Let it snow!

Hello!

The winter is right around the corner!

I am writing to tell about some of the things that we have been working on for this upcoming winter. By all indications Killington is gearing up for another great season. As many of you are already aware Killington is in the process of installing a new high-speed quad to replace the ancient Skye Peak chair. Reports are that the lift is on schedule and will be ready for the opening of Bear Mountain this December. Killington is also doing some trail reconfiguration to alleviate some of the congested areas around the mountain.

This past spring the Killington Ski Club Board of Directors approved plans for improving the ski club building. The project is well under way, walls are starting to get closed up and the new look of the ski club is starting to take shape. The Conclusion Room has been completely redone creating a new Competition Programs room which will include new cubbies, coaches’ offices, centrally located information boards and a state of the art multi-media center for video review and Coaches’ Talks. The new room will also serve as a great place to hold informational and educational meetings for our program participants. Other improvements at the club include a new Members’ room for conference calls and checking email while skipping work or school to ski an extra day. There is also a new administrative office configuration downstairs including an open and inviting reception area and a coaches’ meeting area. I am sure everyone will be pleased with these improvements and I expect you will be taken aback upon your first visit to the club this fall when you see our new look. Please help me in thanking the KSC Board for these great improvements.

For the winter season of 2008-2009 the KSC/KMS Competitions Program will be offering competitive ski and snowboard programs in Alpine, Freestyle, and Snowboarding. We will also continue to offer our Mountain Division program for our all mountain skiers geared towards the freeride and big mountain competitors.

In general, most of the coaching philosophies for the snowboarding, freestyle and J 1/2 programs will remain intact for 2008-2009. On the alpine side, however, we have targeted some important changes for this year.

In 2008/2009, our KSC/KMS J4/5 program will be driven by a focus on fundamentals. Through a combination of free skiing drills, gate drills, and full-length training, our goal is to establish basic athletic skills designed to create a fundamentally sound, technically proficient young ski racer. Throughout our junior programs, from Devos on up through the J3 age group, we will create mentally hungry athletes who have the physical preparation to advance successfully to the next level of competition. Utilizing our improved facilities at the club, and by introducing our young athletes to the five fundamental aspects of ski racing - technical preparation, tactical preparation, physical preparation, equipment preparation, and mental preparation - we will accomplish our stated objectives.

Recently, the KSC/KMS program has recommitted itself to the same basic principle that guides the US Ski Team - Win at Every Level. To that end, this year we will insist that our young Ross racers possess the technical and tactical ability, as well as the emotional maturity, to be competitive at the Jones level before moving them up to that group. This year, fewer J5's from Killington may qualify to ski with the Jones group than in the past. We will be making our decisions on an individual basis and with the long-term interests of each athlete at heart. Initially, most J4's, unless brand new to racing, will be selected to compete at the Jones level, while most J5's will be directed to the Ross series. In place of a team time trial in December, we will await the results of the first few series races to make determinations as to an individual's appropriate level of competition. Unless a J5 athlete has made a significant argument (based on last year's results) to race up in the Jones series, s/he will start this year off in Ross. Our intent is to position young ski racers for success and to be competitive, thus ensuring a long lasting love for the sport, as well as, a highly motivated, more self-confident athlete. Through a process of ongoing evaluation, we will assess the progress of all of our athletes throughout the season, and will make series adjustments as necessary.

For the 08-09 season we have restructured our Devo Programs for athletes ages 8 to 10. Devo’s will be offered in Alpine, Freestyle, Snowboarding and Mountain Division with a new format. The Devo Programs are an introductory-level program focusing on the various types of competition programs we offer at the older ages. Devo’s will be focusing on technique and skill development through the venues used in the competitive ski programs, and will focus on intramural competitions at Killington this winter. Devo’s is the perfect program for the young athlete who is not quite ready to make the decision about what discipline to focus on in or for the young athlete who is looking for a first introduction to ski and snowboard competition.

A typical Devo weekend:

Saturday
10-12: Drills and skill development
1-3: Free skiing and technique work
Sunday
9-12: Sport specific training, intramural style events /races, video review

I am pleased to announce the hiring of our new J4/5 head coach, Bruce Johnston. Bruce will be heading up our KMS Development Program, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of our Alpine Devo’s, J4’s and J5’s. KSC/KMS is thankful for the opportunity to have a coach with Bruce’s background working with our young developing skiers. I am sure you will all join me in giving Bruce a warm welcome this winter.

