Alpine Jr Ski Program

The Junior Programs are for all children in SAU 9 & 13

Alpine Skiing: Grades 1-6

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ESSC Alpine Teaching Guide

Green

Green: min- Never even seen snow

Goals- basic control of skis, gliding/braking wedge, wedge turns

Warm up circle: stance, hopping, stepping, shuffling, balance on one foot, brush skis into a wedge.
Follow the leader: group follows instructor around the learning center experiencing direction changes and small variations in terrain.
Scooter: take off one ski and move about. Flat terrain, up a hill, down a hill.
Climb a hill: side step, herringbone.
Straight run: small hill, natural runout, look for a tall, balanced stance, gentle contact with front cuff on ski boot. Variations keep this fun, step, shuffle, hop, what else?
Straight run to gliding wedge: Be sure student can brush to a wedge on flat ground, now add this to the end of a straight run.
Gliding to braking wedge: vary size of wedge and see how it affects speed and control.
Wedge J-turn: add a turn to the end of a straight wedge run. Turn feet, not hips, look where you want to go (targeting). Skis must be brushing the snow, not edgelocked, press and turn the outside foot.
Learning center lift: learn to ride the carpet, handle tow, etc. follow the specific rules for the type of lift you have.
Control speed on learning center terrain. Ski in a wedge, turn shape = speed control. A wider wedge will also slow you down.
Always circle back to good balance. Each skill performed in the warm up circle can be used on the hill to challenge and develop dynamic balance. (Balance in motion)

Yellow

Yellow: min- can make wedge turns on learning center terrain

Goals- wedge turns on green circles all around the mountain.

Check for understand before going up a lift beyond the learning center. Gliding wedge, bigger, smaller. Wedge turns, both directions
Instruct and review lift riding procedures specific to type of lift and ski area policies.
Stay on green terrain! Explore all different terrain options.
Ski faster, Ski slower. Small bumps and rolls are great!
Develop a more defined turn shape. Begin to move from foot to foot, Outside ski should become dominant.
Stand up tall and flex ankles to press the front cuff of ski boot.
Tip skis with ankles and knees to create edge connection. We tip both skis but outside ski is dominant. Lemon Squeezer
Once competent on challenging green trail segments, try an easy blue.

Review, discuss and role model “Your Responsibility Code” ALWAYS

White

White: Min- competent skier on all green terrain and maybe easy blue. Comfortable moving at moderate speeds with control. Still primarily wedge but beginning to show matching late in the turn.

Goals- Can turn in control on Blue terrain, Can make mostly parallel turns on green terrain. Understands skidding vs wedging, Pole touch introduced

Continue varying speed and terrain.
Shift weight to the outside ski below the fall line
Shift weight to the outside ski above the fall line
Match the inside ski (skis are parallel) below the fall line
Match the inside ski above the fall line. Wedge Christie
Skate on flat terrain.
Step turns
Hockey stop.
Introduce pole use
Turn transition is simultaneous, both skis tip and turn = parallel skiing. On easy terrain.

Red

Red: Min- 90% of turns are parallel on easy blue terrain.

Goals- Parallel turns on easy black or challenging blue terrain with pole touch.

Active ankles and knees. Work on tipping both skis without tipping shoulders = Angulation
Early commitment to the outside ski
Pole touch timing and accuracy
Expand range of motion, Leapers, Thousand steps,
Balance work, shuffle and/or step while turning.
Find interest bits of terrain
Turn shapes for steep terrain/Flat terrain.
Continued focus on skiing from a neutral stance = hips over feet.

Sideslips, Straight run sideslip edgeset

Blue

Blue: Min- Parallel skier on the all groomed blue and easier black terrain. Pole touch should be present, but may need to be prompted.

Goals- Dynamic skiing, learn to use the shape of the ski to create varying turn shapes. Carved arcs, consistent pole use in appropriate situations. Competence on ungroomed/ mogul runs.

Create angulation to unlock carving turns.
Two ski carved traverse, feel the ski create a turn.
Early commitment to outside ski, Outside ski turns.
Active ankles and legs create turn shape, quiet directed upper body moves forward and toward the new turn = Separation
Pole touch directs/ initiates from Core/Upper body movement.
Tip your skis to make some tracks/trenches in the snow. Railroad Tracks
Dynamic short turns, speed must remain consistent, steeper terrain, pole touch

Hop by extending through transition = Leaper turns. Be sure the whole ski is off the snow, no dragging tails! Many variations: Edge to edge, tips return to snow first, add a pole touch, etc.
Carved medium and long turns, skis must be tipped, engaged and tracking/arcing through the snow surface.

