U8 & U10
Team
Team
Ages: 7-9
Coaches: Sandy LeClair (Head),
Start-End Dates: Dec 9, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024
Training Hours Weekend: Saturdays 9AM – 3PM
Cost: $605.00 + Family Membership Fee
The U8 and U10 Team is our entry-level competition program to skill building, goal setting, and competition. With the main focus being on fun, participants are exposed to a variety of learning situations designed to give them success and the desire for more! Freeskiing, gate drills, gate training, and T-Bar loops are part of any training session. U8 and U10 athletes will spend the majority of their training time freeskiing and focusing on fundamental skill building. Athletes must participate in at least one Northern Vermont Council race and at least one Freeski competition during the season. Some school vacation days are included and activities may include but not be limited to x-country skiing, swimming and snowshoeing. Northern Vermont Council competitions require VARA and USSA membership.
Philosophy
The U8 and U10 Team is our entry-level competition program focused on skill building, goal setting, and competition. With the main focus being on fun, participants are exposed to a variety of learning situations designed to give them success and the desire for more! Freeskiing, gate drills, gate training, and T-Bar loops are part of any practice session. At this level we begin to develop the athletes into strong overall skiers and build a large fundamental base. Once the fundamental base is developed basic tactical skills will be taught to the athletes.
Technical and Tactical Goals
U8s/U10s
Competition Goals
The U8 and U10 athlete is being introduced to racing and freeski competition. Learning inspection skills and to memorize the course and preparing for more difficult gates/terrain, striving to improve technique and times on each run, supporting teammates who get faster/better or slower/worse times or scores, and receiving feedback from the coaches on the race/competition runs are some of the more common features of competition in the U10/12 groups. All U10 races will be with the Northern Vermont Council (NVC), while U10 Freeski competitions can be throughout the state.
Competition Events
Races usually run on Sundays starting in January and ending in mid-March (6 races). Freeski competitions are usually on Saturdays staring in January and running through the end of March (5 Competitions). These events are hosted by several local resorts like Stowe, Burke, Jay Peak, Cochrans, SNSC, etc. The competitions have over 100 boy and girl racers and prizes are awarded at the race. No qualification is necessary for any of the races. For U8s/U10s the majority of the races are GS races (one panel SL), either individual or team events.
Methodology
The following provides overview highlights of the Program’s curriculum. Should a more detailed curriculum be desired, please contact the Head Coach.
SNSC coaches use different methods when teaching skills to athletes. The method used depends on the athlete and the skill being learned. We use a variety of ways to describe a skill to athletes, from verbal explanation, to video, to providing an example on the slopes. Additionally certain skills are better learned when broken into chunks while other as a whole. SNSC coaches are trained to identify and use the correct methods dependent upon the athlete and skill to be learned.
Video analysis: Will occur as needed. The athlete will watch video of themselves, however, the need for the athlete to develop the ability to feel their skiing, and not become dependent on video is critical.
Equipment Requirements
Membership Requirements
SNSC Family or SNSC Individual, USSA & VARA licenses are mandatory for competitors to race in the NVC. Please visit www.vara.org and www.ussa.org for details.
Volunteer and Event Work Day Requirements
SNSC families are required to volunteer and the club couldn’t operate without the help of all our volunteers.
Race Schedules / Rules / Entry Fees
Please visit www.vara.org for all program race schedules, rules, and entry fees. For a detailed schedule please contact the U10 head coach or the Alpine Director.
Coaches’ Travel Expenses
Coaches’ travel expenses (room and meals) are to be shared equally by all athlete families attending any given race outside of Northern Vermont.
Communications/Questions
SNSC website www.snscsvt.com, Facebook, and group email are common pathways. Other inquiries should be addressed to the Coaches, then the Head Coach, and lastly the Alpine or Club Director. General office questions can be directed to 644-1177.
Parent Involvement On-and-Off Hill:
Other Expectations:
Athlete Expectations