JHSC Club and Community Nordic Update

Happenings of the JHSC Nordic Program, Trail Creek Nordic Center, and Local Nordic Community

Welcome to the February Edition of “What’s Going On” for the 2025-2026 season!

It’s full steam ahead at the Jackson Hole Ski Club Nordic program and Trail Creek Nordic Center! Our nine core teams, along with two elementary school programs, are out in full force—racing, jumping, gliding, and making the most of every inch of snow.

While the trails are buzzing every day, Monday and Wednesday are our peak times, with a slightly more relaxed pace on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.  The weekly schedule is below.

After a slow start to the season JHSC Nordic has ramped up significantly in January.  We have had an absolutely massive January with lots of fun had by all age groups, and tons of participation in the Nordic program!  We have been going full on with all of our age groups including Lollipoppers, Teewinots, Devos, Ositos, Juniors, Prep, Comp, Parents, Masters, Colter & Wilson Winter Sports, and more!  Trail Creek has been extremely well-used every day with lots of people out skiing around during the dry weather. 

That same dry weather has led to cancellations and movements of many regional and local races, including the Betty Woolsey Classic and other events.  However, Trail Creek is holding snow better than almost everywhere else in the intermountain west, so we are hosting events that would have gone to other clubs and organizations.  We just hosted a great weekend of Wyoming High School racing that was supposed to be in Cody which gave many local athletes a chance to race at home for free, and the big event we picked up is the Junior National Qualifier that was supposed to be in Boise which will now be at Trail Creek on February 7th and 8th. The weekend after that will be the Moose Chase, a super fun community event where EVERYBODY can participate no matter your age or ability.  We have distances and opportunities for everyone, no matter your level. 

Looking further ahead, the team will travel to Montana for the final JNQ of the season followed by Junior National Championships in Cable, Wisconsin.  We are definitely going to send a strong squad and the conditions there look great, since they have been stealing all our snow this winter.  We are going to have a big February ahead, so get ready for the heart of winter to arrive!  Now all we need is more snow...everybody keep your fingers crossed and do your snow dances!

Will Wicherski

Nordic Program Director & Head Coach

Lollipoppers

Lollipoppers began their Nordic skiing journey in early January and are off to an incredible start. For the first two weeks, we skied without poles—learning that we don’t actually need them most of the time. We practiced falling down and getting back up, gliding, and heading down small hills with confidence.

We’ve since graduated to poles and are heading on longer and longer adventures into the magic of Trail Creek. Along the way, we’re learning herringbone, using “rocket ship” poles to help us move forward, and bending our knees while skiing downhill.

Of course, there’s been plenty of fun and games—and we even had one Lollipopper lose her very first tooth at the top of Beaver Pond Hill this week!

At its heart, being a Lollipopper is about having fun, making new friends, enjoying the beautiful outdoors, and moving our bodies. We’re doing all of that—and more. The kids love it when you wave to them in the woods or stop to say hello, so feel free to join us for a moment of fun anytime. You’re always welcome.

Steph Thomas

Head Lollipopper Coach

Teewinots

The Teewinots have been having an absolute blast out on snow these past few weeks. Our practices have been filled with lots of games, adventure skiing, and time to explore — and it’s been really fun to watch the kids get to know each other better. Many new friendships have formed, and the group energy has been awesome to see as they ski, laugh, and explore together.

Along the way, we’ve been building strong fundamental ski skills through play. We’ve played games like soccer on skis, What Time Is It Mr. Wolf, Captain, Captain, Can We Cross the River, Squirrel and Nuts, and Red Light, Green Light. We’ve worked on balancing on one ski, rotated through fun skill stations, and introduced some basic skate skills like V2 technique on gentle uphill terrain. Our favorite adventures have taken us to Sam the Truck, Woolsey Woods, Nose Dive, Cle’s Climb, and plenty of trips up and down Grunt — a favorite — where the kids have become noticeably more confident and comfortable skiing downhill on their skis. A few exciting moose sightings made things even more memorable, along with lots of moose stories shared along the way. It’s been a great balance of learning, movement, and fun, and we’re looking forward to many more adventures ahead.

Julia Richter

Head Teewinot Coach

Devos

January was a fun-filled, skill-building month for Devo Team skiers! We mixed lots of movement and laughter into practices with games like Tractor Relays, Disappearing Steps, Fox and Squirrels, North Wind, Chase the Rabbit, and Nordic Jump Rope. Skiers also rotated through technique skill stations, focusing on fundamentals of balance, body position, pole use and efficient movement. Throughout the month, skiers brought great energy, a willingness to try new skills and a positive team attitude to every practice.

