JHSC Club and Community Nordic Update
Happenings of the JHSC Nordic Program, Trail Creek Nordic Center, and Local Nordic Community
Welcome to the March Edition of “What’s Going On” for the 2024-2025 season!
It has been an amazing month in the Nordic skiing world! JHSC skiers have done a fantastic job racing domestically and abroad, with many qualifying for the upcoming national championships. Trail Creek Nordic Center has had a busy racing and practice schedule, and even the master skiers have had to be on their toes with lots of racing and training opportunities. Read on to find out all the details in this month’s newsletter …
Whew! February was a doozy for the JHSC Nordic Program! The busiest month in the middle of winter never fails to be an absolute whirlwind. This month we traveled to two Nordic Junior National Qualifiers with 40 kids each weekend; had over 150 local community members participate in the Moose Chase; had 36 U14 and younger athletes compete at Intermountain Youth Championships; and had athletes earn podium finishes at Norwegian Junior Nationals! This was just the racing, and we had all programs up and running, with tons of fun had by all at our local Trail Creek Nordic Center! Just in February alone we had athletes race in Lander, West Yellowstone, Laramie, Victor, Sun Valley, Italy, Norway, Cody, and right here in Jackson Hole!
In case you missed it, JHSC athletes Lucas Wilmot and Lena Poduska both raced to top 15 finishes at Junior World Championships in Schilpario, Italy this month! Lucas' 9th place means that he will be on the US Ski Team Development Team next year! Lena and Nate Streubel also represented the USA at Norwegian Junior Nationals in Gjøvik, Norway and had fantastic results, with each reaching the podium in the 10k skate mass start and skate sprint qualifier respectively! Norway is the gold standard for youth skiing, so these are huge accomplishments. They were supported by coach Luna Wasson, who was on the USA staff for the event in Norway. Awesome work!
At the final JNQ of the season we had innumerable amazing performances, which resulted in ten JHSC athletes qualifying for Junior Nationals coming up in Soldier Hollow, UT! Joined by alums Lucas and Peter Warner, we are super excited to bring a very strong team to the event and can't wait to see what the championships will bring!
Last weekend we went over the hill to Intermountain Youth Championships, where our U14 and younger athletes skied to some amazing results! We had podium finishes in almost every age class and gender, which earned JHSC the overall team title as the strongest youth team in Intermountain! Huge congrats to all of our younger skiers for bringing home the win! Most importantly, however, all of the athletes had tons of fun with costumes, glitter, tutus, Hawaiian shirts, and great attitudes! It was special to see everybody supporting their teammates and bringing strong team spirit.
Looking ahead, we will focus on Junior Nationals and Western Club Champs next week, which is the high point of the season for most of our older athletes. After that, we host the final event of the season - Spring Series - right here in Jackson! This is a great sendoff for the year and we are stoked to bring some high level racing to our kids in the valley.
Hang on tight - March is going to be wild! Thanks to everybody in the community for their support and participation in JHSC Nordic!
Head Coach and Nordic Program Director
Lollipoppers
Lollipoppers are loving life! We’ve been practicing agility and building our stamina. We’re familiar with all the trails in the field, as well as the best places to take shortcuts (East Fields). We’re looking forward to finishing the season with costumes and donut relays.
Head Lollipopper Coach
Teewinots
Teewinot Team Full Steam Ahead in February!
After laying down a solid foundation of fundamental classic and skate movement in January, the mighty and motivated Teewinots charged into February with full force. The team embraced the challenge of longer-distance adventures, reaching the far corners of Trail Creek.
February's Teewinot highlight reel was packed with exciting moments. The entire team conquered the summit of Homesite Hill before enjoying the thrilling descent down Nose Dive. The fun didn’t stop there — the Teewinots launched powered jumps and caught some serious air on Faceplant. They also tackled a scavenger hunts and the tricky word scramble this year, with “FLYING SQUIRREL” stumping even the most determined athletes.
Team bonding was in full swing, with tandem skiing and three-legged races building camaraderie among the group. Along the way, the team was delighted by a visit from the Trail Creek Yeti, celebrated Valentine’s Day near Aspen Bump, and crushed agility games like the bamboo forest challenge. But perhaps the most impressive feat of all? A likely record-breaking number of Teewinot Moose Chasers!
