FAQs

I want my child to cross-country ski. Where do I start?
The Minnesota Youth Ski League offers a variety of programs (see summary under About) but our core program is club membership. If you decide club memberhip is right for your child, the first decision to be made is club location. See the Clubs list.

What is club membership?
The MYSL is a league of clubs around the midwest that meet weekly in the winter (usually eight times) for skiing activities based on a curriculum with six skill levels. Clubs provide community and exposure to like-minded families and are "more than just lessons". Coaches are volunteers (mostly parents) and all of the local club functions (leadership, bib and snack organization, for example) are performed by volunteers.

New members recieve the famous MYSL fleece hat, and colored level-pins are given to all skiers at the end of each season.

Most clubs also pariticipate in the "K Kounter" program through which skiers can earn a gold, silver, or bronze snowflake pin for skiing so many kilometers in a season.

Which skill level do I select for my child and where do I do this?
See Skill Levels. You can edit your children's skill level in the "Household Info" section of the registration process. It would be very unusual to go out of the suggested age-ranges. Peer groupings of similar age are often more important than specfic skiing ability.

How do I find equipment?
There are a variey of options for equipment.

1. Some MYSL CLUBS have rental equipment banks. Of these clubs, some allow you to request and pay for rental equipment oniine and some have fitting nights (where you pay onsite). See info on the Clubs pages for details on the different clubs. This is childrens' equipment only and waxless classic skis. This is a first come, first served situation. And all of the clubs run out of equipment. You can still participate in any club with your own equipment.

2. Some LOCATIONS (such as Three Rivers Parks) have very good and inexpensive daily rentals. You just need to show up 30 minutes earlier than your club meeting time to fit and pay. This is for adults and children, classic and skating.

3. Some clubs and club locations have neither equipment banks or onsite rentals. In these cases, it is up to you to purchase (at a retailer or ski swap) your own equipment.

What classic ski length is appropriate for kids?
Age 0-5 no taller than child
Age 6-8 child's height
Age 9-12 10cm taller than child

We don't recommend that children skate before age 9.

Boot conversion chart and full sizing chart for classic and skating is attached below.