Alpine Skiing and Junior Racing - What to Expect When Your Child Joins a Ski Team

Living in the colder regions of America means you must deal with ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. However, the albedo - sunshine reflecting off the snowy earth - can be glorious and invigorating (no need to fly south, suntan on the slopes). Kids flock outdoors when winter comes to play in the newly fallen snow as it transforms the entire landscape. Suddenly, your backyard becomes a sledding hill and your neighborhood pond a skating rink. For the adventurous, athletic, competitive kids, joining an alpine race team is rewarding and fun.

Role of the Ski Club

Finding a ski club is easy if you live near a ski mountain. Most mountains either own or are associated with a junior racing, alpine ski club. The club may be organized and managed by volunteers (parents). Coaches are usually paid by the club, or sometimes the mountain.

Joining the club is required if you want to ski. The membership fee is really a training fee and the money pays for weekly sessions. You will quickly learn that anything not spelled out in your membership application is extra - jackets, race fees, transportation, snacks, season or day passes.

Essentially, the club will keep the schedule and membership listing. If you have any questions about qualifying, race results, equipment, or race rules the club will have answers.

The cost of joining the club, for racing or training sessions may seem expensive; nevertheless, it is really similar to what you might spend on summer camp - consider it winter camp. Club membership can range from $350 to $1000, or more, depending on the mountain. You may also need to buy a season's pass to your home base mountain.

Each race, usually scheduled on Sunday's, will cost you the entry fee. There is a savings, for the racer, because the entry fee usually covers the daily ski pass. Unless the rest of the family plans to spend the day in the lodge, you will have to buy daily passes so you, too, can ski.

Getting to the race is not always covered by the club membership fee. If your club is well organized, and funded, you may be able to put your junior racer on a van or bus. It is far more common, however, for the transportation to fall on the parents. In New Englandgetting to a race can mean a few hundred miles behind the wheel.

Equipped to Race

Alpine ski equipment is big business. And with the way technology changes so rapidly, chance are your racer will need some new equipment. If you're lucky, you may be able to upgrade systematically so that you're not socked with skis and boots the same year. But in reality, don't tight fist your wallet because your child's growth rate (elongating teenage feet), wear on their equipment, and the new technology they absolutely have to have, will work against you. A new set of medium priced skis and boots will cost $1,500. Nonetheless, shop around because you can find used equipment or lower priced equipment - the market serves all price ranges.

You can't escape fashion when it comes to alpine racing. Many clubs will sell you an embroidered jacket. And some clubs also offer ski pants and race suits. Honestly, what your junior racer wears must be comfortable and safe. Don't forget the helmet - essential safety gear for all skiers.

Racing is Fun

Kids love to compete and compare their runs, whether it's Giant Slalom or Super G. Some racers enjoy the anticipation of race day while others like watching the scores or finding the standings online (regional USSA associations post race day results).

The atmosphere inside the ski lodge is exhilarating and comforting at the same time - hey, did you see my time on that run? Food and laughter warm you before bundling up to ride that lift to the top.

If you haven't considered alpine racing for your child, think it over. As a winter sport, you won't find anything more exciting. And true, the club will take your money and the mountain will eat up your time, but the memories you share with each other will last forever.