8:50am – Athletes meet their coaches at the Fire-Hall located near the Wa-Wa Chairlift

9:00am – Coaches and athletes depart for the morning session

12:00pm – Athletes head into the day lodge for lunch

12:45pm – Depart from the fire-hall for the afternoon session

3:00pm – Finish in front of the day lodge

The U6 program is for those who want to get a head start in the sport of ski racing. Now that you’ve shown your little one your love of skiing, we’re here to help them fall in love with it in a friendly encouraging environment. So pull out that adorable one-piece snow suit, and let our coaches help them take the next step.

Based on the principles of the Snow Stars program, and the “Gliding Start” phase of Alpine Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model, athletes develop basic skiing skills through technical and structured free skiing, gate training, individual challenges, and the occasional snow ball fight.

The U6 program is designed for 5 year old children. The program runs on Sundays throughout the ski season from the beginning of December until the end of April, with a few weekends off for family time.

Our U6 athletes participate in the club races and the Sunshine Invitational.

Please note:

**U6 athletes must be able to ski a green run unassisted before joining the Speedsters**

**The 5-year-old group requires one parent volunteer to help with chairlifts each day. This duty is rotated among the parents who have children in this program**

**The Speedsters Head Coach reserves the right to alter groups depending on skier ability, and registration numbers**

• Junior Slalom ski (must have side cut) length between chin and forehead 
• No twin tips, All mountain skis not recommended at this age     
• Boots and bindings to fit size, weight and ability
• Back protector recommended
• Helmet with solid ears (no soft ear flaps)
• Goggles for all weather. If night training a separate pair of clear lens goggles
• Mitts (not gloves) as they are warmer and you put hand warmers inside

From “pizzas” (snow-plow) to “French fries” (parallel skis) and navigating into racing, our U8 program is the early introduction to the sport of ski racing. You’ve introduced your child to skiing and it’s time to let our friendly professional coaches share their love of the sport as well.

Based on the principles of the Snow Stars program and the “Skier Essentials” phase Alpine Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model, athletes develop their skiing skills through technical and structured free skiing, gate training, individual challenges, and the occasional snow ball fight.

The U8 program is designed for athletes aged 6 and 7, and runs on Sundays throughout the ski season from the beginning of December till the end of April, with a few weekends off for family time.

There is the option to add Wednesday evenings at WinSport running from the beginning of December through the middle of March. By adding these evening sessions, the time off snow is shortened, helping athletes learn and pattern new skills which dramatically accelerates their development.

Our U8 athletes participate in the Club Races, the Sunshine Invitational, and one other regional event at another resort.  

Please note:

**The Speedsters Head Coach reserves the right to alter groups depending on skier ability, and registration numbers**

• Junior Slalom ski (must have side cut) length between chin and forehead 
• No twin tips, All mountain skis not recommended at this age     
• Boots and bindings to fit size, weight and ability
• Back protector recommended
• Helmet with solid ears (no soft ear flaps)
• Goggles for all weather. If night training a separate pair of clear lens goggles
• Mitts (not gloves) as they are warmer and you put hand warmers inside

The U10 Program is designed for athletes aged 8 and 9. This program further develops technical and all-round skiing skills, with an increased emphasis on racing competence. Based on the principles of the Snow Stars program and the “Skier Essentials” and “Learning to Train” phases of Alpine Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model, athletes continue to develop their skiing skills through technical and structured free skiing, gate training, individual challenges, and video feedback. With newfound abilities there is an increased focus on smart decision-making skills.

The morning sessions will focus on technical skiing with a strong emphasis on gate training to develop their technical and tactical abilities in a race environment.

The afternoon sessions will consist of technical free skiing, exploring every inch of the mountain, making smart decisions based on terrain and ever changing conditions with a continued focus on proper technique.

The Wednesday evening sessions are encouraged for all U10 athletes.

Our U10 athletes participate in the club races, the Sunshine Invitational, and 3 other regional events.   

