ski development team

This program seeks to improve each child’s free-skiing technique and develop the necessary skills for the U10/12/14 programs or our Freeski program. The main emphasis is fun while creating a skill-building environment. Skiing abilities improve rapidly through exposure to all mountain free-skiing, terrain courses, and GS and SL drill courses. Children should be able to ride the Sterling lift, ski the upper mountain, and be proficient in stopping and turning. Participants will have the option of competing in 2-4 at home Club competitions.

To build skiing skills while maintaining a fun learning environment and give exposure to many different skiing environments such as all mountain free skiing, free-ski drills and drill courses. The SNSC works to prepare the Development athlete for the U10/12/14 programs or the Freeski program.

• Natural athletic stance on skis.
• Become proficient at parallel shaped turns and begin to learn to carve long radius turns on medium to moderate terrain.
• Proper active use of lower body.
• Consistent, appropriate pole planting, hockey stops, and skiing a variety of challenging terrain.

Although competition is not the primary focus of the Development Team we do offer several opportunities for them to experience it. Most are at home interclub fun races and if so desired there will be opportunities to try one or two of the races with the V.A.R.A  Northern Vermont Council. (Other race fees required for the NVC races).

The following provides overview highlights of the Program’s curriculum. Should the more detailed curriculum be desired, please contact the Head Coach.

• Freeskiing: The main focus at this age and a major factor to the development of the athlete (90%-95% of on-snow time)
• Freeskiing drills: Used daily during training sessions throughout the year to help teach and engrain the fundamental skills necessary to become a ski racer.
• Gate drills: used to further teach and engrain fundamental skills both in and out of a course.
• Gate training: Used as race preparation training and to acclimate the athletes to race courses and race day routines. (5%-10% of on snow time)
• Goal Setting: Introduce goals setting to the athletes and allow them to set their own to strive for during the season.
• All mountain skis, boots, poles, goggles, helmet, warm all weather clothes.

No racing licenses are necessary unless racing in the NVC series.

Race schedules will be provided during orientation meeting and/or can be found in monthly calendars distributed during the season. There are no entry fees for club races. For more information regarding NVC races, please visit: www.vara.org,
In the unlikely event that Development Coaches travel with the group to a race or camp, those expenses are divided up equally between all athletes on the trip.

Prerequisite: 

• Participant must be able to ride M-2 and Sterling chairlifts with another child.
• Program orientation meeting at beginning of year and awards at end of year.
• The coaches help with lunches but do not serve them lunch. They eat as a group.
• Parents will be asked if they will allow their child to ski supervised on the T-bar during breaks