Additional ski day added for Becoming an Outdoors Woman cross-country ski workshop

BILLINGS – Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW), a program of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, is hosting a cross-country skiing workshop in Billings and Red Lodge. The workshop will be held over Jan. 5 and 6. Due to high demand for this workshop, an additional ski day has been added for more experienced cross-country skiers. BOW is now offering both the beginner workshop and a separate, intermediate ski day.

Beginner Workshop

The beginner workshop is designed for adult women who have never cross-country skied, or have only skied a few times, and are looking to learn or improve basic skills and meet likeminded individuals. All skill levels are welcome, but instruction will be focused on beginners.

On Friday, Jan. 5, class will meet at the FWP office in Billings from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a classroom discussion on basic skiing practices, gear and clothing, local trails, and more. On Saturday, Jan. 6, class will be at the Nordic Center in Red Lodge for skiing from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Intermediate Ski Day

The separate, intermediate ski day is intended for adult women who have cross-country skied for at least one full season and will only include an on-snow field day, not the classroom lesson. The ski day will take place Saturday, Jan. 6, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red Lodge Nordic Center. The class will practice some skills and ski various terrain at the Nordic Center as a group.

Participants should be able to name the parts of their skis, understand how their equipment works, make diagonal strides with relative ease, and know how to get up from a fall. Rental equipment is available for participants of this ski day, but the use of personal gear is encouraged. FWP volunteer instructors will share their experiences and lessons learned regarding cross-country skiing and recreating outdoors in winter.

Cost & Registration

Both workshops are weather and snow condition dependent. Cross-country skiing can be hazardous. A basic level of fitness is recommended for these workshops, as cross-country skiing requires excellent balance and full body strength. Participants may experience muscle aches after skiing.

The total cost of each workshop is $20 to $35 and includes $10 for registration and instruction costs from FWP, $10 for a trail pass at the Nordic Center and $15 for gear rental from The Base Camp in Billings for those who need it. Each participant will be responsible for reserving their ski equipment, if needed, at The Base Camp by Dec. 30.

BOW is a national program that offers hands-on, outdoor workshops held in a safe, supportive atmosphere with patient, enthusiastic instructors. 

Online registration is required for the workshops and space is limited. Registration will be open from Saturday, Dec. 16, at 9 a.m. to Saturday, Dec. 30, at 5 p.m. MST.

To register for the beginner workshop, go to: register-ed.com/events/view/205773.

To register for the intermediate ski day, go to: register-ed.com/events/view/206451.

For more information on the Montana BOW program,  visit: fwp.mt.gov/education/becoming-an-outdoors-woman.  

For more information on these workshops, contact Kylie at 406-444-5280.