There are two options for the U10 program:

Sundays with optional Wednesday Evenings:

“Skier Essentials” (LTAD)

As an extension of the U8 Program, these athletes have the option to continue with a Sunday program with the option of adding Wednesday evenings at WinSport. The evening sessions shorten the time off snow helping athletes learn and pattern new skills, which dramatically accelerates their development.

Saturdays & Sundays with optional Wednesday Evenings:

“Learning to Train” (LTAD)

Now that your athlete has been introduced to skiing and ski racing in U8 and has found a passion for racing, it’s time to kick it up a notch. The talent of these athletes constantly astounds parents and onlookers and it all comes down to days on snow. The Saturday and Sunday program is designed to further develop technical and all-around skiing skills with an increased emphasis on ski racing competence. There is equal emphasis placed on racing and technical free skiing so the athletes become the best racers and skiers they can be. These athletes will be able to navigate any run on the mountain with the confidence most of the parents wish they had!

Please note:

**The Speedsters Head Coach reserves the right to alter groups depending on skier ability, and registration numbers**  

• Junior Slalom ski (must have side cut) length between chin and forehead 
• Use last season’s Slalom ski as afternoon free ski
• No twin tips, All mountain skis not recommended at this age     
• Boots (flex 65) and bindings to fit size, weight and ability
• Back protector recommended
• Helmet with solid ears (no soft ear flaps)
• Goggles for all weather. If night training a separate pair of clear lens goggles
• Shin guards for gate training
• Race suit optional

The U12 Program is designed for athletes aged 10 and 11. This program further develops technical and all-round skiing skills with an emphasis on ski racing competence. Based on the principles of the Snow Stars program and the “Learning to Train” Phase of Alpine Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model, athletes continue to develop their skiing skills through gate training, video feedback, technical and structured free skiing, and individual challenges.

The morning session will continue to focus on technical gate training. Athletes in this group will develop independence, and will loop around in small groups in order to maximize the volume of the morning training sessions.

The afternoon sessions will consist of technical free skiing, exploring every inch of the mountain, making smart decisions based on terrain and ever changing conditions with a continued focus on proper technique.

The Wednesday sessions are strongly encouraged for all U12 athletes.

Our U12 athletes participate in the club races, and the Provincial U12 Race Series which consists of 4 events throughout the province which serves to prepare these ski racers for their future in U14 racing.  

There are two options for the U12 program:

Sundays with optional Wednesday Evenings:

As an extension of the Sunday U10 Program, these athletes have the option of adding Wednesday evenings at WinSport. By adding the evening sessions the time off snow is shortened helping athletes learn and pattern new skills, which dramatically accelerates their development.

Saturdays & Sundays with optional Wednesday Evenings:

Any athlete completing this program will have the skills and experience to be skiers for life. We have to apologize in advance that parents will no longer be able to keep up to their athletes; but we’ll make sure they wait for you. Run by our most senior coaches, the Saturday and Sunday program places a strong emphasis on tactical proficiency to allow them to charge a race course with confidence. There is an increased emphasis placed on racing competence so the competitors become the best racers and athletes they can be.

If your athlete desires a higher level ski racing environment, the Saturday and Sunday program is for you, and will ensure your athlete is well prepared for those who choose to join the Sunshine Alpine Racers’ U14 program.

Please note:

**The Speedsters Head Coach reserves the right to alter groups depending on skier ability, and registration numbers**  

• Skis - 1 pair Junior race Slalom, 1 pair Junior race GS, 1 pair of old SL skis or 1 pair of All Mountain skis with some side cut (no twin tips)
• Boots 70-90 flex with generic footbeds
• Back protector 
• GS poles
• SL poles with pole/hand guards
• Helmet with solid ears for both GS and SL (with removable face/chin guard with extra screws)
• Goggles for all weather. If night training a separate pair of clear lens goggles
• Shin guards for gate training
• Race suit (buy a used one)