What is the Alpine Junior Race Development?

The Junior Race Development program at Lee Canyon is designed to create better skiers through ski racing techniques.

Even though the young skier may never compete or seek a career in the ski racing world, the techniques in this course will help improve the student's overall skiing ability and in turn create greater self confidence. With greater confidence comes greater pleasure and satisfaction in the sport of skiing which hopefully will continue for a life time. First and foremost, the program is designed with fun and personal discovery at it’s center.

In this 4 week program the young athlete will learn and work with the 4 fundamental skills that make up the essence of skiing. These fundamentals are in every type of skiing. By putting these skills in a ski racing environment, they are tested and pushed to their limit. The program is broken into a morning and an afternoon session. In the morning session the skier will sharpen these skills through the practice of drills that reinforce these fundamentals. The afternoon session is a practice race course that puts these skills to practical use. While running the race course, the athlete also will be instructed on basic tactical techniques such as line selection, getting a good start, course inspection and terrain anticipation.

The Fundamentals skills in skiing are Balance, Edging, Rotation, and Pressure. These are constantly present, effecting one another, and never working independently. The course will break down and hone these skills over the 4 week period.

Balance

The ability of the skier to stay centered over their skis. Balance is even more complicated since the youth athlete is in constant motion or in a “dynamic balance.” Add in varying terrain, snow conditions, and balance is further complicated.

Edging

Tipping the ski on edge allows it to turn. The proper amount of edging creates the type of turn the skier needs to execute the given task, (edge angle). From large GS (giant slalom) turns to tight small slalom turns, the amount of edging is critical.

Rotation

What our bodies have to do make the ski turn or to “put the ski on edge”. This action is initiated at the ankles, continues through the flexion of the knees, and then on to the rotation and flexion of the hips. The torso or upper body is also in plays as a counter to the other joints while having the appearance of remaining quiet. All these joint working in unison, in conjunction with the upper body, puts pressure on the skis and forces them to turn.

Pressure

The amount of energy the skier’s body needs to stay in balance, to be placed on the edges, and used to create rotation via the ankles, hips, flexion of knees and position of the upper body, again, making the skis turn.

Putting it all together

Skiing is all about turning. Forcing the young athlete to turn at a determined place on the terrain, in the fastest and most efficient manner, hones and sharpens the skier’s skill. The ability of the skier to shift from edge to edge, in balance, smoothly, and with precision is the goal.

Slalom and GS are the main racing styles the young athlete will be working on in this course. Slalom for quickness and GS for speed and stability. Each session will incorporate all of these fundamentals as time allows and the needs of the group is reached. The degree of difficulty of the drills and course set will depend on the how the group is progressing.

If you are interested in this program you can do any of the following:

Sign up at Lee Canyon, Kids Programs, then Race Development.
Enroll directly at ticket window at Lee Canyon
Contact coach Art directly by phone or text at P: 702- 436-9004