Relays are one of the most effective and fun ways to involve kids in activities where they learn by doing. Some caution, however, needs to be observed to prevent the slowest, most awkward, most inexperienced kids from standing out.
- Avoid placing newer, less skilled skiers in the first leg or the last leg of a relay.
- Try to mix less experienced skiers into teams that have some of your faster, better-conditioned athletes.
- PAY ATTENTION. Yes, there is always a lot of cheering and backslapping that accompanies relays—but are any the kids standing back and feeling badly because they “cost” their team the event?
- Be prepared to make some types of relays optional if you observe that some kids just don’t like them.
Beanbag Relay
Each racer stops at the “firing range”, throws beanbags into a box until he or she gets three “hits”, and then skis on to tag the next skier. Leaders and parents help return the beanbags to the “firing line” so that there is always plenty of ammunition on hand. You can tennis balls as well.
- Play without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Catalog Relay
You need an old catalog, a piece of paper, clipboard and pencil, and stopwatch or watch. Place the catalog about 100 meters from a starting gate. The gate is two shoulder widths apart. Mark the catalog’s location with a pole. The person in the starting gate is given a page number. The object of the game is to ski to the catalog, find
the page number, tear it out, and return to the starting gates as soon as possible. The skier with the fastest time wins. Appoint some kids as official scorers and timers.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Caterpillar Relay
Two, three or four teams each line up with skiers in file formation. Each skier places skis outside the person in front of her, every fourth skier would start with skis together. Teams hobble, shuffle or do whatever it takes to get their caterpillar over the goal line.
Chariot Race
Worn-out bicycle tubes are used in this race. Divide the group into teams of two. One partner lines up behind the other, a tube is put around the waist of the skier in front, and the skier in the back holds onto the “reins”. The skier in front pulls the skier behind down to a designated point and back by skiing. When a pair has finished, it tags the next team; the fastest team wins. If there are enough tubes, all teams can go at once.
- Strength, feel for snow
Circle Relay
Students ski to a pole, circle it twice, and ski back to tag the next team member. Each team has its own turning pole.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
- Race cornering
Co-ed Relay
Each team consists of a mix of boys and girls (2 and 1, 2 and 2, 3 and 2, etc.).
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Cross Country Slalom Relay
Flags can be set on the flat, on an uphill, or down an easy hill. Leave plenty of room between sections of the sla- lom for racers to pass each other unless you have enough poles to make a dual slalom. You can set up 2 courses side-by-side on a short, relatively easy uphill—have skiers start head-to-head, ski up the hill and down the slalom gates.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
- Multiple technical applications
Double-Pole Contest
Set up two flags or poles 25 meters apart. Ask each skier to count the number of double poles they use between the flags. Then ask each skier to ski the route with fewer double poles. See who can do the least.
- Play with poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
- Double pole
Double-Pole for Distance
Make a starting line. Who can travel the farthest with ten double poles? Have each skier mark his or her place and try again for their personal best.
Double-Pole Drag
Put an old bicycle inner tube around the waist of the front skier; the second skier holds onto the tube. The front skier double-poles, dragging the second skier behind. When they reach the end of the course, the skiers change position and repeat the procedure.
- Play with poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
- Technical application: double pole
Double-Pole Long Jump
Draw a “poling line” in the snow. Let each skier back up to get good momentum. The skier executes a double pole on the double poling line and glides to see who goes the farthest. A slight incline works great.
Duck, Duck, Goose!
The group sidesteps halfway up an incline forming a line. The lowest person herringbones uphill, behind the group, saying “duck, duck, duck. . .” and then tags a “goose!” The tagged skier races to the top of the hill, trying to stay away from the tagger. The slower skier returns to the bottom to “duck walk up” and tag a new goose.
Egg Relay
Get some big spoons, and decide whether you want to use uncooked eggs. If an egg breaks, a Leader can leave the starting line with a replacement egg and ski to the site of the catastrophe. Another broken egg means another trip for the Leader!
- Play without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Father-Son Relay; Mother-Daughter Relay
Think of other variations: brother-sister relay, adult relay (an event for those over 25!), etc.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Figure Eight
Ski a figure eight track; start skiers skating slowly and little by little have them pick up speed.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
- Multiple technical applications
Holding-Hands Relay
This game is popular with younger skiers. Partners must ski without poles and they must hold hands. If one falls, the other helps him or her up—still holding hands. The lead-off pair skis the loop—keep the loop easy—and tags the second pair.
- Play without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Interval Relay
Two racers alternate laps for three to 10 laps each. This relay provides excellent training and is a good event for the mid season.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
- Choose the technique you wish to work on as the format for the relay: double pole, skating, striding, hill-climbing, downhills, etc
Medley Relay
Have three or four short loops of different types: one short and flat, one hill-climb section, one downhill section, one mixed-terrain loop, etc. Racers can start from one exchange zone or have exchange zones along the trail at convenient locations.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow Multiple technical applications
Multiple-Age Relay
Each team consists of a skier under eight, a Bill Koch skier, a high-school age skier, and perhaps an adult skier. You’re never too young or too old!
- Choose almost and relay format mentioned
No-Pole Relay
Skiers ski out to a marked point and back and then tag the next teammate in line. Everyone skis without poles. Many variations on this relay are possible.
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
No-Ski Start
Skiers start with their skis off, run about 10 meters, put their skis on, and complete the relay.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Partner Relay
Two skiers holding hands complete a set course.
- Play without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Peas-on-a-Plate Relay (Phil Savignano – Healthy Hometowns Ski Games)
Using Frisbees as plates and tennis balls as peas, relay teams of three or four take turns collecting a pea on their plate and then passing the plate to their team mate until the plate is full. (pre-count to determine how many tennis balls fit on a Frisbee). The start line should be about 10 yards from the tennis balls. Scatter the tennis balls to spread the competitors apart. Spills are common and if the plate empties the team has to start over again on pea at a time. As kids get better at this game, add in some varying terrain and a few obstacles.
Equipment: One Frisbee for each team and dozens of old tennis balls (ask around at the local tennis center or an avid tennis player for their old practice balls).
- Increase comfort on skis by improving balance and agility.
Push the Piggy to Market
Skiers use a ski pole to push a ball along a short trail (25-50 meters), turn around a flag, and return to tag their partner. Their partner then goes through the same procedure. Alternatively, skiers kick a ball with a ski tip as far as possible in two minutes. When the two minutes are up, the next team member takes over for two minutes, and so on.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Run-and-Ski Relay
Skiers start with their skis off, run 10 meters, put on their skis, ski a 100 meter loop, take off their skis, and run to tag a partner. A Leader might be needed to help students put on their skis.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
Skating Maze
Set up a slalom course on flat terrain and ski and skate through the poles quickly. Older skiers love racing against a clock and trying to improve their time.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow
- Race-turning
Tandem Skiing
Mount two sets of bindings about 50 centimeters apart on a pair of skis. Let two skiers put on the pair of skis. A strong, proficient skier in the front can be helpful in letting the other “feel” a proper diagonal stride. See how smoothly they can ski.
- Play with or without poles
- Balance, agility, coordination, feel for snow Diagonal stride
