Race Clinics

The Race Clinics (previously referred to as Instructional Ski 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 Ski Level Development. 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 Magna Carta 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. GREEN/BLUE/BLACK groups.
• Skiers must be able to perform the following skills:
  • Ride the Magna Carta tow to the 3rd Barrel (Early Green)
  • Ride all tows independently
  • Basic parallel turn down Magna Carta
  • Know all 10 points of the Skiers Responsibility Code
  • Be approved to advance by coaching staff
• 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

GREEN ZONE SKIERS

Level 3: “I can link turns together and stop where I want to on the easiest green terrain. My turns are usually all the same size.” – Green terrain
Level 4: “I am linking turns together smoothly on all green terrain. I can make narrow and wide turns” – All green and easiest blue terrain

BLUE ZONE SKIERS

Level 5: “I am skiing mostly parallel in a couple different turn sizes and shapes on most blue terrain. I am beginning to use my poles and can hockey stop in both directions.” -All green terrain and most blue terrain
Level 6: “I am skiing parallel and confidently on all groomed blue terrain. I am exploring un-groomed trails and the easiest bumps. I usually
make the same turn sizes and shapes on un-groomed trails.” –All groomed blues, easy blue bumps, easy groomed blacks

BLACK ZONE SKIERS

Level 7: “I am able to smoothly link parallel turns together with a pole plant on all blue and black terrain. I am exploring un-groomed black terrain, including bumps. I can connect different turn sizes and shapes seamlessly for the different challenges.” – All blue terrain and most black terrain

Level 8: “I am making different turns sizes and shapes, including rhythmic short turns and large carved turns, on all blue and black terrain (groomed or un-groomed). I feel comfortable exploring harder blacks and easier double black terrain.” – All black and easy double black terrain
Level 9: “I can ski the entire mountain and am working on skiing faster, smoother, difficult lines, and learning different strategies in the hardest
terrain and snow conditions.” – Entire mountain, all conditions

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 USSS Travel Team
  • Intends to race High School - and perhaps beyond