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  • Ski, Run, Bike, Montana
  • Grooming Report
  • Events
  • About WYSEF
  • Ski Team
  • Donate
  • Trail Maps
  • Eat, Sleep, More
    • Eat
    • Sleep
    • More
  • Results
    • Mountain Bike Biathlon Results
    • Rendezvous Race
    • Biathlon
  • FAQ & Contact Us
  • Forest Service Moonlight Bonfire
  • Grooming Archives

West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation

About us. 
WYSEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation established in 1996. It is a community driven organization, founded to promote Nordic skiing as an activity in all its forms, and specifically to provide an all-ages, life-long learning activity. WYSEF advocates bringing children and adults of the community together through cross country skiing, promoting physical fitness and appreciation of our natural environment. During the winter months, WYSEF, with our partners, manages the Nordic trail grooming, and organizes a variety of race events to encourage more involvement, not only from our community of West Yellowstone, but the cross country ski community at large. During the summer, we hold the highly regarded Annual WYSEF Golf Tournament, our largest fundraiser and also most anticipated summer event by community members.
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As part of its community involvement, WYSEF offers an after-school ski program for children in grades 2-6, the goal of which is to simply have fun on skis. WYSEF offers the opportunity for low-cost or free involvement in the program. The program was developed by board member Kelli Hart, and was initially offered in 1997, enrolling approximately 20 children. The program has been successful and in recent years has grown to enrollment of over 70 children.

PictureOrrin Coleman


​WYSEF is proud of the West Yellowstone Nordic ski team and supports it by providing coaching (head coach, Drew Barney, board member and president), gear, attire, and waxing. The ski team participates in competitions around the region including Bozeman, Big Sky, Soldier Hollow (Utah), Sun Valley (ID), and Jackson Hole (WY). WYSEF financially supports these out-of-town competitions, including travel, lodging, and race registration for athletes.

PictureThor Sheppard


​Our biathlon program is also a source of pride, spearheaded by Marc Sheppard (board member and vice president). Marc had a vision for a permanent biathlon range on the Rendezvous Trail System in 1996, and designed, found funding for, and built the West Yellowstone Biathlon range. WYSEF hosts several biathlon race opportunities and “Try-it” biathlon days throughout the winter, and in recent years, WYSEF has hosted the US Biathlon National Championship. WYSEF also annually hosts a summer biathlon.

During the summer months WYSEF continues its goals of bringing the community together and keeping the children involved. The Touch-a-Truck event started in 2018, and is a collaboration with the fire department, police department, Town of West Yellowstone, West Yellowstone Airport, and Tri-State Excavating. The event provides children with the opportunity to crawl around in firetrucks, excavating trucks, tow trucks, and search and rescue vehicles ~ the event is a huge hit each year!
Lastly, WYSEF fills a critical role in the community by balancing the management of the Rendezvous Trail System with the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce (whose primary purpose is promoting tourism and the business community) and the US Forest Service (whose primary function is as a land steward). In collaboration with the Forest Service WYSEF organizes trail work days twice a year, usually early summer and early fall. This time is used to clear the trails of downed trees and debris, thereby maintaining trails for summer recreation and preparing trails for winter grooming. This time is also used to update signage and carry out needed maintenance on trail buildings.

​2020-21 WYSEF Board Members
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Drew Barney, President
Learn more about Drew
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Marc Sheppard, Vice President
Learn more about Marc
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Jenny Jordan, Treasurer
Learn more about Jenny
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Brenda Holland, Secretary
Learn more about Brenda
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Kelli Hart
Learn more about Kelli
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Jack Hart
Learn more about Jack
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Bob Hayes
Learn more about Bob
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Chris Legourd
Learn more about Chris
WYSEF Staff
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Rachel Spence, Program Director
Learn more about Rachel
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Julie Wieseler, Grant Administror
Learn more about Julie
Our Partners
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Jason Brey, District Ranger
Hebgen Lake Ranger District
U.S. Forest Service
Learn more about Jason
Melissa Alder
West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce
Freeheel & Wheel
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Brian Thompson
Hebgen Lake Ranger District
U.S. Forest Service
Learn more about Brian
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Will Bennett
Hebgen Lake Ranger District
​U.S. Forest Service

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Ski
​  Yellowstone Ski Festival •   Taste of the Trails •  Spam Cup •   Biathlon Races • Rendezvous Race
Run
  Yellowstone Rendezvous Trail Run
Bike
  Mountain Bike Biathlon
Rendezvous Ski Trails • PO Box 956 • West Yellowstone, MT 59758 • info@skirunbikemt.com
Copyright 2015, West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation. All rights reserved. The Rendezvous Ski Trails are managed in partnership with the United States Forest Service, the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce, and the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation.