Program Info
Whether You're New to the snow, or an experienced racer, GTSC Has a Program For You!
Learn To Ski Clinics
When: January and February (full date options below)
Times: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm (Morning Session) or 1:00 - 2:30 pm (Afternoon Session)
Where: Hickory Hills, Bunny Hill Magic Carpet
Age: 5 + (Must be 5 years old by date of first clinic)
Cost: TBD
Learn to Ski Clinics are a great way to introduce kids to the sport of skiing. This set of clinics is meant for kids aged 5 and up with little to no experience skiing. Kids will learn the basics of skiing in a fun, encouraging environment. There are plenty of coaches to teach skiing skills, and volunteers to assist kids with riding the rope tows. The clinics take place on Saturdays in January and February. This season each LTS Clinic has time slots of 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Kids may participate in more than one LTS Clinic to enhance their learning and ski experience. Please note that each time slot in the three LTS Clinics is limited to 25 kids.
Winter Break 3 Day Camps (Bunny Hill only lessons)
As of now, we will not schedule a Learn To Ski over the Holiday break as we've had to cancel it the last three years due to the lack of snow. If Mother Nature cooperates and we are able to ski at Hickory, we will create a registration form and notify everyone in December.
Learn to Ski 1 - Saturdays 1/7/23, 1/14/23 and 1/21/23
- Morning Session: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Learn to Ski 2 - Saturdays 2/4/23, 2/11/23 and 2/18/23
- Morning Session: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
END GOAL:
- Turn Right, Turn Left, Stop
- Ride the Magic Carpet lift independently
- Put on their own equipment
- Know at least 1 of the 7 Skier Responsibility points
Additional Requirements:
- All skiers must bring and wear a ski helmet and bring their own skis and boots.
- Rental Equipment is available
- A FREE Hickory Hills Bunny hill ticket must be picked up at the main office.
- If the skier progresses beyond the bunny hill to the Magna Carta tow rope, the purchase of a full ticket is required prior to the start of the lesson.
- LTS instructors will be assigned to LTS skiers ready to make an advancement to the Magna Carta tow rope but only with proper ticket.
- Program Fees DO NOT include full ski tickets. See rates here.
Coaches Notes: Some helpful items for your first time skiing.
- Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled lesson time to gear up, obtain a lift ticket, and prepare for clinics.
- There is a drop-off area to unload equipment at the base of Hickory. A plastic sled can be handy to transport gear and young children wearing ski boots to the lesson area.
- If you are renting equipment at Hickory, allow additional time for the rental process.
- A free bunny hill ticket needs to be picked up at the ticket office in the lodge prior to the lesson. The lodge is also a great place to have a last minute snack, visit the restroom, and put on ski boots.
- If using your own equipment, be sure to have your skier's ski bindings adjusted by a professional for your child's safety. Our local ski shops in town will be able to assist with this service.
- Meet at the bottom of Magna Carta by the bunny hill with the Magic Carpet lift, at the base area.
- Please check in with coaches. Participants will be placed into small groups to start a lesson.
There will be a brief informational meeting with parents/guardians after drop-off. Nicole Schroeder, our Director of Coaching and Programming, will provide some helpful information for your new skiers.
Let the FUN begin!!!
Advanced Ski Clinics
Advanced Ski Clinics
When: Mondays & Fridays, 1/2/23 - 3/3/23
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Hickory Hills
Cost: TBD
Age: 5 + (must be 5 by date of first clinic)
Please Note: Due to a Friday night high school race, there will be no clinics on one Friday in February. GTSC has not been provided the date of this race as of yet.
DOES NOT INCLUDE Hickory Hills lift tickets. These must be purchased separately from the GTSC programs at the hill. See rates here
The Advanced Beginner Clinics are meant for newer skiers at least 5 years of age. All participants must meet the program requirements listed below. The Advanced Beginner Clinics serve as a bridge between the Learn to Ski Clinics and the Instructional Ski Clinics. There is a heavy emphasis on fun, skill-building, and learning the fundamentals of modern ski technique.
REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum age is 5
- Grouped by age & ability
- Skiers must be able to perform the following skills:
- Turn right, turn left, stop
- Magna Carta tow to the 3rd Barrel
- Put on their own equipment
- Know at least 1 of the 7 skier responsibility code.
Additional Requirements
- All skiers must bring and wear a ski helmet and bring their own skis and boots.
- Hickory Hills ski tickets must be purchased separately from the GTSC programs.
- GTSC Fees do not include lift tickets. See rates here.
- Rental Equipment is now available at Hickory Hills.
END GOAL
- Skiers must pass the following to advance:
- Ride all tows independently
- Basic parallel turn down Magna Carta
- Know all 7 points of the Skiers Responsibility Code
Instructional Ski Clinics
Instructional Ski Clinics
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 1/3/23 - 3/2/23
Time: 4:30 - 6:00 pm or 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: Hickory Hills
Age: 5 - 12 (must be 5 by date of first clinic)
Cost: TBD
*Skiers may only attend the session for which they are registered
DOES NOT INCLUDE Hickory Hills lift tickets. These must be purchased separately from the GTSC programs at the hill. See rates here
The Instructional Ski Clinics (often referred to as regular race clinics) are geared toward skiers looking to develop their basic skiing and racing abilities. Participants should be comfortable with all of the aspects of skiing covered in the Advanced Beginner Clinics. Skiers range in age from 5 to 12 and are not participating in the GTSC Middle School Program. Skiers must be able to use all rope tows independently in order to participate in these clinics. The clinics will begin by meeting at the bottom of the Birch rope tow for dynamic stretching. The skiers will then be divided into groups by ability. This will allow the coaches to focus on the areas of basic skiing that need improvement. The main goal of these clinics is for skiers to have fun while learning the basics of ski racing and becoming more fundamentally sound skiers. The primary focus will be on drills emphasizing fundamental skill-building with a secondary emphasis on running courses. We focus on creating good habits, honing fundamentals by utilizing a variety of drills and proceed into gate training as ability and interest progress. All participants are strongly encouraged to sign up for and race on Sundays at Hickory.
REQUIREMENTS
- Grouped by age & ability. BLUE / BLACK groups.
- Skiers must be able to perform the following skills:
- Ride all tows independently
- Basic parallel turn down Buck trail
- Know all 7 points of the Skiers Responsibility Code
- All skiers must bring and wear a ski helmet and bring their own skis and boots.
- Hickory Hills ski tickets must be purchased separately from the GTSC programs. See rates here
ABILITY LEVELS
- BLUE:
- Meets all requirements (from Advanced Beginner)
- BLACK:
- More proficient at all the fundamentals, on all trails at Hickory.
- At least 1-year experience in 4:30/6:30 clinics
- Incorporates equipment in an advanced manner
END GOALS
- Love skiing
- Become a skier that can ski all terrain independently
- Ski on the Middle School Race Team
- Perhaps race High School
- Ski on the USSA Travel Team
- Intends to race High School - and perhaps beyond
Middle School Race Team
Hickory Hills: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays; 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Crystal Mountain: Wednesdays; 4:00 - 6:00 pm 1/2/23-3/9/23
Cost: TBD
- Includes MSRT weekday training and MSRT races/coaching
- Does not include Sunday Races
- Includes bussing to all Middle School Races
- Includes bussing to/from Crystal Mtn on Wednesday for training
- Due to transportation driver shortages in our region, we are unable to offer bussing to/from practices at Hickory this year. Parents are encouraged to carpool in small pods.
GTSC Middle School Races - Tentative and subject to change – See GTSC Calendar
- Typically 4-5 MSRT races/season around local/Northern Michigan
This program is for skiers in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, and has the same focus as the Ski Club’s Instructional Ski Clinics. MSRT is intended for athletes with ski experience looking to increase confidence, ability and have a great time!
