Head Coach: Dave Slette

Assistant Coaches:  Sam Holmes and Mitchel Delong (Scroll down to learn more about these highly qualified leaders.) 

Contact: Head coach Dave Slette (dslette@frontier.net) or Program Parent Coordinator Leah Elenbaas (lelenbaas@gmail.com)

Ages: 13-19 (U16—U20 USSA Levels)

When: The HS program runs from November 1st through March; the Junior National program extends through the Junior National championship races in mid-March for those that qualify.

A parent & skier’s meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. October 29, at the Marquette Senior High School Little Theater.

Practices begin with dryland fitness training.  All athletes must have a HS sports physical form on file to participate.

Where: Practices take place on multiple trail venues in the Marquette area.  County races may be held at the UP Nordic Complex, Al Quaal, Blueberry Ridge and Forestville.  The HS Race team members may travel to Rhinelander, WI and Ironwood, Traverse City, and Houghton.  Junior National Qualifying races are held in Duluth and Minneapolis, MN and Brillion and Cable, WI this season.

Price: High School Level: $225.00; Junior National Level: $400.00.  (Both include individual SSC membership.)

Scholarships are available to those in need.  Please speak to either of the program contacts or email superiorlandskitreasurer@gmail.com for more details.

Rental Equipment is available on a first come first serve basis.  You will be contacted by a coach about sizing if you rent equipment in the registration process.

• There is a $75.00 fee for the use of each complete set of equipment (classic and freestyle) for the season; for complete sets of both classic and skate gear the cost is $150.00

• Skis, poles and boots for classic and freestyle may be rented separately.

• New this year, sign up and pay when you register to reserve equipment.  If you acquire your own equipment before January 15, 2026, we will refund your rental fees.  If you pay for rental gear you will be contacted about sizes and the distribution dates no later than November 30.  The Superiorland Ski Swap is a great opportunity to pick up used cross country ski equipment.  Also, local shops will have previous season overstock and staff at the swap to provide guidance in choosing and fitting equipment..

• If you discovered you need to rent additional equipment or add the Junior National option, click here.

• Need to cancel gear rental for a refund?  Fill out this Google survey and we will get the money back to you!

Instructions about which forms to fill out are available here.  Watch for the 2025-26 Race Schedule and the 2025-26 Race Team Information letter here.

Dave Slette, head coach for the Race team last year, and assistant coach in 2023-24, was previously the Head High School Coach in Rhinelander, WI.  He’s also coached both middle and elementary programs and has a wealth of experience and deep love of the sport.

Sam Holmes and Mitchell Delong both skied with the Michigan Tech team.  Sam has been an SSC Race Team assistant coach for three seasons, and previously coached at the VASA club in Traverse City.  Mitchell was with the SSC race team for the 2024-25 season. His ski career highlights include being a 3-time Michigan State Cross Country Skiing Champion, 6-time USSA Junior Nationals All-American, Nordic Skiing Team Captain at Michigan Tech and earning the Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award for the MTU Nordic Team.