Programs
The Whistler Mountain Ski Club runs programs for all levels including:
* E2 (10 years)
* K1 (11 -12 years) * FIS (15+ years)
* K2 (13 - 14 years) * Ski X (15+ years)
* Masters
Specific program details can be found under the 'Programs' tab of this website.
Introduction Quick links:
Welcome to the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, and for returning members welcome back!
Since the club’s inception in 1968, we have been commitment to the development and delivery of exceptional ski racing programs that have supported thousands of aspiring ski racers in their pursuit of athletic excellence. Our mission statement is “developing champions in life and sport” and we never forget the importance of each individual’s personal experience with our club and the sport of alpine ski racing. To that end there are some significant aspects of this season’s program that new and returning members should be aware of. Complete program details can be found in our parent handbook which should be available by mid October.
Currently, the Whistler Mountain Ski Club offers programs for E2 (10 year olds), K1 (11-12 year olds), K2 (12-13 year olds), FIS (15+ year olds), Ski Cross (15+ year olds) and Masters (adult). For each age category, there are as many as three program options. Based on feedback from previous years, we have put together these program options with the following considerations in mind:
We recognize that our athletes and parents come to us with a range of aspirations and expectations. While for some ski racing is incidental to other activities, others dream of representing their country. Thus in developing our program options we have endeavored to offer a range of options that can meet the needs of every athlete, regardless of their level of commitment to the sport of ski racing.
We have endeavored to put together program options that hold no surprises for those funding their athlete’s ski racing. To that end we have included travel and accommodation costs in the program fees where applicable.
Knowing ahead of time how many athletes will attend various races and camps significantly helps our planning process and as such the cost for the all inclusive options is less than the “pay as you go” options.
The options represent different payment options. Athletes in the programs will train and race together and be sorted into groups based on their ability and needs and not the payment option that was selected.
For each program, the options offered are as follows:
1. Core includes seasonal coaching support on weekends and during Christmas break. Extra training days (at $45 per), camps and races can be accessed with advance notice. This is a great category if you are only willing or able to commit a limited time to the sport, if you are new to the sport and want to “try it out”, or rarely would consider racing outside of Whistler.
2. Extended includes seasonal coaching support when training at Whistler or at away camps and entry into most races on the BC competition calendar. In most cases ground transportation, away lift tickets, lodging and meal packages are included in the program. Extra races not covered in the program can be accessed at with three week advance notice. This program would be typical of training and competitions required for long term advancement in the sport.
3. Extended PLUS is for our most driven and talented racers. It includes seasonal coaching support when training at Whistler or at away camps and entry into most races on the BC/AB competition calendar. More camps and selection races are included in this option than in the extended option. Ground transportation, away lift tickets, lodging and occasional meal packages are included in the program. The Extended PLUS option is for racers who are totally committed to long term advancement in the sport.
Other fees
In addition to costs of the program, there are some other fees you will incur. Our club has a $100 family membership and a $50 Alumni fee (for non-competitors). Added to that is a BC Alpine parent member fee and a racer license fee, which varies by age of the racer. This is a fee we must pay to BC Alpine in order for parents and racers to be included in BC Alpine’s insurance.
Each family will receive $50 worth of raffle tickets for a GMC vehicle which can be sold (book of ten at $5 each) to help the club reach its fundraising goals. This raffle fee is collected upfront, but the family keeps the proceeds, so there is incentive to sell of all of your tickets before the final draw in January. At the end of the season there is a year end wrap up celebration where $50 per family goes to coaches' appreciation gifts. Finally there is a $500 team fee per racer which helps the club carry out year round operations and administrative support.
Being a registered member of WMSC for the current season also allows you access to special Sea to Sky Student Pass pricing. click here for details.
The 2011 Program
Member athletes of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club enjoy year round benefits including individualized dryland programs and assessments, tuning room, educational clinics and workshops, access to our world class fitness facility and exposure to national and internationally successful athletes, many of whom started their career with our club. The ski season starts opening day of Whistler Blackcomb and lasts until April 30th. Training occurs almost every weekend throughout the season at Whistler Blackcomb when the team is not otherwise scheduled away. In addition, regular training is available (and included in all options) during the Christmas break. Mid week training on Thursday and Fridays (others as scheduled) is also available and included in the Extended and Extended PLUS options.
