Thanks to Oliver for showing us some GREAT riding. Nice roads leading to some double track, then to some KILLER (really FUN) single track; then some quite pleasant back country roads, with views (including going right under an Eagles nest) and on up to the resort.
The single track (an option) is SUPER riding. Tight turns, technical terrain, (banks, roots and rock) really rivals eastern style technical single track. What is special about it is that is also quite flowing and maintains momentum through the whole length. My hat is off to who-ever laid out this trail!!!
Hope to ride with you!
The 2012 Team
2012 Whitefish Mountain Race Team
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Great Northern Hike Fall 2010
Hi there multi-sport families.
I want to confirm that we are planning a Great Northern Mountain hike for Sunday, Sept 19. This is an epic hike! It is a difficult hike and some may want to consider hiking only ½ or so. BUT, do come along for at least a portion of it. You won’t regret the experience. Once having done it, you will only look forward to doing it again. The views are astounding and the summit is a wonderful achievement. Coach Tom Pacheco is our tour leader, having hiked this peak multiple times. Preparation is key. The first part of the trail is pretty steep; once you reach the ridge the grade is consistent and moderate, with a couple of spots that are quite narrow. The return is similar, understanding that the steeper descent at the end is demanding.
I do recommend this hike it is a very special experience. We are after all, a group that revels in accomplishing difficult tasks!
Here are photos from our last hike of GN: http://picasaweb.google.com/WhitefishRaceTeam/GreatNorthernHike2008#
And here is info on the web about the hike: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1W1ADBF_en&q=Hike+Great+Northern+Mountain++montana&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=g-p1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
Let me know if you have questions, More information is to follow...
Roy
I want to confirm that we are planning a Great Northern Mountain hike for Sunday, Sept 19. This is an epic hike! It is a difficult hike and some may want to consider hiking only ½ or so. BUT, do come along for at least a portion of it. You won’t regret the experience. Once having done it, you will only look forward to doing it again. The views are astounding and the summit is a wonderful achievement. Coach Tom Pacheco is our tour leader, having hiked this peak multiple times. Preparation is key. The first part of the trail is pretty steep; once you reach the ridge the grade is consistent and moderate, with a couple of spots that are quite narrow. The return is similar, understanding that the steeper descent at the end is demanding.
I do recommend this hike it is a very special experience. We are after all, a group that revels in accomplishing difficult tasks!
Here are photos from our last hike of GN: http://picasaweb.google.com/WhitefishRaceTeam/GreatNorthernHike2008#
And here is info on the web about the hike: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1W1ADBF_en&q=Hike+Great+Northern+Mountain++montana&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=g-p1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
Let me know if you have questions, More information is to follow...
Roy
Monday, August 9, 2010
Getting Ready for Winter
August Greetings Ski Racing Families,
Some great cool nights and the beginnings of some change in the vegetation tell me the summer season is beginning to wane slightly. The early and late day color of the sunlight are also telling me the sun is moving lower on the horizon. I am not about to stop having summer fun yet, but I do see that a new season is on the way and skiing close behind that.
FIS Membership
For those athletes who will be 15 or older and will wish to compete at the elite FIS level, the August 15 deadline is approaching, so you will want to take care of that membership. USSA membership will need to be done at the same time. For those who will not compete in FIS races, but will compete in USSA events, we have until October 15 to register USSA memberships.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Bike Raffle
The Bike Raffle drawing is scheduled for September 28, so we have a bit of time to sell more tickets. That drawing will sneak-up on us so stay with the ticket sales as best you can. Remember the raffle proceeds directly influence (lower) your costs, so be as active with your sales as you can. If you need more tickets contact either Frank Tabish (406) 250-9450 or Bill Kahle (406) 270-9467.
Winter Preparations
We all consider skiing to be an athletic event and that means good athletes make good skiers. Being a goal driven group, most of us would like to be great skiers and that means a need to be great athletes. Of course a side benefit of being a great (and life-long) athlete is the physical health and mental benefits that come with that fitness level.
Fitness is a long-term process that places fitness activities in the right time frame for each individual. If we consider development on a continuum from younger to more mature, things like agility, co-ordination, balance timing, anticipation and similar skills are learned most-easily at younger ages. Games, gymnastics, dance, team sports, biking and others are all great development tools. For athletes in pre-puberty; stamina, good movements , basic strength, flexibility and continuation of the above skills are important.
