With so much sports action happening, I appreciated a nudge from one of the North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Team’s biggest supporters.
“Two Harbors has a fantastic youth ski program and a large, highly competitive Nordic ski team with over 30 athletes in grades 7-12,” the fan wrote, encouraging me to reconnect with head coach Baylee Johnson. Now in her sixth year coaching—three as head coach—Johnson continues to lead the team with a deep dedication for the skiers and a passion to fostering a lifelong love of the sport.
Talking to Baylee Johnson felt like déjà vu in two ways. First, her enthusiasm and pride in her athletes stood out, just as it has in past conversations. Second, the familiar challenge of a low-snow season once again shaped the team’s training.
“It was a low snow year, so we didn’t get onto our regular practice trails until the last week of practice,” Johnson said. “That’s the first time in two years we’ve had enough snow.”
The team’s early-season trip to Bessemer in the U.P., where they stayed at Powder Hound Lodge, marked their first practice on snow—and, aside from races, nearly their last. The annual trip is a favorite for the Storm, and Coach Johnson calls it a “great bonding activity.”
Throughout the season, the team competed on man-made snow at Spirit Mountain and Giant’s Ridge, as well as at national snow meets in Ely. One of their most meaningful races is typically held at the Korkki Nordic Ski Center, though conditions forced adjustments this year.
“We had to move our beloved Korkki home meet up to Ely this year because we didn’t have enough snow on the shore, so that was unfortunate,” said Baylee. “But Ely was gracious enough for us to do so. So, we still had our vintage race.”
Johnson went on to say, “It shows how well the ski community sticks together and helps each other out.”
Despite the lack of snow for practice, the team adapted by playing boot hockey and focusing on extensive dryland training. Many athletes also took the initiative to find skiing opportunities on weekends, ensuring they stayed prepared for competition.
“They were following a training program and were consistent with their running as well as having fun,” said Johnson. “We didn’t have anybody quit. It kind of shows how the team likes each other and likes being around each other despite not having much time on snow. Hopefully that changes next year in terms of getting on skis and having some time on skis.”
The team is young, with a steady stream of new recruits joining in recent years. Johnson hopes to see even more growth and encourages students from across the district to give Nordic skiing a try.
“If anybody from Silver Bay wants to come, we’re more than willing to adapt and adjust our schedules for that,” she said. “We’re opening it up district-wide.”
Johnson notes that the team has excelled academically this season while also delivering outstanding performances at their meets. Their strong focus on both academics and athletics has contributed to their success across the board.
“I‘m really proud of them and how well they did. They always came with a positive attitude to race,” the coach said. “Even if they didn’t do well they still did well enough in their own hearts to feel good about skiing and still came out for the love of the sport.”
One standout skier this season is freshman Gunny Skabberg, who impressed at the section meet with a performance strong enough to qualify for the state competition.
“It’s the first time in 8 years that a Two Harbors skier has made it to state as an individual. Section 7 is a tough section. We have powerhouse teams of Duluth East, Ely, Proctor, and Cloquet Esko Carlton,” Johnson pointed out, advising that a smaller program with a low snow season and lower access to manmade snow makes the accomplishment even more impressive.
Cook County also has a skier making her way to the state meet— junior Emma Crook, who will join Skabberg at Giant’s Ridge on February 13th.
Coach Johnson expressed her deep appreciation for the volunteers who have supported the team in various ways, helping to ensure the athletes have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
“We’ve had an amazing parent group. We’ve been very fortunate in having very involved parents, especially this season. It seems to have really ramped up,” she reported. “We’ve been very thankful for that, especially given the low snow years.”
Now that there’s finally some snow, I mentioned to Johnson that the skiers must be disappointed the regular season is over. Luckily, the program allows the athletes to continue using the equipment after the season ends. Johnson believes this extra time on skis helps keep the kids engaged and interested in the sport.
The team is always on the lookout for older racing equipment, NNN bindings, and higher-end gear. If you have any equipment collecting dust or are able to offer something at a discounted price, please reach out to Baylee Johnson at bayjjohnson@gmail.com.
Congratulations to the North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Team for persevering through another low-snow season, and a special shout-out to Gunny Skabberg and Emma Crook for qualifying for the state finals!
