USSA Crotched Mt. Racing Parent & Athlete Guide
The Alpine Program Vision
The vision of our Alpine Program is to help in the development of the athlete in all aspects of their life.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to inspire a passion for snow sports in our young athletes
and to help them reach their potential as athletes. We want them to become good,
responsible citizens and develop a strong sense of sportsmanship.
Alpine Program Code of Conduct
We have a strict standard of behavior and athletic code of conduct. This is based on the
USSA and New Hampshire Alpine Racing Association’s Racer Code of Conduct and the
general Skier Code of Conduct and Sportsmanship. All athletes, coaches, and parents are
treated in a fair and equal manner. Crotched Mountain expects that all athletes and
parents will conduct themselves with the highest standard of behavior.
Programs:
Seasonal weekend Programs:
Crotched Mountain Junior Race Program is a fundamentals based training program, using
guidelines from the United States Ski Association [USSA], to facilitate long-term athlete
development. We offer a variety of training programs for athletes 5 and older.
Experienced, passionate coaches lead training groups, to assist each athlete in reaching
their potential in a fun environment. Programs are designed first to build great, confident
skiers, who develop into strong racers while fostering a life-long love of the sport and the
values of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Tigers/Cruizers Program (Ages 5-9/9-13):
Head Coach: Reed MacNeilage, Mcrmacneilage@kloecknermetals.com
The emphasis for Tigers and Cruizers teams are to build fundamental ski skills, develop a
passion for skiing and have fun. Athletes will be skiing the whole mountain to develop their
skills and confidence. Coaches will support athletes in realizing their potential in the
process of learning a lifelong love of skiing. Children joining this program should be
comfortable with the ski lift, ski intermediate runs on the mountain and be able to put on
their equipment. The program is available on Saturday or Sunday, from 9 am to 12 pm, 9am
to 3pm or 1pm to 3pm. The program runs for 13 weeks. Helmets are required. Starts
December 12, 2015. You’ll need to pick either Saturday or Sunday at the beginning of the
season and are not free to change once the season begins.
Tigers/Cruizers Morning Program Rate (9am-12pm, Sat or Sun.......$449
Tigers/Cruizers Afternoon Program Rate 1-3 pm: Sat or Sun.......$399
Tigers/Cruizers All Day Program Rate 9 am to 3 pm Sat or Sun.......$549
Future Stars Program (Ages 7-12 age 6 with director approval):
Future Stars athletes focus on building their fundamental skills through all mountain skiing
and race training drills while having fun and developing friendships and a sense of team
spirit. Athletes joining this program should be able to ride the lift, ski intermediate
terrain and put on their equipment. Future Stars meets Saturday and Sunday from 9am-
12pm. Additionally we offer this as an all day program. The program runs for 13 weeks.
Helmets are required, no soft ear flaps. There is no travel to races at other mountains.
Athletes age 8+ wanting a more involved racing program should consider the full day USSA
Junior Racing Program. The program runs for 13 weeks. Starts December 12, 2015
Future Stars Rate (9am-12pm, Sat & Sun.......$579
Future Stars Rate 9am-3 pm Sat & Sun.......$699
USSA Programs:
A full day race training program. Fundamentals and free skiing are still the basis of the
program with an increase in gate training according to the age/competition level. Programs
run from early December to the end of March. Membership with New Hampshire Alpine
Racing Association [NHARA] and United States Ski Association [USSA] is required. There
is a parent race worker commitment of up to 4 days per year. New families we recommend
you contact the Program Director for specific program details.
Daily Training Program:
Season training begins on the second or third weekend Crotched Mt. is open. “Race team”
and “Train to race” train Saturdays, Sundays and one mid-week night plus Christmas week.
An e-mail will be sent out confirming these dates. “Tigers” schedule is slightly different.
Check all schedules at www.crotchedmountain.com www.crotchedmountainracing.org
From time to time we will do early morning speed training. For safety reasons this type of
training needs to be done before the mountain is open to the skiing public. You will be given
notice of these opportunities the week before.