Strength is one component of fitness and is very important for skiing. For pre-puberty athletes, strength gains usually do not come from the building of muscle mass, but more often from the development of the neurology that control the muscles. That neurology “learns” to recruit more muscle fibers and typically better co-ordinates the efforts of muscle groups to provide some pretty significant strength gains. Activities like games, team sports, gymnastics, biking, in-line skating, rock climbing and others help and should be continued. Resistance training can also be incorporated. At the pre-puberty age, body weight activities will usually be the safest and most productive. Body weight activities are exercises like push-ups, pull-ups and other calisthenics. Excessive weight training when the young bones and connective tissues are not mature enough may be injurious. However, a safe introduction to weight room exercise can be productive for pre-puberty athletes. Emphasis should be on technical proficiency of the exercises, not on accumulating a lot of weight on the bar. Usually, a broom-stick or similar bar is substituted for a weight bar until the correct movement patterns can be satisfied. The correctly done movements will train the athlete’s neurology and provide strength gain while ensuring the correct (and more safe) movement patterns are reinforced for post-puberty training loads.
Our post-puberty athletes should be continuing this process and adding more elements as well. At this time of year, these athletes should have a sound aerobic base for stamina and have built up a solid component of over-all strength. This is the time of the year to begin the process of converting that strength to power. Strength means you can move heavy resistance. Power means you can do so very quickly. Skiing well at an aggressive level requires great power. A routine at this time of year should have some long aerobic maintenance, but also should be shifting to more sprinting kind of activities and intensity. Weight room exercise can contain strength gain exercises (higher weight, lower repetitions) but should have workouts that are structured with less weight and higher velocity movements. Remember, always do the exercises with quality (and safer) movement patterns.
Plyometric (jumping) exercises are very good for power development, but must be structured for the fitness level of the athlete. Many of these activities (ladder drills, low hurdles and others) can help develop agility and co-ordination as well) The jump-rope is a form of plyometrics that also helps to develop co-ordination, timing, anticipation and rhythm.
Core strength (front, sides and back of the torso) should be trained 5-6 days a week. Many muscle groups require a day of rest after an work-out. The core muscles are structured with an energy system that allows them to work more continuously. They can and should be trained more frequently.
Flexibility (stretching) should be done daily.
Good athletes make good skiers…
Equipment
Having the right equipment is also extremely important for our success. We should be making some general assumptions about some of our gear at this point. What will we need for skis, boots, helmets, etc. It is a bit early to know exactly what sizes we will need for winter, but keep this all in mind.
Those of you who have gear you will want to move to another family, this is a good time to formulate that list. You can use me as a clearing house for those lists, but I need to know model, size and how much you would like for your gear.
I will set up an equipment swap for the fall and will let you know the dates and location for that as I can.
We will also work to have a system for acquiring new equipment at a discount and I will keep you informed about that process as it comes along.
Next year’s team
I have been told that our team training prices will continue at the same price level for next year. The only increase is the daily rate for the Holiday Camp. All of our season long Team prices include the Holiday Camp. The daily rate is for those who may be visiting. That is great news and I will let you know when the registration forms come available on the internet. I hope you will choose to do as many training days as possible. More time on snow equals more improvement. If you have interest in the Academy program let me know. Our Academy skiers have found it to be very productive.
If you know of new families who are interested in participating with the team, let me know. I would like to add them to our communication process as quickly as possible.
That should be plenty to digest for now, but I will add more soon…see you then!
Some great cool nights and the beginnings of some change in the vegetation tell me the summer season is beginning to wane slightly. The early and late day color of the sunlight are also telling me the sun is moving lower on the horizon. I am not about to stop having summer fun yet, but I do see that a new season is on the way and skiing close behind that.
FIS Membership
For those athletes who will be 15 or older and will wish to compete at the elite FIS level, the August 15 deadline is approaching, so you will want to take care of that membership. USSA membership will need to be done at the same time. For those who will not compete in FIS races, but will compete in USSA events, we have until October 15 to register USSA memberships.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Bike Raffle
The Bike Raffle drawing is scheduled for September 28, so we have a bit of time to sell more tickets. That drawing will sneak-up on us so stay with the ticket sales as best you can. Remember the raffle proceeds directly influence (lower) your costs, so be as active with your sales as you can. If you need more tickets contact either Frank Tabish (406) 250-9450 or Bill Kahle (406) 270-9467.
Winter Preparations
We all consider skiing to be an athletic event and that means good athletes make good skiers. Being a goal driven group, most of us would like to be great skiers and that means a need to be great athletes. Of course a side benefit of being a great (and life-long) athlete is the physical health and mental benefits that come with that fitness level.
Fitness is a long-term process that places fitness activities in the right time frame for each individual. If we consider development on a continuum from younger to more mature, things like agility, co-ordination, balance timing, anticipation and similar skills are learned most-easily at younger ages. Games, gymnastics, dance, team sports, biking and others are all great development tools. For athletes in pre-puberty; stamina, good movements , basic strength, flexibility and continuation of the above skills are important.
