Biathlon

Biathlon News 

NYS Biathlon

This is THE most important web site for those racing biathlon in NYS. Race dates, points, rules, etc. It's all here.

NYSSRA Nordic

New York State Ski Racing Association - Nordic
All you'd want to know about nordic and Biathlon racing in NY

US Biathlon Association

Keep up on what's happening on the US Biathlon team. These guys work really hard. Be sure to visit the sponsor links.

World of Biathlon

The official International Biathlon Union (IBU) site that has all information on World Cup and Olympic events. Even has a live stats displayer for real time results on WC events! Is updated during the summer and has info on summer events.

Eurosport

Similar to World of Biathlon site. Note that this site is not updated during the summer.

FIS Ski

This is the official organization that oversees World Cup cross country, ski jumping, and down hill races. While it doesn't cover biathlon, it does have good information about cross country races. It's also good to track those biathletes that compete in cross country.

Frozenbullet - Brian Olsen

A member of the US Biathlon team, Brian is an active athlete/journalist. He reports on his life as a biathlete and also on other biathletes. Site gets updated on a hit/miss basis. Has some good product information from time to time, information on waxing, etc.

Maine Winter Sports Center

Good news headlines - will have information about biathlon, but usually a repeat of whats at the US Biathlon site.

Nordic Ski Racer

Always very fresh information. Focuses on what's going on Michigan.

Ski Trax

This looks at the nordic race scene from a Canadian perspective.

Minnesota Biathlon

This site is specific to Minnesota, but from time to time it has good information about what's going on in US Biathlon.

IBU Calendar

Get the seasons IBU biathlon calendar! It has the schedule of World Cup races, maps of courses, profile on each athlete, history of biathlon, shooting stats, etc. When I first bought this, I thought it would be a wall/monthly calendar. Wrong! It's a small but thick book! All in color, very well done. Don't let a season go by with out this! When you order you may get email invoices in German... I don't remember when they come out, but I think it's Nov/Dec.

Biathlon Clubs 

Saratoga Biathlong Club

Saratoga Biathlon Club has a strong presence in the New England biathlon scene. Very active, great facility, and good people. Site has race information. Also holds summer biathlon events.

Syracuse Biathlon Club

Syracuse Club has a strong presence in the New England biathlon scene. Most races held at the Osceola Nordic center. Also holds summer biathlon events.

Rochester XC Ski Foundation

While not biathlon, they do have a very active ski program with lessons, camps, groom local trails, etc. Very up and coming group. They do offer some rollerski races throughout the year too.

Lake Placid Biathlon Club

This site tends to be out of date with more up to date information at the NYSSRA Nordic site.

Western NY Biathlon

As of 10/06 this site only has one page, some info about a race in 1/22/06, and says it's under construction. May be more information under the Rochester XC Foundation site above.

Places to Skate Ski 

Greek Peak Nordic

This is truely a hidden gem. Across the road from the downhill ski resort is the Nordic center. Mark who runs this place does an outstanding job of grooming both classic and skate tracks. The center has 15-20km of trails. Some flat, some big hills. It's very pretty. This place is located just south of Cortland. Closest place to skate big trails near Syracuse. The 'lodge' is pretty small - basically a warming hut in an open pavilion. Very reasonably priced.

Osceola Nordic Center

Osceola Cross Country Ski Center. Trail rates are $12 for adults, $6 for 15 and under. Sometimes there's two for one coupons in those books that kids sell for fund raisers.

This place is rustic - not a real fancy lodge, but comfortable. Has tables and chairs to eat at, wood stove, equipment shop, bathrooms, water, etc. They sell some snacks and cookies.

If you are ever thinking about buying equipment, this is the place. He sell's his stuff at rock bottom prices and you can try everything out before you buy. I tried several pairs of boots on the trails before I bought. I've bought boots, skis, gloves, bindings, poles, etc. from him. I have looked all over and his prices are the best and he carries very good equipment.

Google map showing where the center is located.

Map of how we get there from Syracuse.

