Hello Ice Badger Community!
We’re excited to open Ice Badgers registration on August 15, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. Registration will once again take place through our RunSignup page, same as last year. This page can be previewed HERE
MTCX Events and Programs is now officially a nonprofit organization. The Ice Badgers program and our winter races are owned and operated by MTCX and are guided by our Winter Committee—a dedicated group of coaches, parents, athletes, and volunteers who have helped shape the program for years. We’ve simply formalized that structure as we continue to grow. These folks and Meg Whicher are cc’d on this email.
2026–2027 Ice Badgers Programs
1. Ice Badgers
Vibe: Slightly aggro, push yourself, have fun, ski fast.
- Grades 4–12
- Classic practice: Mondays at Lubrecht
- Skate practice: Wednesdays at Pattee Canyon
- Season: January–February
- Race entries included: Nordic Dance, Randy Beckner, and Follow Your Heart
- Coaches: Anne, Shaun, Abby, Jenny, Atty, Megan, Jeff, Jonathan, and others
2. Ice Badgers Travel (IBEX)
Vibe: Nordic is your main winter sport. You love training, racing, traveling, and being part of a team. Your skier should have experience in both skate and classic techniques prior to joining Ibex. Upper middle school and High School
- Grades 7–12
- Classic and skate practices 3–5 days per week
- Racing most weekends, primarily on the Intermountain Division Junior National circuit
- Season: October–February
- Head Coaches: Mike Lessard and Orion Berryman
- Coaches: Ella, Payton, Chris, and Shaun
3. Ice Badgers Adults
Vibe: Relaxed but motivated. Improve your skiing, ski lots of kilometers, and enjoy the community.
- Skate practice: Mondays at Lubrecht
- Skate practice: Wednesdays at Pattee Canyon
- Season: January–February
- Race entries included: Nordic Dance, Randy Beckner, and Follow Your Heart
- Coaches: Jeff Bookwalter and Ruby Zitzer
Looking for Another Option?
We’ve also been working closely with Meg from Missoula Parks and Recreation and Abby from Zootown Area Nordic Youth (ZANY). Our shared goal is simple: help every skier find the program that’s the best fit. We’ve reduced overlap between programs and are working together to make registration easier.
Missoula Parks and Recreation offers an after-school, learn-to-ski program that includes scholarships, after-school transportation, and equipment. The program focuses on classic skiing and is a great introduction to Nordic skiing.
Zootown Area Nordic Youth (ZANY), operated by the Missoula Nordic Ski Club, serves skiers ages 6–12 at Pattee Canyon. The program starts with primarily classic instruction and also offers several skate ski groups where athletes can build skills in a fun, supportive environment. Coaches are experienced parent volunteers with strong Nordic backgrounds.
Both programs emphasize learning to ski while having fun.
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions before registration opens, please don’t hesitate to email us.
See you on the trails!
Director Shaun