Registration Closed for Winter 2025-2026Unfortunately, we are not able to accept any more registrants for the 2025-2026 BKL Winter Season. Thank you for your interest, and please reach out for next season! |
Welcome to the Prospect Mountain Bill Koch Youth Ski League!
The Bill Koch Youth Ski League (BKL) is the largest cross-country skiing membership group in the U.S. and is dedicated to introducing kids to the joys of Nordic skiing.
Our goals are to:
- Teach kids aged 4-13 (Pre-K through 8th grade) to cross-country ski.
- Provide a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, get exercise, and make new friends!
- Further develop existing Nordic skiing skills.
Our local program has a strong history of developing devoted lifelong casual skiers as well as skiers who compete at the High School, College, Regional, and national level.
For more information on our program, continue reading or contact prospectmtbkl@gmail.com
Prospect BKL General information
Location
Our program is based at the beautiful Prospect Mountain Nordic Ski Center, located on Route 9 in Woodford, Vermont. Prospect Nordic Center is one of the highest points in Southern Vermont and typically boasts amazing conditions during much of the winter months.
Practice Calendar
- Practice days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from the 2nd week in December through the 2nd week in March. Our practice times are 3:30pm through 5:00pm with some regard given to daylight hours. Families should anticipate some flexibility around the first week and last week of practice as our club relies on natural snow in order to be out on trails.
- We strongly encourage kids to attend all practices for continuity and quicker skill progression. Consistent practice is especially important for older beginners and those learning both classic and skate techniques.
Groups and Coaching
Skiers are placed in the following groups based on grade level running from Prek/Kindergarten through Grade 8:
- Lollipoppers: Our youngest group of skiers with kids who are at least 4 years old on December 1 and in either PreK or Kindergarten. Our goal with this group level is to get outside and learn the basics of skiing. Parents with participants who have a Lollipop aged child will need to have at least one adult on skis participate with them during practice
- Grades 1 & 2: Children in this group will ski on Classic technique for the duration of the season. Parents are not required to ski with their child.
- Grades 3 & 4, 5 & 6 and 7 & 8: Children will continue to learn their ski technique on Classic and Skate skis. Introduction to skate skiing will happen after January 1st with the first few weeks of the season focusing on reacquainting the skier to snow and skiing.
- Beginner Skiers grades 3 & Up and Leisurely skiers: We are excited to welcome children into the ski program as an older beginner or leisure skier. This group allows kids grades 3 – 8 to learn the basics of Nordic skiing (Classic & Skate techniques) in a group of like-minded and similar age range. This group also welcomes older skiers who want to ski at a more social pace than their graded counterparts. When older beginners finish their first year, they will move into their regular graded groups in the following season.
Coaches and Volunteer Parent Helpers
Our club appreciates volunteers who are willing to be more involved in a coaching or parent helper capacity.
Safety and Behavior
Participants must ski in their coach led group during regular practices. Skiers may not ski off alone.
If your child needs more encouragement, structure or extra help from their parent, we ask that parent’s ski with their child to assist the coach.
Fees and Dues
All fees will be due at registration. All pricing is based on Prospect Mountain Nordic Center’s pass rates.
| Prospect Mountain BKL Dues | $40 per single child and $75 maximum fee per family. |
| NENSA Membership
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All skiers in the program are required to be a member of the New England Nordic Ski Association. NENSA dues for 2025-2026 youth membership are $30 per skier. |
| Prospect Mountain Ski Passes | Kids aged 10 and under do not require a ski pass. |
| Skiers age 11 and up must purchase either a Tuesday & Thursday Practice pass or season pass. | |
| Adults who chose to ski on their own on practice days must purchase either a Tuesday & Thursday practice pass or season pass. | |
| Adults skiing with their lollipop skiers (grades Prek & K) do not require a ski pass on practice days. |
Please contact prospectmtbkl@gmail.com for information on pass pricing or consult the website.
Our pricing is set up to welcome all families into our program. If you would like to participate but may need financial assistance, please contact prospectmtbkl@gmail.com.
Gear and Leasing
Prospect BKL maintains a limited supply of gear for rental during the BKL Season. Please have patience with us regarding gear for your child. We do NOT lease gear to adults. BKL Skiers must have adequate gear to participate in our nordic program.
Gear Leasing Event:
Our gear leasing day typically happens the first weekend of November. If you think you might be interested in joining the club, please contact prospectmtbkl@gmail.com to join our mailing list and receive updates on Gear Lease Day. If families contact us after this event, gear leasing will be subject to availability and possible delay in starting the program on time.
| Gear Packages | Details & Pricing |
| Full Package (1 classic ski) | 1 pair skis, 1 pr. boots, 1 pair poles: $60/season |
| Full Package (1 classic ski, 2 poles) | 1 pair skis, 1 pr. boots, 2 pairs poles: $65/season |
| Full Package (2 classic/skate skis) | 2 pairs skis, 1 pr. boots, 2 pairs poles: $100/season |
| Individual Leasing | Skis: $40/season, Boots: $25/season, Poles: $10 per pair/season |
| Purchasing Gear on your own? | Local shops include Berkshire Outfitters in Massachusetts. |