alpine u14
Team
Team
Ages: 12-13
Coaches: Nate Chipman (Head)
Start-End Dates: Nov 25, 2023 – April 7, 2024
Training Hours Weekend: Sat & Sun 8AM – 1PM
Training Hours Mid-Week: Varying
Cost: $1,430 + Family Membership
NOTE: Smugglers Notch Academy is offered with this program
A goal oriented program that teaches many new skills through a variety of progression models and competitions. This is an action packed program. Each week there is something challenging, fun, and new for all participants. Program highlights include all mountain free-skiing, gate training, gate drills, free-ski skills, bumps, and more! Skiers participating in the 2+ day program have the option to compete in the Northern Vermont Council U-14 race series. Competitions require VARA and USSA membership.
PHILOSOPHY
SNSC creates a fun, learning environment that challenges the athlete both physically and mentally. It is our desire and responsibility to instill sportsmanship as a foundation from which our athletes can achieve their personal best.
TECHNICAL GOALS
U-14’s Fall under these three phases in the USSA Long Term Athlete Development Process:
Phase 2 – Athletes will develop a good balanced parallel stance, proper pole plants, and the beginning elements of a carved ski.
Phase 3 – Athletes who are beginning to carve will develop those skills to the point of proficiency.
Phase 4 – Athletes will apply their carving skills to the race course where they can fine tune them. See USSA Long Term Athlete Development Process at www.ussa.org for more information.
Coaches work individually with athletes on personal goals specific to an event or level of achievement. The overall competition goal for the U-14 athlete is an understanding of the event process, including rules, inspection, and personal responsibility for start times. In general, we would like our athletes to develop the event knowledge and personal discipline that ultimately leads to self-sufficiency on race day. This, like many other things in ski racing, is a skill that needs to be developed early and yields benefits in other aspects of the athlete’s life.
COMPETITION EVENTS
In Vermont we have three junior councils, or regions, which are Northern, Mid, and Southern. During our regular season, athletes compete within their own council to qualify for the U-14 State Championships. At the last race of the regular season, a State team is chosen from each council (for qualifying information, please contact the Head Coach or the Alpine Director). The location of the U-14 State Championship races rotates annually between regions. Those athletes who do not qualify for States will represent their home mountain in the George Tormey Cup Challenge. The George Tormey Cup Challenge awards both teams and individuals. Athletes participating in the 2 day + program have the option to compete in the Northern Vermont Council U-14 race series. Competitions require VARA and USSA membership.
METHODOLOGY
The following provides overview highlights of the Program’s curriculum. Should a more detailed curriculum be desired, please contact the Head Coach.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
SL skis, GS skis, Helmets, protective gear (shin guards, pole guards, forearm guards)