I was eager to hear about Baylee Johnson’s trip to West Yellowstone over Thanksgiving. The annual ski camp has long marked the start of the Nordic ski season and has become a rite of passage for skiers across Section 7 and beyond. For more than two decades, Duluth East coaches Dave Kask and Bonnie Fuller-Kask have led the trip west to the Rendezvous Trails.
This year, however, Johnson, who is now in her seventh year as head coach of the North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Team, said there was no snow.
“Bonnie’s been bringing the crew out there for all of Section 7, and almost everyone from the state can kind of go with,” Johnson explained. “She’s been doing it for 25 years and that’s the second time ever that they’ve had no snow.”
Despite the bare trails, Johnson still found ways to enjoy the trip, even sneaking in some fishing. She is already looking ahead to the team’s annual training in Bessemer, Michigan, on December 11, where the ABR trails can almost always guarantee a good amount of snow this time of year.
“It’s mostly about volume,” she said. “It’s to get volume and to get the newer skiers on skis in a nice place. It’s just a nice place to learn.”
It’s also a great bonding experience for the team, whose roster hit 34 skiers this year, the largest participation in the last 15 years according to Johnson. Currently, all the skiers are Two Harbors students.
The trip features a variety of activities, including skiing on the beautiful trails, as well as a talent show, which Johnson described as “pretty impressive,” adding, “They’re very talented kids outside of just skiing.”
The coach attributes the growth of the team to the culture that the program has built over the years.
“The team dynamic is just really good,” she said. “They all like each other, they all respect each other, and it’s just a welcoming culture.”
It’s a culture also built on support and encouragement, where skiers lift each other up instead of criticizing mistakes.
“You’re not making fun of somebody else because they can’t ski as good as you,” said Johnson. “You’re helping each other out. They’re a very helpful team with the basic ‘we’re all in this together’ adage.”
They’re also dedicated to their sport, eager to hit the snow even as temperatures dip.
“It was so cold, just the wind chill factor,” recalled Johnson. “I thought these kids are going to bail. They’re going to do their workout and then they’re not going to want to hang out. Yet they’re out there right until 6 o’clock. That’s two hours and they’re really cold. So they got some grit to them too.”
I reminded the coach that she once told me, “Great skiers are made in the summer.” It’s a stance she hasn’t shifted from. In fact, this past summer, volunteer coach Megan Brown-Holmes ran the North Shore Endurance Program, which about half the team regularly attended to roller-ski and take part in games like the “watermelon run.”
“That kept the kids active and got a lot of our skiers motivated on roller skis, which is a really good way to ski in the summer,” said Johnson. “I could see from her program them becoming more comfortable on roller skis that really made a big difference now when they’re getting on snow early, seeing their technique improve over the summer, which is kind of a treat to see.”
With competing priorities in the summer, choosing to take part in an endurance camp is a testament to the young athletes’ drive.
“They want to be better,” advised Johnson. “That’s kind of the nice thing about skiing as an individual and team sport. They choose how much effort they want to put in. It’s their choice to get better.”
The team has strong leadership this season in captains Erik Gischia and Amelia Saamanen, who are both multi-sport athletes and also participate in cross-country running.
Last season, the Storm sent Gunny Skadberg, now a sophomore, to the state competition. Described as a “quiet leader,” Johnson said he elevates the team by example.
“You can tell that the others, especially the older boys, look up to him,” said Johnson. “It helps pick them up and motivates the older boys to chase him. It honestly brings up the level of my varsity boy skiers and everyone on the team because he’s just there but not out of reach. He went to state and now these kids know that there’s a goal and it’s attainable. Hopefully that transfers into racing.”
Though Johnson hopes they are able to send more skiers to state this year, her main goal is always to see the kids strive to meet their personal goals.
Just seeing them improve their own personal goals, that’s what I want to see for the season,” said Johnson. “Ideally, if that is making it to state, then that’s making it to state, because obviously that’s the coup de grace, top goal, right? But whatever they set their personal goal is what I want for them. As long as they meet that, that makes me happy.”
The ultimate goal, according to Johnson, is to nurture a love of Nordic skiing, a sport that can be enjoyed for many years.
“I want you to keep skiing after you graduate,” Johnson advises her athletes. “I want this to become a lifelong sport.”
Johnson enjoys coaching, finding satisfaction in watching her athletes grow, push themselves, and support one another throughout the season.
“I think every section 7 coach would agree with me when saying that the bottom line is, we stick around because of the kids,” said Johnson. “They’re always really kind, caring, and competitive. And they’re fun to be around. If it wasn’t fun, if they weren’t fun to be around, we wouldn’t do it.”
With such a large team, the program is low on equipment and asking the community for support. For those who may have donations or used race skis with NNN bindings for purchase, please contact bayjjohnson@gmail.com. Providing equipment for skiers keeps the sport accessible, affordable, and supports the program’s rapid growth.
More snow is on the horizon, signaling the start of a season filled with grit, dedication, and the joy of skiing for the North Shore Storm. Best of luck, team, and safe travels to Bessemer!