Preseason Camps
Preseason camps are scheduled as part of some programs and included in some options, but available on a user pay basis for other options. The K1 program has a 3 day camp planned for Whistler in late November. This is an excellent way to get some valuable high volume mileage skiing and in drill courses before the season gets underway at home. It also give the racers a great opportunity to bond as a group and with their coaches; defining what their specific goals for the season ahead will be.
The K2, FIS and Ski X programs plan to train in Vail, Colorado for ten days in early November. Having similar objectives as the younger K1s, this camp is obviously much longer and more intensive. The racers will fly with coach chaperons on a group package but some coaches will drive with the skis and necessary tools like gates, radios and drills.
The Race Schedule
The Race schedule, is set by BC Alpine and Alpine Canada changes year to year, but in general follows the similar pattern. At this point in time, the dates and location of some the races have yet to finalized, but we know enough to give you an outline of the upcoming season for each of the programs.
K1
The first race of the season for K1s takes place here in Whistler mid-December. K2s and J2 (FIS) racers will also compete in this race. This is followed by a race at Hemlock in January, speed camp in January, a race at Grouse in February and Provincials in the Mt. WasMarch 17-20. The Fall camp and Provincials will be trips accompanied by coaches with accommodation arranged by WMSC. For the Grouse race no travel or accommodation is provided. The season culminates with the Whistler Cup in April. See below for selection races.
K2
K2s also start their race program with the Whistler race in mid-December. This is followed by the Parson’s /K2 Provincials Super G at Whistler and the Enquist slalom at Seymour both of which take palace in Febuary. The K2 Provincials series (yes, now there are two) will take place at in the Okanagan March 2-6. As with the K1s, the season culminates with the Whistler Cup in April. See below for selection races.
Ski X
Ski Cross calendar is still under development but it is anticipated that there will be three events offered in BC this season: Sun Peaks and Big White have all expressed interest in hosting Ski X competitions, but no dates are available at this time.
FIS
FIS athletes have a varied and dynamic race schedule which can include local zone races, but also Miele BC and Alberta Cup series, Pontiac GMC Cup (national series), National Championships and regional FIS series within North America.
Masters
The main Masters competition is Nationals to be held late in the season at Sun Peaks.
K1 and K2 Selection Races
While all K1 and K2 racers can compete in the races outlined above, certain races have limited entry and are by selection only. In January, racers can qualify or start the qualification process for these select events. K1’s hoping to participate in the K1 Westerns, Feb. 17-20 in Silver Star will need to place well in their December and January races to qualify for one of the limited spots available. Quota is determined by BC Alpine zone. It is from the provincial results that selections to K2 Nationals, or K2 Westerns or Whistler Cup BC Team and Team Canada are made. K2’s results from last season’s provincials (K2s for 2nd years and K1s for 1st years) will determine who is invited to a special training camp in December in Sun Peaks called the Gold Cup Camp. This new camp replaces the previously nationally sponsored camp called “Rising Stars” and is now for Western racers.
Registration
All our programs are available for you to register on-line on. Payment of program fees can be done at once or through scheduled installments. The Developing Champions Fund created by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club several years ago aims to cover these program fees for all our racers through the solicitation of donations which are tax deductible. To learn more about the Developing Champions Fund, please register for a member account and view the details of this amazing program through the member’s portion of our web site.
Next Step
Register for one of our exciting 2010-11 programs with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club by October 1st. Once registered you will be sure to get all the updates and important information directly, participate in our fall dryland program, and much, much more. A parent meeting has been set for Saturday, September 18th at the club cabin in Whistler starting at 9:00 sharp. A second parent meeting for who missed the the first will take place Sunday, September 19th, in Vancouver from 1:00 - 3:00PM at location TBD. Our goal is to provide more detailed information about the coming season, introduce our pro coaching staff discuss expectations for positive experience with our club and of course answer all of your questions.
The Whistler Mountain Ski Club aims to offer the very best in service and support to all our athletes and members. Focusing on much more than just training and races program we take seriously our mission of developing champions in life and sport. There are enormous benefits to being part of the sport and the club that truly develops skills for life for all involved.
