SOUTH SERIES SKI TEAM

Comprised of athletes aged U10, U12 & U14s with 300+ National points, this program is designed to teach fundamental skiing skills and ski racing techniques to young skiers.  For training purposes, athletes will usually be arranged in groups of approximately 5-7 per coach to facilitate a productive learning environment. Groups are dynamic but are generally based on skill, speed and social needs. Included in the program cost is a SSEF Team Jacket, 8 Weeks of Pre-Season Dryland Training (Sept-Nov), a Holiday Camp & a customized Race Series for each athlete.

Athlete Age: 8–14 (Birth years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)

Required Athletic Experience:

  • Be a competent skier on all blue terrain and in variable conditions.
  • Be able to manage their own equipment both on and off the hill. This includes:
    • Be responsible for and keeping track of equipment during practice.
    • Walk/hike with equipment without adult support.
    • Dress appropriately for variable weather.
  • Be a supportive and strong teammate.

Program Includes:

  • SSEF Team Jacket
  • Dryland 1x week for 8 weeks Sept – Nov
  • Holiday Camp – tentative Dec 22 & Dec 26-29
  • On-snow training, Dec 1st or Resort Opening – March 30th
    • 4 Day Team: Train Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
    • 3 Day Team: Train Wednesday or Friday, Saturday and Sunday
    • 2 Day Team: Train Saturday and Sunday
    • 1 Day Team: Train Saturday OR Sunday
    • 1/2 Day Alpine Add Ons: Wednesday &/or Friday
    • 1/2 Day T, Th or F Freeride Add Ons (T/Th requires Freeride coach approval)
    • 1/2 Days are from 12:30-4pm
    • Training at Nordic W & Fri (as conditions permit & requires a Nordic Season Pass)
    • 6 Days Week Option available as an Alpine/Freeride Combo (see below)
  • Coaching at South Series Races (NOT included: Race starts, Lift tickets & Coach Travel race expenses)

Skill Development Focus:

All-Mountain Safety: developing a consistent balanced athletic position on skis, proper weight distribution on skis, a consistent stance while maintaining balanced athletic position on skis. Athletes also learn timing,  upper body discipline and upper-lower body separation, upper body stability through the use of a single pole plant; and tactical elements of a giant slalom & slalom courses.

Competition Schedule Options:

Cost (2023-24 Pricing) 

4 Day Team (Wed/Friday, Sat & Sun)
$4725 (includes $400 Work Deposit)     

3 Day Team (Wed OR Fri, Sat & Sun)
$4575 (includes $400 Work Deposit)

2 Day Team  (Sat & Sun)
$3900 (includes $300 Work Deposit)       

1 Day Team (Sat or Sun)
$2880 (includes $200 Work Deposit)    

W or F Alpine 1/2 Day Add-on 
$675 (includes $100 Work Deposit)

T, Th or F Freeride 1/2 Day Add-on  (T/Th must have Freeride Coach approval before registering.)
$675 (includes $100 Work Deposit)

ALPINE/FREERIDE COMBO TEAM (birth years 2010-2013

6 Day Team (T/Th/Sat = Freerde; W/F/Sun = Alpine)
$6000 (includes $400 Work Deposit)   

5 Day Team (T/1 & 3rd Fridays/Sat = Freeride; W/2nd & 4th Fridays/Sun = Alpine;)
$5400 (includes $400 Work Deposit)   

4 Day Team (T or Th/Sat = Freeride; W or F/Sun = Alpine)
$4750 (includes $400 Work Deposit)   

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a team spot and current pricing. Prices will go up by $100 after August 31st and again after September 30th. Full tuition due by Nov 1st.  A 3% processing fee will be automatically charged to all credit card payments or a $2.50 processing fee for all eChecks.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Additional Expenses & Explanations

Ski Passes
Athletes need a Snowbasin and Nordic Valley season pass. Pass prices are not included in program fees and must be purchased directly through both resorts. Snowbasin Season Pass discounts are available once an athlete is registered to a program. Nordic Valley typically has early bird season pass rates & special discounts for certain ages athletes under 12.  Please consult Nordic Valley’s website for their most up-to-date information.

USS&S Membership

  • US Skiing Competitor U12 and below with IMD dues $110.00
  • Register on the US Ski & Snowboard website after July 1 –  www.ussa.org/membership

Race Expenses 

  • Race fees, lift tickets, travel costs are NOT included in the tuition.
  • Estimated Travel Costs: $75-$150 per race depending on location, staffing, etc
  • Race expenses will be due NLT 2 weeks prior to the event, payable thru ssef.skiclubpro.com

Work Deposit
Refundable with volunteer days or donated to the SSEF Scholarship Fund.

