Biathlon Racing Development Program (Level 2, Pathways and Level 3)

Biathlon Racing Development Program (Level 2, Pathways and Level 3)

Development 2 Biathlon (formerly Level 6 Air Rifle)

Recommended for athletes 11 to 14 years old who have completed at least Group 2 skills of the Development 1 Biathlon  Program and/or have Level 5 XC skiing skills; who want to develop their full range of athletic abilities; and who want to develop as skiers and Biathlon racers. 

Athletes will refine their prone shooting skills with a cuff & sling; will expand their racing skills at local and regional Biathlon races in the U17 Development 2 Category; and will also participate in some cross country ski races.

Athletes will train 7 months/year starting in September and have the opportunity to participate in 2 summer training camps. Development 2 biathletes will be well trained in the fundamentals of Biathlon shooting and skiing. Their next step is to join the Biathlon Adventure Program or the .22 Racing Development Program.

Athletes must read, understand and sign the Athlete Agreement – Racing Development Programs (link here). 

NOTE: Register for Development 2 Biathlon Program, rather than for any XC Program

Schedule

Athletes and parents will agree to the practice and race schedule as detailed by their respective coaches. 

  • Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00 ski training with XC Team & coaches. 1:00 – 3:00 Biathlon training
  • Sunday: 10:00 – 12:00 ski training with XC Team & coaches. Optional open range training at 12:00 ish – 2:00
  • Wednesdays (optional): after school training with the XC Team/coaches OR the Biathlon Team/coaches as determined by the Biathlon coaches
  • Starts: September 6, 2025
  • Ends: mid march
  • Program will not run December 24 -25
  • Included in the Program fee are up to 4 afternoon Biathlon summer dryland training sessions at Highlands schedule TBD
  • Coaches may offer 2 day summer multi sport training camps for an additional fee if there is sufficient interest 
  • Coaches will provide a schedule of both mandatory and optional local and regional Biathlon races, such as O-Cup, Ontario Championships, Quebec Cup,  local invitational races and XC ski races. 

Training hours/Program and number of races will be consistent with the Biathlon Canada Long Term Athlete Development model. 

Registration Requirements:

  • Ski Skills Development Ski Program Level 5;
  • Or Lead Coach approval (older candidates may be considered)

Athlete Equipment Requirements

  • Air Arms S400 .177 pellet air rifle, (owned or leased from HTB) 
  • Eco-Aims Electronic Rifles will also be used from time to time and provided during training
  • Roller ski poles
  • Striding/dryland ski poles. Typically 5-10 cm shorter than classic poles.
  • Helmet, reflective clothing, gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Wrist watch with stopwatch/timer functions
  • Water bottle and carrier
  • Access to appropriate skate and Classic skis (owned or leased)
  • Access to early season rock skis (Crown/Classic & Skate)
  • Skate and classic poles (length suggested by coach)
  • Skate and classic boots
  • Blue non fluoro glide wax 
  • Mountain bike

Registration and Fees:

Register for Development 2 Biathlon, rather than for any XC program

  • $800 – payable in full at registration or in two instalments of $412.50 each (at registration and on December 1st)
  • Range and Supply Fee – $100
  • Rifle Rental – S400: $150  (or may provide their own rifle)  If own rifle is provided, the rifle rental fee will be refunded. Summer rifle rental fee $50.
  • Service Hour Obligation – see here for an explanation of this program as well as the chart of hours required by program.

Other Fees (Please review Athlete Equipment Requirements)

  • Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada registration fees: You must be registered with BiON/BiCAN (link here)  before registering with HTB. Athletes will not be permitted to participate in any HTB training activities without this registration.
  • Highlands Nordic season pass: athletes registered in Dev. 2 Biathlon must purchase a season pass from Highlands Nordic (link here).
  • Race entry fees
  • Travel, food, accommodation, waxing and coach expenses for Training Camps and
  • Race Events. 
  • All expenses will be charged to athletes on a cost recovery basis
  • Failure to pay deposits and final charges by the stated deadlines may result in suspension and/or dismissal from the Program as outlined in the Athlete Agreement.
Biathlon Pathways (formerly Level 7)

Designed for athletes 14+ who want to develop their biathlon skills while training in a fun team environment with lower time commitment and cost. This program allows athletes to explore different pathways in biathlon, whether for lifelong recreational fitness, transitioning to competitive racing, or gaining leadership experience for coaching or officiating.

