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:
Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
You must prevent runaway equipment.
Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
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.”
You can find the key concepts at https://www.usskiandsnowboard.org/sites/default/files/files-resources/files/2017-10/Training-Systems-Key-Concepts.pdf.
For each domain, find information about phases and elements at https://www.usskiandsnowboard.org/sites/default/files/files-resources/files/2017-11/Alpine%20Training%20Systems%2011-16-17.pdf.
What to expect on race day
USSS offers general information about race day. Athletes and parents can expect some variation based on athlete age, resort, and the club hosting the event. Check out the USSS information at https://my.usskiandsnowboard.org/aip/alpine/race-day.
And check out CCSC recommendations at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a3kdge8oCFv35x2foa7qnsZatdyYt7y1/edit. You’ll find lots of overlap.
Ski Tips with Daron Rahlves
Mental Game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1peAcuLVYok
Pre-race Warm-up on Snow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKI8bS9ithQ
Finding time out of the start gate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5qS7kdsYDY
Course Tactics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C9SLF6395o
Going Fast in the Flats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBJuCtDjaLk
Connecticut Youth Ski League Resources
Basic SL Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO7An8NfwMw
Basic GS Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2MAcAC5Uvs
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
Watch a Ski Race https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfBm-AwWBlw (transition tactics)
Watch for STIVOTS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJlXC_LdXvU
What to look for when watching a ski race https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TBPzVnLPT0 (race day prep, starts, clean arcs, STIVOTS, recovery)
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/