You are here
Elm Creek Sunday SkiSparks
Primary tabs
Location
This club is full. Please add your name to the waiting list by filling out this form.
Many other clubs still have openings. Please register for an alternative club. We will contact you if space becomes available and can transfer your membership.
Welcome to Elm Creek SkiSparks
Ski for Fun. Ski for Sport. Ski for Life!!
2021 Schedule and location **NEW START DATE Feb 7, 2021 In Person**
MYSL Elm Creek will meet for 8 Sundays beginning with our first meeting Sunday, Feb 7*, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Our last week of club meeting may be Sunday March 7th. (**Parking is tricky, but there are shuttles, please plan for this in your timing!) Virtual Mini-Lessons will roll out to you in January put together by our wonderful Junior Coaches!
The club will have a staggered start schedule so that no more than 25 MYSL people are starting at one time. Health screenings will be in place, but we are asking parents and guardians to monitor the health of your skiers before you consider coming to a session. I will have the schedule set before week one. Likely, my older skiers will check in first and have the longest ski time.
(*SNOW PERMITTING: if we have snow or if it's been cold enough to make snow. We need the 2.5k loop ready to have our group start.)
**Schedule: Virtual in January; In Person: 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 3/7
With the Pandemic Pause on Sports, these are the new dates. I added back in Feb 7 (Superbowl Sunday) We will still have the planned break "Birkie Weekend" (Feb 28)
Elm Creek Park Reserve 12400 James Deane Parkway, Maple Grove, MN 55369
HEALTH SCREENING
Health Screening will be completed each week, but I can not emphasize enough how much your help on this is needed. Monitor your health and the health of your skiers. Do not show up if you've have a known direct exposure to someone with COVID-19. Take vitamin D, get lots of regular rest and use safe health practices. Take care of yourselves just as we coaches will do for our families! We want to see you ski happy!
Weather and cancellation policy
We will not ski if the air temperature is below -2˚ F or the wind chill is below -10˚ F, or at the leader’s discretion. Because the little kids ski out in the open, wind is a big factor at Elm Creek. Always check the website or email elmcreek@mysl.org with questions. Cancellations will be posted on this Web page as well as the MYSL - Elm Creek SkiSparks Facebook page.
"There is no bad weather, just bad clothing"
Children should be dressed in layers. A moisture wicking under layer, an insulating layer, and a wind proof layer are typically appropriate. Please use your discretion noting your child’s activity level and the outside temperature/wind chill. Often a winter jacket and snow pants or a snowsuit can be too warm once the child gets skiing unless they are young and in the beginner group. “Wool is wonderful. Cotton is rotten!”
Equipment and Passes
Elm Creek has a rentals available at the Chalet.
NOTE: Three Rivers Parks is working out a rental system where you may be able to purchase your rental packages online in advance... I will roll that info out to you as soon as I have it.
We also have 12 sets of rentals skis alotted to our club through MYSL. That info is available on on the registration page.
Trail Passes are not required for children 11 years old and younger. Ages 12 and up (skiing parents/coaches as well) need to purchase passes. Daily $9* or seasonal $80.65 for the first in the household ($40.33 each additional). The annual passes are good at ALL Three Rivers parks ski trails. (*subject to update on daily trail pass price.)
MYSL Ski Swap Sale is set for Saturday November 14th details found here: https://www.mysl.org/events/skiswap
Levels and age guidelines are as follows:
New Guidelines for Level Sign Ups this year!!
New Level Assignments
Level 1 (Classic) Ages 4 and 5: Beginning Skiers (Ski Chaperone REQUIRED sign up as a volunteer SWEEPER)
Level 2 (Classic) Ages 6-8: Completed Level 1; Beginners in this age range; Skiers who can walk on skis and get up independently
Level 3 (Classic) Ages 7-10: Completed Level 2; Beginners in this age range; Skiers who can sidestep up a hill, glide gently down hills and use poles
Level 3* (Classic) Ages 11-14; Beginners in this age range
Level 4 (Classic) Ages 8-14; Completed Level 3; Skiers have learned classic ski technique, have good use of poles and are comfortable on hills. These skiers go out on trail right away.
Level 5 (Skate) Ages 9-14; Completed Level 4 and are ready to learn skate skiing; Skiers who are advanced in Classic Skiing
Level 6 (Skate) Ages 11-14; Completed Level 5; Know basic skate ski techniques; Ready to go out on trail right away.
More about skill levels here: http://mysl.org/skill-levels. Questions about levels? Contact us at elmcreek@mysl.org
Communications
We will be communicating with Elm Creek MYSL families via email. We need valid emails for all. When you register please include a contact e-mail address. You would be contacted for the following reasons:
1. In the event we cancel because of weather or snow isn't ready at Elm Creek
2. To clear up any questions we may have about your registration.
3. To be given periodic updates with news and information about MYSL.
MYSL is on Facebook! You can “like” the MYSL page to get general announcements, photos and videos from each of the MYSL club. https://www.facebook.com/MYSL-Elm-Creek-SkiSparks-221703068373096/?ref=bookmarks
Need to contact us? Email us at elmcreek@mysl.org
Volunteering
This is a volunteer run club. The success and affordability of this program comes directly from your contributions of time, energy, and talent. By registering for this club, you are committing to the club’s success and are agreeing to volunteer.
Level 1 skiers will need to be accompanied by an adult. Coaching at level 1 is a great way to accompany your child. We are also in very great need of coaches for all levels 1-6. Please consider coaching as it is our number one need! You do not necessarily need to coach at your child’s level.
Following are some suggested areas of volunteer service:
Coaching:
We really need your help! This is our biggest need and is one of the most rewarding ways in which you can help the club. Kids get more out of the program when the coach-to-kid ratio is low, and coaches need not be experienced skiers to volunteer. The MYSL program makes it easy for a coach to know what to do. An eight week curriculum has been prepared for every class level and each day's lesson is printed on a card that can be carried in your pocket. The pocket guide also provides many helpful tips and games to keep classes enjoyable and interesting. You do not have to be an elite level skier to be a coach. All you need is a desire to help kids and have fun. Contact us at elmcreek@mysl.org to sign up.
Junior Coaches:
High-school aged skiers, we need you! We rely heavily on high school volunteers, who are fun, friendly and in far better shape than most of us. Coaching for Elm Creek MYSL qualifies as a service commitment for NHS. Think about how great this will look on a college application! Contact us at elmcreek@mysl.org to sign up.
Assistant and Sub Coaches:
As an assistant coach, you can support a coach by accompanying the group on the trails and helping skiers (sometimes known as “Sweepers”). If you feel like your skiing level is at the same level as the level your kids are signed up for, you would be a fantastic assistant coach! You are not in charge of the instruction, rather you are there to make sure the kids are safe, have an adult to bring them to the bathroom, and can assist with activities.
If you are a sub coach, you can fill in when a coach isn’t able to make it to ski club.
Contact us at elmcreek@mysl.org to sign up.
Head Chalet Parent:
Set up sign-up for parents to bring weekly snacks. Be available on ski days to help organize and clean up snacks. Contact us at elmcreek@mysl.org to sign up. Then we need families to sign up for beverages (juice/cups) and snacks.
Contact info
Please email Kirsten Kjome elmcreek@mysl.org