Purple

Purple: Min- Should be able to carve a medium to long radius arc using the shape of the ski as a tool. Short dynamic turns on steep or ungroomed terrain with appropriate pole use.

Goals: Purple represents the entry level of dynamic, refined skiing. Explore balance, timing, and intensity on varying terrain.

Proficiency prep: One ski skiing, Mogul skiing, Carved medium and long arcs, Dynamic short arcs.
Explore the whole mountain, ski every trail
Gates, Brushes?
Continue to refine the way skis connect to the snow, edging/angulation. Ankle work, knees. Skating, up and over.
Continue to refine separation, directed upper body, active lower body. Pivot slips, Picture frame,

Continue to refine pressure control and movement. Hop Turns Leaper turns, ungroomed terrain,

Resources

Green: min- Never even seen snow

Climb a hill: side step, herringbone
turn shape = speed control

Yellow: min- can make wedge turns on learning center terrain

White: Min- competent skier on all green terrain and maybe easy blue. Comfortable moving at moderate speeds with control. Still primarily wedge but beginning to show matching late in the turn.

Red: Min- 90% of turns are parallel on easy blue terrain.

Blue: Min- Parallel skier on the all groomed blue and easier black terrain. Pole touch should be present, but may need to be prompted.

Purple: Min- Should be able to carve a medium to long radius arc using the shape of the ski as a tool. Short dynamic turns on steep or ungroomed terrain with appropriate pole use.

Class Handling

ESSC Class Handling Guide

Always be proactive – have a plan, make sure the kids know your name and a meeting place

Reference Point: Develop a plan first

Which lift are we going to ride?
Where will we regroup in the unloading area?
Which trail are we going to go down and where will we meet if anyone should get separated from the group? (Plan on a separation)
Plan your stops, I.e. top of chair, trail junction, top of race hill, etc.

Buddy System: Never ski/ride alone

Let the children chose partners
The teams can’t ski, ride the lift, go to the bathroom or wanter without each other. We are better off to have 2 children working together to solve a problem than one alone

The Caboose:

Designate one child to take up the rear of the group. Rotate this job on each run.
Once you’ve designated a reference point for your next stop, do not leave until your caboose has arrived.
The caboose is responsible for assisting any other children who may have difficulties.
In this formation the instructor can lead the group at an appropriate pace for the group.

Responsibility Code

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE

Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering the trail.
You must prevent runaway equipment.
Read and obey all signs, warning and hazard markings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

KNOW AND OBEY THE CODE.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

If you need help understanding the Code, please ask a ski area employee.

Park Smart

Helmets Are Cool

Helmet Safety

Helmets can help mitigate head injuries on the slopes. Bonus: they also keep your head warm! Not all ski areas require helmets, but it is a good idea to outfit your child with one, and wear one yourself. While wearing a helmet is a personal choice, you would be setting a good example for the young ones in your family if you chose to wear one while skiing or riding.

Helmet Stats

Approximately 84% of skiers and snowboarders in the U.S. wear helmets
Nearly 100% of kids age 9 and under wear helmets. Many ski areas include helmets in a kids’ rental package, and some may even require children to wear one in a lesson (for example, the state of New Jersey requires all kids under age 18 to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding).
A peer reviewed scientific study found that potentially serious head injuries in skiing decreased as helmet usage increased. Helmets have been found to reduce the severity of head injuries and almost completely prevent lacerations.

*info sourced from discoversnow.org

Helmets Are Cool BASICS 8 | Chapter 5 | Mike Schwarz from HighFivesFoundation on Vimeo.

Chairlift Safety

Lift Safety Tips

Remind your guests about these common points to help them have a more informed experience on the chairlift. This list complements the skier and rider Responsibility Code.

Be familiar with the type of lift you are riding, and ask for help if you need it.
Before loading, remove backpacks and secure loose items. Remove pole straps from wrists.
Look over your shoulder to watch the chair approach.
Sit all the way in the chair, with your back to the seat rest.
If the lift has a restraint bar, wait until everyone is seated, and slowly reach up and lower the bar. Do not attempt to lower the bar if you cannot reach it! Adults should always help kids to lower the bar.
Be aware of your surroundings while riding the lift. If you drop something, let it fall! You can always ask ski patrol for help retrieving the lost item.
As you approach the top terminal, prepare to raise the bar. Look for signs advising you to do so to help with your timing.

Information sourced from nsaa.org