We are encouraging everyone to sign up for the KSC/KMS Programs as soon as possible so we can staff appropriately and secure a top notch, professional coaching staff. As outlined in the enrollment price sheet, early enrollment will earn a significant discount on this year’s program prices. Your early enrollment will also enable the coaches to get a jump start in the communication process and develop training plans for our athletes. We will be accepting enrollments returned by mail to the address on the top of the signup form or at the KSC Ski Sale over Columbus Day Weekend, October 10-12, 2008. You can also take advantage of savings on your Killington season pass by signing up early. Information can be found at www.killington.com.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Let it Snow!

Matt Gnoza
Program Director
Phone: 802.422.6898
Fax: 802.422.6229
E-mail: mgnoza@killingtonmountainschool.org

Killington Mountain School
2708 Killington Road
Killington, Vermont 05751

Sugar Slalom Update

Hosted by the Mt. Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club
www.teammmsc.org




There has been a great response to this year’s Sugar Slalom. In order to keep things running smoothly, please read all of the information below. We hope you have a great time!

Friday April 4, 2008 (evening)

There will be pre-registration from 4:00pm until 6:00pm @ the Midway Lodge (Mt. Mansfield side of Rte. 108, Upper Gondola Parking Lot). We encourage all participants to pre-register.

Saturday April 5, 2008

Schedule for Women/Men J1/J2/SR. / 2nd year J3

Women (J1/J2/Sr and 2nd year J3) will register at Midway Lodge over at the Gondola and race on Exhibition Hill.

· Men (J1, J2 Sr and 2nd year J3) will register at Midway Lodge over at the Gondola and race on Exhibition Hill. With nearly 300 men racing, we are going to host two men’s races A Course\ B Course. The top 15 points holders are “rabbits” for both races, which means their points will be counted in both races. The rabbits will use the same bib numbers for both courses and will take a total of four runs.

VENUE: EXHIBITION HILL- Sat. April 5th


Women
Men A
Men B
Registration
7:00AM
7:00AM
7:00AM
Lift Opens
8:00AM
8:00AM
8:00AM




First Run



Inspection Open
8:15AM
8:15AM
8:15AM
Inspection Close
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00 AM
Start Time
9:10AM
10:30AM
9:10AM




Second Run



Inspection Open
11:30AM
12:30PM
11:30AM
Inspection Close
12:15PM
1:15PM
12:15PM
Start Time
12:30PM
2:00PM
12:30PM




Awards
40 min after race
40 min after race
40 min after race

In Midway Lodge
In Midway Lodge
In Midway Lodge

Saturday April 5, 2008 (continued)

Schedule for all J3/J4/J5’s

J3, J4, J5 Girls and Boys will register at Spruce’s Little Top (inside the ‘Base Lodge’ at Spruce- big white tent structure, follow signs to ‘Little Top’) and race on Slalom Hill, furthest viewer’s left. The second run will be in reverse order within each age category. Use the Sunny Spruce Quad Chairlift for easiest access.

VENUE: Slalom Hill- Sat. April 5th


Girls
Boys
Registration
7:00AM
7:00AM
Lift Opens
9:00AM
9:00AM



First Run


Inspection Open
9:00AM
9:00AM
Inspection Close
9:45AM
9:45AM
Start Time
10:00AM
11:00AM



Second Run


Inspection Open
12:15PM
12:15PM
Inspection Close
12:45PM
12:45PM
Start Time
1:00PM
2:00PM



Awards
40 minutes after the race
40 minutes after the race

In the finish area
In the finish area




Saturday April 5th, 2008 (evening)

There will be pre-registration for Sunday’s race from 4:00pm until 5:00pm @ the Midway Lodge (Mt. Mansfield side of Rte. 108, Upper Gondola Parking Lot). We encourage all participants to pre-register.