Racers meet promptly at 8:55 AM in front of the Alpine Training Center (ATC) and train
until 2:30-2:45 with a 1 hour lunch break or 9:30 -12:30 in the case of Tigers/Cruzers and
Future Stars per programming sign up. If racers are late parents are responsible for
escorting the racer to his/her group.
If a racer gets separated from their group they should proceed to the deck of the Alpine
Training Center and await their group.
Traditionally, focus for the beginning of the season is on mileage, balance, fundamentals
and reviewing basic skills. Except for the U19 & U16 racers (who actually have races in
December) we will not be training gates until approximately the Christmas holiday.
Lunch will from 1130 to 1230. Meet your athletes at the ATC and lunch ready for them.
Also generally they will get to snack breaks, once in the morning and once in the afternoon,
make sure they have a snack.
Your athletes will be at the ATC between 2:30pm and 2:45 so be there waiting. This is a
good time to talk to the coach as well.
In preparation for races:
The day prior to a race, Coaches will inform parents where to meet at the race location,
meeting time, recommended waxes, etc. For home races, racers should meet at 8:00 AM
outside the main lodge.
Age Class General Philosophies & Technical Focus:
Our basic philosophy is the same for the U19s as it is for the U10s and Tigers. We teach
children, young or old proper athletic skeletal position, balance, correct hand and upper
body position, mental strategies and tactics and the latest discipline technique used on the
World Cup Circuit by today’s greatest alpine racers. Please see “Technical Statement on
Skiing” for our thoughts on how to ski.
Here at the CM we have a large variety of talents, athletic abilities and competitive
desires among our group of young athletes. We are trying to teach them all the same
thing: how to become the best skier they have inside of themselves. Our belief is that if
we provide all our athletes with a strong foundation in technique and skill they will then
have the ability to tap their own individual potential on demand.
If you think about it no turn is ever quite the same as another. The turn you use in a flat
slalom is not even close in body position, edge angle, or hand position in a high speed steep
Super G turn. It is our job and our pleasure to give these young athletes the different
turns and tools they will need to ski every type of condition and race course they will ever
face.
We can only do this by teaching fundamentals, balance, and body position and at the same
time have a BLAST doing it. The United States Ski Association (USSA) has come up with
some different terminology to help the parents better understand the phrase "free
skiing". USSA now uses the terms "directed" and "undirected" in front of "free skiing".
Training at CM will encompass both directed and undirected free skiing.
We believe in the importance of free skiing. Many people have a misconception about free
skiing. To us it just means we are not in the gates. Some people take the term "free skiing"
as another way of saying, "goofing off". Directed free skiing is just as beneficial to your
child's development and as valuable as skiing gates.
Our program follows the USSA recommendations, suggestions and guidelines as we have
paraphrased below.
Technical Training -Overview
Technical Skill Focus:
*Athletic stance – Balanced - Efficient - Athletic Position
*A pole plant that encourages smooth edge transition and assists transferring pressure
from ski to ski.
*Dynamic Balance – Maintaining balance in motion
*Re-centering – Returning to the balanced athletic stance during transitions
* Early pressure – Weight transfer under the center of mass to apply early pressure to
the new ski
*Proper body direction and angulation
Technical Season Goals
The athlete will be able to:
*Ski linked turns of varying size and speed through all terrain and conditions relying
primarily on skeletal support at all times.
*Exhibit appropriate balance and stance while skiing a complete variety of terrain,
conditions, turn shape and size.
*Is able to pressure the skis into the fall line in short radius turns and exit the fall line
with a carved arc.
*Exhibits knowledge of pressure and demonstrates how to manage it during changes in
terrain.
*Has refined the ability to ski and compete in all types of snow conditions and terrain with
equal success.
*Has been exposed to, and is adaptable to, all of the variables of terrain, snow conditions
and course types.
*Will be able to use appropriate edging and pressure control to ski effectively in all types
of course length and conditions.
*Utilize the entire space available between gates to complete the required change of
direction and minimize the effect of ski/snow friction to link turns with the minimum
amount of traverse possible.
U10 Head Coach: Sarah Patey, sarahmacbarra@gmail.com
The U10’s will ski from 9:00am to 2:45pm with a coach. Groups will be focused on
experiencing all aspects of alpine skiing, slope style, moguls, glade skiing, gate training.
