For U12 and younger: We suggest that a parent or legal guardian be present at the ski areas for the entire practice or race session. Things happen, but we do not support dropping off your athletes for training or racing and leaving the area. You are the parent, and you know your children. If issues arise, they will be addressed on an individual basis.

Basic Tips for a Great Ski Season

• Allow the coaches to train your athlete. This is what you pay us to do. TRUST the process and the coaches.
• Be supportive of your athlete's goals and accomplishments.
• Help out/VOLUNTEER at the races (sign up online early for the season).
• Encourage your athlete(s) to set goals in skiing & racing.
• Communicate with the coaches.
• Set examples of "Good Sportsmanship."
• Ask questions.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents/Guardians are responsible for all transportation to and from the races and practice sessions, as well as the cost of the season pass to Cascade for practices and lift tickets at the other ski areas hosting the race event.

Parents are also responsible for the behavior of their children at all practices and races.

Volunteer Requirements

Parents are required to volunteer at race events as gatekeepers (*Gatekeeping information is listed in the “Typical Race Day Schedule” attachment). As a team, we are required to provide parent volunteers on the WIJARA website for each race. All sign-ups are done online ahead of time; it is very organized. If everyone does their part, you should only have to do this once per season.

Cascade Mountain Ski Team encourages all parents of younger racers to remain at Cascade Mountain during practice and at other ski areas during races.

Importance of Volunteer Participation

Volunteer participation is vital to the success of the Cascade Mountain Ski Team and the four scheduled WIJARA race competitions during the season. Your effort makes a difference! To help us provide successful race competitions for all athletes, PLEASE VOLUNTEER on race days.

Volunteer Registration Platforms

During the season, you should be registered on:

• Signup.com for local Cascade duties in the Roost and at our home race.
• SignUp Genius for WIJARA race gatekeeper slots at the other three races.

Volunteer sign-up links updated here.

Other Ways to Get Involved

There will be online sign-ups for Roost Attendants (a job description will be provided).

Please have your child come to training and races prepared and ready to ski.

Our coaches are available to assist and guide parents in equipment choices and binding settings. Please feel free to ask your child’s coach for recommendations.

Mandatory Equipment

• Hard Side Helmet (Required On Course for Practices/Races)
  • NO helmets with spoilers or other elements that stick out.
  • NO bicycle helmets.
  • NO 'partial hard shell' helmets that only cover the head with hard material, leaving soft materials around the ears.
  • NO "Free-Ride" helmets.
  • A good fitting helmet specifically manufactured for skiing is MANDATORY.
• Goggles (Required On Course for Practices/Races)
  • TWO pairs of goggles are recommended (but not required) for your athlete in case one pair malfunctions. The goggles need to fit inside the helmet’s face frame. Have your athlete try them on with the helmet to ensure a proper fit.
  • Goggles with 'interchangeable' lenses are highly recommended for versatility.
    • A shaded lens for sunny days and a clear lens (Required for Night Practices).
• Ski Boots
• Skis with Bindings
• Poles
• Clothing
  • Dress for the weather—it’s winter time!
  • Remember that temperatures on the chair lift and ski hill can be colder than at home. Layering is best! If you don’t wear it initially, bring it along for warmth later. Better to have extra layers than to be cold!

Typical Equipment for New Athletes or 12 and Under

• Multi-ski - suitable for both Giant Slalom (*GS) and Slalom (*SL) racing
• Poles – a multi-use pole is ideal for this level
• Ski Boots – properly fitted, 3 or 4 buckle, comfortable boots
• Gloves or Mittens – warm and waterproof
• Ski Pants and Ski Jacket (Ski Team jacket is NOT required)
• Ski socks (NOT cotton)
  • Only ONE pair of socks should be worn at a time. Bring an extra pair to change into on cold days; wet socks = cold feet!
• Base Layers – long underwear for different temperatures
• Boot Bag – a backpack-style bag is highly recommended for athletes to carry and store their gear

Typical (but NOT Required) Equipment for Active Athletes and Advanced Racers

• Separate skis for each racing discipline (*GS and *SL)
• Poles for both Giant Slalom and Slalom
• Racing Ski Boots – more aggressive flex for advanced levels
• Shin Guards – for Slalom racing/practice only
• Arm Guards – for Giant Slalom racing/practice only
• Chin Bar Guard – for Slalom racing/practice only
• Pole Guards
• Race Suits
• Zip Off Ski Pants – needed if a race suit is purchased
• Race Style Gloves or Mittens
• Ski socks (NOT cotton)
• All undergarments – long underwear, undershirts, etc.
• Larger Boot Bag

Places to Shop or Search

• Ski Team Facebook page or the Roost – great for finding resold ski items; keep an eye out
• Cascade Ski Shop – ask about your team discount
• Chalet Ski and Patio - West Side of Madison – expert boot fitting, most race equipment can be ordered
• Les Moise – Brookfield, WI – stocks race equipment and specializes in ski boot fitting
• Arctica, Mt. Horeb, WI – ski clothing, race suits, side zip ski pants (look out for a factory sale in the Fall for good deals)

Two Different Disciplines of Ski Racing

*GS – Giant Slalom: A longer ski is used to pass between two flagged gates.