Sunday April 6th, 2008


ALL RACERS (J1, J2, Sr, J3, J4, J5s, and Masters) will register at Midway Lodge and will race on Exhibition Hill, under the Gondola

VENUE: EXHIBITION HILL (Gondola)- Sun. April 6th



Registration
7:00AM
Lift Opens
8:00AM


First Run

Inspection Open
8:00AM
Inspection Close
9:45AM
Start Time
9:00AM


Awards
40 minutes after the completion





Helpful hints:

-Use the Over Easy Transfer Gondola to quickly get between the two race venues (no lift ticket necessary). There is a short uphill walk (approx. 200 yards) to get to the Exhibition Hill when coming from Spruce.



-Parents of the racers can pick up vouchers at the registration desk(s) and exchange them for discounted lift tickets at any ticket window or at any Guest Services Desk.

-Races can be seen very clearly from the base areas at both Spruce and at the Exhibition Hill (Gondola).

THANKS FOR A GREAT SEASON

The bad news is that the last day of the program is this Sunday 3/30. The good news is that Killington will be staying open at least one week longer! The KMS/KSC competition Programs would like to thank everyone for a great season. Hope to see you all this April for some spring skiing.

Jones Team 3/29 and 3/30

Jones Team athletes can either attened the Bermuda Open on Sat or train at Killington.

Sunday we will offer Freesking/Training.

The Jones Team will have its awards at the KSC BBQ on 4/5

Greg and Joel will be at the Bermuda Open Sat.
Craig will be at Killington on Sat.
David and Craig will be at Killington on Sunday.

Info on Bermuda open and the 4/5 BBQ/Awards can be found below in this blog.

Ross Team 3/29 and 3/30

The Ross Team will be holding a Family Ross/Devo Dual Race on Bunny. It will be a fun race without timing. Parent against kid, kid against kid, parent against parent, kid against aunt or uncle,kid against coach......whatever floats your boat!

So parents, eat a good breakfast and get a good night sleep I think you are going to need it! Our planned start time is 9:30, kids meet their coach at 8:00 as normal.

Thanks !
Helen


FYI, this race is in addition to the April 5th Club fun race.

Ross Team Plan 3/22 and Beyond

Saturday March 22, 2008
8am – Training Intro to Slalom /Free skiing in Killington

Sunday March 23, 2008-HAPPY EASTER
8am – Training Intro to Slalom /Free skiing in Killington

Or you can attend

**KMS and KSC will have coaches at this race you must register on your own ASAP**
Suicide Six Slush Cup March 23rd open to all J3 thru J6
Hello Everyone, Please join us at the First Annual Slush Cup at Suicide Six on March 23rd.... Fun in the Sun! Open to JIII-JVI for all those athletes that aren't ready to end the season! Format, 2 runs paneled SL.8:00-9:00 Registration9:00-9:45 Inspection10:00 First Run1:00 Second run Awards approx 30 minutes after completion of race. Clubs, please email entries to: Mike Bald at wsr07@wildblue.net or call the Club at (802) 457-2971
**KMS and KSC will have coaches at this race you must register on your own ASAP**

Saturday March 29, 2008
Bunny Buster Family Fun Race
8am – Training/Free skiing in Killington
We will be doing a Parents vs. Kids fun race on Bunny Buster as a fun way to wrap up the season!

Or you can attened the Bermuda Open see info in Jones update

Sunday March 30, 2008
8am Training/Free skiing in Killington – Last Official Day of the Program

Saturday April 5, 2008
9-11 Fun Races on Highline
11-1 KSC BBQ
1-end KSC/KMS Awards Presentation

or you can attened the Sugar Slalom see info in the Jones Update

Jones Team Plan for 3/22 and 3/23

Saturday March 22, 2008
8am – Training Dual Slalom fun race for J3 and J4
Sunday March 23, 2008
8am – Training/Free skiing in Killington
or
Suicde Six Slush Cup race
You must register on your own if you wish to attened this race!
Suicide Six March 23rd open to all J3 thru and J6Hello Everyone,Please join us at the First Annual Slush Cup at Suicide Six on March 23rd.... Fun in the Sun!Open to JIII-JVI for all those athletes that aren't ready to end the season!Format, 2 runs paneled SL.8:00-9:00 Registration9:00-9:45 Inspection10:00 First Run1:00 Second runAwards approx 30 minutes after completion of race.Clubs, please email entries to: Mike Bald at wsr07@wildblue.net or call the Club at (802) 457-2971
**KMS and KSC will have coaches at this race you must register on your own ASAP**