They will work to continue to integrate basic skiing skills that will improve their overall
skill level. The program will also have a competitive schedule that will include a variety of
skill challenges. Home competition will be the focus of the program with travel only to age
appropriate challenge competitions. The program strives to help the athlete develop all-
around basic fundamental ski skills, balance, pressure, control, rotary and edging. All
athletes are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the U10 schedule.
These are the races that your athlete should attend.
1/30/16 U10 Kombi Sunapee
2/14/16 Skills Day Gunstock
3/13/16 John Russell Pats Peak
3/26/16 T-shirt race (Optional) Sunapee
4/3/16 Mug race Crotched
U12 Head Coach: Nick Greene, nickgreene519@gmail.com
The U12’s will ski from 9:00 am to 2:45pm with a coach. They must have skied a minimum
of three full seasons and be able to ski intermediate and advanced trails (Blues and Blacks)
comfortably. Eighty-five percent of the time the focus is to develop a variety of skills
through directed free skiing, technical drills and undirected free skiing. The remaining
fifteen percent of the time the racers will practice tactical and technical drills with gates.
The U12’s focus is on the athlete’s performance versus the outcome or result of races.
Since each child matures at a different rate, it is important to emphasize fun. It’s
important that the athletes experience as many different physical activities off snow as
possible. Our goal is to develop their skills to ski the whole mountain well, master all snow
conditions, and continue to learn strong skiing skills.
The U12 athletes will continue to ski slalom and giant slalom with 5-7 race opportunities. In
January, the group will attend 1 or 2 open races. The U12 coaches will distribute the
schedule with specific instructions. In February, the athletes will compete in BWL
qualifying races for the BWL State Finals and the BWL State Championships.
These are the Qualifiers and suggested races that your athlete should attend…
12/30 Eneguess, Crotched Mountain
1/10 Gus Pitou GS, Gunstock (Open Race)
Qualifiers:
1/24 GS, Ragged
2/7 SL, Pats Peak
2/21 GS, Gunstock
Finals:
Finals are for athletes that did not make the Champs.
2/26 Finals Training-Cranmore
2/27 Finals-Cranmore
Champs:
3/4 Champs Training, Ragged
3/5-6 Champs, Ragged
Fun open races:
3/13 Josh Russel, SL-Pats Peak
3/26 T-shirt Race, Sunapee
4/3 Mug Race, Crotched Mtn.
U14 Head Coach: Ed Dishong, emdishong@comcast.net
The U14’s will ski from 9:00 am to 2:45pm. Some days could start earlier than 9:00 am or
may go past 2:30 pm (athletes are encouraged to ski up to the last chair of the day). The
athletes will ski with a team of coaches who will work with each athlete individually at
different times. The U14’s will work on expanding and improving the skills that were
introduced in the U12 program. The group focuses on directed and undirected free
skiing sixty-five percent of the time, technical drills with and without gates thirty percent
of the time, and tactical drills the remaining five percent. The program is focused on
addressing all learning styles and continuing to work on strong fundamental styles.
The coaches will determine the race schedule. There will be between 6 to 10 race starts
that will be at the discretion of the coaching staff. If your athlete cannot attend qualifier
races, please let the coaches know. In January, the athletes will compete in 1 or 2 open
races. The U14’s will race a super G. The early BWL qualifiers will be used to compete for
the BWL State Finals and the BWL Championships which is scheduled in March.
These are the Qualifiers and suggested open races that your athlete should attend…
12/30 Eneguess, Crotched Mountain
1/10 Gus Pitou GS, Gunstock (Open Race)
Qualifiers:
1/24 GS, Ragged
2/4 SG Girls, Dartmouth Ski Way
2/5 SG Boys, Dartmouth Ski Way
2/7 SL, Pats Peak
2/21 GS, Gunstock
Finals:
Finals are for athletes that did not make the Champs.
2/26 Finals Training-Cranmore
2/27 Finals-Cranmore
Champs:
3/4 Champs Training, Ragged
3/5-6 Champs, Ragged
Fun open races:
3/13 Josh Russel, SL-Pats Peak
3/26 T-shirt Race, Sunapee
4/3 Mug Race, Crotched Mtn.
