bogastow only skier logoBogastow Ski Team

An Eastern Massachusetts Buddy Werner League Team

About Bogastow Ski Team

Team Photo - 2007

The goal of the Bogastow Ski Team (Bogastow) is to provide an opportunity for young skiers to develop and improve their individual skiing and racing skills to the best of their ability in a safe and enjoyable recreational team setting.  The Bogastow Ski Team is made up of approximately 60 skiers from Dover, Sherborn, Westwood, Wellesley, Weston and other surrounding communities.

Bogastow competes in the Eastern Massachusetts Buddy Werner League (EMBWL), an entry level league that is made up of five teams from the eastern Massachusetts area: Bogastow, Bradford, Ski Ward, Nashoba and Prospect Hill.

Children and young adults in grades K through 12 are eligible to join Bogastow. Bogastow offers skiers an excellent opportunity to improve their skills, in addition to experiencing the excitement and team spirit that comes from competition.

Racer Prerequisites

All racers must be able to safely get on and ride a chair lift with other racers and ski the terrain at Nashoba Valley safely and with a degree of comfort.

PracticesJ5 Boys relaxing after the race

As soon as snow conditions allow, on-snow practices will begin. The race season generally runs from mid- to late-December through the beginning of March. J6 racers have the option of practicing every other Wednesday, or every Wednesday.  Practices are held at Nashoba Valley every other Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Practices for all other age groups are held at Nashoba Valley every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  The focus will be on skiing techniques during some practices, particularly early in the season, and on racing techniques and tactics at others.  It is strongly suggested that Bogastow members attend as many practices as possible.

Age Classifications

Children are placed into age classifications according to United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) rules. Your child’s age classification is determined by their age as of December 31st, 2007.

All children who are 8 years old or younger on 12/31/2007 are J6s

All children who are 9 or 10 years old on 12/31/2007 are J5s

All children who are 11 or 12 years old on 12/31/2007 are J4s

 All children who are 13 or 14 years old on 12/31/2007 are J3s

 All children who are 15 years old or older on 12/31/2007 are J2s.

(While USSA sub-divides the J2 classification into J-2 and J1, this is not done in EMBWL).

EMBWL Race Events

Each member of the EMBWL team will race other teams at home and away. All EMBWL races are held on Sunday mornings. The ski areas for these races are Bradford, Ski Ward, Nashoba Valley, Blue Hills and Wachusett. We always race against Prospect Hill and one other team (Bradford, Ski Ward or Nashoba) each week during the eight-week season.

Happy faces

Equipment and Clothing

Ski boots should be well-fitted, flexible, front-entry buckle boots (no rear entry boots except on very young, small children).

Skis all racers should have one pair of skis. Skis should be safety checked and tuned by a reputable ski shop before the start of the season.

Poles all racers should use properly sized ski poles as soon as they are able. It is acknowledged that younger J6 racers may be too young to safely or properly use ski poles. 

Helmets are mandatory for all practices and races.

Goggles are not mandatory, but are strongly recommended.

Clothing should be weather appropriate. Please remember that temperatures on the chairlift and at the top of the hill are usually colder than your back yard. Layering works best. You can then add or remove layers as needed to stay warm and comfortable.

Skiers take a break between runs