Alpine - Mount Snow Ski Club

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Alpine Competition

Mount Snow’s Alpine Competition Program is designed with the long-term development of young athletes in mind. Our mission is to help our alpine racers reach their full athletic potential. Our primary goal is to instill a healthy competitive drive and lifetime love of skiing.

• Travel is not mandatory for any competition center group but it is highly encouraged.
• Mount Snow is not responsible for travel arrangements.
• Helmets are required at all times for all athletes.
• Competition age is determined by the athlete’s age on December 31st 2021.

The program runs from December 4, 2021 through March 27, 2022. Advanced registration is required for all participation levels.

ALPINE COMPETITION

Program Dates 2021/22
• December 4, 2021 through March 27, 2022
• Additional program dates include 12/27, 12/28, 12/29.
• We will not hold programs on Christmas day.
• Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. One hour unsupervised lunch break.

ALPINE AGE GROUPS AND REQUIREMENTS

U8/U10 (Ages 7-9)

The Alpine U8/U10 team focuses on fundamentals and making children strong skiers. This team’s goal is to give athletes a strong ski racing foundation. As athletes progress they will be introduced to gate training. From there forward, training will be adjusted based on an athlete’s group and ability level. This is the first age group in which athletes will be racing against other ski clubs in Vermont.

Requirements
• USSA and VARA membership required in order to compete.
• All programs must be paid in full by the first day of the program. No exceptions.
• The athlete must have passed a screening process and/or recommended by a coach to join the U8/U10.

Training and Equipment Information
For U8/U10s: The U8/U10s race and train Slalom, GS and for USSA Skills quest. They will continue to focus on becoming a well-rounded ski athlete. This program will also include a limited, competitive event schedule which will concentrate on home competition and limited travel. U10s can have one pair of skis for both events. One pair of junior slalom skis is the recommendation.

U12 (Ages 10-11)

The focus in U12 is on fundamentals and making athletes strong skiers, which will transfer to their ski racing. Training involves much free skiing and drill work since increasing mileage is the best way to ensure a strong athletic foundation. As the athletes progress training will also include gate training. Competitions at this age group continue with Southern Vermont council races.

Requirements
• USSA and VARA membership required in order to compete.
• All programs must be paid in full by the first day of the program. No exceptions.
• Must have participated in the U10’s or must have passed a screening process.

Training and Equipment Information
For U12s: The focus expands from basic ski racing drills to include tactics within a race course. There is an increase in the number of races for this age group: They compete in standard USSA open races and VARA’s Southern Vermont Council qualifying series. The primary focus for the U12s is on GS and SL racing.

Recommended Equipment
• One pair of Giant Slalom and one pair of Slalom skis. Skis must meet USSA standards for competition.
• Competitors must have a FIS approved helmet as indicated by a FIS sticker on the back of their helmet for GS and SG races. “No sticker, no start”.
• Shin guards and pole guards for SL are recommended.
• GS suit is not mandatory.

U14 (Ages 12-13)

The focus in U14 is on fundamentals and making athletes strong skiers, which will transfer to their ski racing. Training involves much free skiing and drill work since increasing mileage is the best way to ensure a strong athletic foundation. As the athletes progress training will also include gate training. Competitions at this age group continue with Southern Vermont council races but there is a possibility of athletes advancing to Eastern Championship events.

Requirements
• USSA and VARA membership required in order to compete.
• All programs must be paid in full by the first day of the program. No exceptions.
• Must have participated in the U12’s or must have passed a screening process.

Training and Equipment Information
For U14s: The focus expands from basic ski racing drills to include tactics within a race course. There is an increase in the number of races for this age group: They compete in standard USSA open races and VARA’s Southern Vermont Council qualifying series. The primary focus for the U14s is on Slalom, GS and SG racing.

Recommended Equipment
• One pair of Giant Slalom and one pair of Slalom skis. Skis must meet USSA standards for competition.
• Competitors must have a FIS approved helmet as indicated by a FIS sticker on the back of their helmet for GS and SG races. “No sticker, no start”.
• Shin guards and pole guards for SL are recommended.
• GS suit (not mandatory, but highly recommended)

U16/19 (Ages 16-19)

The Alpine U16/19 teams aims to bring alpine skills to a higher competitive level. This includes basic skills such as ankle flexion, stance, pole plant, looking ahead, and how to approach a race day. The team then moves onto Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super Giant Slalom training. Athletic goals and specific training techniques are tailored to each competitor. Athletes will work with a coach early on to set goals for the season.

The U16’s will be required to enter and pay the U16 qualifiers race and open races online. The coaching staff will establish a competition schedule for U16/U19. Men and women will compete separately. The qualifier results will be used to determine who will move onto U16 Eastern Finals and U16 Eastern Junior Championships and the VT State Finals.

Requirements
• USSA and VARA membership required in order to compete.
• All programs must be paid in full by the first day of the program. No exceptions.
• Athletes must come prepared to all practices and races. Being on time and ready to ski is key.

Training and Equipment Information
Since the U16 and U19 age classes are now so similar, we believe that we can offer the best experience, both athletically and socially, to our U16 and U19 athletes by having the athletes and their coach’s work together in close collaborations across age groups. We recognize that many of these athletes are not only friends, but can also be strong training partners.

Recommended Equipment
• One pair of Giant Slalom and one pair of Slalom skis. Skis must meet USSA standards for competition.
• Based on the coach’s suggestion your athlete may need Super G skis.
• Competitors must have a FIS approved helmet as indicated by a FIS sticker on the back of their helmet for GS and SG races. “No sticker, no start”.
• Slalom armor such as, chin, shin, and pole guards. Athletes will not be allowed to train or race without a SL chin guard.
• GS suit (not mandatory, but highly recommended)