U14 Alpine Racing Program

The U14 Race Program is for skiers ages 12 & 13 (born in years 2010 & 2011).

The U14 season begins on December 26 and will meet almost daily during Christmas week. After that, we meet regularly every Saturday and Sunday. U14s are also encouraged to train Wednesday-Friday as their school schedule allows.

Using guidelines and skill drills from US Ski & Snowboard, our coaches will teach the kids to ski more precisely, more confidently, and more dynamically. We’ll expose them to steeper terrain and teach them how to think tactically.

While we focus on the skills necessary for ski racing success, we also have fun translating these skills to the entire mountain with directed free skiing. We’ll teach the U14s to challenge themselves both mentally and physically. They will build the foundation for a lifetime of dynamic skiing!

As members of the Mid-Vermont Council (MVC) of the Vermont Alpine Racing association (VARA), our U14 Athletes compete in Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super-G with 6-7 race opportunities during the season. The Council awards points for each race result and the top athletes in the MVC qualify for VARA U14 State Championships.

The U14 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

Prerequisite: Successful U14s generally have at least 1-2 seasons of U12 Racing, All-Mountain or similar experience, though this is not required. All that is required is solid skiing experience, the proper equipment, and a great attitude.

U14 Coaching Staff: Justin Lillie. 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.

U14 Ages:

12 & 13 years old (DOB: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011)

Program Cost:

$1,400

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. For each age group, Ski Runners is planning for one comprehensive training session each Saturday and Sunday morning lasting between three and four hours.
On Saturdays & Sundays through March 10, 2024. U14s may also attend mid-week training on Wednesday - Friday from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. This schedule may vary week to week. Final schedule is always at coaches discretion.
Any scheduled U14 races will be on weekends (there may be invitational events mid-week, to be confirmed).

Pre-Season Dry land training:

U14 Athletes are invited to join us for dry-land training beginning Saturday, November 4th, coinciding with FAmily Fun Day and Ski Swap. After that, we’ll meet Wednesdays & Fridays 3:30 - 4:30 PM at Vail Field and Sundays 1:00 - 2:30 PM at Saskadena 6.

Equipment:

FIS Certified helmet, with removable SL chin guard and goggles
Skis: 2 pairs; 1 pair each of properly sized SL and GS skis. The GS skis must have a minimum sidecut radius of 17 meters. There is a 2-day Super-G camp & race that does require longer GS skis or even Super G specific skis. Most kids borrow or lease skis for this.
Poles; ideally 2 pairs; 1 SL with hand guards and one pair for GS
Slalom shin guards
Ski racing suit

USSA & VARA Licenses:

All U14 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

1-2 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!
U14 Alpine participants compete in the MVC U14 SL at Saskadena Six. It is a club requirement to work your child’s 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