Activities may include:

Summer/Fall: Field sports, roller skiing, running, caving, watersports, biking, archery, camping and more.
Winter: Cross-country skiing (skate, classic, backcountry), downhill skiing, biathlon shooting (Eco-Aims rifles), skating, snowshoeing, snow-shelter building and more.

Leadership Development

Athletes gain hands-on experience in coaching, mentoring, and event planning while, if interested, working toward certifications like the Biathlon Community Silver Course. Training also includes first aid, mental health in sport discussions, and lifelong athleticism discussions to foster resilience and long-term engagement in sport.

Schedule

  • May–Aug: 2 summer camps encouraged.
  • Sept–Nov: 1 weekly after-school session + 2 weekend activities (no self-directed training required).
  • Dec–Mar: Attendance at selected race events required. 1 weekly session + 2 weekend activities (when not racing). No sessions Dec 24/25.

Travel & Locations

  • Practices & weekend camps at Highlands Nordic or within a 45-minute radius.
  • Participation in local & regional biathlon/XC ski races.

Equipment Requirements

Athletes need roller ski, ski, and outdoor gear for dryland and winter training. 

Equipment Requirements List

  • Skate rollerskis
  • Skate rollerski poles with rollerski tips
  • Helmet
  • Skate rollerski boots
  • Reflective vest or bright coloured tops for roadside training
  • Drink Belt
  • Ski walking/striding poles (classic length or 5cm shorter)
  • Trail Running shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Mountain bike, gloves, shoes, etc.
  • Backpack, active wear, rain gear

Winter Equipment Requirements

  • HTB Warm up Jacket and Race Suit
  • 1 pair of skate race skis
  • 1 pair of Skate training/rock skis
  • 1 pair of Classic skis (crowns or skins)
  • Skate length poles (strap at eye level when standing in ski boots) 
  • Classic length poles (83% of height when in ski boots measured to strap)
  • Skate boots
  • Classic boots
  • Drink belt for fluids, snacks, and grip wax
  • Sunglasses
  • Backpack, active/ski wear, rain gear

Fees

  • $800 (full payment or 2 x $412.50 installments).
  • Range & Supply Fees: $100.
  • Service Hour Obligation (details here).

Additional Requirements

  • Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada registration fees: You must be registered with BiON/BiCAN (link here) before registering with HTB. Athletes will not be permitted to participate in any HTB training activities without this registration.
  • Highlands Nordic season pass: athletes registered in Biathlon Pathways must purchase a season pass from Highlands Nordic (link here)
Development 3 Biathlon (formerly Racing Development Level 8 Program .22)

Recommended for athletes aged 14 – 18 who want to continue to develop their general athletic abilities; their Biathlon racing skills; and want to train 11 months a year according to a Yearly Training Plan (YTP). They want to compete at inter-provincial, international and national events such as Canada Games. They aspire to achieve personal excellence at the National Level or beyond. 

Athletes in Dev 3 Biathlon will:

  • Read, understand and sign the Athlete Agreement – Racing Development Programs.
  • Maintain a training log/journal, either virtual or hard copy
  • Set process and performance goals in order to guide YTP development
  • Maintain communication with the Lead Coach and facilitate regular monitoring of development
  • Be a positive role model for younger teammates and Club members

Registration Requirements:

  • Recommendation from the Dev 2 Biathlon Lead Coach or the Biathlon Pathways Lead Coach; 
  • Jr. Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)*; 
  • A parent or guardian who also has their PAL;
  • Completion of Safe Sport and Rule of 2 training (info here)
  • Completion of the Dev 3 Athlete Agreement (link here)
  • Or approval of the Biathlon Lead Coach.

