WB SEASON LIFT PASS - SEA TO SKY PASS

Program fees do not include the cost of a lift pass. All youth aged athletes are eligible for a “Sea to Sky” Pass from Whistler Blackcomb. Application for this pass is directly through Whistler Blackcomb’s pass sales office and to be eligible, athletes must be registered in a WMSC competitive program at time of purchase. Please note that WMSC must confirm applicant's status with WB and does so once a week starting September 1st with an update of our athlete list to their pass sales department. Deadline early October

U16 EQUIPMENT 

Before ordering skis, boots and bindings, contact your Lead Coach for the upcoming season, to discuss which brand, model and length are best for a good balance between short term performance and long-term development. 

Contact our U16 Lead coach David Prades at david@wmsc.info.

SKIS

All U16 athletes must have a pair of skis for each discipline Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS) and Super Giant Slalom (Super-G), for training and racing in each of the specific disciplines.

A second pair of skis for racing GS and SL are not mandatory and only recommended for athletes who are seriously contending for top 5 ranks in provincial competitions.

It is very common that U16 athletes upgrade the ski length mid-way through the season, if they show a significant skills development or physical growth.

BOOTS

U16 athletes need junior or adult racing models provided by the main boot brands, through direct ordering and later delivery at shops. No athlete should buy boots directly at the shops and ski on public models, unless recommended by the coach. Short cuff models for lighter/shorter athletes can be exceptionally used, with previous coach agreement.

U16 Girl sizes range from 22.5 to 24.5. It is extremely rare that any U16 girl has a smaller or bigger size than that. Flex index should range from 90 to 130.

U16 Boy sizes range from 24.5 to 26.5. Rarely, some U16 boys need a size 27.5 boots. Flex index should range from 90 to 130.

Boots are most important part of your kit! A wrong boot choice or an ill-fitting boot will compromise the athlete’s development and increase injury risk. Ask your Lead Coach for the upcoming season, before ordering!

POLES

Poles are a very important piece of equipment. We recommend straight to have a pair of poles for SL with handguards and a pair if GS with no hand guards and smaller or cone shaped. The GS poles should be straight and of the precise length for the athlete’s height. Slalom poles can be 5cm shorter and Sg poles can be same size as GS and curved for easier tucking.

CLOTHING

Club Jacket and windbreaker. The club jacket and softshell contribute to create teambuilding and the sense of belonging to a collective. They are also very good quality pieces of clothing that fit very well. For these reasons, we ask all athletes to have them.

Ski pants. Warm ski pants are very important for cold and or weather days. They should have full leg zippers, so they can be worn or removed while wearing the ski boots, on the snow.

Tight and light puffy jacket. To wear under the windbreaker or the ski jacket on very cold days. Should have a tight fit with no hoodie, to not be bulky.

Speed suits are strongly recommended for racing. Athletes racing with a speed suit, need to be training usually with a speed suit too. They must be the right size, as too small and tight will restrain movements. When training with a speed suit, they need to wear certain layers on top to protect from abrasion in case of fall on hard snow, from weather and from cold temperatures. These layers must be tight, to not affect too much the aerodynamic advantage of the speed suit. For all these reasons, the following layers should be a part of every day’s training equipment:

Tight and light windbreaker. To wear on top of the speed suit while training, without compromising aerodynamics too much. The club windbreaker is perfect.

Ski training shorts. To wear on top of the speed suit while training, without compromising aerodynamics too much and helping the athlete remain warmer and more protected against abrasion in case of falling on hard snow.

Thermal inner layers. When training in a speed suit when temperatures are low, it is very important to have the right thermal layers in contact with the skin. Have different sorts, for colder or warmer temperatures.

PROTECTIVE GEAR

Helmets are mandatory and need to fit properly. Soft-eared helmets are only allowed for slalom, with a chin guard. In U16 athletes need helmets approved by FIS.  FIS-legal helmets are clearly marked with a silver FIS sticker on the back.

Goggles that fit with your helmet. Extra lenses and/or spare goggles are very handy when the weather turns foul, or your goggles are damaged. Not being able to see properly with different light conditions will reduce performance significantly.

Shin guards, pole guards and ching guard .These items are considered basic equipment for slalom training at this age. They can have a big influence in the athlete’s development when learning to cross block SL gates, as too small and low-quality shin guards or hand guards will protect less and tend to get caught with the plastic gates. The chin guard will avoid painful impacts which will reduce confidence significantly and might end up in expensive bills from the dentist.

