TCAPS Learning, Enrichment & Athletic Program

About Nordic Flyers: Nordic Flyers is Vasa Ski Club’s flagship middle school skier development program, and has been in place for nearly 30 years. Each season, 60-100 middle school students participate in a very fun, on-ski on-trail Nordic ski instruction program staffed by over 20 volunteer coaches. Nordic Flyers is for middle school skiers of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and they are broken up into groups accordingly. Besides learning cross country ski technique, the skiers are exposed to a healthy outdoor activity in a fun environment, in beautiful winter surroundings at the wonderful Hickory Hills ski area. This program lays the foundation for a lifelong recreational activity students can share with friends and family. For any kids who might be interested in later joining the high school xc ski team, Nordic Flyers provides an excellent learning platform. We are back to bring another exciting year of XC ski fun and instruction for area middle school students. Join your friends for our three-day-a-week program (M/W/F) after school from 4:30 - 6:00 pm, beginning January 5th. The Vasa Ski Club Nordic Flyers Program is a learn-to-cross-country-ski program and is open to boys and girls in 6th - 8th grade from any Traverse City area school (both TCAPS and non-TCAPS students). The program runs 8 weeks, and is for beginner through advanced skiers... no experience necessary! Program Details: Program Director - Abigail Jean Season - January 5 - February 27th, 2026 Sessions - Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Parents must drop off and pick up their children before and after practice at the designated drop off location. Ski Up Option: Some more experienced skiers may want the option to ski up with the Vasa Raptors high school team. Skiers wanting to ski up can do so on Tuesdays & Thursdays. This will allow skiers to get exposure to detailed technique training and to ski side by side with the high school athletes. Skiers interested in this option should plan to participate in pre-season dry land technique with the Raptors. More information will be available at the Raptors pre-season meeting: TBD. Please let the Flyers program director know if your child is interested in this opportunity. Equipment: Skiers must own or rent both classic and skate skis. Rentals - The Vasa Ski Club offers rentals to Flyers participants. Classic Skis - $55 Skate Skis - $55 Rental payment is accepted during registration. Junior ski equipment is available to purchase locally from Brick wheels or XC Headquarters. Registration Details: Flyers Program Participation Fee: $150.00 Includes 3 sessions per week. Includes a Vasa Ski Club membership. Ski rentals are an additional cost. Hickory Hills Ski Passes Each skier must have a Hickory Hills season pass. This may be an Alpine or Nordic specific pass. Family passes are also welcome. Season passes will allow skiers to ski at Hickory Hills any time during the season. Registration Deadline: December 19, 2025 Participation Cap - 75 athletes Skiers will be admitted based on the order in which they register..so hurry and register soon!! All athletes must register using TCAPS LEAP registration platform regardless of whether the athlete is a TCAPS student Scholarships: Vasa Ski Club offers a limited number of partial and full scholarships. DO NOT complete the online registration process if you are applying for a scholarship. Email nordicflyers@gmail.com to request a scholarship application. Location: Hickory Hills and Hickory Meadows Ski Area, 2000 Randolph Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 Transportation: Parents must drop off and pick up their skiers at the designated Hickory Hills drop off area. Helpful Information: Please have your skier dress appropriately for the weather. This is NOT a Hickory Hills sponsored program. ALL questions/concerns should be directed to the Program Administrator, Pamela Jean nordicflyers@gmail.com Communication will be done primarily through email - and is often last minute in regards to weather/trail conditions - please ensure the email address attached to your registration is an active email that is checked regularly. During sign up please provide shoe size in Euro / EU size as per the chart below: ***IMPORTANT: All skiers must have both classic and skate style skis to participate (either your own, or rented) Failure to not answer height, weight and boot size may result in not having equipment for your student. ****Rental skis will be available on a first come first served in order of registration. NOTE: Payment is required at the time of registration. You may register online using a Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or ACH (via a checking or savings account) please register below. Registration is not complete until your course appears in your dashboard. If you did not receive an email from Eleyo or see your course in your dashboard, the payment did not process and the student is not registered.

VASA Ski Club Raptors High School Team Welcome to the Vasa-Raptors!We are the Traverse City Area High School Nordic Ski Team, focused on developing junior skiers of all abilities through hard work and fun. Athletes participate in local, regional, and national races throughout the winter season. Coaches Head Coach: Ethan Goss - tcvasaraptors@gmail.comAssistant Coaches: Amy Powell, Hannah Goss, Jordyn Ross Parent Board President: Meghan Dykstra - meghan.dykstra@tandemwealthtc.com Informational Meeting Date & Time: November 5th @ 7 PMLocation: Hickory Hills Lodge Registration Deadline: December 12th Eligibility: 9th-12th graders; 7th-8th graders can "ski-up" after registering with Vasa Flyers. Fee: $365 (Team uniform, race support, and State Championship registration fees) Skiers must purchase their own Hickory Hills Season Pass Please note that race registration and travel costs are not included in the team fee, except for the State Championship registration fee, which is covered. Scholarships are available through the team website. Practice Start Date: November 10th Schedule: Five days a week starting at 4:15 PM, lasting 90 minutes. Locations: Pre-snow: TC Central, Hickory Hills, Civic Center, The Commons trails. With snow: Hickory Hills. Weekly training schedules with practice details will be emailed. Communication Weekly emails provide training schedules and updates. The TeamReach app is used for direct communication with athletes and parents, and the Teambuildr app is used for strength workouts. Both athletes and parents must have these apps downloaded. Racing Local: MI Cup races and MI High School State Championship. Regional: CXC Junior Qualifiers for the Great Lakes Division. Athletes can qualify for Junior Nationals or U18/U16 trips based on performance. Equipment Required: Dryland gear (ski boots for rollerskiing, ski poles, athletic clothing) Winter ski clothing (base layers, Nordic pants, jacket, gloves, socks, hat, BUFF) Ski gear (skate skis, classic skis, poles, ski boots, ski ties) Recommended: Practice skis, yoga mat, water belt, ski bag, wax cork, scraper Local Purchasing Options Local shops like Suttons Bay Bikes, Brick Wheels, and Don Orr Ski Haus offer Nordic ski gear and expert advice. Supporting local stores ensures proper fitting for your equipment. Rentals XC Ski Headquarters offers affordable rental packages, ideal for beginners. Transportation Athletes are responsible for their transportation to practices and races. Contact the Parent Board if you need assistance with carpooling. Volunteering Parents: Help is needed at events and fundraisers, as 25% of the team’s budget comes from fundraising. Contact the Parent Board to get involved. Athletes: Volunteering for Vasa programs earns points toward a varsity letter. We will host Tuesday night sprint races this season and need volunteers for setup, registration, bib distribution, and timing. Please reach out to help. Join the Vasa-Raptors!