U16 Head Coach: Chris Flecchia, pc1036@comcast.net
The U16’s will ski from 9:00 am to 2:45 pm. The athlete will ski with a team of coaches who
will work with each athlete individually at different times. The group will concentrate on
refining and expanding their technical skills and abilities as well as their fine motor skills
on skis. There will be a greater emphasis on slalom and speed events. During this phase we
will work on technical and tactical refinement of skills. The group will follow a ratio of 1
race day to 4 training days. During the competition season they will continue to free ski at
least 15% of the time. Early season will focus on ski mileage and technical skiing skills. It is
critical for the athletes to attend as much as possible throughout the winter. This allows
athletes to take advantage of more race starts, skill development, and accumulate miles on
their skis. Mileage on skis is an important part in the improvement of skills.
The U16’s will be entered in all of their races by the coaching staff, except open races.
The coaching staff will pick a few open races to compete in. U16 men and women will
compete separately in U16 qualifiers throughout the month of February. The qualifier
results will be used to determine who will move onto U16 Eastern Finals and U16 Eastern
Junior Championships and the NH State Finals.
We encourage athletes to ski as much as possible throughout the winter, during the week
and on the weekend before or after their program.
This is Qualifiers and suggested open races that your Athlete should attend:
12/23 DiCarlo Memorial GS Attitash
12/30 Eneguess Memorial GS Crotched
1/10 Tecnica Cup Cranmore GS
3/26 T-shirt Race Sunapee Dual GS
As time allows will add 1-2 SL races. Possibly Lafoley SL at Pats 3/6 & Lafoley SL at
Wildcat 3/20
Qualifier Entering: Except for the SGs, each athlete's entry will be submitted by
your home coach to the race secretary by Tuesday night or Wednesday night
before the race. Entries will be submitted by team, in team rank order determined by
your home coach. Race vouchers and pre-registration (except for SGs) will not be
necessary for the U16 Qualifying Series. Payment of entry fees for each race will be
the responsibility of each athlete, to be paid online or no later than than at race
registration, the morning of the event.
The start lists will be generated from the roster list according to the seed rotation
approved by the CRC
Vouchers are required for the SG qualifiers and the NHARA U16 Finals
Online Race Registration at runsignup.com
1/21 NHARA SG
U16 Qualifier SG
1/22 NHARA SG
U16 Qualifier SG
Attitash
(Athletes must send in vouchers
or register on line by 1/19/15)
Attitash
(reserved in case 2 SG cannot
be completed on 1/21)
9:30 am
$91
& 12:30
pm
9:30 am
$91
& 12:30
pm
2/6 U16 Qualifier GS Women - Gunstock $57 9:30 am
2/6 U16 Qualifier GS Men- Sunapee $54 9:30 am
2/7 U16 Qualifier GS Women - Waterville $62 9:30 am
2/7 U16 Qualifier GS Men – Attitash $64 9:30 am
2/20 U16 Qualifier SL Women - Sunapee $54 9:30 am
2/20 U16 Qualifier SL Men - Proctor $57 9:30 am
2/21 U16 Qualifier SL Women – Cannon/FSC $54 9:30 am
2/21 U16 Qualifier SL Men – Ragged $58 9:30 am
2/27 NHARA U16
State Finals SL Voucher required or register on
2/28 NHARA U16
State Finals GS Voucher required or register on
line $58 9:30 am
line $58 9:30 am
U19 Head Coach: Steve McClallen, stevnjam@gmail.com
U19’s will ski from 9:00 am to 2:45pm. The athletes will ski with a team of coaches who will
work with each athlete individually at different times. U19 athletes are eligible to compete
in races for points with U21 (19 years and up). Each U19 will start their racing career in
the Tecnica Cup Series. The athlete and parent should attend an early season meeting to
discuss race schedules and balancing school with days missed for skiing. The coaching
staff will determine the best possible competitive schedule to support the athletes. A
coach will be available on the mountain for training on non-race days. We encourage
athletes to ski as much as possible throughout the winter, during the week and on the
weekend before or after their program.
