Membership FAQ
Click a section below to learn more about joining the CSU Juniors Nordic Ski Team.
- Where can I learn more about what being on the CSU Junior team involves?
To learn more about the CSU Junior Ski Team program, click here.
- Is joining the CSU team a major commitment?
Yes. Without a doubt. CSU Junior Ski Team members are passionate about cross-country ski racing and are committed to training hard (and having fun!) all year round. Click here to learn more about the team’s activities.
- Do I already need to be an expert skier to join? What if I'm just getting started with Nordic skiing?
Applicants are expected to be experienced and motivated skiers who are willing to work hard to learn to race and train better, but they do not need to be “experts” already. That said, CSU does not have the coaching capacity to accept beginners, so if you’re just getting started with Nordic skiing, CSU is not the club for you. Click here to learn more about the program and team activities.
- When can I apply to join?
Registration for current members and graduates of the younger Eastern Mass Bill Koch League occurs during the first half of April. As of mid-April, and as space allows, CSU opens membership to additional skiers. Note that CSU does not have the coaching capacity to accept beginners. Applicants should be experienced and motivated skiers.
- How much is the annual fee and when is it due?
The annual CSU membership fee is $875, due upon registration. This fee covers the period from when you sign up in the spring, summer, or fall through March 31 of the following year. The membership fee does NOT include athlete travel expenses, personal waxes, race entry fees, trail passes, ski equipment, and so forth. The membership fee is non-refundable.
For U14 skiers (ages 12 and 13) who are signing up just for the off-season training program, the cost is $150. For U14 athletes, please contact the CSU general manager for approval before registering online and then making payment.
- Are there other significant costs involved?
Yes. Being a member of the team requires a financial commitment on the part of the athletes’ parent(s) beyond just the annual fee. Team members are expected to provide all of their own gear, which entails buying all required equipment, including classic and skate skis (both warmup skis and race skis), classic and skate poles, classic and skate rollerskis, classic and skate boots, clothing, uniforms, ski wax, and a variety of other gear. Some of this gear can be bought over a period of time, but a minimum amount of gear is required from the start. (Click here for more information about required gear.) There are also costs for training camps as well as other trip-related costs throughout the year. All of these costs can add up to a significant amount of money over the course of the year (even if you buy a lot of used gear).
- Does CSU offer financial assistance?
Confidential scholarships are available for those with demonstrated financial need. For more information, please contact the CSU general manager.
- Is parent participation in CSU required?
Yes. CSU is an all-volunteer organization, and all parents of athletes are expected to volunteer in some capacity for the many jobs, large and small, that keep the organization running. For more information about CSU parent volunteering opportunities or to contact the volunteer coordinator, click here.
- Can U14 athletes (ages 12 and 13) join CSU?
No. But they can participate in off-season training with the CSU Juniors team at a reduced cost of $150. Please contact the CSU general manager for more information.
- I have more questions. Whom should I contact?
If you have more questions, contact our general manager.