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Must be in 6th, 7th or 8th grade, or age/grade appropriate as allowed by coaches
- Athlete must have baseline experience in downhill skiing – understands how to put on all equipment independently, use tow ropes/chair lifts, and get down hill safely.
- Complete programming forms located at bottom of this page
END GOAL:
- Ski all terrain independently, safely navigate racecourses - perhaps race on High School Team
Coaches – Ian Sterling, Zach Mikowski – Head Coaches
MSRT Program Details
- Includes all weekday training as shown on the schedule above
- Includes approximately 5 middle school races per year as shown above, subject to change
- Will have MSRT races at Nubs Nob and Boyne Mountain
- All races are optional but highly encouraged and FUN!
- Miss some school for these
- Pass included
- Remaining races at Hickory or Holiday
- After school hours
- Need parent volunteers
- Parent transportation for local races
- Pass included (Holiday)
Expectations:
- Be on time, hop out of vehicle prepared to ski.
- Respect Coaches & peers, 110% effort, safety
Volunteers:
- Race day volunteers – watch for sign-ups – may be imperative to volunteer if spectators not allowed
- Will need parents at races to help with working race (gate keeping, etc.) and possibly other (TBD)
Passes – Required and NOT included in the sign up fee
- Hickory Hills
- Season pass needed
- Pass sales available online: https://www.traversecitymi.gov/hickory_hills.asp
- Choose alpine ski season pass option
- Crystal Mountain - 1 day pass
- Passes on sale now through Dec. 18, 2020 – purchase ASAP
• crystalmountain.com/school-program/
o Go to: purchase school program pass
o Username: gtsc
o Password: winter2020
- Passes on sale now through Dec. 18, 2020 – purchase ASAP
Gear – Race gear needed - required for safety – recreational gear is not appropriate
- Will race GS and Slalom – please talk to coaches if need guidance – they are happy to help!
- Need race capable gear:
- Skis – can have separate GS and Slalom – or one pair that work for both
- Boots – VERY important to have the right fit – please ask coaches/shops to assess
- Helmet – safety first –
- Chin bar - Slalom requires
- GS - No chin bar – so needs to be removable
- Gloves/shin guards/poles/goggles/arm guards/back pad/speed suit/ski socks
- Good place to get help: Coaches, Don Orr, Ski Swap, Parent Meeting
Optional GTSC Add-Ons, Fees Not Included:
- GTSC Sunday Races
- Skiers are encouraged to participate in Sunday Races at Hickory, as this allows them to qualify for various regional ski invitationals against other clubs.
Please contact Tonya Lewandowski (tlewandowski@ectinc.com), the GTSC Middle School Program Coordinator with any questions about the programs. Registration questions can be directed to: info@gtskiclub.org.
Below are the forms that you must fill out and return to GTSC in order for your registration to be considered complete. Please email to Tonya Lewandowski (tlewandowski@ectinc.com) by December 1, 2021.
- Season Pass Waiver for Minors (Ski Racers) and/or Adults (Coaches and Chaperones)
- Snow Sports Release for all Participants
- Emergency Contacts (coming soon)
- Nubs Nob Release Form for Minor Ski Races and Adult Coaches and Volunteers
Thanks and looking forward to a great season!!
Monday Night Race Clinics
When: Mondays starting 1/2/23 - 2/27/23, no make-up days
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Where: Hickory Hills, Bottom of Buck
Age: 8+
Cost: TBD
DOES NOT INCLUDE Hickory Hills lift tickets. These must be purchased separately from the GTSC programs at the hill. See rates here
MNRC will provide additional time on the hill for racing fundamentals. This clinic is designed for the serious Instructional Clinic racer or MSRT racer seeking additional hours of race training. This clinic is only open to the following skiers:
- Must have completed a minimum of 1 year of Instructional Ski Clinics or MSRT with GTSC or equivalent ski race training with another club.