*SL – Slalom: A shorter ski is used to pass around single poles.

Skills and Drills

Most race development and progress is achieved and honed within skills and drills. Drills are developed and introduced to help athletes become better skiers and, in turn, better racers. Progression throughout the season will focus on four main fundamentals:

• Balance
• Rotary
• Edging
• Pressure

Typically, we start with Balance and then rotate between Edging, Rotary, and Pressure depending on the athletes' needs.

Course Skiing

Once B-Netting is set up for the season on Ptarmigan and North Wall, course work will be introduced to the practices. Drills will continue even within the course, allowing athletes to focus on specific skills needed, including the core fundamentals mentioned above.

Two Ski Disciplines: Slalom and Giant Slalom

Slalom is typically a short-radius discipline, averaging around 8-12 meters. It involves racing around single poles.

Giant Slalom involves medium to long-radius turns of 20-25 meters, with athletes racing between two flagged gates.

Typical Weekday Schedule

• 5:00-5:15pm – Arrival of coaches, athletes, and parents. U8, U10, and U12 athletes should check in at the Roost. A Parent Roost Attendant is assigned to specific nights through Signup.com.
• 5:20pm – U14, U16, and U19 athletes should meet at their designated spots and begin their warm-up. U8-U12 groups meet outside the Roost with their coaches.
• 5:30-7:30pm – Coaches work with the kids on skills and drills all over the hill. They also practice running gates on Ptarmigan and North Wall, balancing between skills and course work. Short breaks may be taken to warm up, use the restroom, etc., depending on conditions.
• 7:30pm – If gates have been used, older and capable athletes will assist coaches in tearing down courses and slipping.

Typical Weekend Schedule

• 8:30am – Arrival of coaches, athletes, and parents. U8, U10, and U12 athletes should check in at the Roost. A Parent Roost Attendant is assigned to specific nights through Signup.com.
• 8:55am – Coaches will meet U8, U10, and U12 athletes at the Roost for warm-up.
• 9:20am – U14, U16, and U19 athletes should meet at their designated areas and start their warm-ups. Coaches will join after they finish setting up.
• 9:00-12:30pm – Coaches work with the kids on skills and drills all over the hill. Short breaks may be taken to warm up, use the restroom, etc., depending on conditions. U8, U12, and U14 athletes finish at 12:00pm, while U14, U16, and U19 athletes finish at 12:30pm.
• 12:30pm – If gates have been used, older and capable athletes will assist coaches in tearing down courses and slipping.

Competing in races is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged. We understand there are circumstances when an athlete may miss a race, such as injuries, family obligations, etc. Notification of your absence at races is appreciated, but not required.

As this is a race team, we expect that by the second season, your racer competes in at least one race per season.

It is not required to stay in the team hotels, but it is fun! Ask questions to other parents, and explore the area for places to eat. Many families enjoy eating together on Friday or Saturday nights. There are NO required team events at races – each family should do what works best for them. We do, however, try to sit together as a team in the lodges at each ski hill. We encourage all the kids to stay for awards and cheer on their teammates, but again, this is not a requirement.

Friday Evening

Some hills allow early ticket purchases for the weekend. When buying tickets, purchase a race day/weekend pass for your athlete, as there may be a slight discount. Adults will need to purchase regular hill tickets if they plan to ski.

CHECK SKI BAGS. CHECK THEM AGAIN. If you are missing something, reach out to someone right away. Someone on the team may have what you need or a solution. Don’t let pride or frustration ruin a fun experience for the kids – everyone forgets things sometimes, so don’t fret.

Saturday Race Schedule

Saturday races consist of Giant Slalom (GS).

• 7:30am – Arrival of coaches, athletes, and parents. Give yourself enough time for travel, parking, and hauling equipment and supplies. Lodges are very crowded, so try to find a spot near team members. Plan ahead and avoid last-minute rushes to reduce stress.
• 8:00am – Course Inspection: All athletes meet their coach at the top of their course for inspection. Coaches slowly side-slip the course and discuss important aspects regarding the racecourse. It is very important for athletes to attend.
• 8:45-9:00am – Races start. Races run back-to-back in the morning, followed by a lunch break before the afternoon inspection and last race of the day.
• Find other Cascade team members on the race order list so your athlete knows who they are close to in the lineup.
• 4:00pm – Awards (approximate time; volunteers and coaches work as quickly as possible).

Sunday Race Schedule

Sunday races consist of Slalom (SL).