Sunnycrest Park

It used to be that if you wanted to skate ski in Syracuse, you'd have to drive about 40 min to Greek Peak Nordic or 1hr to Osceola. Then in 2005, the Sunnycrest Park Association got a grant, purchased some grooming equipment, and now we've got skate skiing right in the middle of the city! 2.5 miles of groomed trails, there is a lot of variety: hill, flats, etc.

Salmon Hills

Probably the most equiped with full lodge and the longest system of trails in central NY. Pretty expensive. Night sking is a big plus. I took the family there once and they sold us a pass with night sking - then they didn't turn on the lights! I had to go hunt someone down to turn them on. They said they would - we got out on the trails - still no lights. You can rent a room (or a yurt), get food in their lodge, or bring your own meal for the public yurt. Very nice place. More expensive. Make sure the lights will actually be on if you buy a night ticket!

Saratoga Biathlon Club

The trail system is owned and maintained by Jim Schreiner, father of three time Olympian Curt Schreiner. There is a fully functional biathlon range, which contains ten lanes with knock down biathlon targets, capable of being set for either offhand or prone.

Race Place: Lake Placid 

Biathlon Range Map

The biathlon range is located at the Verson Sports Complex.

Mt. Vanho Cam

This is a camera at the Mt. Vanho XC area that shows what the weather is like.

Lake Placid Places to Stay

Since there's tons of places to stay for any budget, check out this site that will give you a list of places. There are several places on the way to the biathlon range along Cascade Rd: Jack Rabbit Inn, Schultes Lodge, Budget Inn, etc.. There are also places before Lake Placid along rt 86 - you can take Old Military Rd to by pass Lake Placid and get down to Mt. Van Hoe.

Spruce Lodge ($41)

Phone: 1-800 258-9350
Address:

Haven't stayed here, but do have friends that have and they like it.

Cascade Inn ($50)

Phone: 518-523-2130
Address: Cascade Rd.
Lake Placid, NY

Probably the closest place to Mt. Van Hoe at the cheapest price

Pros: Very close to Mt. Van Hoe, large rooms, low prices, Restaurant (Dinner) right there
Cons: Noisy heater, no breakfast at Restaurant during winter

Schultes Family Lodge ($75)

Phone: 518-523-3532
Address: Cascade Rd.
Lake Placid, NY 12946

This place is very nice and very close to the biathlon range. Very clean, large rooms. Some rooms have outside access, others have inside. About $85 per night in season. Can be hard to reach. If you leave a message, may or may not call you back. They advertise a 'coffe' shop - not really anything special.

Northway Motel ($75)

This link is to the Lake Placid site, you'll have to look up Northway from some more details. They don't have a web site.

Phone:
518-523-3500
800-479-2135
(reservations only)
Address:
2795 Wilmington Road (Route 86)
Lake Placid

Very clean, easy to get to things in town.

Race Place: Old Forge 

McCauley Mt.

McCauley Mt. ski center

McCauley Mt. Map

This is a Google map of where McCauley Mt is located.

Christy's Motel

Phone: 315.369.6138
Address: Christy's Motel
Route 28 P.O. Box 854
Old Forge, New York 13420

I haven't stayed - was about to, but then no snow!

Christy's Motel Map

Google map of where Christy's is.

Swing Inn

Phone: 315-831-5315
Address: 9336 State Rte. 12, Remsen, NY 13438

This is about 40min from Old Forge, right on Rt 12 on the way to McCauley Mt. I stayed there with 2 kids on the way to the Bill Koch festival. Owner went out of her way to get us a matress for one of the kids to sleep on the floor. Price is very good, about $55. Very clean rooms with satelite TV, coffee maker, etc. Rooms are small - classic ADK feel. Owner very friendly.

Swing Inn Map

Here's a google map showing where the Swing Inn is.

Race Place: Peru Nordic 

Or th MitcHELLbeiner Skistadion

Peru Nordic

This is one wild website!

Race Place: Saratoga 

Saratoga Biathlon Club

Site for the Club. You can register on line through this site.

Saratoga Biathlon Club Map

Google map of where the club is located. Two things to note as you get close to the club. First, if you're coming from the south up Rt 30, you'll turn right on to Bridge St. This will take you into the town of Northville. In town, you'll take a right at the light on the corner with the gas station on the right. This will be Ridge Rd. Follow this along until you get to Northville-Edinburg Rd. Second, note that if you're coming from the south, you'll come up S. Shore Rd. You know you're almost there when you go around a very sharp left turn. See the club site for directions.