- Registered currently for GTSC Sunday Races.
- Must have proper race equipment including: race skis, helmet with chin bar for slalom, flexible boots or race boots, shin guards, arm guards, and pole/hand guards.
USSS Race Team
Hickory: Mondays, Thursdays; 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Crystal Mountain: Tuesdays, Wednesdays; 4:15 – 6:15 pm
Includes USSS training, Region 3 USSS weekend race coaching and all MSRT races/coaching
Does not include Sunday Races or out of Region 3 race coaching
Cost: $950
This program is meant for athletes in grades 6, 7 and 8 who are looking to add extra intensity to their training sessions during the week and wish to compete in United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSS) weekend Region 3 races. USSS athletes intend to race in high school, and perhaps beyond.
Program Fee Includes:
- USSS Weekday Training
- USSS Region 3 Weekend Race Coaching
- MSRT Races – Fees and Coaching
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be in 6th, 7th, 8th grade, or age/grade appropriate as approved by the head coaches.
- Racer has previous race experience and meets all USSS member/safesport criteria.
- Racer must register and pay separately for all USSS national dues. Learn more HERE.
- Racer must register and pay separately for all USSS Region 3 dues and have had all equipment necessary to meet USSS race regulations. Learn more HERE.
Coaches – Austin Johnson, Craig Davidson, Austin Skibowski
Training – Monday through Thursday – will begin on snow ASAP – weather dependent TBD
Program Details - USSS training and racing is a bigger commitment than MSRT – additional race opportunities on weekends.
- USSS weekday training – see above schedule
- Middle School Races – Included - see MSRT programming link for details
- USSS Region 3 Race weekend coaching – https://www.region3cussa.org/
- All races optional – but really the benefit to being in USSS
- Coaching at Region 3 USSS race weekends included
- USSS Race Schedule – https://www.region3cussa.org/page/show/1963408-region-3-calendar
- All USSS race sign up is done separately by families for each race – through myUSSS account – NOT INCLUDED
- Race fees are extra and paid per race for a racer
- Races typically Saturday and Sunday – can sign up to do one or both
- Passes at race mountains not included
- Parent transportation
- To be eligible for any USSS events/racing - NEED TO REGISTER with USSA and REGION 3 to participate – make account per racer/online (see info above)
- USSS & Region 3 registration – not included in GTSC fee!!
Program Does NOT Include – Below are available at an additional fee – NOT included in $800 USSA programming fee.
- USSS Region 3 Race fees – https://www.region3cussa.org/
- See above sign up and race fee information
- USSS Qualifying race weekends – Shelly Glover & Hosking Junior Championship Qualifiers - races held at Marquette Mountain in Marquette, MI
- These races are optional for all USSS racers – but if your racer wants to try qualifying for the Junior Championships in CO, have to participate and qualify at Hosking race
- Coaching not included – fee based on how many participants through GTSC
- Parent transportation necessary
- Lodging not included – family responsible for arrangements
- Race sign up is done individually by families for each race – myUSSS account
- Race fee dependent on how many days/race
- Schedule is out – https://www.region3cussa.org/page/show/1963408-region-3-calendar
- Races ~Fri-Sunday, usually additional training available on Thursday.
- USSS Junior Championships – have to qualify at above races, held in Colorado in March, all additional and TBD.
- GTSC Sunday Races – additional sign up and fee through GTSC
RACE SCHEDULE:
MSRT Races – see detailed schedule above
• Typically 4-5 MSRT races/season around local/Northern Michigan
USSS Races – see detailed Region 3 schedule above
• Most weekends, Sat/Sun around Northern Michigan/U.P.
• Register your racer independently for races through my.usskiandsnowboard.org acct
Expectations:
- Be on time, hop out of vehicle prepared to ski.
