U10 Alpine Racing Program

The U10 Racing Program is for kids ages 8 & 9 (born in years 2014 & 2015.)

The U10s start on December 26 and will meet almost every day during Christmas Week. After that, we meet every Saturday and Sunday.

Since each child matures at a different rate, it is important to emphasize fun. Our goal is to develop fundamental skiing movement, improve their ability to ski the whole mountain well and prepare them for their first ski races. Our coaches teach a curriculum that incorporates US Ski & Snowboard age-appropriate training drills, focused all-mountain free skiing, and increased emphasis on gate training.

As members of the Mid-Vermont Council (MVC) of the Vermont Alpine Racing association (VARA), our U10 participants will compete in Giant Slalom and Slalom races and can generally expect 2-3 races during the season. The kids do not have to attend all races. The coaching staff will distribute a schedule with specific times, locations and instructions prior to each race.

The full calendar of events can be found at http://www.vara.org/calendar.php

U10 Coaching Staff: Ben Halley. We are actively seeking coaches. If you are interested, you can sign up for more information on our registration website or contact Club Manager Terry Hartford and/or Alpine Director Justin Lillie.

U10 Ages:

8-9 years old (DOB: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2015)

Program Cost:

$800

Saskadena 6 Pass:

Saskadena 6 Pass: Participants are expected to have a Saskadena 6 season pass. Ski Runners participants are eligible for the $129 “Book-it” Season pass, which can be purchased at this link.

Dates & times:

Daily December 26 - December 31, then Saturdays and Sundays through March 10, 2024. The weekday training schedule will remain consistent with recent years.
U10 races will be on weekends, schedule to be determined.

Pre-Season Dry land training:

U10 Athletes are invited to join us for dryland training beginning Saturday, November 4th, coinciding with Family Fun Day & Ski Swap. Your child can begin attending dryland training once they are fully registered for Ski Runners.
Dry-land training meets Fridays 3:30-4:30 PM at Vail Field and Sundays 1:00-2:30 PM at Saskadena 6 beginning on November 4th (this is the only Saturday).

Equipment:

Properly fitted racing helmet (hard ears) and goggles
Skis: Only one pair of skis is required; we recommend a pair of properly sized SL racing skis. Some kids do also have GS skis (but this is optional)
Poles
Slalom shin guards (optional, but most kids like to wear them)
Ski racing suit (optional, but most kids wear them)

USSA & VARA Licenses:

All U10 athletes are required to be members of both US Ski & Snowboard and Vermont Alpine Racing Association (VARA), our state racing organization.
Step 1: Please visit usskiandsnowboard.org to register or renew your child’s US Ski & Snowboard membership.
Step 2: You can register or renew your child’s VARA membership on the Ski Runners registration page, or you can visit www.vara.org.

Parent Work Obligation

2 events during 2023/24 season: Supportive parents are a crucial element of any youth sport, and that is especially true of ski racing. We cannot host events without help from our membership. Meet your fellow Ski Runners members, enjoy a great catered lunch for the race workers. It’s fun!
U10 Alpine participants compete in the Masters of the Mountain event and the Slush Cup. It is a club requirement for parents to work these events. If you are unable to work these events, please consult the complete race schedule and make alternate arrangements with Terry Hartford at office@skirunners.org