Adventure skiing was a big highlight as we explored many Trail Creek favorites: Woolsey Woods, Homesite Hill & Nose Dive, Black Hole, Son of Gut Flop, Sam the Truck and Mugs Meadow. These outings challenged skiers to adapt to new terrain and refine developing skills while building confidence and teamwork.

With awesome support from volunteer David Hugo and Coach Will Wicherski, we introduced laser rifle biathlon in January - a cool opportunity for all the kids to try something new and exciting while combining skiing with focus and precision. We’re looking forward to some February racing at the Moose Chase and many more skinny ski adventures!

Libby Hall

Head Devo Coach

Junior Team

The Junior Nordic squad has been absolutely cooking lately. We’ve been putting in the work at practice, sending it on skis, running practice races at Trail Creek, locking in technique, and yes- gaming hard with lots of games. Big skis, big effort, big fun energy all around.

This group is fully locked in. Athletes are meshing, supporting each other, hyping teammates mid-workout, and just being good humans. The team chemistry is elite-tier, and it’s honestly been a blast coaching such a solid group of kids. The vibes? Immaculate.

We rolled down to Soldier Hollow and the athletes understood the assignment. They raced hard and threw down against skiers from all over the western U.S., and the results were straight-up electric. Confidence was high, effort was maxed, and the team showed they belong in the mix.

Now we’re looking ahead to February racing, and the momentum is very real. More races, more progress, more fun, and more chances to keep leveling up.

Thanks for all the support—hope to catch you out on the trails (IRL, not just in spirit).

Coach George & the Junior Nordic Team

Ositos

Ositos is off to such a great start. Full days of belly laughs, hill adventures, and games in the stadium. The kids have jumped right into classic skiing, and we’re so excited to introduce some skate skiing this week.

When we asked the kids what Ositos means to them, they said: “fun-ness, happiness, being outside with the people that mean a lot to you, exploring, nature, meeting friends, and love.”

Hearing their words reminds us that Ositos is so much more than skiing, and we’re so grateful to be part of a space where movement, laughter, and connection lead the way. We’re excited to keep learning, building confidence, growing, and exploring together as the season unfolds.

Megan Tattersall

Head Ositos Coach

Prep/Comp Team

The Prep/Comp team has been eagerly awaiting the first big race of our season, the first Junior National Qualifier at Soldier Hollow. With the weather pushing the start of racing to late January, everyone has had more time to train and prepare for racing, but with the addition of some nerves and anticipation for returning to racing. On Jan. 22, the team loaded up the vans and drove south to Soldier Hollow, UT, for the first JNQ of the season, which was also the "super qualifier" that brought together athletes from across the entire western region as well as a western Collegiate race. This is always a great event with tons of racers (~700!) but this year it felt extra exciting to be our season opener. 

Soldier Hollow created a great 2.5k loop of man made snow with perfect firm, fast skiing for our races. The team did a Classic sprint on Friday and a Skate individual distance race Saturday. JHSC athletes showed up strong for the first race weekend of the season, demonstrating strength, focus, and toughness in extremely competitive races. Most impressively, the team displayed big support for one another, cheering for teammates while spectating and offering to help coaches load and unload gear. 

Overall, it was a great display of character and performance for this team and made coaches very excited for what the remainder of the season has in store. In the Classic sprint, Addison Masselink placed 3rd for U14's, U18's Walker Dunn and Matthew Finkel qualified for the sprint quarterfinals, as did U16's Tommy Johnson and Olin Hugo. In the Skate distance, Walker Dunn was the top U18 in IMD, with Ellery Preheim, Jack Mayer, Matthew Finkel, Charlie Von Maur-Newcomb and Karsten Bessonette landing top 20's. Atten Aronowitz was top-10 in IMD in her first U16 distance race, and Dane Stanley and Olin Hugo also placed top 20 in the U16 skate distance. 

The team is looking forward to hosting the next JNQ here at Trail Creek Feb. 8-9 and continuing the season after a great start to racing!

Luna Wasson

Head Coach and Nordic Program Director

Nordic Masters

The JHSC Recreational Masters team had a great January, skiing Teton Pines and Trail Creek. Skiers practiced fundamentals at Teton Pines, played games, and did some distance skiing. At Trail Creek we practiced our hill techniques and refreshed our knowledge of the different gears for skate skiing. Skiers also explored the terrain in the woods and skied out to Sam the Truck.  So far this year, beautiful sunny days have been the norm for our sessions; hopefully that will change this week.

The midday team is wrapping up practice in early February, but the master's crew will continue to offer parent clinics at 4:00 on some Wednesdays. These short clinics cover technique, equipment, waxing, and any other questions that are holding back your Nordic skiing. Look for an announcement about new dates in the upcoming weeks.

