Biathlon

Biathlon is a sport that combines cross-country skiing and target shooting. In the spring, summer, and fall seasons, biathlon can be a combination of running & shooting, biking & shooting, or other activity & shooting. It’s a great challenge to push yourself physically, arrive out of breath at the biathlon range, and focus on getting a good score at target shooting. Biathlon aims to improve focus and fitness, aside from it being fun and social.

Biathlon at Golden Nordic

Golden Nordic hosted a biathlon demo day in February 2024 and learned how to use the EcoAims rifles and targets. The club then was offered to keep two sets to use, thanks to Biathlon Canada and Biathlon BC. In the spring 2024, 7 coaches took the Silver level training for leading biathlon sessions using EcoAims technology. In the summer 2024, coaches led demo events at a local school, at summer camps, and a community event. In the 2024-2025 season, the club held three 4-week programs for youth and adults, one regional race, and two Soup & Shoot fundraiser try-out events. It’s a great start to growing the sport of biathlon in Golden!

EcoAims

The camera-based, optical rifles are connected to their targets with a computer. The advantage of using EcoAims over other traditional biathlon equipment include that they are safe, quiet, and waste-free. While the equipment is safe to use, it is treated with respect and same safety protocols apply to EcoAims as to other rifles.

biathlon Programs 2025 - 2026: the details

Biathlon Bears (8 - 12 year old), Biathlon 13+, and Biathlon Adults (18+)

The programs combines cross-country skiing and target shooting using Ecoaims (electronic) rifles. Youth are encouraged to also join the Jackrabbits or Nordic Cruisers for their skiing skills and fitness. The focus in the sessions is on improving your aim in the range and working on your skiing and transition from skiing to shooting to skiing.

Cost

  • program cost $60 for 4-week program

  • Recreational athlete annual Biathlon BC membership $10

  • Recreational athlete annual Biathlon Canada membership $15

  • Skate ski rentals included (limited supply)

  • Not included: club membership (required)

Need help paying? Apply for a grant through KidSport Canada

Register for your annual recreational athlete with Biathlon BC and Biathlon Canada here.

Space - Each program is limited to 15 spaces for 5 lanes. Aside from target shooting expect to be skiing, too!

Cold weather policy - We will email participants the night before or at least by 8 am the day of the program if we need to cancel due to adverse conditions. We consider temperature, windchill factor, and sunshine. Generally, our cut-off temperature is -15C. We may be able to postpone a session to the first two weeks in March.

Open Range - This is a drop-in option for self-directed adults who have taken a 4-week program with us before. The range will be open to practise shooting and also to work on transitions, skiing and shooting, etc. This may be opened up to youth if they have a parent supervising.

Parent Expectations - Parents are expected to support the program as a volunteer. Setting up the range, taking down the range, assisting the coach, etc. are all important roles to help make the programs run smoothly. We need coaches to make the programs possible. Please consider becoming a coach. Golden is offering a Community Coaching workshop on Oct 19 (9 am - 5 pm) and Oct 20 (5 - 9 pm). Please check out our Coaches page for information and to register. Questions? Please reach out to programcoordinator@goldennordicclub.ca.

Biathlon Programs 2025-2026

Registration is opening on October 8 at 8 am on Zone4 (included in membership registration form).

  • Biathlon Bears Block 1 (ages 8 - 12):

    • 4 weeks on Wednesdays from 4 - 5:30 pm (Dec 10, 17, Jan 7, 14).

    • 4 weeks on Saturdays from 12:00 - 1:30 pm (Dec 13, 20, Jan 10, 17))

  • Biathlon Bears Block 2 (ages 8 - 12):

    • 4 weeks on Wednesdays from 4 - 5:30 pm (Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11)

    • 4 weeks on Saturdays from 12:00 - 1:30 pm (Jan 24, 31, Feb 14, 28)

  • Biathlon Youth (13+):

    • 4 weeks on Saturdays from 10 - 11:30 am (Dec 13, 20, Jan 10, 17))

    • 4 weeks on Saturdays from 10 - 11:30 am (Jan 24, 31, Feb 14, 28)

  • Biathlon for Adults (18+):

    • 4 weeks on Sundays 10 - 11:30 am (December 14, 21, January 4 & 11)

    • TBA for a following 4-week block.

  • Open Range (18+): Sundays from 12:00 - 2 pm starting December 21. This is a weekly drop-in option for self-directed adults who have taken a 4-week program with us before. The range will be open to practise shooting and also to work on transitions, skiing and shooting, etc. This may be opened up to youth depending on available supervision.