Truckee, CA – In the spirit of this Olympic year, Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center in Truckee is offering a new Junior Biathlon program led by former U.S. biathlon team member Tom McElroy. This program will be an introduction to the winter Olympic sport of biathlon, a combination of skiing and rifle marksmanship, for children in second through eighth grade.

“Biathlon was first appointed as an Olympic sport at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley,” said Sally Jones, Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center manager. “We’re excited to be able to introduce kids to this Olympic sport here at Tahoe Donner with our new Junior Biathlon program.”

Children who participate in the new Junior Biathlon program will be coached to improve their skiing skills, and also learn marksmanship and gun safety using specially designed, 100-percent safe, laser biathlon rifles. There will be eight after-school lessons held on Tuesdays, Jan. 14-March, from 3:45-5 p.m. for second through eighth graders. Participants must have basic ski handling skills. The cost of the program is $120.

Tahoe Donner will also be offing new biathlon clinics for adults and children interested in learning about the sport of biathlon. After range instruction and a brief backgrounder on the history of the sport, participants will get a chance to ski or snowshoe a short loop and then practice their skills trying to hit targets with an elevated heart rate. This is a 1.5-hour clinic from 10-11:30 a.m. for ages 13 and older or 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. for juniors ages 7-12. The cost is $30, and a trail pass is required. The clinics will be held Dec. 22, Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Feb. 8, and Feb. 17.