Team Handbook

2011-2012

Vision

The Summit Ski Team is a family-oriented ski club dedicated to providing a safe, fun and motivating environment for area youth learning to ski and race. Participants develop a foundation for lifelong skiing enjoyment through all-mountain skiing, professional coaching, race training, competition, and team camaraderie.

Background

Summit Ski Team (SST) is a non-profit organization that teaches the fundamentals of skiing and ski racing to area youth in Park City, Utah. SST was established in 2001 and is governed by an Executive Board to help organize and implement programs focused on the team vision. In particular, SST develops and promotes:

  • Fundamental and technical elements of skiing and racing
  • Teamwork, friendship, self-confidence, pride, discipline, and goal setting
  • Competition, fair play, and respect for one another and the environment
  • Safety awareness and skiing courtesy
  • Physical and mental preparation and conditioning

The team composition of SST includes athletes age 7 and olderalong withprofessional coaches who are fully licensed and insured by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). SST strives to maintain a very low athlete-to-coach ratio and groups are determined based on skiing ability, age, experience, and individual goals. Coaches teach and model skiing skills, tactics, and sportsmanship with a heavy emphasis on having fun. The home base for SST is Canyons Ski Resort which provides excellent training terrain and facilities for ourorganization.

Programs

SST programs are designed around age divisions within the Intermountain Division of USSA (IMD) and athletes compete against their peers in local and regional races. There are twoprimary race series that SST participates in – Youth Ski League and South Series.SST programs encompass an increasing scale in terms of training and competing in order to meet athletes’ needs as they grow older and evolve with skiing and racing. Participants can choose a program based on their proficiency as well as their individual desires.

Intro

The Intro Program is for ages 7-12. These skiers will ski primarily Saturdays with the option of attending 2-3 “race prep” sessions that occur prior to races. Skiers will build a base of solid skiing skills and technical fundamentals, such as stance and balance, through gate training, drills, directed free skiing, and all-mountain skiing. Emphasis will be on improving free-skiing skills, basic race fundamentals, skiing etiquette and safety.Intro skiers are encouraged to race in Youth Ski League races, of which there are typically 3 each season, plus the YSL Champs.
NOTE: New Intro Program skiers must be able to load chairlifts independently, confidently ski blue runs, and have an eagerness to tackle black runs and other challenging conditions.

Ages 7-12, 1 day per week, approximately 15 training days and 1-5 racing days.

Intro+

The Intro+ Program is designed for the 7-12 year old who would like an enhanced program that includes all the training of the Intro Program plus one evening session per week – Wednesdays at the Utah Olympic Park (UOP). In addition to what is offered with the Intro Program, Intro+ athletes will further emphasize the development of basic skiing fundamentals such as: stance, balance, skiing more challenging terrain, and gate training. Intro+ Program members will compete in YSL races and have the option to race in 1 or 2 designated South Series races.

Ages 7-12, 2 days per week, approximately 25 training days and 5-8 racing days.

Comp

The Comp program is for J4/J5 skiers (ages 9-12) who are more serious about training as well as racing. These athletes will train 3 times per week and compete in several races per season. Training will be Saturdays, most Sundays, and Wednesday evenings at PCMR. Racing will focus on transitioning from YSL races to the slightly longer and more challenging South Series races. This program will build on the fundamentals taught in the Intro programs by improving techniques in free-skiing and race training, race tactics, and skiing skills in and out of the gates.

Comp+

The Comp+ Program is for motivated J5 and older (ages 10+) skiers with an increased interest in developing their skiing and racing ability through additional training. Comp+ athletes will train 4 times per week: Saturdays, most Sundays, Wednesday evenings at PCMR, and Fridays at the UOP. These skiers will compete primarily in South Series races while J3+ skiers will also have the option to race at selected J3 qualifier races and/or other local IMD races. Besides racing, the Comp+ program continues to focus on all-mountain free-skiing, technical drills, gate training (including speed elements of Super G), and goal setting.

Ages 10+, 4 days per week, approximately 45 training days and 8-12 racing days.

High School

The High School Team is for athletes that want to continue ski racing through their high school years, while also being able to pursue other important aspects of their lives. Training and racing will have a more holistic approach. The team will have dedicated professional coaching that teaches and encourages all aspects of skiing. The focus will be on providing the athletes a level of comfort that invites progression. Training will include race training, gates, freeskiing, big mountain skiing, powder skiing and more. The HS-SST athletes will train up to four times a week with midweek sessions after schoolplus Saturday and half-day on Sunday. The team will race in USSAIntermountain Divisional races in the Open and Intermountain Cup Series. The main goal of this program is to help athletes excel in all aspects of their lives including school, social lives, and other sports while still participating in a sport they love. NOTE: Athletes will need to have season passes at PCMR, Canyons, and the UOP along with a USSA/FIS licenses.