Strength is one component of fitness and is very important for skiing. For pre-puberty athletes, strength gains usually do not come from the building of muscle mass, but more often from the development of the neurology that control the muscles. That neurology “learns” to recruit more muscle fibers and typically better co-ordinates the efforts of muscle groups to provide some pretty significant strength gains. Activities like games, team sports, gymnastics, biking, in-line skating, rock climbing and others help and should be continued. Resistance training can also be incorporated. At the pre-puberty age, body weight activities will usually be the safest and most productive. Body weight activities are exercises like push-ups, pull-ups and other calisthenics. Excessive weight training when the young bones and connective tissues are not mature enough may be injurious. However, a safe introduction to weight room exercise can be productive for pre-puberty athletes. Emphasis should be on technical proficiency of the exercises, not on accumulating a lot of weight on the bar. Usually, a broom-stick or similar bar is substituted for a weight bar until the correct movement patterns can be satisfied. The correctly done movements will train the athlete’s neurology and provide strength gain while ensuring the correct (and more safe) movement patterns are reinforced for post-puberty training loads.
Our post-puberty athletes should be continuing this process and adding more elements as well. At this time of year, these athletes should have a sound aerobic base for stamina and have built up a solid component of over-all strength. This is the time of the year to begin the process of converting that strength to power. Strength means you can move heavy resistance. Power means you can do so very quickly. Skiing well at an aggressive level requires great power. A routine at this time of year should have some long aerobic maintenance, but also should be shifting to more sprinting kind of activities and intensity. Weight room exercise can contain strength gain exercises (higher weight, lower repetitions) but should have workouts that are structured with less weight and higher velocity movements. Remember, always do the exercises with quality (and safer) movement patterns.
Plyometric (jumping) exercises are very good for power development, but must be structured for the fitness level of the athlete. Many of these activities (ladder drills, low hurdles and others) can help develop agility and co-ordination as well) The jump-rope is a form of plyometrics that also helps to develop co-ordination, timing, anticipation and rhythm.
Core strength (front, sides and back of the torso) should be trained 5-6 days a week. Many muscle groups require a day of rest after an work-out. The core muscles are structured with an energy system that allows them to work more continuously. They can and should be trained more frequently.
Flexibility (stretching) should be done daily.
Good athletes make good skiers…
Equipment
Having the right equipment is also extremely important for our success. We should be making some general assumptions about some of our gear at this point. What will we need for skis, boots, helmets, etc. It is a bit early to know exactly what sizes we will need for winter, but keep this all in mind.
Those of you who have gear you will want to move to another family, this is a good time to formulate that list. You can use me as a clearing house for those lists, but I need to know model, size and how much you would like for your gear.
I will set up an equipment swap for the fall and will let you know the dates and location for that as I can.
We will also work to have a system for acquiring new equipment at a discount and I will keep you informed about that process as it comes along.
Next year’s team
I have been told that our team training prices will continue at the same price level for next year. The only increase is the daily rate for the Holiday Camp. All of our season long Team prices include the Holiday Camp. The daily rate is for those who may be visiting. That is great news and I will let you know when the registration forms come available on the internet. I hope you will choose to do as many training days as possible. More time on snow equals more improvement. If you have interest in the Academy program let me know. Our Academy skiers have found it to be very productive.
If you know of new families who are interested in participating with the team, let me know. I would like to add them to our communication process as quickly as possible.
That should be plenty to digest for now, but I will add more soon…see you then!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Physical Conditioning
I think we all know and consider skiing and especially ski racing to be an athletic event. Realizing that, we understand how important physical conditioning is to our sport. Strength, power, agility, stamina, flexibility and other components of fitness are all important factors in both the performance and enjoyment of skiing.
Below are some very general thoughts for our group about conditioning.
Staying fit can and should be a lifetime process. It is also a process of building. More complex and intense functions of fitness are layered over base and preparation layers. The fitness of a World Cup athlete has been a process of many years. Fitness can be looked at a game of cycles/periods. Some cycles are longer (a lifetime) some more intermediate (perhaps 6-8 weeks) and some short. (An individual workout should have a cycle of warm-up, the work itself, and a cool-down.)
If we consider the cycle of a lifetime, we would think of what might be proper for a particular age group. Age groups can contain quite a bit of overlap. Some 14 year olds are physically more mature than some 16 year olds. Ages listed below are quite general and would be most accurately considered as an attempt to list general physical maturity. Also it is important to consider that girls at the general age group of 10-14, are typically more physically mature than boys of the same age group. In ski racing it is not uncommon to see girls of this age beating the boys.
For our younger athletes it is important to build general athleticism. To be a great skier at any age, you must be first a great athlete. At the younger ages, (6-13) motor-skill development is quite important. Access to many different sports/games with an emphasis on variety and fun helps to build adaptability. Agility, balance and coordination are good focus points. Rehearsal of proper ski technique with lots of repetition fits well here.
Aerobic capacity and development of base strength is a good focus for ages 10-15 or so. Strength workouts are primarily body weight exercises and if weight training is used, technique and form are stressed. Multi-sport participation continues to be important in the development of general athleticism.
