Ski Jumping & Junior Nordic Combined

Might as well...JUMP!

KTUU - November 2011

NSAA offers three ski jumping programs:

Session 1: November 14, 2011 - January 7, 2012
Session 2: January 17, 2012 - March 10, 2012

1. Nordic Combined

Nordic Combined is one of Nordic skiing’s oldest disciplines combining Nordic skiing and ski jumping. Competitors begin by ski jumping, and are given points for both distance and style. The better you do on the ski jumping portion, the greater the head start you get in the Nordic ski race that follows. The skier that crosses the finish line first is the Nordic Combined winner.

Ages: Kids ages 6-14

Registration: Online starts October 1st (see right) SPACE IS LIMITED, so sign up right away.

Cost: $280/session for NSAA members (includes Nordic ski coaching, jump coaching, jumping equipment rental, and a $50 USSA fee for insurance)

Nordic Skiing
Days: Monday and Wednesday evenings with the Junior Nordic program
Location: At the location of their choice

Jumping
Days: Tuesday or Thursday evenings and Saturday or Sunday afternoons
Location: Karl Eid jumps at Hilltop

Jumping equipment rental includes:
Skis, Boots, Bindings, Helmet, Goggles, and Jumping Suit.

2. Kids Ski Jumping Only

Ages: Kids ages 5-14

Registration: Online starts October 1st (see right) SPACE IS LIMITED, so sign up right away.
Cost: $190/session (includes jump coaching, jumping equipment rental and a $50 USSA fee for insurance)
Days: Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons
Location: Karl Eid jumps at Hilltop

3. Older Kids/Masters Ski Jumping

Ages: NSAA members of any age, it is never too old to fly!

Registration: Online starts October 1st (see right)
Cost: $100 (an additional $50 USSA fee for insurance is required)
Days: Masters may jump any time the jumps are open—Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
Location: Karl Eid jumps at Hilltop

Coaching Staff

Ski Jumping coaches are few are far between. That’s why we’re lucky to have three experienced jumping coaches running our Jr. Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping programs.

Coach Mike Jokela:

Mike Jokela began Nordic skiing in 1970 at age 10, and competed in cross country running and skiing for Service–Hanshew High School.
In 1976, Mike began ski jumping at the old 30 meter ski jump that was located at APU and was coached by program founder Karl Eid.
Since then, ski jumping has been his passion.  Mike continues jumping at the Hilltop Ski Jumps and also frequents his favorite jump, the 90 meter in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. As a master, he competed in World Master competitions in the U.S. and Europe. Mike began coaching in 1994 and was an early coach of Alan Alborn, Anchorage’s Olympic ski jumper. Mike has been an active volunteer for the program for over 20 years.

Coach Dan Bevington:

Dan started jumping in the early ‘70s with the Norge Ski Club in Illinois. One of the club’s best jumpers, he competed around the Midwest. In 1979, Dan moved to Colorado to train at Winter Park and Steamboat, jumping in international competitions starting at age 13. He tried out for the Olympics in 1980 with two other teammates. Dan says about jumping: “I am enthusiastic about coaching youth because I myself learned how to control my body and fly through the air on skis at a young age.  It had a profound effect on my life that lasts today. It will have a profound, life long effect on the lives of all youth who venture to learn this sport.”

Asst. Coach Trevor Taylor:

Trevor Taylor has been ski jumping for 30 years in Anchorage and around the world. He started in 1981 at the APU jump under the coaching direction of program founder Karl Eid. From 1984-1987 he jumped at Hilltop and competed in several Junior Olympic competitions. In 1988 Trevor moved to Colorado to attend college and continue his jump training on the K90 and K120 jumps at Steamboat Springs. After moving back to Anchorage, Trevor continues to jump, competing in the World Masters Ski Jump Competitions in Austria and Slovenia. He is also an avid speed skier, racing at Arctic Man as well as competitions in France and Norway.