NorthXC Winter Information
USSA and CXC
US Ski & Snowboard is the national governing body for skiing in the United States, and the parent organization of the US Ski Team. As part of the US Ski Team development pipeline, US Ski & Snowboard sponsors Junior Nationals each year – a week-long competition in March with skiers from different regional teams. Plus, additional championship races opportunities including teams at Canadian Nationals and NENSA (New England) U16 Championships. Each US Ski & Snowboard region (Minnesota is in the Midwest division) holds Junior Qualifier races to determine selections to their respective teams. CXC (Central Cross Country Skiing) is our regional ski organization that governs, oversees and runs the races. Our series is called the CXC Salomon Cup, which is four race weekends held over the ski season.
JQ's - CXC Salomon Cup Racing
JNQ and CXC Cup racing is not only for top racers, it is for all ski racers. If you like ski racing, then CXC Cup racing is for you. CXC Cup weekends are fun, a great way to increase confidence, and an opportunity to race against other skiers from outside your conference or section. Plus, Junior National and CXC Cup results are what college ski coaches use to evaluate and rank prospective students. This year Junior Nationals is at Mt. Telemark in Cable, Wisconsin.
USSA Membership
To race in the CXC Cup races, athletes over 14 years of age must have a valid USSA membership. There are two categories of race memberships and we recommend first year racers to purchase a Cross Country General Membership. If you are serious about CXC races and the outcome, then purchase the Cross Country Competition Membership. The Competition Membership will log your points on a list that is distributed nation wide. An upgrade is possible anytime during the season.
USSA MEMBERSHIP is REQUIRED for Juniors racing Junior Qualifier (JQ) Races!
- Competitor or General license
- Choose Midwest as division
- Duluth Cross Country Ski Club (DXC) NORDIC as Club Affiliation
- NorthXC as your team
If you are turning 18 this year you will have to complete Safe Sport and get a background check before you can race this winter! (You have 45 days after turning 18 to complete).
US Ski and Snowboard imposes a LATE FEE after October 15th.
Duluth Cross Country Ski Club
Our local ski club is the US Ski and Snowboard affiliation for our team. Join Duluth Cross Country Ski Club and support their work throughout the year and the organization that brings CXC Cup racing to Duluth.
Coaching and Support
Two to three NorthXC coaches will be at all the CXC Cup races.
Travel and Lodging
We are very fortunate this year to have a home race and two more weekends three with in a 90 minute drive. All lodging and transportation to races is on your own.
Race Suit
Racing in the CXC Cup you represent your club, team and region, not your high school. Leave your high school race suit in the closet. NorthXC and DXC race suits represent our team and club. We are all individuals, and if you have a favorite suit, we respect that and wear it proudly. All suits must be stylish and appropriate. The NorthXC store will be open soon!
NorthXC does have a couple DXC (size Unisex Medium and Women's Medium) and NorthXC suits (Unisex Medium) to loan out. Please contact Coach Siiri prior to season start to reserve one of these suits.
Wax Service and Support
Coach Joe offers a wax service and support for all CXC Cup races. This service is fee based and is optional. The service includes; ski drop off plan, ski selection recommendations, waxing, race weekend game plan and important race day information. This takes the pre-race stress of waxing off athletes and parents. Coach Joe is known for great service and results. Contact him if you have questions: Joe.haggenmiller@gmail.com
Fall Rental Roller Skis and Programs
Fall Rental Roller Skis
Roller skis are available to rent from September 1st to November 14th. Please fill out the form.
Fall 2025 Training
Fall is an important time to keep roller skiing and moving like a skier. This year NorthXC will hold roller ski practices on Monday afternoons, starting October 20th. Later in October we will add ski walking and bounding to our sessions.
NorthXC Summer 2026
Program Descriptions - 14 to 19 years old
Four day a week (36 sessions) plus bonus distance days:
Time: 8:30AM to ~10:30AM
Cost:
Locations and activity:
Mondays - Classic Roller Ski - specific strength on the Munger Trail. Meet at Grand Avenue Chalet.