As the athletes mature (14-15 and up) training can become more specific to a chosen sport and more intense. Anaerobic capacity can and should be trained and it becomes more appropriate to work to increase muscle mass. As age and commitment to a given sport develop, outside sports might tend to take on more of an aspect of cross-training, and chosen to fit into the seasonal cycle of preparation for the favored sport.
A seasonal cycle for skiing might be constructed with a period of active rest immediately following the previous ski season. Active rest could be considered fun relativity low intensity activities. May and June would contain aerobic and general strength gain focus. The remaining time flowing to the ski season gradually shifts to the gain of muscle mass, a shift to anaerobic gain and power increases. These later principles are dependent on the base gained in the early part of the cycle or the physical age of the particular athlete. Core strength, flexibility and agility can be practiced all year-long.
These are some pretty general guidelines that can help to promote success for all of our participants. I will be out of the area until early August, but will stay in touch through email. When I return, I would look forward to mountain biking or taking part in any other activities that help us with our fitness and team building. Do let me know if you have any ideas or thoughts we can employ.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Some Thoughts from Park City...
I was looking through notes from my recent trip to Park City where I attended a bank of national meetings for USSA. Thumbing through the pages, I am finding many things. One thought pattern that began to develop in a discussion on Youth Development was of particular interest to me. It very much aligns with my own philosophies and I think all of our coaches share the same thoughts.
I will keep this brief, as I know it is coming on Summer…
The discussion pointed out that for our youth, well managed competition and training can and should be used to nurture physical skills, technical skills and preparation for the future. This all becomes very intertwined…Here at Whitefish we teach a lot; we spend time on skill development searching for improvement and mastery. While it is tempting to just ski, ski, ski (and skiing is very important), without the mastery of basic fundamental skills, true potential will be difficult to realize. As skills are cemented and mastered, free-skiing becomes the playground where the athlete learns to employ those skills in many different ways and in many different situations. However, without mastery of the skills, less productive habits can and will be patterned.
Much the same is true with gate training. Gate training for our younger skiers should be included in the teaching aspect, designed to help develop fundamental skills, then provide the right amount of challenge to promote accelerated learning. As skiers progress, we should never abandon an emphasis on fundamental skills, but gate training can also evolve to more difficult challenges and even race simulation.
Lots of skiing and race simulation (without teaching development) can lead to improvement, but without the work of developing the proper foundation that improvement is limited. Remember the Leaning Tower of Pisa; quite a building, but obviously lacking the proper foundation…The building is beautiful, but has taken a great deal of energy and modifications to try to make up for the lack of a proper foundation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa
Well managed racing and competition are an integral part of the process. Properly chosen and administered, it provides a goal structure and challenge that is a very effective growth/learning stimulus.
Our approach emphasizes long-term success. Time spent on the foundation of skill development and mastery will provide us with a much better long-term outcome.
Thanks for listening…hope you enjoy the program!
Roy
I will keep this brief, as I know it is coming on Summer…
The discussion pointed out that for our youth, well managed competition and training can and should be used to nurture physical skills, technical skills and preparation for the future. This all becomes very intertwined…Here at Whitefish we teach a lot; we spend time on skill development searching for improvement and mastery. While it is tempting to just ski, ski, ski (and skiing is very important), without the mastery of basic fundamental skills, true potential will be difficult to realize. As skills are cemented and mastered, free-skiing becomes the playground where the athlete learns to employ those skills in many different ways and in many different situations. However, without mastery of the skills, less productive habits can and will be patterned.
Much the same is true with gate training. Gate training for our younger skiers should be included in the teaching aspect, designed to help develop fundamental skills, then provide the right amount of challenge to promote accelerated learning. As skiers progress, we should never abandon an emphasis on fundamental skills, but gate training can also evolve to more difficult challenges and even race simulation.
Lots of skiing and race simulation (without teaching development) can lead to improvement, but without the work of developing the proper foundation that improvement is limited. Remember the Leaning Tower of Pisa; quite a building, but obviously lacking the proper foundation…The building is beautiful, but has taken a great deal of energy and modifications to try to make up for the lack of a proper foundation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa
Well managed racing and competition are an integral part of the process. Properly chosen and administered, it provides a goal structure and challenge that is a very effective growth/learning stimulus.
Our approach emphasizes long-term success. Time spent on the foundation of skill development and mastery will provide us with a much better long-term outcome.
Thanks for listening…hope you enjoy the program!
Roy
Thursday, May 13, 2010
News from Park City Meetings
Whew! That was a long day...meetings today were scheduled from 7:45 am til 9:00 pm.
We were lucky and done at 7:30 pm. But the meetings were good and we got information on rules changes, alpine officials training and requirements, athlete training and testing, race course certification and more.
Some information that most of us will enjoy hearing about:
1) National USSA Membership prices will stay the same as last year.
