Biathlon Bears – Vancouver Island Biathlon Club

Winter Session

Please check the VIBC Club Calendar (click here) for lesson dates for each program.

Biathlon Bears can choose from one of the following 3 weekend lesson times:

Saturdays mornings, 9:30am – 12:00pm + optional group ski from 12 to 1pm

Sundays mornings, 9:30am – 12:00pm + optional group ski from 12pm to 1pm

Sundays afternoons, 11:30am ski lesson + optional group ski from 12pm to 1pm + shooting lesson 1:15pm – 2:30pm.

Click here to find out more about how to register!

Program fee includes: 8 Lessons and 2 Fun Club Races. (10 sessions in total)

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…)

– Morning programs will start with a shooting lesson, and follow this up with the mid-day ski lesson and group ski. (Program timing: 9:30am to 1:00pm)

Typical Morning Lesson format:

9:30am – 10:00am – Range setup
10:00am – 11:15am – Shooting lesson
11:15am – 11:30am – snack break, clean rifles, and transition to skiing
11:30am – 12:00pm – FUNdamentals Ski Technique lesson
12:00am – 1:00pm – Club group ski (optional)

Typical Afternoon 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 slightly different, depending on the lesson plan and/or weather conditions.)

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.

Program Overview

The Biathlon Bears program is directed at cross country skiers aged 9 to 13 who have at least one or more years of skiing experience, and who wish to continue their skill development through the exciting and challenging sport of biathlon.

This program teaches the basic skills of biathlon in a safe and fun environment through a variety of drills, games and relays. The goal of the program is to build confidence with skiing and shooting skills and to provide a fun introduction to a fantastic and challenging sport.

There is one Biathlon Range session per week which focuses on developing marksmanship skills and putting it all together with ski skills in order to compete recreationally in biathlon with program co-participants at club fun races or at a higher level if they so choose. Important gains in marksmanship skills, aerobic fitness, ski specific sport skills and social developments at this stage in biathlon will help to develop the mental skills, focus, and discipline needed for success later on in life.

Though safety is our top priority, fun is the main focus of this program.

Parent Support

Biathlon Bears sessions are high-energy and a lot of fun to be around!

You are invited to stay for the lessons and learn more about the sport of biathlon yourself in the process.

With our focus on fun and safety, the Bears program operates with a high coach-to-athlete ratio. However, biathlon is a volunteer-intensive sport and as a result some parent involvement is essential for each lesson in order to make this program successful.

All parents are asked to help with the range set-up and clean-up each week.

All parents are asked to stay for the first session, to get an orientation to the range and hut, and participate in the very important rifle safety education.

Parents of first time Bears participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions with their child(ren), to ensure they are using the rifle and range safely.

All parents are asked to support at least 2 of the sessions, in whichever role(s) suit(s) you best:

Assisting with Skiing (join the group on the trails)
Assisting on the Range (loading magazines, helping with rifles, scoping shots, monitoring safety, etc). This is a great way to watch the kids practice and familiarize yourself with the biathlon range.
Hut Helper (bringing a healthy snack for the group, making hot chocolate in the hut for snack time, washing the mugs after snack time, stoking the woodstove, helping cold/tired athletes, etc)

Due to the nature of our local club races, parents are asked to help out on race day as well.

Parents must register through Biathlon Canada as a Volunteer in the Biathlon BC section in order to be covered by insurance for your time on and around the range.

Parents are also encouraged to take club sponsored coaching or officiating courses to better assist your child in their success in the program. We are always looking for more parents to assist the Head Coach. If you are interested in coaching on a regular or drop-in basis (skiing or shooting or both) please let us know and we can provide you with details.

Medical Information:

Please fill out and return an “Athlete Medical History Form” for each Bear participant.

These forms will be kept confidential and locked up in the biathlon hut.

Snacks and Water:

Please ensure Bears bring their own snack and water.

Recommended Clothing:

Staying warm and dry is crucial to having fun. The weather conditions will vary throughout the season so it is important to be prepared for the conditions each week.

We ask Bears (and parents) to dress suitably for the weather.

It is always better to have extra pairs of items in case it is wet or very cold so the athletes can change during the break, or at the end of the session, into something dry and warm. Spare/dry items can be kept in the hut for the duration of the session.

We do recommend each athlete have a pair of gloves appropriate for shooting (i.e. warm, but thin enough to fit into the trigger guard).

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 Bears 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 here:

http://shop.jakroo.ca/Vancouver-Island-Biathlon-2015-16

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:

http://vibiathlon.ca/wp/index.php/apparel/

Additional Ski Training:

VIBC encourages Bears participants to seek additional ski coaching (including classic technique) outside the Biathlon Bears program in order to build the ski skills necessary to be a biathlete.

Our sister club, the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club offers Jackrabbits (ages 4-9+), 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:

For training and learning purposes, Bears often share rifles during lessons. This also allows athletes to stay warm by alternating between skiing and shooting.

Bears 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:

Bears 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. Bears aged 12 and under can select a Recreational level membership with Biathlon Canada and still compete at BC Cup races. Bears 13 years and older who wish to compete at BC Cup races must select the JR Boy/Girl membership category.

Note: for Bears program participants that will not be using the range outside of lessons/programs, you do not require an Annual Range Pass.

Competitions:

The club will host 2 fun races which are included as part of the Bears program. These races are lots of fun and provide the participant with the opportunity to really put it all together.

In addition, we encourage all Bears who are interested in attending with their families, to join the club at the Biathlon BC Cup race at the Whistler Olympic Park. A typical race weekend for a BC Cup series consists of two races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday in slightly different race formats. There will be coach support available for Bears participants at this race.

Ski Passes:

Bears 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.

Biathlon Bears Badges:

Biathlon Canada has developed a fun and motivating program for the Biathlon Bears program. This includes the opportunity of athletes to work towards receiving Skill and Merit badges for the skiing and shooting abilities.

If you have any questions about anything in this information package, please talk with your Coach, or send and email to the VIBC Program Director Jonathan at vibcprogrammer@gmail.com