XC PREP(U14/U18)
Winter Session -*
December through March
Practices start December 2nd
Practices held Tues, WED & Thurs
* Does not include volunteer deposit and other race fees.
** Times will be provided before the first week of practices.
Prep Cross Country skiers will be on snow three days per week and will be learning and improving classic and skate skiing. XC Flow graduates and any middle or high schoolers are welcome.
Practices start December 2nd, and practices held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, time TBD
Athletes will learn about pacing, intervals and intermediate technique development. The prep team is paired with the comp team, as it is the best way for all of our athletes to grow. The overall goal is to prepare these athletes for competitions and to develop the skill to maximize individual athletic potential in both skate and classic disciplines.
Skill Development & Focus
Emphasis will be on good body position, balance and weight shift through play. Maintain appropriate balance and stance while skiing in all terrain and under a variety of conditions. Focus on team work and fair play. Basic cross country ski fundamentals and the stamina to ski three days in a row.
Races
Encouraged to race in local events, interclub comps that may lead to state and divisional races including Junior National Qualifier (JNQ). The average distance of a race for an athlete of this age is a 5K.
- GTSSF Nordic competes within the Intermountain Division.
- Event details are located at IntermountainXC.com.
- View regional ski clubs.
Dryland Schedule
Athletes are highly encouraged to participate in the GTSSF Trampoline sessions at Teton Indoor Sports Academy. Workouts include: gymnastics, trampoline and tumble track.
Athletes are also highly encouraged to attend the Strength Training Program.
*One session of each Trampoline and Strength Training are included in this program
Equipment
- Skis: Waxable classic skis and skate skis.
- Boots: One pair of skate boots and one pair of classic boots, or one pair of combi boots.
- Poles: Skate poles and classic poles of appropriate heights.
- Ancillary Equipment: hill bounding poles, appropriate footwear and clothing for all activities.
- GTSSF Rentals: we have a wide range of boots, skis and poles to fit most athletes for a nominal rental fee.
Competition Licenses
None required for local races.
A USSA Cross Country Athlete license is required for Junior National Qualifier (JNQ) races, athletes 13+.
* See usskiandsnowboard.org for current pricing information.
Session Details
ALPINE WINTER SESSION
| ALPINE FLOW (u6 & u8) | 14 Weeks | December - March | 9:00am-12:30pm | Sunday* |
| ALPINE FLOW | 16 Weeks | December - March | 8:30am-2:00pm | Sunday* |
| ALPINE RACE | 20 Weeks | November - March | 8:30am - 12:30pm | Fri-Sun |
FREERIDE WINTER SESSION
| FREERIDE FLOW | Same as Alpine Flow | |||
| FREERIDE TEAM | 16 Weeks | December - March | 8:30am-2:00pm | Fri - Sun |
SNOWBOARD WINTER SESSION
| SNOWBOARD FLOW (u12) | 16 Weeks | December - March | 9:00am-12:30pm | Sunday* |
| SNOWBOARD TEAM | 16 Weeks | December - March | 8:30am-2:00pm | Fri - Sun |
CROSS COUNTRY WINTER SESSION - Register now with a full refund until the second week of programming.
| XC Flow (u6 & u8) | 11 Weeks | January - March | 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Saturday |
| XC Flow (u8 & u12) | 14 Week | December - March | Afternoons* | Thursday / Saturday |
| XC Flow (u14 & u18) | 14 Week | December - March | Afternoons* | Tues / Wed / Thurs |
| XC Prep | 16 Weeks | December - March | Afternoons* | Tues / Wed / Thurs |
| XC Comp | 16 Weeks | November - March | Afternoons* | Monday / Friday |
**The program has times adjusted for daylight, and the full schedule is available online, below.
If groomed track is not available on the first day of practice due to snow conditions, practices will be varied until groomed track/on-snow activities are available.
Ages for Alpine & XC Teams
Ages: You are under the listed age number as of Jan 1. A U8 athlete would need to be 7 by January 1.
Ages for Freeride & Snowboard Teams
Ages: You are under the listed age number as of Dec 31. A U8 athlete would need to be 7 by December 31.
Volunteer Work Deposit
Each family is required one refundable work deposit each season.
Purchase your Volunteer Work Deposit before your complete your athlete registration. Positive parental support is core to our program. Families are encouraged to get involved with activities and volunteer. The deposit is credited at the end of the year if volunteer hours are fulfilled.
Volunteer Opportunities Include any of our events. Events, including: Golf Tournament, Movie Night, Ski Swap, Donor Functions & Events, Races, Competitions, Fun Events such as Surf Classic. You may not be able to find an event coorealted with your athletes current program, that is ok.
Program Coach to Athlete Goals
Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation follows the recommended PSIA, US Ski & Snowboard, and USSA guidelines. Our goal is to have an athlete to coach ratio that does not exceed 7 athletes per coach.
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.
Transportation
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. Please review the Grand Targhee Shuttle page for travel options.
Event Deposits
An event deposit is required for each athlete participating in the competition. Event deposits are due the Thursday prior to each team competition. If you do not complete your event deposit prior to an event through Ski Club Pro, you may be asked to do so at the event. If you fail to make a deposit for an event, you will not be allowed to participate in upcoming events until the prior event deposit and the upcoming event deposit are made online.
Event Deposits are applied to all competition fees, including but not limited to registration, lift tickets, additional coaching time, mileage, per diems, and lodging. A balance for these fees paid by GTSSF in advance for participating athletes is due on the invoice. If a participant’s payment of fees and other expenses is not received by payment deadlines, that participant may have program and/or competition privileges revoked until the account is made current.
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 are also available and can be found in our Parent Handbook, available online here.