Kids ages 6-11 who are interested in trying ski racing but don’t want to commit to a full season of racing now have another option. The Spokane Ski Racing Association, a non-profit ski team operating out of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, is offering a Holiday Camp program December 27-30 at Mt. Spokane. The cost of the camp is $200 plus lift tickets, as well as any gear a participant needs.
The SSRA Holiday Camp is designed to expose young athletes to a variety of training environments and provide an introduction to alpine ski racing. Skiers will engage in directed free-skiing with drills and gate training, with a focus on developing fundamentals of alpine ski racing. SSRA’s experienced coaching staff will emphasize skill development and fun. Camp participants who decide to continue training with SSRA after the camp can apply the tuition toward any other SSRA programs.
Athletes should be able to ski intermediate terrain with parallel turns and must be able to load and ride the lift alone. Gear requirements include one pair of all-mountain or junior race skis, plus a helmet, goggles, poles, and quality boots that fit well. Training is typically on the Hourglass ski run at Mt. Spokane. Training begins at 9 a.m. and includes a lunch with parents from 11:30-12:30, followed by an afternoon session that runs until 2:30 p.m.
SSRA also offers an Introduction to Ski Racing program for ages 6-11 that focusses on building fundamental skiing skills and skiing the whole mountain with confidence. This is a 6-week program offered on Sundays from January 7 through February 11 for intermediate skiers who can independently use the lift and restroom and put on and take off their own skis.
In addition to directed free-skiing and exploring the mountain, this program exposes athletes to a variety of training environments. Experienced SSRA coaching staff introduce youth athletes to ski racing with an emphasis on skill development (and fun). Registration for the Introduction to Ski Racing program is $349 plus lift tickets, and three days of parent volunteering is required to help provide a quality program.
SSRA offers multiple ski racing programs for kids ages 5 and up, as well as for adults who want to become expert, all-mountain skiers. Register for the Holiday Camp or Introduction to Ski Racing or learn more about SSRA at Gossra.org/holiday-camp. //
