Smithers Ski Club

Info for Parents

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SKIERS?

BC Alpine Promotional Video

 

Nancy Greene Ski League

Founded by Canadian Olympic ski champion Nancy Greene, the Alcan Nancy Greene Ski League is the "FUNdamental" stage in ski racing for our youngest skiers.  With strong support from Hudson Bay Mountain through reduced pass rates, the Nancy Greene program is the ideal way to be introduced to the sport.  In this program, skiers will be introduced to basic skiing techniques and skills, develop the ABCS (agility, balance, coordination, strength/speed) in as many different snow conditions and on as much varied terrain as possible.  The program philosophy is to encourage participation, interaction, and the development of skiing skills in an environment that promotes fun, safety and teamwork.  It is an opportunity to build skills and develop relationships that will last a lifetime!  Confidence, self-discipline, and pride grow through the camaraderie, friendly competition and family environment in the club.

Program Format:
The Nationally recognized "Snow Stars" program - a seven step skills progression program for children at this age level - supplements the Alcan Nancy Greene League and offers a fun version to learning the skills of skiing and eventually ski racing.  Children receive a Snow Stars Booklet which outlines the skill and knowledge level reached each season.

Events:
The children participate in Club Races & North Zone ( Smithers, Shames, Prince George) Events.  The Sun Peaks Spring Festival is also an excellent opportunity for a fun family trip & great exposure for little racers.  All events encourage new friendships in a fun and friendly environment while demonstrating the skills developed in the Alcan Nancy Greene Ski League

Entry Level 1-E1 (Ages 5-8)
Saturday 10:00- 1:00
January 7 to March 24
Sessions begin with a 2 day camp on Jan 7 & 8

Cost:
EL 5 & 6 year olds: $180.00 + $255.00 season pass
EL 7 & 8 year olds: $205.00 + $255.00 season pass

Entry Level 2 - E2 (Ages 9-10)
Saturday 9:30- 3:00
December 17 to March 24
Sessions begin with a two day camp Dec 17 & 18 and a Christmas camp Dec 27 & 28
Fall dry land sessions begin in September

Cost: $285 + $255 season pass

Kinder 1 (K1) (Ages 11-12)
Kinder 2 (K2) (Ages 13 & 14)
Junior (J1 & J2) (ages 15-18)

The Ks & Js train together as one team.  The K1 program is a step up from the Nancy Greene Program.  Racers will increase their skill development with the focus on proper technique in all aspects of skiing/riding and gate training.  Sport specific fitness training (dryland) training is recommended for these racers.  Dryland training begins in the early fall.  The K2 & J programs are for avid alpine skiers & riders who aspire to become competent all-around skiers and racers. Athletes are taught proper technique & race tactics are developed. Emphasis is on refining skills and creating strong, focused skiers.  Racers improve sport-specific fitness through pre-season and in-season dryland training. Knowledge is increased through the use of training tools such as video analysis, mental training, goal setting, and club interfacing (racers train with other teams).

Events:
Race participation and competition is encouraged; the team travels to North Zone (Shames, Prince George, Quesnel, Mt Timothy) and Provincial races.  All are eligible & encouraged to participate in the North Zone Races and Provincial Races in their respective age groups.  In alternating years, the BC Winter Games subsidized event takes place for 11 & 12 year olds.  [2012 - Vernon, BC, Silverstar Ski Resort]   

Saturday 9:30- 3:30
Sunday 9:30 – 3:30 (Optional for K1)
December 3 to April 8
Five day Christmas camp Dec 17 - 21
Fall dry land sessions begin in September

For committed racers, mid-week training will be offered.  Extra training days will also take place prior to race events.

Cost:
K1: $335.00 + $255 season pass [+ $50 for optional Sunday training]
K2: $425* + $255 season pass
J: $500* + $255 season pass

*BC Alpine fees are increased as racers move up in age categories.  This is reflected in our own club program costs.

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SNOWBOARDERS?

Little Riders (ages 5-8)

Saturday 10:00-1:00
January 7 to March 24
Sessions begin with a 2 day camp on Jan 7 & 8

Cost:
Ages 5 & 6: $180+ $255 (season pass)
Ages 7 & 8: $205 + $255 (season pass)

Ride 1 (ages 9 & 10)

Saturday 10:00 - 3:00
January 7 to March 24
Sessions begin with a 2 day camp on Jan 7 & 8.
Fall dryland sessions begin in September

Cost: $225 + $255 (season pass)

Ride 2 (ages 11 & 12)
Ride 3 (ages 13 & 14)
Ride 4 (ages 15 & 16)

Saturday 10:00- 3:30
January 7 to March 24
Sessions begin with a 2 day camp on Jan 7 & 8.
Fall dryland sessions begin in September

Cost:
Ride 2: $290 + $255 (season pass)
Ride 3: $340 +$255 (season pass)
Ride 4: $405 + $255 (season pass)

ARE THERE MINIMUM SKILL REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN?

To be eligible for all programs, skiers & snowboarders must be able to ride the T-bar on their own or with another child.  All skiers & riders must be able to stand on their equipment and control their speed on a green slope. 

WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE CLUB?

The Smithers Ski Club provides Canadian Ski Coach Federation Certified (CSCF) Coaches and Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) for all programs.  Programs are designed & organized by the Nancy Greene Coordinator, the SSC Head Coach, and the Executive Volunteer Members.  The programs are made possible by the many parent volunteers who work to make these programs happen for their children. 