**At the U19 level, the parents/athletes are required to complete the online entry race
forms. Entries should be mailed at least a week in advance with a check. Online entries are
available for selected events. If you must cancel, you must call the race secretary at least
3 days prior to the race to receive a refund. All of the numbers and addresses are listed
in the NHARA Handbook. This is an important source of information. If the athlete cannot
attend a scheduled race, it is the parent/athlete’s responsibility to notify the coach as
soon as possible.
The U 19 race schedule is solid in early January, when it will be modified to best fit the
needs of the individual racers. Considerations include events needed by athletes, best race
to achieve their goals and academic schedule. There may be races added and races
removed. We may find, or an individual athlete may find that a rest period is needed, so
taking a race off here and there may be desirable. So the schedule has to be adjustable
and the group must be in constant contact. There will be FIS intents filed for those whose
SL event points look to be close enough for qualification. Right now we are only looking at
SL events but that could change as well. The races for which intents will be filed are
listed. There had been some discussion of athletes not needing to file intents this year but
nothing has been put in writing so we are proceeding on the assumption that intents will be
filed.
U19 Race Schedule NHARA Events:
12-Dec Pat Harty Memorial SL Waterville $62 9:30 AM
23-Dec John Di Carlo Memorial GS Attitash $64 9:30 AM
28-Dec Kenney Memorial Open SL Cannon/FSC $54 9:30 AM
31-Dec Tecnica Cup GS Loon $58 9:30 AM
3-Jan Macomber Cup SL Proctor $57 9:30 AM
10-Jan Tecnica Cup GS Cranmore $64 9:30 AM
17-Jan Tecnica Cup SL Gunstock $57 9:30 AM
20-Jan NHARA SG U16;U19;U21;SR, Masters SG Attitash $91 9:30 & 12:30
23-Jan Macomber Cup GS Sunapee $55 9:30 AM
30-Jan Macomber Cup SL Cannon $54 9:30 AM
31-Jan Tecnica Cup SL Pats Peak $57 9:30 AM
14-Feb Open SL SL Proctor $57 9:30 AM
28-Feb Lafoley Spring Series GS Gunstock $57 9:30 AM
6-Mar LaFoley Spring Series SL Pats Peak; $57 9:30 AM
13-Mar LaFoley Spring Series GS Ragged $60 9:30 AM
19-Mar LaFoley Spring Series GS Dartmouth Skiway $55 9:30 AM
26-Mar Lafoley Spring Series GS Loon $58 9:30 AM
2-Apr UNH Fund Raiser GS Loon $58 9:30 AM 3-Apr Sugar Slalom SL Stowe TBD TBD
FIS Events ‐ Intents to be filed
31-Dec Proctor - Men/Women SL Proctor
1-Jan Proctor - Men/Women SL Proctor
21-Feb Suicide Six - Mens SL Suicide Six
21-Feb Middlebury - Womens SL Middlebury
27-Feb West Mountain - Men SL West Mt
27-Feb Proctor - Women SL Proctor
28-Feb West Mountain - Men SL West Mt
28-Feb Proctor - Women SL Proctor
Night Training:
Night training will start the first week of January. U10/12/14 will train Tuesday nights.
U16/19 will train Wednesday nights. There will be no cross-over training between nights.
EQUIPMENT
Helmets
All athletes must wear a helmet at all times. Helmets with full hard ear coverage are
required for all events/training with the exception of Slalom. Slalom helmets may have
soft ears covering. Chin guards are highly recommended for SL training.
U14 and older athletes must have a FIS approved helmet with a FIS sticker on the back to
participate in any GS/SG/DH events (or training). Soft eared helmets are allowable for
Slalom.
*Attached will be a USSA/FIS chart for ski radius and lengths.
Whether training or racing your athlete’s skis should always be “tuned”. Many of our
coaches are expert at ski tuning and will gladly assist you in learning how to properly
maintain your athlete’s skis.
