Biathlon gains momentum in Flathead Valley with innovative Laser Training Programme

The Glacier Nordic Club began building a programme in the Flathead Valley three years ago by partnering with Flathead County 4H Shooting Sports to use air rifles. They later transitioned to laser rifles for their pilot programme as U.S. Biathlon became involved.

Last winter, U.S. Biathlon piloted a Laser Biathlon Training Programme in three Nordic communities, including Whitefish. U.S. Biathlon loaned Glacier Nordic 10 laser biathlon rifles, targets, shooting mats and rifle supports.

U.S. Biathlon Director of Sport Development, John Farra, visited last season and was impressed by the programme, led by Glacier Nordic Club Executive Director Jennie Bender and Head Prep Team Coach Ed Visnovske.

“Flathead Valley is perfect for this programme,” said Bender. “We want to build the winter recreation community and gauge interest in biathlon, and so far our youth programmes are almost full. We also have adult programmes, and people have been very excited about trying the sport.”

This winter, a grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation, matched by the U.S. Biathlon Association, enabled the club to purchase five of their own rifles. USBA provided another five for use in their programming.

The laser rifles make training safer and more affordable. They look and feel like standard biathlon rifles, but there are no bullets, loud noises or serious safety concerns associated with live firearms. For now, youth participants do not ski with the rifles; they remain on the range. For advanced adult programmes, adding the complexity of skiing with the rifle introduces an additional challenge.

Still, Bender emphasises gun safety.

“Biathlon stems from a military background, with strict, regimented protocols and procedures,” Bender said. “We plan to implement the same education and gun safety standards in our programmes.”

Anyone handling the laser rifles is instructed to treat them as if they were live firearms. Practices take place at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course, so passers-by may occasionally see skiers training with them.

“I think it’s important for people to know that if they do see these, they should not be concerned. They are not live firearms,” Bender said. “Even if a laser were accidentally pointed somewhere it shouldn’t be, it would cause no harm.

“They’re high-quality laser rifles and very close to real biathlon guns,” she added.

For those interested in trying biathlon, Glacier Nordic offers programmes for both youth and adults.

Skiers aged 10 to 18 should first be enrolled in a Glacier Nordic Ski Team to build a foundation in skiing before adding biathlon training. As the programme involves more shooting than skiing, it is important to practise skiing separately.

Glacier Nordic offers several one-off clinics to introduce adults to the sport, as well as a more intensive five-part series, the Biathlon Builder Programme. Both begin on 10 January at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course or Dog Creek Lodge and Nordic Centre, depending on snow conditions.

Source: Glacier Nordic athletes give biathlon a shot with laser rifles | Whitefish Pilot