- Respect Coaches & peers, 110% effort, safety
- Be responsible for yourself and all your gear
Volunteers:
- Race day volunteers – watch for sign-ups – may be imperative to volunteer if spectators not allowed
- Will need parents at races to help with working race (gate keeping, etc.) and possibly other (TBD)
- This year parents expected to help with food/drink for coaches – this helped us eliminate additional per diem costs
Passes – Required and NOT included in the sign up fee
- Hickory Hills- Season pass
- Season pass needed
- Pass sales available online: https://www.traversecitymi.gov/hickory_hills.asp
- Choose alpine ski season pass option
- Crystal Mountain - Season Pass
- Season passes on sale now through Dec. 1, 2021 – purchase ASAP
• crystalmountain.com/school-program/
o Go to: purchase school program pass
o Username: gtsc
o Password: winter2021
- Season passes on sale now through Dec. 1, 2021 – purchase ASAP
- For weekend Region 3 USSS races - all passes will need to be purchased separately for each race by families the day of race – NOT included.
USSS Gear – Quality race gear needed - required for safety – recreational gear is not appropriate
- USSS athletes will race GS and Slalom – possibly Super G at qualifier races - please talk to coaches if need guidance – they are happy to help!
- Need quality race gear; refer to: USSS guidelines https://usskiandsnowboard.org/sport-programs/rules-equipment/alpine-equipment.pdf
- Skis – see USSS requirements - recommend separate GS and Slalom skis
- Boots – VERY important to have the right fit – please ask coaches/shops to assess
- Helmet – see USSS requirements
- Chin bar - Slalom requires
- GS - No chin bar – so needs to be removable – FIS sticker required
- Gloves/shin guards/poles/goggles/arm guards/back pad/speed suit/ski socks
Optional GTSC Add-Ons, Fees Not Included:
- GTSC Sunday Races
- Skiers are encouraged to participate in Sunday Races at Hickory, as this allows them to qualify for various regional ski invitationals against other clubs.
NOTE: USSS Programming sign up INCLUDES USSS Weekend Race/Training sign up – DO NOT sign up separately for that GTSC option!
We believe that one must develop great ski skills before one can be a great ski racer. In accordance with this philosophy, we will perform many drills, especially those emphasizing pressure, edging, rotary, and balance, in order to refine our fundamental ski skills. We will limit our time training in racecourses as we believe in quality rather than quantity. We want to train and build proper ski mechanics so that our athletes become fundamentally strong skiers with a lifelong passion for the sport.
The athletes will work closely with the GTSC coaches who will coach the athletes at weekend USSS races and/or weekend USSS training (TBD). Our head USSS coaches are Austin Johnson and Craig Davidson. Austin is a Traverse City native and former member of the USSA Development Program who competed on the Nor-Am circuit and in Europe. Austin’s unique racing experience has shown him the ski skills that are necessary to build a foundation for successful racing at the highest levels of the sport. Craig comes to GTSC after decades as very accomplished alpine ski coach for the WIN and Pinnacle programs, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. Craig’s enthusiasm is contagious as he looks to take our athletes to a new level!
Please contact Tonya Lewandowski (tlewandowski@ectinc.com), the GTSC Middle School Program Coordinator with any questions about the program timing, and transportation. Registration questions can be directed to: info@gtskiclub.org.
Each athlete will need to complete the following forms and return to Tonya Lewandowski no later than December 1, 2021. Please email
- Athlete Code of Conduct
- Parent Code of Conduct
- GTSC Waiver
We look forward to a great season of fun ski racing!
- Nubs Nob Release Form for Minor Ski Races and Adult Coaches and Volunteers
We look forward to a great season of fun ski racing!
Registration will take place in Mid November, with Clinics beginning the first week of January.
We Provide All Your Equipment
- Cleats provided by our sponsor
- Jersey provided by us
- Shorts also provided by us
Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
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About Grand Traverse Ski Club
Community leaders of Traverse City first envisioned a local ski area for children in the late 1940’s.
Although there were a limited number of ski areas in the region, most children did not have the means to travel to these ski slopes.