Poles
Poles should be proper length: hold the pole upside down and grip the pole under the
basket and place the handle on a flat surface. The racers elbow should come to a right
angle. The poles should be in good condition with straps and baskets intact. This is just a
guide…the trend now for SL poles is a little shorter and a little longer for GS
Boots
Athlete’s boots should be well fit, non rear-entry, overlap 3-4 buckle style. Careful
consideration should be given to correct fit and the stiffness of the boot. The boot should
not be too stiff as to prevent flexing of the boot in cold temperatures. This should be
noted when fitting boots in the ski shop- cold plastic is much stiffer than warm plastic!
Correct fitting encompasses comfort, flex, and leg alignment. It is imperative that the
height of the boot be correctly matched to the leg height of the athlete. An athlete may
have specific needs that may be met/corrected by a professional boot-fitter. A proper
boot fit and correct alignment is critical in the performance and development of junior ski
racers.
Bindings
Binding purchase is highly a matter of personal choice. All bindings must be equipped with
ski brakes. It is recommended that the DIN level of the athlete should register midway on
the binding DIN range scale (an athlete with a DIN of 3 should be in a binding with DIN
range scale of 1-5).
Miscellaneous
We ski in New Hampshire. The weather can be far from ideal many training days. We will
ski except under unsafe conditions. If the resort is open we plan to run our program. We
will alter our training plans to suit the weather. Heavy snow = free skiing. Cold weather=
more warm-up breaks, rain=no gates but directed free skiing, etc.
Please be prepared for the day. Such items as neck warmers, hand warmers, warm mittens,
proper eye protection, sunblock, rain protection, extra socks and running shoes for non-
skiing days are recommended. PLEASE remember to bring your ski pass to avoid long,
unnecessary delays. A water bottle and handy snack is also recommended.
SAFETY:
Directed Free Skiing/ Training Days
We ski using the BUDDY RULE - you must ski with and be responsible for your buddy.
If an athlete gets split from their group, they are first to ski to the bottom of the
nearest lift and WAIT; if the group does not arrive shortly, the athlete is to go to the
ATC. If the athlete is unable or uncertain on how to get to the ATC they are to contact
the nearest lift attendant or Ski Patrol for instructions.
Be prepared for the day's activities - be prompt and dress appropriately!
Ski slowly in "slow" marked zones. These zones will be monitored by Ski Patrol and racers
can lose their privileges if the safety rules are not followed.
LOWER SAFETY BAR ON LIFT EACH TIME!
DO NOT RAISE THE SAFETY BAR UNTIL THE CHAIR REACHES THE STATION
UNLOADING AREA!
Your shoulder straps will be up over your shoulders and not hanging down where they can
get caught in the lift when trying to get off!
Know and observe Skiers Responsibility Code.
Specific training exercises- Jump, Tuck, One-Ski, Hop, etc. with coaches approval ONLY.
When skiing in a group, ALLOW ADEQUATE DISTANCE between skiers in the group & the
public.
Take a warm-up run, stretch and exercise, and then begin training.
DO NOT ski a course that is being set.
DO NOT ski a course without permission from the coaches.
Report any injury/ailment to coaches immediately.
Athletes (U12 and older) must have USSA and NHARA memberships. Racers attend
particular races as an age group. On race days for a particular group there will be no
training for those racers not choosing to attend that race. Typically there will be 7-9
races that fit this category Exception to the above for the BWL Champs BWL Finals
weekends. Up to 4 parent work days required. Season Pass required.
Parent Work Days
In order for CMCC to keep costs down parental involvement is a must. Most activity
supports the various races we run. College, masters or children’s racing up to age19.
Parents can opt out of their work day by paying $100.00 per day committed. Duties to
fulfill this obligation can be: Race day workers: timers, gate judges, referees, course set-
up and maintenance. Course marshals, race administration, and timing. Further there are
on-going duties that can fulfill this obligation: Volunteer coordinator, videography, web-
site management, maintenance of fencing and supplies and cleaning the Alpine Training
Center.
“YOU CAN’T FORCE A KID INTO BEING THE NEXT GREAT THING, BUT YOU CAN
DO A LOT OF DAMAGE TRYING”
(Ski Racing Magazine)
Thank you all for keeping our program alive and strong.
Billy Whitcher
Program Director, Crotched Mountain