Schedule

The Program runs from May 1 to March 31. Athletes, with the assistance of their parents/guardians,  will follow the practice, camp and race schedule as outlined below and/or as agreed with their respective Coaches and subject to the requirements of the Athlete Agreement.  

May through July

  • Athletes must attend 3 of 5 training camps and 1 to 2 weekly training sessions OR arrange suitable self directed alternative training as agreed with the Lead Coach. Focus is on general athletic abilities in a multi-sport environment, aerobic/cardio capacity, strength, shooting skills and an intro to rollerski Biathlon racing.

August through November

  • Athletes must attend 1 of 2 training camps; 1 weekly late afternoon training session ; and 3 weekend training sessions OR arrange suitable self directed alternative training as agreed with the Lead Coach. Focus is on ski and biathlon specific technique, race skills development, power and speed 

December to March

  • Athletes must attend team race events as specified by their Coach; 1 weekly after school training session and when not racing, 3 weekend training sessions OR arrange suitable self directed alternative training as agreed with the Lead Coach.  Attention is on perfecting ski and shooting technique, racing and recovery

Training hours/Program and number of races will be consistent with the Biathlon Canada Long Term Athlete Development model. Races may include regional or high school Cross Country Races.

Program will not run December 24/25

Travel

  • Regular practices & Local Camps will take place at Highlands Nordic, or within a ~45-minute radius
  • Other Training Camps & Race Events
    • most require significant road travel from 3 up to 11 hrs 
    • In most cases athletes will be transported in coach’s vehicles
    • Participation at National Championships will require air travel

Dryland Equipment Requirements

  • Blood test (serum ferritin)
  • .22 Rifle (Owned or Rented)
  • Skate & classic rollerskis 
  • Skate and Classic rollerski poles with rollerski tips
  • Skate and Classic rollerski boots
  • Reflective vest or bright coloured tops for roadside training
  • Helmet, Drink Belt
  • Sunglasses
  • Ski walking/striding poles (classic length or 5cm shorter)
  • Trail Running shoes
  • Mountain bike and road or gravel bike, gloves, shoes, etc.
  • Downloadable Heart Rate Monitor/watch with chest strap (eg: Polar).  Wrist based monitors are not accurate enough for our purposes
  • Access to a desktop or laptop computer for accessing online training plan
  • Cellphone with WIFI (our communications are through WhatsApp)

Winter Equipment Requirements

  • HTB Warm up Jacket and Race Suit
  • .22 Rifle (Owned or Rented)
  • 1 pair of skate race skis*
  • 1 pair of Skate training skis
  • 1 pair of skate or classic rock skis
  • 1 pair of Classic race skis*
  • 1 pair of Classic training (crowns or skins skis)
  • Skate length poles (upper lip height)
  • Classic length poles (83% of height when in ski boots measured to strap)
  • Skate boots
  • Classic boots
  • Drink belt for fluids, snacks, and grip wax
  • Heart Rate Monitor with stopwatch 
  • Access to a Basic glide wax kit (including an iron, scraper, groove scraper, and nylon brush for glide 

* Head Coach can help with guidance in building a race ski fleet when necessary

Fees

  • $2000 single payment, $184 monthly or $1012.50 per 2 instalments
  • Range and Supply Fees – $285 
  • Service Hour Obligation – see here for an explanation of this program as well as the chart of hours required by program.

Other Fees

  • Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada registration fees: You must register  with BiON/BiCAN before registering with HTB. Athletes will not be permitted to participate in any HTB training activities without this registration.
  • Highlands Nordic season pass: athletes registered in Dev. 3 Biathlon must purchase a season pass from Highlands Nordic
  • Race entry fees
  • Travel, food, accommodation, waxing and coach expenses for Training Camps and Race Events. 
  • All expenses will be charged to athletes on a cost recovery basis
  • Failure to pay deposits and final charges by the stated deadlines may result in suspension and/or dismissal from the Program as outlined in the Athlete Agreement.