WHAT EQUIPMENT DOES MY RACER NEED?

Nancy Greene (E1 & E2) & Snowboarders

Helmet - Alpine ski racing specific, hard ears, (ears covered with soft material is not adequate!)
Goggles – Ensure the lenses are as free from scratches as possible.
Hand warmer packs & neck warmer – Have on hand for those frosty days
Long underwear – No jeans or regular pants under ski pants.
Long ski socks – Socks should reach above ski/snowboard boot.
Food & Drink - Pocket snacks, lunch, water/drink, small change (hot chocolate) *Please send well-balanced lunches and healthy snacks.
Ski & snowboard boots– Boots should fit snugly around child’s leg so that snow does not get in the boot and so the child has adequate support. 
Poles – Hold poles upside down, underneath the basket. Look for a 90 degree angle in the arm. * Take into account your child will be taller standing in ski boots and on skis/bindings.
Bindings – Please check with a professional that bindings are in good condition and fit your child’s ski boots. Some bindings are only made to fit a very small boot, and will be unsafe for your child if his/her boots are too big.
Skis– E1 & E2 racers need only 1 pair of skis.  If you are unsure of ski/snowboard length, it is safer to go shorter than longer. If equipment is too long, children will have difficulty turning in the off-piste trails, in powder or cruddy conditions, in obstacle courses and gate training.  The club will host equipment information sessions in the fall.

K1, K2 & J Racers

Uniform: SSC Club Jacket
Full zip-off ski pants
Zip-off training shorts (optional)
Protection: Pole guards, shin guards, mouth guard or helmet chin guard, padded stealth top or padded speed suit
*Face, shin, and hand guards are not absolutely necessary for K1 athletes as many do not come close to the gates in slalom. However, they will lessen chance for injury as well as reduce chance for developing fear of the gates.  These guards are recommended.  (Shin guards especially are an easy re-sale item.)
Speed (spandex suit)
Skis: New K1s should have 1 pair of multi-event skis to use for both slalom & giant slalom.  Competitive K1s, K2s & Js should have 1 pair of SL & 1 pair of GS skis.
Tuning Equipment: Racers will learn the basics of ski tuning and should have some of their own tuning equipment.  All racers should have access to wax and a waxing iron.

*Shin, hand guards & padded stealths are not absolutely necessary for K1 athletes as many do not come close to the gates in slalom. However, they will lessen chance for injury as well as reduce chance for developing fear of the gates.  These guards are recommended.  (Shin guards especially are an easy re-sale item.)

HOW CAN I COMPLETE MY REQUIRED VOLUNTEER HOURS?

The Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club is a not-for-profit organization that relies on volunteer work and fundraising to help support the club.  The registration fees paid do not cover the full cost of your child’s lessons.

The Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club is a not-for-profit organization that relies on volunteer work and fundraising to help support the club. It is important for you to know that the registration fees you pay do not cover the full cost of your child’s lessons.


The major expenses the Ski and Snowboard Club incur are:
Coaching: 40-50%
Insurance for our athletes and the club: 15-20%
Equipment: 15-20%
Miscellaneous other expenses (such as advertising, stationary, van maintenance and insurance, medals): 15‐20%

The Club's largest fund-raisers are the Schuss Boomer, Sandbags, Ski Swap and the Rotary’s Fall Fair Booth. It is really important that we have your help for these fund-raisers. On top of fund-raising, we also need volunteers to help our program run smoothly throughout the season.  Available jobs include but are not limited to helping out at club races, baking cupcakes for the race days, washing Nancy Greene bibs, providing assistance at work bee days on the club cabin and tail-gunning for our youngest groups.

The volunteer requirements vary depending on the level of your athlete (shown below). The volunteer requirements are per family, not per child, so if you have three children enrolled you are not expected to triple your volunteer hours (though we won’t say no if you offer!). You will be asked to complete the volunteer requirements of your child in the highest level. We ask that you write a cheque for $150 dated for season-end or April 15.  We will only cash your cheque if volunteer hours are not completed by this time.

E1, E2, Little Riders, Ride 1 = 20 volunteer hours per season

K1, K2, J, Ride 2, Ride 3, Ride 4 = 25 volunteer hours per season

Your support is greatly needed and truly appreciated. Thank you for any efforts you make to help our program be a success! If you have not yet signed up for your volunteer jobs, please contact John Kelson at oolichan1@gmail.com or Gary Huxtable at gary@bvelectric.ca to do so.

Phone List Coordinator
Call the phone list reps for each group to pass along the required messages
Update and keep active all phone lists for each group

Phone List Rep (one required per group)
Contact all members of your phone list to distribute the required message.

Media Coordinator
Place ad’s in the newspapers and radio

Van Advertising Coordinator [*Important Club Fundraiser]
Contact previous and new businesses to advertise on the club van
Coordinate ads with Randy’s Image Design

Ski Swap
Mid-November annually

Sandbagging Coordinator
Line up sales and delivery of sandbags (*Filling of sandbags will be done by others)

Schuss Boomer
This is our best fundraiser of the year.  On & off-snow positions available. Please contact Gary Huxtable gary@bvelectric.ca

Club Races
Nancy Greene Race: Feb 18 & 19 (skiers & snowboarders)
North Zone Finals: April 4 & 5 (Skiers ages 10 & up)