Your First Season with SSRT

A first season with Snow Summit Race Team brings plenty to look forward to: familiar faces on the mountain, new skills to practice, and a reason to keep showing up when learning takes effort. For families, it also introduces a different rhythm to winter weekends at Snow Summit. A little preparation helps everyone arrive ready to enjoy it.

Begin with the program details

Read your athlete’s program requirements and training schedule together. Make sure your child understands what being ready for training means, including having equipment on and being prepared to listen when the group meets. Previous racing experience is not required, but athletes must already know how to ski and meet their program’s entry requirements.

Keep the current schedule somewhere easy to find. Check website news and updates before leaving home, especially when conditions could affect plans. If something about your child’s readiness or equipment is unclear, ask a coach rather than guessing.

Build a routine your child can follow

Pack the evening before and use the same short checklist each time. Give your athlete an age-appropriate job, such as checking that both gloves are in the bag or gathering goggles and a helmet. Parents can check the finished bag while children learn where everything belongs.

Label equipment and clothing before the first day. Similar jackets and ski gear are easy to mix up, especially when a group is getting ready at once. Encourage your child to check names before picking things up.

Understand support throughout the day

Rippers U8 and U10 receive supervision that includes lunch. U12 athletes are supervised during training, but not during lunch, and must keep track of their own equipment. Older athletes receive coaching without ongoing supervision. Make a lunch and pickup plan that fits your athlete’s program and level of independence.

Let the coach know about a late arrival or early departure. Clear communication helps the coach account for the group and coordinate where your child should meet or leave it.

Give the season time to take shape

The first few days may involve learning names, remembering routines, and becoming comfortable in a group. Ask what your child enjoyed or discovered instead of expecting a daily report on improvement. At SSRT, a successful beginning can be as simple as arriving prepared, trying something unfamiliar, and looking forward to the next training day.