2) On-line registration has been simplified/clarified
3) Audi, Sprint, High sierra and N'eve have become USSA partners and will give USSA registants access to special offers on the last page of the on-line registraion process.
4) Printing of the membership card has become more simple.
More is scheduled for tomorrow and I will update you soon...
We were lucky and done at 7:30 pm. But the meetings were good and we got information on rules changes, alpine officials training and requirements, athlete training and testing, race course certification and more.
Some information that most of us will enjoy hearing about:
1) National USSA Membership prices will stay the same as last year.
2) On-line registration has been simplified/clarified
3) Audi, Sprint, High sierra and N'eve have become USSA partners and will give USSA registants access to special offers on the last page of the on-line registraion process.
4) Printing of the membership card has become more simple.
More is scheduled for tomorrow and I will update you soon...
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
USSA Congress/Spring Meetings
USSA is conducting its annual Congress (convention) in Park City, Utah this week.
Officials from the Northern Division are attending and include President, Rick Duncan (Deerlodge), Vice-President, Roy Loman (Whitefish), Sherri Hale, Whitefish (Division Manager), Officials Chair, Bob Petitt (Bozeman) and Alpine Competitions Commettiee Chairman, Jeremy Ueland (Big Sky).
The week-long sessions schedules meetings to review and make changes in rules, qualification procedures, competition schedules and other issues pertinant to next year. The Northern Division group is attending Alpine ski racing sessions, USSA is also conducting organizational meetings in Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing.
The busy schedule began Tuesday and concludes Saturday evening at 9:30.
Officials from the Northern Division are attending and include President, Rick Duncan (Deerlodge), Vice-President, Roy Loman (Whitefish), Sherri Hale, Whitefish (Division Manager), Officials Chair, Bob Petitt (Bozeman) and Alpine Competitions Commettiee Chairman, Jeremy Ueland (Big Sky).
The week-long sessions schedules meetings to review and make changes in rules, qualification procedures, competition schedules and other issues pertinant to next year. The Northern Division group is attending Alpine ski racing sessions, USSA is also conducting organizational meetings in Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing.
The busy schedule began Tuesday and concludes Saturday evening at 9:30.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Not a Tournament Golf Outing
Dear FVSEF Families and Supporters,
I wonder if anyone has contacted you about your firm participating in the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation’s “Not-A-Tournament" Golf Fundraiser.
Our Fundraisers are important to help us keep our program costs low and more importantly, our participation levels as high as possible. The Not-A-Tournament Golf fundraiser has some distinct advantages to both the foundation and to participating firms. Your participation would greatly help the Foundation in its fundraising efforts. Secondly, for a $ 150.00 tax deductable donation, your firm would be recognized by a prominent group of golfers at one of 3 prestigious golf courses in the Flathead Valley.
The event places distinctive and tasteful signs recognizing contributors near the tee boxes and other strategic areas for a 3 day period during the busy Memorial Day Week-end. All three courses are open to the public and typically fill their tee times for the week-end. The result is considerable recognition for your firm by a large public, as well as the tax deductable donation to the Foundation.
If you would like more information regarding the “Not-A-Tournament” outing please contact Richard Kramer at (406) 250 9706 or by email at: rk@redcaboosediner.com
Thanks for your participation.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Awards/Recognition Picnic Staves Off Weather
Our 2010 Awards/Recognition Picnic seemed to create its own "Eye" in the weather pattern. We were able to enjoy a great time outdoors visiting and sharing experiences from our last winter season. The turn-out was great, there was plenty of food, the company was fun and there were plenty of games be enjoyed. Click on the "Race Team Photo Album" link found on the right side of our blog page under "Usable Links" If any of you have photos of the day send them along and I will post them along with these.
Great Day, thanks to everybody whose help made this and our season so much fun!
Roy
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Non-Winter Ski Camps
Some Answers to Questions About Summer or Fall Ski Camps
Many questions surround the value of non-winter ski camps. Questions like: Why is a non-winter camp important? When should I schedule a non-winter camp? How old should participants be?
Non-winter camps are valuable for a variety of reasons and the camp atmosphere provides multiple benefits. Typically camps allow athletes to focus on their skiing without other distractions. Also, the consecutive training sessions promote progressive and solid skill development from day to day. Typically this promotes skill retention.
Camps are normally scheduled outside the competition season. This most typically allows their focus to be developmental in nature and promotes a stronger learning base. There are some exceptions and we will address those later. Non-winter camps may be scheduled in the spring, summer or fall. Spring and fall are often difficult to schedule around school schedules. Even the summer season has scheduling questions. When is the best time to attend? Early summer typically offers more snow and terrain options that help set up productive training situations. Late summer is closer to the coming ski season, but snow and terrain options are far more limited.
