FAQs

HOW OFTEN DOES THE TEAM TRAIN?

The team trains every weekend starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving and during the winter school vacation weeks (Christmas and February breaks).  Team members meet each training day morning in the Ski Lodge or at the Ski Team's building at the base of the Brettons Wood Trail. Training normally begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 2:30 PM each day the team meets. The training season and training day is shorter fort the younger team members who participate in the Development Team.

DO PARENTS OF TEAM MEMBERS HAVE ANY COMMITMENTS DURING THE SEASON?

Absolutely.  We host several races/events each season (see the Home Race Schedule page of this site).  It takes approximately 30 people to run a well-organized, efficient event that is fun for the racers.  Because of the size of the team, it generally takes at least one parent from each family, as well as a few other relatives or neighbors, and a few volunteers to host a race.

In addition, we do have an active board that oversees the Ski Team. Parents are needed for this body as well to ensure that the needs of the athletes are met, coaching is adequate, and sufficient funds are available for the ongoing needs of the program.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO PARTICIPATE EVERY WEEKEND AND SCHOOL BREAK?

We strongly encourage every athlete to attend each day of training. This better prepares the athlete for the rigors of ski racing.

WHAT ABILITY LEVEL SHOULD A PROSPECTIVE TEAM MEMBER HAVE?

This program is not meant as an alternative to ski lessons or the Ski School provided by the Ski Resort.

The athlete must be able to parallel ski most of the terrain at Bretton Woods comfortably, make adequate parallel turns without resorting to snowplowing, and perform a “hockey” stop.  Younger athletes must also be able to put on their ski own boots and know how to get on to and off of the ski lifts.

DO TEAM MEMBERS NEED THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT?

Yes.  Whether you buy or rent for the season is up to you but the athlete should be training on the same equipment all season.

IS MY CHILD'S EQUIPMENT SUITABLE FOR RACING?

We have an equipment day in the fall and we can evaluate each athlete's equipment at that time. Coaches will evaluate equipment as the season progresses as well.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO COMPETE IN RACES?

No, but we encourage all athletes to compete.  We do limit the number of competitions according to the athlete's ages.  Most younger athletes that are unsure of competing at the start of the season wish to do so by the first race.