Programs
Snow Stars (Nancy Greene Program)
U12
Age group: Competitors aged 10 and 11 (as of December 31)
Skill level: Gliding Start, Skier Essentials, Learn to Train (see AIM2WIN)
Developing Skills for Life
Children who are physically educated feel confident. They are encouraged to build confidence and skills through competitive and recreational sport activity. They will enjoy overall health benefits by developing greater physical literacy, which encourages them to be more physically active throughout their lives. Skiing is a life-long sport that is practiced by people of every age, shape, size, ethnicity, and level of ability, but skiing skills are not the only benefits of ski racing program. In addition, the children will learn:
- Ski safety
- Cooperation
- Independence
- Listening skills
- Self-confidence
- Goal-setting
- Group/peer learning
- Task-focused activities
U14
Age group: Competitors aged 12 and 13 (as of December 31)
Skill level: Learn to Train, Learn to Race (see AIM2WIN)
The U14 series transitions skiers from the Learn to Train to the Learn to Race stages of the AIM model, designed to give young racers an opportunity to develop their racing and skiing skills and progress according with their ability. Emphasis is placed on providing strong coaches so that these young racers receive a strong technical foundation from which to progress to higher levels.
The Snow Stars program – introduced in the Nancy Greene Ski League – is an excellent teaching tool for the U14 level, and clubs are encouraged to pursue the goal of having a high percentage of U14 skiers achieve Level 7.
U16
Age group: Competitors aged 14 and 15 (as of December 31)
Skill level: Learn to Race (see AIM2WIN)
The U16 series prepares skiers to perform in the Learn to Race stage and introduces them to more intensive training and competition. The program provides a competitive series for 14- and 15-year-olds – with benchmarking at the CanAm level (Western Canada and Western USA) – allowing them to test their skills against their peers at a regional level. The U16 program also develops ski-specific physical and mental skills and continues to develop the athlete’s technical and tactical skills.
U18
Age group: Competitors aged 16 and 17 (as of December 31)
Skill level: Learn to Race, Train to Race (see AIM2WIN)
The U18 series is designed to advance skiers to the high performance stages of the sport. Training programs provide a progression from the Learn to Race and Train to Race phases of the Long Term Skier Development Model and offer intensive technical, tactical, physical, and mental training in order to prepare athletes to compete at this level.