For most athletes and families one to two camps can be considered. One camp is great, offers terrific experiences and builds fundamental skills in a cost effective manner. One camp also still allows our families plenty of summer fun for themselves while providing a strong skiing experience. If considering two camps, the first typically would be scheduled in early summer and be fundamentally oriented. The second most usually would be scheduled in the fall and build on the progression from the first camp. Fall camps are typically still fundamentals oriented, but usually contain more gate time and are considered a part of the build-up for the winter competition season. The most elite of athletes might consider 3 camps: a fundamentals camp in early summer, a gate camp late summer/early fall and a late fall gate camp as a tune-up to the early December competition season.
Camps can be productive for many age groups depending on the attitude of the particular skier. Special considerations should be made for the youngest of athletes to make their experience most productive. Camps usually ski for the first half of the day, and then do other activities, including dryland training in the afternoon. Evenings can be educational sessions or free time depending on the particular schedule. Younger athletes may choose to forgo afternoon activities with the older athletes and likely require family support for the evening. Combinations of this can be made, depending on the maturity, stamina of the athlete and the wishes of the family. Usually with younger athletes families will schedule a family trip around the ski camp to manage these needs and options.
Our plan for the coming summer and fall is to offer two camps, one the second half of June at Mt Hood, Oregon. We are investigating a second camp during Thanksgiving vacation in Canada that will give us a training opportunity and access to viewing the World Cup races scheduled at Lake Louise Nov 27-28 2010.
Many questions surround the value of non-winter ski camps. Questions like: Why is a non-winter camp important? When should I schedule a non-winter camp? How old should participants be?
Non-winter camps are valuable for a variety of reasons and the camp atmosphere provides multiple benefits. Typically camps allow athletes to focus on their skiing without other distractions. Also, the consecutive training sessions promote progressive and solid skill development from day to day. Typically this promotes skill retention.
Camps are normally scheduled outside the competition season. This most typically allows their focus to be developmental in nature and promotes a stronger learning base. There are some exceptions and we will address those later. Non-winter camps may be scheduled in the spring, summer or fall. Spring and fall are often difficult to schedule around school schedules. Even the summer season has scheduling questions. When is the best time to attend? Early summer typically offers more snow and terrain options that help set up productive training situations. Late summer is closer to the coming ski season, but snow and terrain options are far more limited.
For most athletes and families one to two camps can be considered. One camp is great, offers terrific experiences and builds fundamental skills in a cost effective manner. One camp also still allows our families plenty of summer fun for themselves while providing a strong skiing experience. If considering two camps, the first typically would be scheduled in early summer and be fundamentally oriented. The second most usually would be scheduled in the fall and build on the progression from the first camp. Fall camps are typically still fundamentals oriented, but usually contain more gate time and are considered a part of the build-up for the winter competition season. The most elite of athletes might consider 3 camps: a fundamentals camp in early summer, a gate camp late summer/early fall and a late fall gate camp as a tune-up to the early December competition season.
Camps can be productive for many age groups depending on the attitude of the particular skier. Special considerations should be made for the youngest of athletes to make their experience most productive. Camps usually ski for the first half of the day, and then do other activities, including dryland training in the afternoon. Evenings can be educational sessions or free time depending on the particular schedule. Younger athletes may choose to forgo afternoon activities with the older athletes and likely require family support for the evening. Combinations of this can be made, depending on the maturity, stamina of the athlete and the wishes of the family. Usually with younger athletes families will schedule a family trip around the ski camp to manage these needs and options.
Our plan for the coming summer and fall is to offer two camps, one the second half of June at Mt Hood, Oregon. We are investigating a second camp during Thanksgiving vacation in Canada that will give us a training opportunity and access to viewing the World Cup races scheduled at Lake Louise Nov 27-28 2010.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Summer Ski Camp Schedule
Hey Ski Racing Families,
I have a few things I wanted to pass along. If you won't be using your skis for summer skiing try to put the skis away for the summer with a coat of wax on them. Even if you will ski on them this summer they should have wax on them for now. Also, it is best to buckle your boots when you store them as it helps them keep their shape. Prior to summer skiing do try on the boots to be sure you have not outgrown them.
For next year do let me know if you have equipment that you will want to pass along, or if you will be looking for equipment. Remember we will likely have some access to equipment from selected companies in the fall. We will also organize our fall equipment swap at the Saddle Club and I will let you know of that date when the time nears. And do let me know what you may have, or need, so I can help facilitate any appropriate exchanges.
I also have Summer Ski Camp information. We have been notified that the Red Lodge Camp has been cancelled due to lack of snow.
We will again partner with the Mt Hood Academy and the Mt Bachelor group for camps in June that will be held on Mt. Hood. The schedule will look like this:
Camp 1: Jr. 3s and older
Arrive June 19- ski June 20-24; depart after skiing on the 24th.