Flip Inn

Phone: 518-863-4644
Address:
214 Co. Hwy.152, Northville, NY 12134

About $53 per night single, and $70 for double.
This is a very clean place to stay at a reasonable rate. Rooms are on the small side. The room we stayed in had a very small kitchenette. 1970's style, you'll love the wicker lamp shades and basket chairs! From here to the club is a short drive. I've stayed here a couple times and like it.

Orendaga

Phone: (518) 863- 8013
Email: info@orendaga.com
Address:
732 South Main Street
Northville, NY 12134

Orendaga is located in Northville and has suites available in the winter time for around $95. Suites have bedroom, living room, small kitchen and bath room. Can sleep 2 adults and 2 kids comfortably. Starting in the winter of 2008-09 they will have a cabin on the lake that has two bedrooms, living room, full kitchen, wood stove for $150 per night for first two nights, then $100 per night after that.

Other Information 

Caldwell Sport Specialties

These guys grind skis. Good information on waxing, new ski models, etc.

Violent Biathlon

Very funny video out under Google Video!

Faster Skier

Site dedicated to nordic racing. Lot's of good articles, international coverage.

Skinny Ski

Nordic skiing and racing news and information. More of a US focus

Nordic Ski Racer

News on nordic racing, focus on Michigan. Updated frequently.

Team Today

"The goal of team today is to raise the level of cross-country ski racing in America to Olympic medal heights through educating and inspiring the US Ski community as well as by supporting the training and racing efforts of America's top cross-country ski racers"

Site has some really good pictures to US XC athletes. Interviews with athletes.

Team FSx

Blogging by a number of elite XC athletes. FSx is a combination of Fischer, Swix. See a description of the site.

Cross Country Skier

Site by the Cross Country Skier mag. Lots of articles that cover everything from racing, product reviews, ski resort reviews, back country skiing, etc. More generalized with North American focus.

Master Skier

Focus on ski racing, has information about technique, races, etc. They have a print version that I like to pick up at Osceola. I like to review the equipment vendor ad's too.

XC Ski Discussion Forum

This is a discussion forum for people to discuss nordic ski equipment.

Ontario Biathlon Club

Saw an invetation to NYS folks to come and join them for a race.

Section V Nordic Portal

This site contains information about High School section V cross country activities.

Equipment: The Rifle 

Altius

Look around any biathlon race and you see 75% of the people wearing Altius shooting cuffs! Altius makes some beautiful rifles and offers great services. During the season, response can be slow to get your orders in early.

Syracuse Biathlon Equipment List

This is a page that people post equipment for sale.

Meal Johnson's Gunsmithing

I've never worked with them, saw this link on the Syracuse Biathlon site.

KG-Larson Rifles

I've never worked with them, saw this link on the Syracuse Biathlon site.

Numrich Gun Parks (Lakefield/Savage Parts)

I've never worked with them, saw this link on the Syracuse Biathlon site.

MSS Ltd

This company carries Larson biathlon production. Go to the home page > Outdoor Products > Biathlon. Don't be thrown by the home page that presents medical products!

Equipment: Wax 

Where do you buy your wax from?

Swix

While you can't buy the wax here, it does explain all the Swix waxes, what their used for, etc.

Swix Store

This site sells swix wax products. From what I can see, they have very competitive prices.

Ski Guys

A blurb from their site: "Sports Rack Ltd. was founded in 1990 by skiers with a racing background and a desire to provide the highest level of service possible for skiers looking for quality equipment. We believe that all skiers, from those who ski two times a year or every day deserve equipment that works to maximize their enjoyment of the sport.

The staff here at Skiguys.com lives for the sport of nordic skiing. We always seem short handed on the weekends because all or our employees are out racing locally and nationally. We live in a community where you can see Olympians roller skiing down the roads on any given day. We work very closely with Sten Fjeldheim and his Northern Michigan University Ski team (who produced 4 Olympians at the 2006 games as well as one of the coaches), as well as many other elite skiers in the region and across the country."

Gear West

Large selection of XC products