With cross-country and downhill skiing, as well as snowboarding, seeming to reign as kings when it comes to outdoor winter sports in the Yukon, biathlon is often overlooked.

While several athletes from the territory have competed on the national stage in biathlon some even training with Canadian college teams the sport doesn't enjoy the large numbers that cross-country skiing does and doesn't seem to get the 'fun' reputation that downhill skiing or snowboarding can consistently boast.

But with the new season just around the corner, Biathlon Yukon officials are hoping to see that change, starting with a new masters program for older athletes.

They already have a Bears program, for kids 13-and-under, as well as divisions for potential Arctic Winter Games and Canada Winter Games athletes.

'We've had a lot of people approach us in the past about starting a masters group,' explained David Knight, president of Biathlon Yukon, adding the timing has just never been right before now. 'We're hoping that if we can get a significant interest, we can be more regular with masters times and get a group on the go.'

The masters division would have a main practice on Saturdays and would also get some time in every Sunday, when all the groups compete together.

Right now, there are only a couple of adults coming out to the range on a regular basis, competing against the juniors. Sky Pearson, an avid biathlete who used to compete for the Yukon and is now a coach, said it's important for the younger athletes to have more adults around, to 'keep them on their toes.'

'I remember from a younger point of view, it helps when there are a lot of older people around. It makes it a lot more interesting when you have variety in the field and you can get good tidbits from the older athletes.'

Knight pointed out biathlon can be as casual or as serious as you want it to be, there are club rifles available to those who don't have their own, and the course is open to snowshoe athletes as well.

It also doesn't require as much commitment as some other sports, he said you can come for just one training day a week or three.

'A lot of people have some shooting skills and a lot know how to ski or snowshoe. This is the opportunity for them to combine both those skills and try a new sport.'

And while skiing is certainly a good physical workout, Pearson said biathlon is more of a mental workout as well.

'It's cross-country skiing and shooting together, so you have high energy and then a slow down and rest period. You're working your body and your mind, because you have to concentrate and keep your focus.'

Biathlon also provides a chance for people to ski on new trails outside of the ones at Mount McIntyre, as the biathlon range lies on Grey Mountain.

'These trails have a unique structure to them, too,' laughed Pearson.

And with Whitehorse hosting the Western biathlon championships next February, then the Canada Games competition in 2007, getting involved in the masters program will give anybody interested in volunteering for either event a chance to get to know the sport, said Knight.

The volunteer requirement for biathlon is 140 people and 'the more people that can come out and get the experience, the better.'

With Arctic Winter Games trials being held at the range in December and Fulda using the course for their annual challenge in February, it will be a busy year for the local biathlon club. There's also a Slush Cup planned for March.

'And a few athletes are interested in going to nationals this year, which is usually the end of March, right after the Arctic Winter Games,' said Pearson.

'We're looking forward to a really successful season,' added Knight. 'We had 12 athletes already out competing yesterday, some masters, some junior and some young kids. So we're really excited about this year and are also excited to gain new members.'

Anyone interested in joining the biathlon masters program can contact Biathlon Yukon.