5 days on snow GS and SL
Cost estimate is $955.00
Camp 2: J4/J5 –
Arrive June 26, ski June 27 –30; depart after skiing on the 30th.
4 Days on Snow GS and SL
Cost estimated is $685
These camps have been very productive and we are looking forward to them this summer. Both groups utilize the Academy House for housing and meals and the price is inclusive of that. I am sure arrangements could be made if families wanted to make other plans. Also last year we had a few athletes use the train to travel from Whitefish to White Salmon, near Hood River. I was able to pick them up at the train station there.
We are also working on a late fall camp in Canada. This camp would likely occur during the Thanksgiving Vacation and finish by watching the World Cup races. I will let you know more as this progresses.
Please let me know what your interest is so I can plan the camp season.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
2010 Alpine Race Team Picnic
When: Sunday, May 2- 3:30-6:00 PM
Where: The Saddle Club 605 Wisconson Ave
What: A social event to mix, mingle, eat, play some games and award/acknowledge our program participants.
Please join us for a picnic and enjoy some time together off the ski hill. The Foundation will provide grilled food and drinks. Please bring the following if your name begins with:
A-G: Hors d'oeuvres and 1 bag of chips
H-M: Side dish
N-Z: Dessert
You may want to bring your favorite outdoor chairs or blankets.
Our schedule:
3:30 EAT AND SOCIALIZE
4:30 GAMES AND RELAYS
5:15 RECOGITION AWARDS
Please RSVP to: mpwelch@centurytel.net Please let us know what you intend to bring so we don't end up w/40 lbs of great potatoe salad!
We will also discuss the coming Bike Raffle and a t-shirt plan for our team. Remember the Bike Raffle proceeds do directly towards lowering our event travel costs and have been very effective in the past.
See you all there!
Where: The Saddle Club 605 Wisconson Ave
What: A social event to mix, mingle, eat, play some games and award/acknowledge our program participants.
Please join us for a picnic and enjoy some time together off the ski hill. The Foundation will provide grilled food and drinks. Please bring the following if your name begins with:
A-G: Hors d'oeuvres and 1 bag of chips
H-M: Side dish
N-Z: Dessert
You may want to bring your favorite outdoor chairs or blankets.
Our schedule:
3:30 EAT AND SOCIALIZE
4:30 GAMES AND RELAYS
5:15 RECOGITION AWARDS
Please RSVP to: mpwelch@centurytel.net Please let us know what you intend to bring so we don't end up w/40 lbs of great potatoe salad!
We will also discuss the coming Bike Raffle and a t-shirt plan for our team. Remember the Bike Raffle proceeds do directly towards lowering our event travel costs and have been very effective in the past.
See you all there!
Monday, April 12, 2010
You may have seen the Team Suburban at the ski area or around town and been curious about the vehicles history.
The trusty steed has been the transportation for quite a few coaches and older athletes when traveling to a variety of race series throughout the Western US. The vehicle is owned and maintained by the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation. The FVSEF also subsidies some of the travel costs incurred when the vehicle transports athletes or coaches to events. Athletes and families share in the remaining transportation costs. In its many treks around the countryside the suburban proudly displays the badges of the many sponsors who contribute to offsetting the expenses of the suburban, and other program operational costs through the non-profit Foundation.
The 1995 Suburban was donated by Shelly and Tim Geiszler of Missoula. Shelly (Olsson) Geiszler, her children and many other Olsson children are Whitefish Race Team Alumni.
Many hands go into making the 200,000 + mile vehicle a workable transportation source for our Team. We would like to thank the Geiszlers for supplying the vehicle; Don K Chevrolet who helps to maintain the vehicle; Summit Signs for keeping the badges current; and the sponsors: North Valley Hospital and the Base Lodge Clinic, Hammer Nutrition, Joseph Eve Accounting, Karl Tyler Chevrolet, The Red Caboose Diner and Conductors Row.
If you are aware of any businesses that would benefit from the recognition of a badge on the Suburban, please let us know. We also know the current Suburban has a limited life ahead of us and would be very interested in discussing the benefits of donation of a suburban (or like vehicle) to the Foundation. Contact Richard Kramer, 406 250 9786 or Bill Kahle, 406 270 9467.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Whitefish Skiers earn Academic Awards
Five Whitefish Alpine competitors were tapped with top Academic Awards by the Northern Division of USSA. To be eligible for these awards the alpine racers must have at least a 3.65 grade point average and qualify for either the Junior Olympics (age 13-14) or the Western Region Championships (ages 15-19).
The Academic Awards were presented at the Northern Division’s Championship Series races, the OHG Series, held at Bridger Bowl near Bozeman March 2nd-4th.
Receiving the award from the Whitefish Team was: Annie Jobe, Erin Tabish, Michela Millette and Nevada Kramer. Nick Becker received an Honorable Mention award for his high level of achievement athletically and scholastically.