Throughout it all, the coaches remain deeply grateful for the light, energy, and humor the kids bring to the program. A huge thank you to all the families who support our incredible Teewinot athletes!.
Head M/W Teewinot Coach
Teewinots were focused on the value of fun this month! They skied around Trail Creek hunting for the Yeti. We celebrated Valentines, tried tandem skiing, played games, and took part in scavenger hunts.
Some of our Teewinots even participated in Intermountain Youth Champs hosted at Mike Harris this weekend. They represented the team playfully wearing some amazing costumes and some race day glitter.
Head T/Th Teewinot Coach
Devo Team
The Devo Team kicked off February with a broad scavenger hunt of Trail Creek, full of FUNky tasks to complete in small teams. Check out the Devo poster in the cabin for the short stories written by the teams! We also had an adventurous Old Pass Road excursion, checked out the jump on Nosedive, geared up for the Moose Chase and IYC races, and had many finishers of the double-pole challenge! The Devo Team represented at the Youth Champs last weekend and all had amazing races, which contributed to JHSC winning the overall championship! We are so stoked for you all!
Kaya Morelli
Development Team Head Coach
Ositos
February was a jam-packed month for the Ositos Team! We skied the most we have skied all season this past month and the kids are really finding their rhythm on the trails! The Ositos celebrated Valentine's all week by adventuring into the aspen bump to collect goodies, showing team love, and enjoying the tradition of Coach Megan’s infamous cookie cake! This all led up to an exciting race day at the Moose Chase where nearly a DOZEN Osito skiers took to the course and skied really hard. The coaches are all super proud of their efforts and had so much fun cheering the Ositos on! We then wrapped up the month with an A to B ski from the end of Old Pass Road back to the cabin via an array of new trails. What a fun month!
Kaya Morelli
Head Ositos Coach
Junior Team
What an incredible month it has been for our team! Our athletes have been racing hard and having a blast along the way. Over the past few weeks, they’ve taken on the Moose Chase, traveled to West Yellowstone and Sun Valley for IMD qualifiers, and competed in the IYC Youth Fest, where they skied strong and represented our team so well. Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club won the Youth Fest and had lots of podium finishes—way to go, team!
At practice, we've been focusing on intervals, building speed, and putting in some solid distance adventure skis, all while refining technique. It’s been amazing to watch the progress, with athletes getting stronger and more confident on their skis.
This group has been such a joy to coach—always working hard, supporting each other, and bringing great energy to every practice. With just two weeks left in the season, we’ll finish strong with more fun and focused training sessions.
A huge thank you to our groomers for keeping the trails in top shape, to all the families for your support and, most importantly, congratulations to our athletes for their dedication and effort this season!
Looking forward to celebrating a fantastic season with all of you. See you on the trails!
Coach George & the Junior Nordic Team
Junior Nordic Team Head Coach
Prep/Comp Team
February has been a busy month for the Prep/Comp team! Our team joined together for more JNQ racing in West Yellowstone and Sun Valley, and also spread far and wide across the world at international races.
The second JNQ of the season in West Yellowstone, MT, featured individual start skate and mass start classic races. The courses were challenging due to their rolling gradual climbs, terrain that allows for very little rest during the race. While we had several podium performances and many strong results, the highlight for this coach was seeing athletes work hard and not give up. Finishing a race and knowing it was your best effort and a new high score for hardest you’ve pushed yourself yet this season is a great accomplishment.
JHSC Comp team skier Lena Poduska made her way to Schilpario, Italy for the World Junior Championships and pre-camp training group in early February. She joined JHSC alum Lucas Wilmot there, as well as the 20 other junior and U23 athletes who qualified for this championship. Lena had a great week of racing at her first Junior World Championships, placing top 25 in her first ever 20k, and top 15 in the 10k skate.