Back protector. This is mandatory for training gates. Every athlete should have one which feels comfortable and has a good level of protection from the back of the neck to the tail bone. There are models made of gel, which adapt to the shape of the back and are light and comfortable, while absorbing a lot of energy from impacts.

Anti-cut inner layers. There are several brands in the market that offer inner layers with anti-cut properties. These are strongly recommended, as we are making the ski edges very sharp and it can very possibly happen that someone hits and edge while falling, possibly getting deep cuts.

Gloves. They must be tough, comfortable to grab the poles and protected on the back of the hand. Having a second pair of gloves is also a good idea. In case one gets wet or lost.

Mouthguards are mandatory for gate training.

SKI TUNING GEAR

Minimum ski tunning items to have, for any athlete who wants to take care of his own skis during camps or before training days in Whistler:

Edge sharpening 

• fine sharpening file (100mm)

• medium sharpening file (150mm)

• angle setting file (cutting file)

• 87 file guide and file guide clamps

• coarse (200) and medium (600) diamond stones

• side wall remover

• gummy stone

• rubber bands for ski brake retaining

• Set of vices

• Cut resistant glove

Base preparation

• Waxing iron with temperature regulation

• Waxes for cold, medium and warm snow

• 5mm plastic scrappers

• Horse Hair brush

• Plastic brush

CLUB UNIFORMS

Athletes are required to participate on our WMSC Team Uniform program.  It includes the outer jacket (included in your program fees) and full zip black pants.  Pre-orders are done end of January – extra’s are ordered – email info@wmsc.info to get on the list. Used ones can also be found at the SWAP fundraiser held on Thanksgiving weekend our through our Buy&Sell FB page.

HEALTH INSURANCE

We recommend that each athlete take out additional insurance coverage. Contact WMSC to purchase ACA SAIP Insurance or your own Insurance agent/broker to obtain additional travel and accident insurance. This insurance is in addition to your provincial healthcare coverage which you are also required to maintain. All Foreign racers must have their own Accident and Medical Coverage that must include mountain rescue and return to home country, and supply WMSC with a copy of the policy.

ASSESSMENTS AND VIDEO

• Assessments are conducted in February for the mid-season and April for the end-of season 
• We have a video review systems available online for coaches/athletes and for parents for viewing. 

GOAL SETTING

• Coaches will meet individually with each athlete.  Parents are welcome to participate.  Reviews and resetting will occur throughout the season. 

U16 Program Fees and Registration

• U16 Weekend program: $4,800 (Coaching on Sat & Sun), plus WMSC Family Membership, Plus BCA National Competitors License
• U16 3-days program: $6,200 (Coaching Fri/Sat/Sun) plus WMSC Family Membership, Plus BCA National Competitors License
• U16 4-days program: $7,500 (Coaching Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun) plus WMSC Family Membership, Plus BCA National Competitors License
  • Registration closes August 31st.
  • Fees include Winter Holiday Camps
  • Full program fees are due in October 31st, 2024.  Payment plan available

​*To participate in any of our Summer and Fall events, racers must be current WMSC Members, registered to a winter program, and Licensed with BC Alpine.  WMSC Racer Account must be current*

For Donations to the Developing Champions Fund use this link and contact the office for follow up steps Developing Champions Fund 

VOLUNTEER Requirement

• Parents and guardians are expected to volunteer at least eight (8) full days during the season per athlete
• Parents and guardians are expected to volunteer at all our fundraising events (Ski SWAP, Gala events, Auctions)
• Parents and guardians are expected to volunteer at our Whistler Cup event
  • Review our full Volunteer Commitment Policy

INCLUDED in your program fees

• Coaching and support services
• WMSC Club Races
• Winter Holiday Camp
• Winter fitness training and assessments 
• Online video services 
   

ADDITIONAL Costs

• National Competitor License with BC Alpine $204
• Races and travel costs are not included in any program fees and can be purchased when the trip sheets are posted.
• Ski Camps are not included - (except for Winter Holiday camp)- and can be purchased when published on our website.
• Additional Fridays training will be available for athletes in the weekend program - subject to availability
• Annual Coaches gratuities - $100 per athlete
• Volunteer Fee $1,500.  If you are unable to fulfill your volunteering duties, you can opt out by paying this fee at registration. 

Register U16 Members only