• 7:30am – Arrival of coaches, athletes, and parents. Give yourself enough time for travel, parking, and hauling equipment and supplies. Try to find a spot near team members in the crowded lodge.
• 8:00am – Course Inspection: All athletes meet their coach at the top of their course for inspection. Coaches side-slip the course and discuss important aspects. It is very important for athletes to attend.
• 8:45-9:00am – Races start. Races run back-to-back in the morning, followed by a lunch break before the afternoon inspection and final race of the day.
• Find other Cascade team members on the race order list so your athlete knows who they are close to in the lineup.
• 3:00pm – Awards (approximate time; volunteers and coaches work as quickly as possible).

Additional Notes

• Parent volunteers are needed for several events during races. Try to find a volunteer slot in the morning or afternoon that doesn’t interfere with your athlete’s event.
• Events run on a flexible schedule, so it’s difficult to know a specific time for your athlete’s event. Pay attention to volunteers calling out age groups and athlete bib numbers to stay organized.

Helpful Hints and Items to Bring to Races

• Boot and glove dryers
• Extra clothing
• Laundry basket for hauling extra items
• Label all items and equipment
• Pack food and drinks for parents and athletes – athletes may need reminders to eat and drink throughout the day as breaks may be short.
• Many kids free ski between races, so encourage them to check in with coaches about which age group is racing to know when to get into the lineup.

What is Gatekeeping?

Every team is required to provide gatekeepers for all races. Gatekeeping is a great way to see the course up close and personal. The attached videos and documents provide an excellent overview of what is involved in being a Gatekeeper.

Sign-up links will be posted on https://cascadeskiteam.org/volunteer/ as they become available.

Generally, you will gatekeep on either Saturday (morning or afternoon) or Sunday (one run). Check SignUp.com for descriptions to know your exact location (e.g., if you need skis or can hike to your position). There will be a detailed meeting before the races start on both Saturday and Sunday while the kids are out inspecting the course at 8am. The Head Gatekeeper will explain the job fully and answer any questions you might have. Watch the videos below, observe ski racing online, and you’ll be well-prepared.

Helpful videos:

• Gatekeeping Video 1
• Gatekeeping Video 2

WHSARA: Wisconsin High School Alpine Racing Association

www.whsara.com

Most of our athletes will compete in the Southern Conference. The Southern Conference is comprised of high school ski and snowboard race teams from South Central Wisconsin, including schools in Deforest, Edgewood, Madison East, Memorial, West and LaFollette, Middleton, Monona, Verona, Mount Horeb, Portage, Oregon, Sun Prairie, and Waunakee.

Opportunity for Athletes in Grades 9-12

This is another opportunity for athletes in grades 9-12 to compete against their peers. Athletes race on their high school (HS) team if their school has one; if not, they are placed on a “Co-op” team by the coaches.

The races are held on Mondays and do not interfere with Cascade Team practices or WIJARA races. The Wednesday night team practice at Cascade requires pre-registration and is also open to athletes currently registered with WHSARA who intend to compete in the Monday night races.

Note: If you did not register and pay for this additional practice when you registered for the team in September, you can do so once the season begins.

There are also two WHSARA practices held at Cascade later in the season, open to all Southern Conference athletes.

Is the USSA Competition Program Right for Your Athlete?

If your athlete has years of racing experience or is consistently finishing in the top 5 of their class and is looking for higher-level competition, the USSA program may be a good fit. The USSA events require a greater commitment from both athletes and parents.

What to Expect: Competitions typically involve 2-3 consecutive days of ski racing, covering Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super Giant Slalom courses. These events may require travel across Wisconsin, Michigan, and possibly Illinois & Minnesota.

Membership Requirements: Athletes must pay dues to both the USSA National Organization and USSA Central organizations to participate in race events. A U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership is the first step and is required for athletes, coaches, officials, and club volunteers who wish to participate in U.S. Ski & Snowboard-sanctioned events.

For more information, please contact your coaches or explore the links below:

• USSA Alpine Athlete Membership Information
• USSA Online Athlete Registration

USSA Regional Races

If you are registering your child for USSA racing, here is the link for regional USSA races:

USSA Regional Race Calendar

Ski Tuning: Recommended but Not Required

Ski tuning is not required, but it is highly recommended. Ask your coaches for their recommendations. Like anything in the sport, the longer you are involved, the more you will learn (and the more you may choose to invest in equipment).

Advice for Beginners: Do thorough research and ask plenty of questions before purchasing ski-tuning equipment. Trust us on this – there’s a lot to learn, and it’s best to understand the basics before making big investments.

The ski shop at Cascade is excellent, and be sure to mention your team discount. They can answer basic questions and offer guidance. You’ll know when the time is right to start tuning your own skis.

*Watch social media apps for tuning tutorials offered throughout the season in the Roost during Saturday practices by experienced parents.