Biathlon at Crosscut

Biathlon at Crosscut

WRITTEN BY SETH HUBBARD

This past winter, many families watched both the Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing with a mix of wonder and inspiration as athletes at the top of their game showed the entire world what is possible. The sport of biathlon is a particularly astounding mix of Nordic skiing and shooting that requires not only endurance, but also familiarity with guns and impressive breath control for accuracy.

Crosscut Mountain Sports Center is proud to host a newly completed world-class biathlon stadium as well as world-renown coaches to help youth, elite and master athletes reach their personal goals…whether they are just starting out or aiming for the Olympics.

Paul Schommer is a Crosscut Mountain Sports Center athlete who competed at the Olympics in Beijing and, like many of the top biathletes from the USA, he didn’t grow up with many opportunities to learn and practice biathlon. Paul picked up the sport as an adult and now trains alongside kids and adults just getting into the sport on Crosscut’s trails.

Crosscut’s youth biathlon team aims to provide children as young as 10 with the opportunity to learn and train in the sport of biathlon. Not every kiddo has Olympic or Paralympic aspirations or ability, of course. That’s why Crosscut’s biathlon program focuses on the fun, team-building and character-building aspects of the sport, not just athletic aptitude.

This summer Crosscut is hosting a handful of dryland training camps to give interested kids exposure to the sport without the added element of sliding on skis. Weapon handling and shooting techniques are not often practiced due to limited facilities across the nation. Crosscut’s new facility allows them to provide Montana’s youth with a safe, supportive environment to give biathlon a try.

Adults can also get in on the fun. Community clinics, novice races and Crosscut’s masters’ biathlon program provide adults opportunities to dip their toes into biathlon with the support of an experienced coaching staff. This past winter, Crosscut also kicked off a private biathlon lesson program which provides a customized, personal experience with this unique sport.

For more information about biathlon, mountain biking, summer youth camps and more, visit www.crosscutmt.org.

Seth Hubbard is the Program Director and Head Coach of Crosscut Mountain Sports Center’s Biathlon Program.