Ages 15+, 4 days per week, approximately 45 training days and 8-12 racing days.

Selection of Coaching Groups

In order to determine on-snow coaching groups, coaches will assess athletes during the first training sessions based on the following guidelines (adjustments may occur at times to ensure the skier is receiving appropriate training and development):

  • Technical skiing ability
  • Age
  • Race ability and experience
  • Goals

Athlete Evaluations

Written athlete evaluations will be performed once or twice during the season. We try to do a short evaluation early in the season that focuses on an athlete’s primary strengths and weaknesses. This forms the basis of what they should work on and also provides a reference point for the later evaluation to be compared to. Evaluations are completed by the athlete’s primary coach.

Requirements and Responsibilities

Summit Ski Team is a ski racing program at heart, and consequently, there are minimum standards that participants must meet. In addition, SST is a non-profit, mostly volunteer run organization and requires the help of everyone involved to run smoothly.

Athlete Requirements

  • Minimum age of 7 (6 with head coach approval).
  • Able to skiconfidently onall intermediate and advanced terrain and in all conditions.
  • Able to load/unload chairlifts without assistance.
  • Able to manage their own equipment without assistance.
  • Athletes are required to wear USSA approved helmets (hard ear covering) and must have suitable equipment and clothing for all training/racing.
  • All participants must have a current USSA membership.

Athlete Responsibilities

  1. Follow the rules as set forth by the Summit Ski Team, the ski area(s), and USSA, both at Canyons and while traveling. This includes staying in bounds, maintaining control and reasonable speed, no jumping off ski lifts, or unauthorized lift line cutting. Infractions may result in loss of season pass.
  2. Understand and follow the Skier/Snowboarder Responsibility Code (below).
  3. Inverted and rotational/360 degree jumps are forbidden.
  4. Conduct oneself with the highest level of integrity. Keep frustrations and temper in check. Profane language will not be tolerated. Show respect and support to teammates and staff and to each other’s property.
  5. Rely upon and obey the judgment and direction of the coaches.
  6. Report any injury to an SST Coach or Canyons employee immediately.
  7. Be on time for scheduled training and races.
  8. Help keep training courses clear for other athletes, conduct pre-race course inspections, slip training courses as requested, help setup and take down training courses as requested.
  9. Give coaches appropriate advance warning of inability to attend training.

Membership on SST is conditional upon abiding by the rules and principles of the team. In the event an athlete violates any Summit Ski Team rule, the coaches will handle the offense in the following manner:

1St Offense – coach will discuss with athlete.

2Nd Offense – coach will discuss with athlete and notify parents.

3Rd Offense – coach will notify parents in writing and athlete will be suspended for one week and may miss next race.

Skier Responsibility Code

Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility. Ski safely – not only for yourself, but for others as well.Thefollowing skier responsibility code is endorsed by The American Ski Federation, National Ski Patrol, United States Ski Industries Association, Professional Ski Instructors of America, Cross Country Ski Areas Association, United States Ski Association, Ski Coach's Association, and other organizations.

  • Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
  • People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  • Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
  • Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
  • Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
  • Observe all posted signs and warnings.
  • Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  • Prior to using any lift, you must know how to load, ride, and unload safely.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

  • Provide transportation to and from training sessions and race events. Parents always need to make positive contact with coaches for late drop-off or early pick-up. Athletes will not be permitted to ski to or ski away from the body of the team unescorted by an adult (think school drop-off/pick-up). Note: Coaches cannot transport racers.
  • Accept and uphold coaches’ and executive board decisions, which are made with the intention of providing the safest and most successful environment for athletes.
  • Contribute a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer time per family, per season. Opportunities to fulfill the volunteer obligation usually occur in the fall, especially in conjunction with Jans Winter Welcome.
  • Contribute one adult per family to assist with official races that SST hosts. This obligation is in addition to the general 10-hour volunteer commitment. For this year, SST will be hosting the following races:
  • YSL Championships, March9-11, 2012 (Kombi / GS / Slalom)

Equipment

Skis

Skis for junior racers come in four general categories: Kombi, Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS), and Super-G (SG). Slalom skis have more side cut than giant slalom skis (short, quick turns versus longer turns) while Kombi skis try to find a middle ground for beginning racers. All ski companies make good products and it’s mostly personal preference as to which brand to use.

YSL skiers (Intro, Intro+) will generally need one pair of training/racing skis and they should be either Slalom or Kombi. You should also consider having an extra pair of skis for early season (rock skis) or for when conditions could otherwise be hard on bases.

South Series skiers (Comp and Comp+) will need both Slalom and GS skis and J4 and older skiers (11+) should consider Super-G skis with coach guidance. Most skiers this age will also have a pair of general purpose all-mountain skis for non-technical training, early season, powder days, etc.

Ski Sizing (wearing ski boots): In general, ski length should be between the chin and the top of the forehead with SL skis more at chin level and GS skis more at forehead level. Kombi skis fall in between SL and GS (nose height plus or minus 2 inches) and Super-G skis are a couple inches longer than GS. Skier weight and skiing style as well as ski stiffness are all important factors in sizing and buying skis. Consult with a coach before buying if you have questions.

Bindings: Youth ski bindings (DIN up to 4.5) are probably OK for kids up to about 60 pounds. Heavier or more aggressive kids should be in something at least DIN 7 or 10. Also, as kids really learn to carve, the benefit of some extra rise off the ski is significant (riser plate or binding).

Boots

Good quality, properly fitted boots are essential. Good boots = happy feet = happy kids. Cold or uncomfortable boots = unhappy kids. There are many good brands although Nordica, Lange and Rossignol are well-proven junior boots. Boots should be 4 buckle – do not use rear-entry boots.

A softer flexing boot will be more effective than a stiffer boot due to strength limitations and skill level. To determine if a boot is soft enough for your child you should be able to clearly see the boot flex forward in unison with the lower leg. If the upper boot cuff does not move or moves very little, the boot is too stiff and will hinder your child in their skill progression.

Boot Sizing:Boots should fit properly, tight but not uncomfortable. Remember the boots might feel too tight at first but will break in within a few days on the slopes. Buying boots oversized is counter productive to both performance and fit. A good way to size boots is to shell-fit: remove the liner, wear normal ski socks, stand up straight and put the toes to the front of the boot. There should be about two fingers of room (3/4 to 1 inch) between the heel and the back of the boot. Also, with the liner out you can easily see how the foot fits into the liner itself.

Helmets

USSA approved ski helmets are mandatory for all training and racing, no exceptions. It is now required under USSA rules that all racers must have a hard sided helmet (no soft ear flaps). If you show up at the start of a race without a proper helmet you won’t be allow to race. Proper sizing, fit and securing of helmets is absolutely essential to skier safety.

Other Equipment

Everyone knows how extreme the weather can get at a ski area in winter and it can change drastically during the course of a day. Suitable clothing is very important. It doesn’t have to be expensive, state-of-the-art or flashy, but it does have to fit comfortably, be waterproof, and not hinder aggressive skiing. Also, make sure you put your name on any equipment that might get lost, left behind or inadvertently switched with someone else’s (skis, poles, helmet, jacket, …)

Snow Pant/Zip Offs – Pretty much any of your basic ski pants work fine as long as they’re waterproof and fit over boots. If your racer will be using a speed suit, the pants need to have a full-length side zipper.

Goggles – A good pair of well-fitting goggles is very important. Ski racing inherently focuses on speed and good visibility will make a big difference in skier confidence. Athletes who train under lights (Intro+, Comp, Comp+) will want a pair of goggles suitable for night skiing. Use a clear lens or one that is designed to use under artificial light.

Speed suits – A lot of first-time parents and kids are surprised when they get to the first race and see the majority of kids decked out speed suits, even some of the very youngest. Speed suits are optional and the advantage gained is sometimes more psychological than real. Comp and Comp+ kids will definitely want a speed suit and are encouraged to wear it when training gates and racing (train like you race, race like you train). There are many speed suits out there but the affordable, used ones tend to get snatched up quickly, especially at ski swaps.

Protective Gear – Shin guards, pole guards, and chin (face) guards are highly recommended for the Comp and Comp+ skiers when training slalom. Note: we are not trying to kill the gates just protecting our young racers. The Intro and Intro+ skier or YSL skier will not need protective gear unless their coach recommends it.

No Backpacks – Please don’t have your child wear a backpack on training days. They have a nasty habit of getting tangled up with chairlifts and are easily lost.

EQUIPMENTINTROINTRO+COMPCOMP+

Kombi SkisXX

SL Race SkisOptionalOptionalXX

GS Race SkisOptionalOptionalXX

Super-G SkisOptionalOptional

4-buckle BootsXXXX