Tuesdays - Running - speed, quickness and/or distance at Bagley or Hawks Ridge
Wednesdays - Skate Roller skiing - Agility and technique work at Munger Trail or Hermantown Soccer Complex
Thursdays - Hill bounding, ski walking, and ski imitation at Spirit Mountain. Meet at Grand Avenue Chalet.
Fridays - Bonus!! Over-distance days. Four planned for the summer of 2025.
Two days a week (18 sessions) plus bonus distance days:
Time: 8:30AM to ~10:30AM
Cost:
Choose two days of four training days:
Mondays - Classic Roller Ski - specific strength on Munger Trail.
Tuesdays - Running - speed and quickness at Bagley or Hartley
Wednesdays - Skate Roller skiing - Agility and technique work at Munger Trail or Hermantown Soccer Complex
Thursdays - Hill bounding, ski walking and ski imitation at Spirit Mountain. Meet at Grand Avenue Chalet.
Fridays - Bonus!! Over-distance days - Three planned for the summer of 2026
Sessions notes: Sessions are scheduled practice days. Sessions can be used up and then added on as summer progresses or as schedules change. For example: it is okay for sign up for the 18 session program and attend 4 to 5 sessions a week for 4 weeks.
Session Dates:
Pay per session: Summer training is a commitment, and if you are not sure of your plans but would like to join us for at least 5 sessions this summer, we offer a guest registration. Download the NorthXC registration form and return it via email or contact Coach Siiri to register online. NorthXC will bill you at the end of the summer. Per session rate is $18.
Scholarships:
All Scholarships have been awarded. If the cost of NorthXC is a barrier, please reach out to us.
Reigration:
Register for all NorthXC sessions by signing up online or download registration form and return it to NorthXC.
Program Descriptions - 10 to 14 years of age (U14 and U12)
Roller skiing is an important training tool for the cross country skier. The basic skills are important to master and will be used throughout a skiers life. If you look to Scandinavia for insight, skiers are on roller skis at a very young age. This helps with the development of balance, agility, confidence and strength. This program is one of our longest running programs. Many of our older juniors and high school graduates learned how to and mastered roller skiing in this program. Above all, it is really fun.
- Minimum requirement is 3 years of on snow skiing experience.
One day a week - Tuesdays
Dates: June 10th to August 5th
Time: 5:00PM to 6:30PM
Cost: (plus online fees)
Location: Munger Trailhead at Spirit Mountain or Hermantown Soccer Complex
Equipment needed: Skate boots, Skate length poles with roller ferrules,
helmet and gloves. Skate roller skis are provided, if you do not have your own.
Register for NorthXC-Nordic North Star Sessions by signing up online or download the pdf registration form and return it to NorthXC.
Equipment Needs - 14 to 19 years old
The correct equipment is important for preforming your best at practice. Equipment needs:
- Running shoes - trail shoes or similar, most of our running will be on trails or ski hills.
- Bounding poles (short classic poles)
- Waist water pack
- Classic Roller Skis*, Boots and Poles with roller ferrules
- Skate Roller Skis*, Boots and Poles with roller ferrules
- Helmet
- Sports watch
*We have rental roller skis available. See below for details.
Rollerski Rental Information
Roller skiing is an important training tool for the cross country skier. Roller skis can be purchased from Ski Hut, Continental, Gear West, Pioneer Midwest, EnjoyWinter and Finn Sisu. If you have any questions on roller ski purchase, please let us know. Recommended brands - Swenor, Marwe, Fischer, Hjul and IDT.
We also have a limited supply of rental roller skis, both classic and skate available to registered NorthXC skiers.
Cost:
$ per pair - Classic or Skate
$ for both - Classic and Skate
Roller skis will be distributed the first training week of June. Roller skis will be available at a first come first serve. The supplies are limited on number. Please fill out the form rental form and return via email to siirimorse@northxc.com. Rental payments can be made by cash, check or Venmo.
Note: If you are registering and paying for the summer session by check and would like to add rentals, no problem. Send it all at one time.
If you only plan on coming on Mondays, you do not need to rent skate roller skis, only classic. If you only plan to come on Wednesdays, you do not need to rent classic skis. Our days are set as to which technique we focus on:
Mondays - Classic
Wednesdays - Skate