for details www.mtwashington.ca.