JHSC Comp team skier Nate Streubel traveled to Gjøvik, Norway, for the U18 Trip where he raced in 4 back-to-back days of races with the top junior level skiers in Norway, as well as a deep senior level field. He had several standout performances, and established himself as a strong sprinter in the very high level competition fields, including a 3rd place sprint qualifier result in the Norwegian Junior Championship. This trip gives athletes the opportunity to experience travel to and from Europe, racing in a new country, and adjusting and preparing to perform at a high level as part of Team USA. Lena Poduska also qualified for and attended this trip, providing her the opportunity to get more international race starts. She finished off her winter of international racing with a 3rd place finish in the U18 7.5k skate mass start.
At the end of February the Prep/Comp team traveled to Sun Valley, ID, for the final JNQ of the season. JHSC qualified 10 athletes (plus 2 pre-qualified alums) to Junior Nationals, taking place in Soldier Hollow, UT, March 10-16. Attending athletes are: Jack Mayer, Karsten Bessonette, Matthew Finkel, Walker Dunn, Ellery Preheim, Sam Hutchinson, Nate Streubel, Isabel Warner, Abby Murphy, Lena Poduska, Peter Warner, and Lucas Wilmot.
This February was a big month for the team, with big goals being pursued at home and abroad. We are sharpening our speed and wrapping up our final week of regular training in preparation for Western Club Championships in Park City and Junior Nationals in Soldier Hollow. GO JHSC!
Head Comp/Prep Coach
Nordic Masters
The Masters team wrapped up the season at Trail Creek in early February. With sunny skies and firm conditions skiers explored some new areas out in the woods. February also saw the masters crew leading several clinics designed to help our parents improve their skills. These clinics will be sure to continue next year. As the season ends, we extend special thanks to Kirsys Campbell, Mark Newcomb, and Christian Otto for their invaluable coaching assistance. Thank you as well to all the athletes who participated in our program and helped with its success.
Head Masters Coach
Atten Aronowitz
This month we are fortunate to be able to feature one of our younger up and coming JHSC skiers. Thanks to Coach George for bringing Atten to our attention. Of note, Atten was one of our top finishers at the recently completed Intermountain Division Youth Festival. Read on to hear her great story…
Do you remember when you started skiing?
Between chariots, backpacks and toddler skis, I have been skiing as long as I can remember.
At what age did you start skiing with the Jackson Hole Ski Club program?
I started to ski with the Ski Club when I was in 3rd grade, so, 8 years old on the Teewinot team.
What grade are you in now and where do you go to school?
I am in 8th grade at the Jackson Hole Middle School.
Which of the groups (Lollipoppers, Teewinots, Devos, or Juniors) do you ski in?
I get to ski with the amazing Junior Team, and on Tuesdays I ski with the Prep/Comp Team.
Who are your coaches this year?
My head coach is Coach George. My other coaches are Ben, Kyrsis, and Adam, as well as a few who rotate around.
What is the toughest thing the coaches have made you do this year?
With the Prep team I have been doing lots of intervals. Over winter break we did classic distance intervals at Homesite on a very hilly and windy course. It was very hard, but I learned a lot. On the Junior Team, we did double poling drills up Fence Line which, if you can believe, was not easy.
Have you travelled to any races this year, and if so, which ones?
I have travelled to Soldier Hollow and West Yellowstone so far this year.
Do other people in your family Nordic ski?
Yes, my family loves to Nordic ski. My brother is a hockey player and can skate ski pretty well when he wants to. My dad is my skate buddy and we love to ski distance together. My mom is mainly classic and I love to give her lessons! She is picking up skating too.
Are you getting close to being faster than others in your family?
Yes, my mom and brother were passed when I joined the Junior Team. I surpassed my dad last year and he now says “The gap is widening exponentially.”
Do you do other skiing like Alpine or Backcountry?
I love to downhill ski and I have been into the backcountry a few times, although not regularly. I recently got a tele setup and my dad has started to teach me that, too. I mean it’s not fun to go downhill if you can’t get a workout from it right?
What other sports do you do throughout the year?
I do cross country running, track and field. My events are the mile, 800, and 400, sometimes the 4X4, and I mountain bike.
What is your favorite memory of skiing for JHSC or at Trail Creek?
