YOUTH BIATHLON

Methow Valley Biathlon (MVB) combines the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle marksmanship. The program is open to youth ages 9–18 (participants must turn nine by December 31 of the current winter).

Biathletes complete their ski training through MVNT and take part in regular marksmanship practices throughout the season, from November through February. MVB also supports athletes who wish to compete in regional and national biathlon races.

We recommend that athletes have at least one season of Nordic Team experience or equivalent skiing ability before joining. New biathletes must be accompanied by a responsible adult until approved by a coach or range safety officer.

MVB provides rifles for team members to use during the season. Each athlete is responsible for purchasing their own ammunition, which can be ordered through MVB.

All MVB members must also be members of US Biathlon for insurance purposes. Join here.

Winter Youth Programs

  • Dev 1

    At least one year of ski experience. YOB: 2016 or older

    MORE DETAILS SOON

    Saturday Training, 6-8 practices plus events between Nov and February. Must be 9 years old by 12/31/26, no biathlon experience needed. New shooter training (for participants and parent) and practice will be announced soon.

    Members must be actively training at least one day a week with MVNT.

    Must be a US Biathlon member and have completed a USB Rifle Safety Course prior to the first day of training. More details will be provided at the MVNT Fall Information Night at the school. Contact biathlon@mvnsef.org with questions.

    When beginning, biathletes must be accompanied by a responsible adult until approved by a coach or range safety officer.

    MVB owns rifles which are available to team members to use during the season.  Each team member is responsible for purchasing their own ammunition, which is available through MVB.

    Register

  • Dev 2

    Our Dev-2 program offers double the shooting opportunities, for biathletes with at least two years of biathlon experience with YOB 2014+.

    MORE DETAILS SOON

    Training will take place Friday afternoons and Saturdays between November and February, plus support at some races.

    Must be US Biathlon member and training with MVNT group.  

    Athletes with less than two years of biathlon experience with the club wanting to train in the Development 2 group can petition the coaching staff via biathlon@mvnsef.org on Nov 1st, and again on Jan 1st, and February 1st.  More details on registration page.

    Register

Biathlon Coaches

  • Betsy Devin-Smith

    A full-time rancher and retired veterinarian, Betsy devotes her every spare moment to the Biathlon Team. Her accomplishments as a Biathlon coach, advisor, and board member earned her the award of “Volunteer Ski Coach of the Year” by the US Olympic Committee in 2010. Betsy assisted as a Biathlon Official at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and again at the 2018 World Cup in Soldier Hollow, UT. She is a past US Master Biathlon Champion and a North American Biathlon Champion. She is a Level 1 certified Biathlon Coach and a 4H shooting sports leader.

  • Scott Waichler

    Scott started doing biathlon with his children in 2007. He is a USBA coach, PSIA Level 3 cross-country skiing instructor and US Skiing Level 100 coach, and a past national masters biathlon champion. Scott also coaches skiing in MVNT.

Philosophy

For more than 20 years, Methow Valley Nordic Ski Educational Foundation (MVNSEF) has introduced athletes and families to the exciting sport of biathlon. Many athletes who began in our program have gone on to compete successfully at the regional, national, and international levels. We are proud to have provided the foundation for those journeys.

Methow Valley Biathlon is a foundational athlete development program built on the belief that long-term development is more important than short-term results. Our coaching philosophy emphasizes age-appropriate training, sound skiing and shooting technique, safe and responsible firearm handling, physical fitness, sportsmanship, and a lifelong love of the sport. We strive to guide each athlete through an appropriate level of training and competition that supports both long-term athletic development and overall well-being.

For many athletes, MVNSEF provides everything they need to enjoy biathlon and compete successfully at the local and regional level. As athletes pursue higher levels of competition, however, continued progress increasingly depends on personal initiative beyond scheduled team practices. Athletes and families should expect to take an active role in seeking additional training, racing opportunities, and skill development.

While MVNSEF is not a full-time high-performance program, we are committed to helping motivated athletes pursue ambitious goals. Our coaches are happy to provide guidance, connect families with additional training opportunities, recommend resources, and help athletes navigate regional, national, and international development pathways.

Whether an athlete's goal is to enjoy biathlon for a lifetime or pursue regional, national, or international competition, Methow Valley Biathlon is committed to providing the coaching, support, and community that help every athlete build a strong foundation and confidently take the next step.