Rob Murphy

Nordic Masters Head Coach

While we have a fantastic group of coaches working in our Nordic programs, one coach that seems to go the extra mile is Leah Mowry.  Almost always with a smile on her face, and usually surrounded by a group of happy kids, Leah is a real asset to the JHSC Nordic program.  She has agreed to be our featured coach this month, read on and discover her fascinating story.

Where did you grow up and where did you ski growing up?

I grew up in Peru, Vermont, a small town in the southern part of the state, home of Olympians Bill Koch and Sophie Caldwell, a breeding ground for Nordic skiers. My local ski area was called Wild Wings Ski Touring Center. When I began skiing there, they were a classic-only center. Then, when I was in high school, they made a brand new skate trail and began grooming some of the other trails wider for skating as well. 

At what age did you start skiing?

I started skiing from a very young age, around 3 or 4. 

What is your history of Nordic skiing up to this point in your life?

I joined the Bill Koch League as a Lollipopper, took a couple year hiatus, and then picked it up again in fourth grade. And I’ve been racing ever since. Most of the kids I grew up around were Nordic skiers, so I mostly took up skiing for the social aspects. I began to get more serious about skiing in high school, training in the summer with Stratton Mountain School, and putting in the work at ski practices. I went on to Middlebury College to race for their club Nordic team, which raced on the Division III circuit. I became President of the club my sophomore year, and stayed in that role until graduation. I watched the club go from a handful of members to over forty students excited to race to some extent. The Nordic club was the place I felt most at home at Middlebury, where most of my friendships began, and where I felt I made the most impact on the college and local community. 

Does your family ski?

Yes, my parents are both avid Nordic skiers. They began Nordic skiing more and more as I grew into the sport, and now it is their primary form of recreation in the winter. They probably ski more than I do these days. 

Do you have any memorable races from your high school or college days?

Definitely! In my junior year of college I was racing a skiathlon at Sleepy Hollow Inn in Vermont. We skied 5k classic and then transitioned to skate. I was leading the race from about the 1k mark, and feeling the adrenaline of leading the pack. On the final climb to the finish, one of my skis fell off as I was skiing. It slid back down the hill with me hobbling after it. I got passed by a few people, and finished a little bit disappointed. Sooooo, in the following year, January 2025, our first race of the season was the same race, and I was determined to win. I was coming off an altitude training block here in Jackson and at Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, feeling good about my fitness. I took the lead in the very beginning of the race, and ended up finishing with about a two minute lead. It was a really exciting way to enter my final season of college racing, and felt like a great culmination of my Nordic ski racing career. 

Where do you like to ski when you aren’t at Trail Creek?

I love skiing on the park road in GTNP, especially these days when it’s always sunny! I’ve also found a lot of joy in the winter wonderland that is Upper Cache Creek right in town. 

 Have you ever coached before working for JHSC?

I coached for the Bill Koch League (youth) skiers in high school, and then coached 3rd through 5th grade girls through the Stride foundation while I was at Middlebury. In my role as the club president, I also played a coaching role for my college team in terms of building training plans, organizing travel/race logistics, and teaching newer skiers. 

What is your educational background?

I got my bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Middlebury, with a minor in Sustainable Food Systems. This year I’ve started working towards my coaching certifications, getting my Level 1 this past fall. 

 Do you have other work for the off season?

The past two summers I’ve been working as a field educator at Teton Science Schools. 

How often do you ski now?

Besides the days I’m coaching, I try to get out to ski as much as I can. Unfortunately, I’ve skied less this winter than ever before, probably due to the lack of free time and uninspiring snow. 

What groups are you coaching now?

This year I’m coaching the Development Team, which is mostly 4th/5th graders, and the Ositos, which is the JHSC program in partnership with Coombs. 

What days of the week do these programs ski?

The Devo team practices on Monday and Wednesday, and the Ositos practice on Tuesday and Thursday.

What or who turned you onto skiing in your youth?

I think I was turned onto skiing in my youth by the community I grew up in. Everyone was excited to get outside, goof around on skis, and encourage you at races. I would say my most influential coach as a kid was John Ogden, Olympian Ben Ogden’s father. He was fun, knowledgeable, and believed in my future in the sport. I still think of his words of wisdom as I ski today. 

What is your favorite memory of skiing for JHSC or at Trail Creek?

My favorite memory skiing with JHSC is probably last year as a Lollipopper coach. I remember pulling cute kids in snowsuits through the field with my poles, hearing their laughter and shrieks behind me. Skiing at Trail Creek on a Monday or Wednesday, when all the teams are practicing, is one of the most encouraging and heart-warming sights. The skiers littering the trails and shouting out with joy are irreplaceable. 