Optional Add-ons

  • June & July Snowbird Camps
  • Parisi Speed Camp Punch Pass Special – Contact Craig@snownasinskiteam.org
  • Anderson Cove Camping Retreat Sept 8-10th – check TeamSnap for details
  • Ice Skating Optional Training @ Ice Sheet – Sept thru Nov
  • Dryland Training starts in Sept – check TeamSnap for dates
  • Thanksgiving Camp – #1 Sun Valley or  #2 Colorado Nov 20-23, 2023

South Series Equipment

  • Recommend 3 pairs of skis (SL, GS, All Mountain/Powder) Reminder: National Ruling requires only one pair for each event.”  This will be applicable to U12 and younger, also at South Series events.
  • Properly fitted boots
  • Helmet – required & race approved
  • Poles 2 pairs:  SL with full hand guard protectors and 1 GS bent
  • SL Shin Guards
  • Goggles: 1 pair with lens for night light; 1 pair with lens for daylight
  • Speed Suit
  • Tuning equipment (intro kit)
  • Back Protector (optional, but highly recommended for SG)
  • Soft Goods: gloves/mittens, long underwear, ski socks, ski pants w zipper on side,
  • Day Pack Bag to fit: boots and all soft goods including helmet, goggles, gloves, snack, water, sunscreen, hand warmers, neck warmer & extra layers. Bag should be easily carried by your athlete.
  • Optional GS skis

Notes on Equipment

Helmets: Must have a hard-shell plastic over the ears. For additional safety, make sure there is a chin protector for Slalom. Bar needs to be easily removed for GS and free skiing.

Goggles: chose a goggle that fits into the helmet comfortably (no goggle gap) and protects the eyes from sun, wind, snow and harsh conditions. Please try on helmets and goggles in store to make sure of correct fitting and sizing.

Poles Height: turn pole upside down, hold pole under the basket -arm should be bent 90 degrees.

Ski Height:

  • For SL skis: height between chin and mouth
  • For GS skis: measured at 5cm above head for U12’s and 10cm above head for U14’s.
  • Length of skis increases with more competitive, heavier, and stronger athletes.

Boots:

Try on the shell – Take liner out of boot and step foot into the hard shell. Slide toes to touch the front of the shell, fit 2 fingers between the heel and the shell.

Try on the liner without the shell  – Find the big toe; big toe should not be too tight in the liner. For more competitive athletes, we look for a tighter fit, but skiers should still be comfortable to ski a whole day in boots without taking boots off.  Skiers should be able to buckle their boots, if they cannot the flex of the boot is too stiff or buckles too short.

Flex boot varies depending on weight. It is important for skiers to be able to flex boot when in standing position. South Series athletes should look for a stiffer boot, but not exceeding 80 flex. Please work closely with our coaching staff prior to buying your boots should you have any questions.

Soft goods / clothing:

Gloves / mittens (mittens are warmer)

Pants / Training Pants – Ski pants with zips on sides can also become shorts

Socks – wool ski socks, moisture wicking (cotton is not good).

Long Underwear – thermal top and long underwear, moisture wicking or wool recommended

Mandatory Parent Athlete Orientation
Mandatory Parent – Athlete Orientation Night: October @ TBD

Training schedule, equipment, the race calendar, the team Handbook and more will be discussed.

Recommended Summer Skiing
0-5 days

Ski Season Training

  • On Snow: Resort Opening- March
  • Saturday and Sunday at Snowbasin 9:00 – 3:00.
  • Wednesday and Friday, afternoons, 1:00-4:00 at Snowbasin or Nordic Valley (conditions permitting)
  • Holiday Camp – tentative Dec 23-Dec 30
  • U10-12 Optional UOP Training with Coach Approval (2 hour blocks, Wednesdays, start date & times TBA. Additional Lane Fees & UOP Season Pass required.)
  • Early Loads at Snowbasin, days and times TBD
  • Training is NOT required 4 days a week, but is offered.
  • Up to 6 total ski days option is available with the Alpine & Freeski Combo program.

SSEF Training Program is built around the US Ski & Snowboard Training System, which includes

  • Development Phases
  • Physical Fitness
  • Technical Domains
  • Tactical Domains
  • Equipment Selection & Preparation
  • Mental Training
  • & Competitive Skill Development

For a complete breakdown of each category, please visit – https://usskiandsnowboard.org/sites/default/files/files-resources/files/2017-11/Alpine%20Training%20Systems%2011-16-17.pdf

U10, U12 and U14 athletes, with the assistance of our SSEF Program Director & Coaching Staff, will have the ability to customize their alpine race experience to their individual skill & desired commitment level.  Athletes will travel with their parents to the races.  All race details will be updated and communicated via TeamSnap.

South Series Race Plan 

All race details will be updated and communicated via TeamSnap.

  • CLICK HERE FOR THE IMD Race Calendar & Race Announcements
  • IMD Finals is for all athletes that do not qualify for IMD Champs and all U14s
  • IMD Championships is for qualifying athletes only
  • Athletes MAY attend the YSL Finals AND IMD Finals with Coach Permission & as part of an overall training plan
  • Once an athlete receives a top 5 placement within the U10 or U12 age class in the South Series, they will no longer be eligible to race in the YSL series.
  • IMD Spring Fling is for U12s by INVITE that qualify for IMD Champs

SSEF Parent/Athlete Handbook

The Snowbasin Sport Education Foundation  is committed to a culture of family participation, team building, social gatherings while supporting our youth through winter sport development.

We will be using TeamSnap for all communications (email/text messaging) & schedule updates.  Once you are registered with SSEF, you will receive a Team Snap invitation.  You will have options on how to set up your notifications to suit you and your family.  Check out TeamSnap How-Tos under our Resources Tab.

There will be many opportunities for parents to be involved with events and competitions. We need help with races, freeride competitions, club fundraisers and individual team activities such as coordination of team tents at races etc.

Our Volunteer Tab will have links to sign up for activities that match your preferences.  Additional volunteer opportunities will be communicated via TeamSnap.

We look forward to meeting all of you.  If you have any questions, please email admin@snowbasinskiteam.org