The real answer is everything. I have loved it since the Teewinot Team to the Junior Team. I love the community and team aspect, my friends, and the sport. I put skis on and enter a different world where I get to completely be myself.
What has been the biggest challenge of your Nordic skiing experiences so far?
Mainly the sport because it can be really demanding. Also, taking care of the skis. I am still learning how to wax them.
What kind of skiing goals do you have for the next few years?
I love Nordic skiing so much. I want to see where that takes me. I have experienced some top 10 finishes in the last 2 years, and a goal would be getting on the podium.
Other than Nordic skiing, what do you like to do?
I love to be outside. I raft, run, bike, ski, backpack. To chill, I like music, reading, and hanging out with my family and friends.
What are your favorite classes in school?
My favorite classes in school this year are history, English, and sustainability.
What else would you like the Nordic community to know about you?
I strive to be a good teammate. I love supporting my teammates and acknowledge their hard work.
Thanks so much, Atten, for being our featured athlete this month. We will anticipate seeing your name at the top of the results in the years to come and wish you the best of luck. You are the amazing kind of athlete that makes it all worthwhile for the coaches!
February has been a huge month in the world of Nordic racing, with races from the local to the world stage having been completed.
Closest to home, on February 15th was a great Skinny Skis Moose Chase Race at Trail Creek, with well over 100 racers coming together on a great course for a fun day of racing. With local racers from around age 3 to 70+, it was truly a fantastic day of Nordic camaraderie. Full results can be viewed on this page.
Intermountain Division racing had a chock full month of skiing with Junior Qualifier #2 February 8th-9th at West Yellowstone, MT, followed by the Junior Qualifier #3 February 22nd-23rd in Sun Valley, ID. The full season results have now been tabulated and are available at this link on the IMD Nordic website. Lena Poduska and Nate Streubel also tested their skills in the international scene, putting in some fine times racing in Europe.
With the season wrapping up, the Intermountain Division Team members that are heading to Junior Nordic Nationals in Soldier Hollow, Utah coming up in March have been set. JHSC skiers on the team include Jack Mayer, Karsten Bessonette, Matthew Finkel, Walker Dunn, Ellery Preheim, Sam Hutchinson, Nate Streubel, Isabel Warner, Abby Murphy, Lena Poduska, Peter Warner, and Lucas Wilmot. If you add those up and no one has been missed, that makes for 12 current and former JHSC skiers qualifying for the short trip to Utah to compete in the Junior National Competition.
Wyoming High School racing had a busy month, with a meet in Casper on February 7-8 and Cody February 14-15 before wrapping up the 2024-25 season with State Championships at Happy Jack Nordic Center near Laramie on February 28th-March 1st. Results are available on this High Plains Nordic website.
Finally, master skiers have had lots of opportunities this month with the Boulder Mountain Tour February 1st, the previously mentioned Moose Chase February 15th, and the American Birkebeiner February 19th-23rd.
February was the busiest month of the year at Trail Creek, with the trails being devoured by a full complement of JHSC youth programs (Lollipoppers, Teewinots, Devos, Juniors, Prep, and Comp skiers), the Coombs Foundation Ositos, JHSC Masters, and local elementary school winter sport programs. Throw in a Moose Chase and you have what has been an amazing month. Thanks to all who have a part in making things happen!
While the lion/lamb thing is usually applied to March, this year February came in a like a lion with steady and heavy snowfall but wrapped up with lots of bluebird days and great skiing throughout the month. Our nearby snow reporting station, Phillips Bench, was sitting basically at average as February wrapped up. The extended forecast heading into March calls for continued cool conditions and lots of snow, so skiing should remain good for some time.
Moose and elk sightings have kind of switched this month, with more moose and just a small band of elk making their dainty tracks on the trails. Foxes, coyotes, and pine marten tracks have been spotted, and a good crop of birds have been gracing our skies as well.
Looking ahead into March, JHSC skiing will continue, with most of the JHSC youth programs wrapping up sometime the week of March 17th and Prep/Comp skiers possibly on Trail Creek snow until the end of the month. The season finishes with the International Spring Series FIS race March 29th- April 2nd. General grooming is scheduled to continue to March 31st depending on snow, which now looks likely unless a huge heat wave comes our way. Be sure to get out and enjoy our great skiing this month!