 What is the biggest challenge of being a coach?

This year, the biggest challenge of coaching has been capturing the attention of 30-40 kids at once, and figuring out how to accommodate all of their needs. There is a lot of energy that embarks on Trail Creek every afternoon, and our challenge is to direct that energy into fun and productive skiing. 

Do you have a “coaching philosophy?” 

My coaching philosophy revolves around doing whatever I can to make sure athletes have fun, gain confidence in themselves, and foster a lifelong love of skiing. I’ve watched too many amazing skiers burn out racing in high school or college, losing all interest in the sport they once loved. My goal is for skiing to empower athletes and make it something they can look forward to doing for the rest of their lives. 

Any other thoughts you would like to share with the local Nordic community?

Don’t forget how lucky you are to live in this beautiful place with so much access to skiing right out your backdoor. It’s truly a special spot to be! And Nordic trails are meant to be a place for community… always say hello, be courteous, and take care of each other out there. 

Thanks so much Leah, best wishes for the rest of the season!

January has been a very busy racing month for IMD, High School, and citizen racing.  The month began with US Nordic Nationals in Lake Placid, NY, where Coach Filardo took a small crew that put in some respectable results.  Our Prep/Comp team and most Juniors then headed to Soldier Hollow for the first IMD Junior National Qualifier of the year with results available on page 1and page 2.

High school racers haven’t been letting dust settle on their skis either, with a meet January 3^rd and 4^th in Pinedale, the first ever race at Sheridan January 10^th and 11^th in the Bighorns, and a meet in Lander on January 24^th and 25^th.  The results are available on this website.

Regional citizen Nordic races included the Teton Ridge Classic and the Pinedale Stampede. 

Lots of racing for our local Nordic skiers!

The 2025-2026 season was a little slow to start, but seemed to be on a track similar to recent years. When precipitation finally began to arrive in December, the bizarre thing was that instead of snow, we were often just below the snow line and received rain.  The regular precipitation continued into January, thankfully becoming mostly snow in the New Year; however, since January 9^th the snow has mostly stopped, resulting in challenging conditions for Nordic skiing in many areas of the valley.

At Trail Creek thankfully the good base that was built, combined with the cool temperatures that followed through the dry spell, have resulted in some quite nice skiing conditions for most of the month.  Going forward we are once again teased by extended forecasts, promising ample precipitation, so hopefully it arrives and allows a full and fantastic season.

The good skiing we have been fortunate to experience has supported all the JHSC programs which have been on the snow this month.  This means afternoons, especially Mondays and Wednesdays, have been very busy.  There has also been a good crowd of skiers from the community on many days, as evidenced by lots of tracks.

If you really do not like skiing in moose tracks, then this winter has been to your liking, as the local moose population is somewhat lower than in the past, possibly because of the mild winter.  While tracks can be found most days, the density is definitely lower, and sightings have been fewer.  The resident elk herd has returned this winter, although their numbers seem to be down from last year.  Most of their forays onto our trails are at night, so sightings of them are quite rare. The squirrels have seemed to enjoy the moderate temperatures with sightings possible on any day.  In the predator department foxes, coyotes, and pine martens have all been sighted in the past month.

There is still racing ahead, with the second IMD Nordic qualifier moved to Trail Creek from Bogus Basin on February 7^th and 8^th, Skinny Skis Moose Chase Nordic Ski Race on February 14^th and the International Spring Series Race in early April. Be sure to get your registration in for the Moose Chase.  It should be a great Nordic day!

February started off with the Boulder Mountain Tour in Idaho on February 1^st.  Citizen racing continues with the Moose Chase here at Trail Creek February 15^th. The American Birkebeiner is February 22^nd in Wisconsin, an event which usually draws a number of local skiers in addition to the tens of thousands of skiers from around the world.

IMD racing continues with the third and final qualifier in Sun Valley, Idaho February 22^nd and 23^rd.  IMD younger skiers will be able to have a fantastic time at the Intermountain Youth Championships in Victor, Idaho March 1^st and 2^nd, and then our fastest skiers will be back at Soldier Hollow for Junior Nationals March 8-14.

Opportunities abound to ski or spectate in the busy month ahead, so get those skis waxed and be ready to keep on skiing!  Click here or on the image below to go to the full calendar, complete with clickable links.

Thanks so much to the skiers and sponsors who make this all possible, with an extra special thanks to our season pass holders! 

Thanks to our amazing staff!

Thank you to the multitude of youth athletes, for whom this program is designed and would be impossible without their dedication and support!

A special thanks to Jackson Hole Nordic for being a strong supporter of our programs.