The New England Bill Koch Youth Ski League (NEBKYSL) is the largest cross-country ski program for young people in the United States. Whether a child loves the adventure of cross-country skiing, of playing with friends on skis, or wants to grow up to be a ski racer, the New England Bill Koch League has something for them. The League consists of roughly 50 Bill Koch League (BKL) Ski Clubs all across the East. To learn more about the BKL Ski Club nearest you, and to sign up your child, visit our Club Directory HERE and contact the listed leader.
Bill Koch League Age Groups:
NENSA BKL Age Groups are classified by year in school.
Lollipop: Ages 0-7
U6: Ages 4-5: Grade PreK – K
U8: Ages 6-7: Grades 1 & 2
Junior 5 / (U10): Ages 8-9 Grades 3 & 4
Junior 4 / (U12): Ages 10-11 Grades 5 & 6
Junior 3 / (U14): Ages 12-13 Grades 7 & 8
NENSA is the parent organization of the New England Bill Koch League — Bill Koch League skiers are the youth skiers of NENSA. NENSA provides support for BKL members and club leaders in the form of annual membership benefits, the option to purchase club liability insurance, and a range of educational and competitive programs for individuals and clubs. BKL District Chairs form the BKL Committee of the NENSA Board. One of the members of the BKL Committee is a NENSA staff member oversees NENSA’s youth programming.
The mission of the Bill Koch Youth Ski League (BKYSL) is to introduce young people to the lifelong sport of cross-country skiing, and the many associated health, fitness, and social benefits, in a fun, inclusive, and safe environment.
The Bill Koch League Teaching Philosophy
All Bill Koch Youth Ski League (BKYSL) activities and competitions are designed to teach young people to participate to the best of their respective abilities. The foundation of the BKL is centered on the belief that having fun is at the core of learning to cross-country ski and that children can develop physically, psychologically, and socially in a safe, healthy, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment.