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ALPINE RACE (U12)

Winter Session, December 3 – March 19

This team is comprised of U12s who have been skiing with a coach for years, have at three years in the sport and experience with ski racing. The Alpine Race Team will spend at least 60% of the time all-mountain skiing and 40% training in gates and developing race skills. This team will follow the USSA Training guidelines for athlete development.

Ages: U12 You are 11 as of Jan 1.
Maximum Participants / Coach Ratio is 7:1

Skill Development & Focus

Continued development of sound ski and race fundamentals by skiing a variety of terrain and through drills that refine linked carved turns. Athletes will hone tactical race skills such as gate blocking, line selection course inspection, and terrain anticipation. Coaches will use a variety of course sets, conditions, and terrain to teach athletes to adapt to different situations. Athletes will ski all areas of the mountain, including hike-to areas and terrain park.

Races

Athletes are strongly encouraged to compete in at least 3 races per winter.
Local Club Series Races offer lots of race experience and are inexpensive to enter. More information is found here.
USSA Races are the next step up and require a competitor’s license. 
– Athletes compete in the North Series. 
– The USSA Race Schedule can be found here.

On Snow Schedule

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at Grand Targhee Resort. (As Scheduled by Coaches) The GTSSF alpine race team will continue with training as the snow conditions allow.  Racers will be expected to be training those weeks pre- and post-this posted schedule, depending on snow conditions.  Training will be capped at 20 weeks in total.

Training Schedule

  • Thursday, 1:30pm-4:00pm
  • Friday, 1:00pm-4:00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday, 8:30am-12:30pm

Equipment

  • Skis: Proper boot fit and flex are critical for performance. The boot flexes and responds as it interacts with the ski plate.
  • Boots: Proper boot fit and flex are critical for performance. The boot flexes and responds as it interacts with the ski plate.
  • Protection:  Head, arm, hand, shoulder, back, teeth (mouth guard) and shin protection recommended, based on the event.
  • Poles: GS standard length. SL-pole guard for blocking and protection, the pole may be slightly shorter.
  • Beacons: Only required when free skiing out of bounds

Competition Licenses

Not required for Club Series races. USSA Competitor Membership U12 $100. * see ussa.org for current information

Ski Passes

Pass prices are not included in GTSSF program fees. Grand Targhee Resort passes must be purchased directly through Grand Targhee Resort. Athletes participating in Nordic are required to have a Teton Valley Trails & Pathways Nordic Sticker. A Grand Targhee Resort, Nordic pass is encouraged.

GTSSF will not be hosting programs on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day, so our coaches and families can enjoy that time with their family and friends.  We do intend to provide make-up days for all participants for those three days based on coaches' and athletes' schedules. Look for an email from our coordinator with opportunities for make-up sessions. 

Event Transportation

GTSSF vans will be available for the 2023-24 season.  Shuttles or other rides will be coordinated by coaches and race parents based on where athletes attend school and the needs of other teams.  Transportation is never 100% guaranteed. Travel expenses are not included in program fees.

Payment Plans

If an athlete anticipates participation in multiple competitions over the course of a single season, that family may prefer to set up a payment plan monthly or bi-weekly to cover the estimated costs. An additional invoice will be sent after each event for any balance owed to account for the difference between the deposit and the actual cost. GTSSF does not mark up any event costs.

Payment Policies

GTSSF payment policies can be found in our Parent Handbook, available online here.

Refund Policies

GTSSF refund policies can be found in our Parent Handbook, available online here.

Work Deposit & Family Participation

One deposit of $175 is required per family; purchase your participation deposit here. Positive parental support is essential. Families are encouraged to get involved with club activities and volunteer for race events. ​The deposit is credited at the end of the year if volunteer hours are fulfilled.

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