Whitefish coach Roy Loman added: “This is a great award to receive and the award congratulates those skiers who epitomize the mind/body connection that true sportsmanship promotes. This group really deserves this award and I am so proud of them for earning it. But, we also had other skiers in our Academy Program who just missed this award from an athletic point of view. The athletics are important as well, but they are so hard to judge, as they point to specific race results that may or may not go your way. There is always some luck involved in race results, but the academic side is tried and true earned long-term results. Scott Kahle’s grade point was way up there, but he missed on the athletic component by a whisker.”
This season, these skiers and many others were assisted in their competitive efforts with generous support of the North Valley Hospital’s Base Lodge Clinic.
The Academic Awards were presented at the Northern Division’s Championship Series races, the OHG Series, held at Bridger Bowl near Bozeman March 2nd-4th.
Receiving the award from the Whitefish Team was: Annie Jobe, Erin Tabish, Michela Millette and Nevada Kramer. Nick Becker received an Honorable Mention award for his high level of achievement athletically and scholastically.
Whitefish coach Roy Loman added: “This is a great award to receive and the award congratulates those skiers who epitomize the mind/body connection that true sportsmanship promotes. This group really deserves this award and I am so proud of them for earning it. But, we also had other skiers in our Academy Program who just missed this award from an athletic point of view. The athletics are important as well, but they are so hard to judge, as they point to specific race results that may or may not go your way. There is always some luck involved in race results, but the academic side is tried and true earned long-term results. Scott Kahle’s grade point was way up there, but he missed on the athletic component by a whisker.”
This season, these skiers and many others were assisted in their competitive efforts with generous support of the North Valley Hospital’s Base Lodge Clinic.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
OHG Divisional Championships
Skiers from the Whitefish Mountain Resort Alpine Race Team competed in the Northern Division Alpine Championship event held at Bridger Bowl near Bozeman April 2nd and 3rd. The Championship events concluded a season long series that included races at the Whitefish Mountain, Snow Bowl in Missoula, Big Sky, and an earlier series at Bridger.
In Friday’s Giant Slalom the Whitefish team finished strong with podium results and other scoring finishes.
Anna Job led the group with a 2nd place finish in the 13-14 age class. Madeline Williams was 3rd in the 15-16 age group. Erin Tabish finished just off the podium of the 13-14 group in 4th place. Nevada Kramer and Nick Becker were 7th and 8th respectively in the 13-14 age group.
Saturday’s Slalom was challenging with new snow falling throughout the contest. The Bridger course crew worked extremely hard to provide a very fair and safe race despite the challenging conditions.
Anna Jobe and Madeline Williams were strong in the Slalom and each finished 2nd in their respective age groups. Erin Tabish posted the fasted first run in her age group and was 4th overall in that run which included girls from the MSU Ski Team. Kramer and Becker, skiing consistently, were 6th and 7th in the 13-14 age class. Both Kramer and Becker will ski another year in their age class.
The Northern Division Series is used to determine qualifications for the Junior Olympics and the Western Region Championship races. Whitefish Team members Anna Jobe and Erin Tabish qualified for and competed in the Junior Olympics held in Bend Oregon. Michela Millette competed in the Western Regional Championships held in Schweitzer Basin, ID.
The Whitefish Team was awarded the 3rd place team trophy for its accomplishment throughout the series.
This season, these skiers and many others were assisted in their competitive efforts with generous support of the North Valley Hospital’s Base Lodge Clinic.
In Friday’s Giant Slalom the Whitefish team finished strong with podium results and other scoring finishes.
Anna Job led the group with a 2nd place finish in the 13-14 age class. Madeline Williams was 3rd in the 15-16 age group. Erin Tabish finished just off the podium of the 13-14 group in 4th place. Nevada Kramer and Nick Becker were 7th and 8th respectively in the 13-14 age group.
Saturday’s Slalom was challenging with new snow falling throughout the contest. The Bridger course crew worked extremely hard to provide a very fair and safe race despite the challenging conditions.
Anna Jobe and Madeline Williams were strong in the Slalom and each finished 2nd in their respective age groups. Erin Tabish posted the fasted first run in her age group and was 4th overall in that run which included girls from the MSU Ski Team. Kramer and Becker, skiing consistently, were 6th and 7th in the 13-14 age class. Both Kramer and Becker will ski another year in their age class.
The Northern Division Series is used to determine qualifications for the Junior Olympics and the Western Region Championship races. Whitefish Team members Anna Jobe and Erin Tabish qualified for and competed in the Junior Olympics held in Bend Oregon. Michela Millette competed in the Western Regional Championships held in Schweitzer Basin, ID.
The Whitefish Team was awarded the 3rd place team trophy for its accomplishment throughout the series.
This season, these skiers and many others were assisted in their competitive efforts with generous support of the North Valley Hospital’s Base Lodge Clinic.
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