Snowsports Resources

Discipline specific information will be provided in sections below as it becomes available. Be sure to check back as the offerings are expanded.

Alpine      Alpine Race      Freestyle Nordic Snowboard

Your Responsibility Code:

  1.  Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.

  2.  People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.

  3.  Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.

  4.  Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.

  5.  You must prevent runaway equipment.

  6.  Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.

  7.  Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

  8.  You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.

  9.  Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.

  10.  If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

CDC HEADS UP

CCSC requires its coaches to be certified through the CDC’s HEADS UP program to recognize and respond to possible concussions. You can find out more about the program at https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/headsup/index.html.

US Center for Safe Sport

Safe Sport is “dedicated solely to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on behalf of athletes everywhere.” You can find out more about this program authorized by Congress at https://uscenterforsafesport.org/about/our-story/. USSS coaches are required to be certified in this program.

Alpine

How to Ski from the SnowPros (PSAI/AASI): https://thesnowpros.org/take-a-lesson/beginners-guide-to-skiing/

Alpine Race

CCSC Race Academy relies on resources from US Ski and Snowboard and PSIA/AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America/American Association of Snowboard Instructors). You can visit their sites at https://www.usskiandsnowboard.org/ and https://thesnowpros.org.

USSS Alpine Training Systems

The USSS Alpine Training Systems “track an athlete from starting in the sport to world class performance. The phases are based on a combination of an athlete’s chronological, biological, and training ages. These three factors are the primary determinants of what activities, skills and competition level is appropriate for a given phase.”

What to expect on race day

Ski Tips with Daron Rahlves

Mental Game  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1peAcuLVYok

Connecticut Youth Ski League Resources

USSS Gatekeeper Video

For those who might consider volunteering as a gate judge: https://www.usskiandsnowboard.org/sport-development/officials-development/alpine-gate-judge-video

On the Technical Side from Ron Kipp

Alpine Instructional Videos from Burke Mountain Academy with Mikaela Shiffrin

“Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin ’13 helped us create these instructional drill videos for alpine ski technique, providing the voice-over explanation of the fundamental tasks frequently performed by Burke athletes during training. They’re the fundamental drills she repeatedly challenged herself to master as an athlete here and the very same tasks Burkies attempt in a variety of terrain and snow conditions over the course of their training.” You can currently (as of 11/1/2024) at https://www.burkemtnacademy.org/ski-racing/alpine-instructional-videos.

Freestyle

Don’t go if you don’t know!

START SMALL - Work your way up. Build your skills.

MAKE A PLAN - Every feature. Every time.

ALWAYS LOOK - Before you drop.

RESPECT - The features and other users.

TAKE IT EASY - Know your limits. Land on your feet.

Check out more safety information at https://nsaa.org/terrainparksafety/.

Nordic

How to Cross Country Ski from the SnowPros (PSIA/AASI): https://thesnowpros.org/take-a-lesson/beginners-guide-to-cross-country-skiing/

Snowboard

How to Snowboard from the SnowPros (PSIA/AASI): https://thesnowpros.org/take-a-lesson/beginners-guide-to-snowboarding/