FTN Juniors

Absolutely not. We accept junior skiers (age 14-18) of all levels and abilities. All you need is a passion for cross-country skiing and a positive attitude! We train and race as a TEAM, which means everyone supports and encourages one another.

For on-snow training, you will need at least one pair of skate and one pair of classic cross-country skis (waxed, not waxless), as well as boots and poles for each discipline. As you progress as a racer, we will also encourage you to have separate skis for both racing and training.

During the off-season, you will need both skate and classic roller skis, as well as special tips to put on your poles for road vs. snow training. Helmets are required. You will also need a good pair of running shoes.

Need help buying equipment? Let us know! At FTN, we understand this process can sometimes be overwhelming. We offer expert guidance to help you find the right equipment, and also offer periodic opportunities to buy used or discounted Rossignol skis and boots.

Because juniors will spend a majority of their off-season training on roller skis, we recommend that every FTN Junior own their own equipment. While some specialty shops will allow you to try-out different types of roller skis to help you make a buying decision, most do not offer rental programs. If you are new to roller skiing, we will help you find the best option for your needs, and may even be able to help you source a used pair. We can also provide guidance on adding a speed reducer or brake system, if needed.

Yes! High school racing in MA is only done in the skate technique, so this is an important reason to join our club, where you will get classic technique coaching and training. Even if you’ve never done classic skiing before, we will help you learn how to do it. This is essential to learn if you plan to try-out for the U16 or Eastern High School Championships teams.

The FTN Juniors Team travels to and races at the Massachusetts U16 / EHS Qualifier as well as the Eastern Cup Race Series. For athletes that qualify to join either the MA U16 or EHS Championship team, we will also help you train and prepare you for those races. Any athletes qualifying for Junior Nationals will also receive specialized support.

Participation is NOT required for any race in order to stay on the team. At the beginning of each year, we work with you individually to help set goals and determine which races are appropriate for your interests. We’ll then design the best possible training program to help you meet your objectives!

Yes! Our program is designed to work alongside your high school program. We will work with you to ensure any training and racing you do is complimentary to your high school training and racing endeavors.

Yes, if you are passionate about cross-country skiing, our annual program is still the right fit for you! Many of our juniors also compete in other high-school sports such as cross-country running, rowing, sailing, track & field, soccer and more.

As part of the FTN Juniors program, you receive access to a dedicated coach who will provide weekly training guidance to help you tailor your off-season training to compliment your other sports. This helps ensure you get the specific training you need for cross-country skiing while simultaneously helping you optimize your performance for your current sports season.

Cross-country ski training is one of the best ways to improve your cardiovascular fitness and strength, which can give you a “leg up” in your other athletic endeavors, so our annual program is a great choice for multi-season athletes, too!

FTN’s Head Coach, Rob Bradlee, is also a Toko Wax Technician who provides expert guidance to athletes and their families. Several times per year, FTN provides opportunities to purchase Toko wax supplies and accessories. When you join the FTN Juniors Team, we will provide advice to help you build your “wax kit,” including the glide wax, kick wax, klister and accessories you need for both skate and classic. FTN also provides wax clinics throughout the year to help juniors learn the “art” of waxing and become experts themselves!

On race days, FTN has a dedicated wax team and tent on site to prepare skis for each event, including application of kick wax and klister for the classic technique. We know this is often the most stressful component of cross-country ski racing, so we provide all the support and guidance you need to make your skis as fast as possible on race day.

Note: FTN does not provide wax support for high school races.

While this is not a required piece of equipment, FTN highly recommends that athletes use a heart rate monitor to track how much time is spent training at different exertion levels. This is the best way to ensure you optimize your performance, avoid overtraining and track recovery.

You do NOT need an expensive or overly sophisticated monitor to do so. Any watch with a heart rate strap that can record data across the different heart rate zones will suffice. This is the key information tracked in the FTN training log to help guide your individualized training plan.

Need help picking one out? Just let us know. FTN can provide guidance on the best and most affordable option to meet your individual needs.

Absolutely! FTN’s motto is that we aren’t just a club, we’re a community. As an FTN Junior, you’ll attend team pasta parties / potlucks, have the ability to carpool with your teammates, enjoy game nights at training camps and do extracurricular activities together like hiking or orienteering events! We have a tradition of starting the season off with a welcome party that includes freshly made apple cider donut holes and finishing it with and end-of-season party to honor everyone’s performances. As Coach Rob likes to say, “Have fun working hard and work hard at having fun!”