BV Nordic Centre

Biathlon

Bulkley Valley Biathlon provides an environment where athletes of all ages and abilities can participate and develop their biathlon skills with a great group of people.  

Our first priority is safety, and our second priority is fun!  

We are a group of volunteers passionate about biathlon. We can be reached at biathlon@bvnordic.ca.

What is Biathlon?

This Biathlon 4 Newbies video is a great primer!

Biathlon is a winter sport combining skate skiing and shooting. .22 caliber rifles are used to shoot 5 targets at a distance of 50m. Shooting is done in both prone (laying down) and standing positions. Racers ski a certain number of laps, based on the race, and shoot between each lap. They must manage their skiing to be able to then accurately shoot at the targets between laps.

Our Programs

We offer both youth and masters programs. Information on each program is provided below.

Youth Biathlon

Our youth program gives children from the ages of 10 to 17 the opportunity to learn biathlon.

Our practices include both skiing and shooting. However, we offer minimal ski technique coaching. We recommend that children interesteded in improving their skiing join the Athlete Development Program (ADP) appropriate for their age and skill level.

Practices are held Saturdays from 11:30AM to 1PM.

Please contact us at biathlon@bvnordic.ca before registering in this program. This allows us to learn more about you and your child, to provide you with program information and to confirm space availability with you.

When registering, please choose either:

  • Recreational program: any child not participating in the Athlete Developmemt Program
  • ADP Biathlon program: all children participating in the Athlete Developmemt Program

Program fees are: $119.

Rifle rentals for the season are: $119.

Parent involvement:

Biathlon requires parental support, especially with beginner and younger skiers. Parents are expected to become familiar with the sport, its safety rules, to be available to attend practices on a regular basis and to help with set-up and take-down. 

Required gear:

  • Cross-country skis and poles (skate skis are recommended)
  • .22 caliber bolt action rifle (available for rent, if needed; see Things to Know section below for more information)
  • Ammunition: can be purchased from the club (see Things to Know section below for more information)

Masters

The masters program is open to anyone over the age of 18.

Our practices include both skiing and shooting. However, we offer minimal ski technique coaching. We recommend that masters interested in improving their skiing join one of the club's ski-focused masters offerings.

Practices are held Saturdays from 10:00-11:30AM.

Please contact us at biathlon@bvnordic.ca before registering in this program. This allows us to learn more about you, to provide you with program information and to confirm space availability with you. Our program is limited by rifle availability, so we may give priority to masters who have biathlon experience or who have their own biathlon rifle. 

Program fees are: $155

Rifle rentals for the season are: $175.

Required gear:

  • Cross-country skis and poles (skate skis are recommended)
  • .22 caliber bolt action rifle (available for rent, if needed; see Things to Know section below for more information)
  • Ammunition: can be purchased from the club (see Things to Know section below for more information)

Things to Know

  • You don’t need to know how to skate ski to learn biathlon. Classic skiers are welcome to participate but will eventually want to learn to skate ski so they can keep up with their friends!

  • In addition to your club membership and program fees, you must obtain a Biathlon BC membership for insurance coverage.

  • The club has biathlon rifles for rent to accommodate all sizes. The rental is for one season.

  • You will be required to purchase ammunition. A box of 50 rounds is between $5-7 and can be purchased from the club. You will use 1 to 2 boxes per practice.

    • It is not necessary to have a PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) at the beginning of the season to participate but we recommend that one be obtained during the season, if possible, to facilitate club rifle management.

    • With a PAL, you are permitted to transport a rifle to and from practice.

    • Without a PAL, you are not permitted to transport a rifle. Those without a PAL are able to rent a rifle but will only be able to use their rifle at the shooting range under supervision.

  • The Bulkley Valley Biathlon Program Overview provides more details about participating in our programs.

Racing

For those who are interested, Biathlon BC offers 3 BC Cup races each season. Races are for anyone aged 10 and older.

The 2024-25 season races are:

  • Dec. 13 - 15 in Vernon (BC Cup #1)
  • Jan. 24 - 26 in Whistler (BC Cup #2)
  • Feb. 22-23  in Mount Washington (BC Champs - BC Cup #3)

We encourage all the program’s biathletes to participate. These are great events that allow biathletes to put all their skills together in a fun multi-age environment.