The Skinny Skis WYDAHO Nordic Race Series finishes its season on March 15th at Trail Creek. The event begins at 10 AM with ½, 2.5, 5, and 10 K race courses. This will be the culmination of the ski race series that has included the Targhee Tune Up, Betty Woolsey Classic, Teton Ridge Classic, Spud Chase, Pinedale Stampede, and Moose Chase. Whether you have participated in any, all, or none, be sure to mark your calendar for this one. It should be a fun day.
If you truly are a glutton for punishment, head to the Upper Green River Valley March 14th-16th for the Drift Races. Distances of 13, 28, and 100 miles are open for people wanting to propel themselves with their own power on snow over distances ranging to unfathomable.
On March 8th a great group of JHSC skiers will depart to Soldier Hollow, UT for the USSA XC Junior Nationals 2025 Soldier Hollow March 8-15, 2025. This should be a fantastic race in a lovely place at a beautiful time of the year.
Finally, there is still time to register and get tickets to Norway for the granddaddy of all the ultra-Nordic races, the Birkebeinerrennet, March 16, 2024. This bucket list event allows you to ski around 50-60 kilometers through some amazing Scandinavian terrain amongst skiers from all over the world. What an amazing thing to do for those so inclined!
Keep those skis waxed and keep on skiing! Click on this link 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! If you know someone who likes to Nordic ski, encourage them to become members or to pay the day pass, either online or placing check or cash in the money box.
Thanks so much to the skiers and sponsors who make this all possible, with an extra special thanks to our season pass holders: David Adams, the Bitzer Family, the Brigham Family, Lori Cahn, Patricia Campbell, John and Nancy Lee Clegg, Broughton Coburn, the Curtis-Randol Family, the Curtis-Adams Family, Pam Cutler, Jake Elkins, Tirzah Ellis, Lori Fields, Kylie Fletcher, Bob Gordon, the Gotham Family, the Gross Family, Martin Hagen, the Halaby Family, Francesca Hammer, Ann Harvey, Tilly Hoath, Cynthia Hogan, Katy Hollbacher, Laurie Huff, Maggie Hunt and family, Nancy Johnstone, Pete Karns, Jessi Knori, Stephen Koch, Maddie Krasula, Ted Larsen, Adam Loo, the MacWilliams Family, Virginia Mahood, Ann Makley, Kelly Milligan, the Muromcew Family, Rob Murphy, the Newcomb Household, the O’Brien Family, the Ohmart Family, Cypress Ohmart, Jacqueline Oldham, William Oliphant, the Olsson Family, Chris Peck, the Sehnert Family, Emiline Shuptrine, the Spangler/Yeo Family, Angus Spankie, the Springer Family, Carson Stanwood, the Stiles Family, the Thal Family, the Thomas-White Family, the Trenton Family, Brian VanHatten, Allison VonMaur, Stori Weenig, Malcolm Welch, the Wheeler Family, Erich Wilbrecht, Pete Wiswell, and Sita Jo Yeomans.
Thanks to our amazing staff! Will Wicherski, Luna Wasson, Jon Filardo, Ben Morley, George Cartwright, Kaya Morelli. Adam Meyer, Johnny Springer, Christian Otto, Matt Wiseman, Charlotte Cadow, Tyra (JT) Wynn, Annabel Hagen, Megan Tattersall, Miles Yazzolino, Libby Hall, Kirsys Campbell, Adam Fabrikant, Ezra Smith, Trisha Mayers, Lizzie Johnson, Sevi Hagen, Adam Meyer, Stephanie Thomas, Amelia Mayer, Bill Mayer, Andie Cornish, Elena Breed, Rob Murphy, Scott Horn, Brent Peacock, Nancy Leon, Chloe Stines, Dori Sinclair, Axel Klomparens, Andie Cornish, Elsie Hall, and Sydney Wilmot.
Thank you to the multitude of youth athletes, whose dedication and support make this program possible, and for whom this program is designed!
A special thanks to Jackson Hole Nordic for being a strong supporter of our programs.
