U16 (14 and 15 year olds)

GKHAT’s U16 program aims to develop athletes who are committed to skiing and racing. We strive to provide a high standard of coaching, training opportunities, race experience, with some free skiing to continue to build strong athletes with solid technical skills. At this level, more time is devoted to race training and U16 skiers can expect to spend a significant portion of their ski days working on racing skills. 

As a prerequisite, skiers must be able to ski with confidence and in control on advanced-expert terrain ( i.e. Feuz Bowl, CPR, etc.).

All families must review and agree to the updated Parent Handbook. Please review before registering. 

GKHAT Parent Handbook

We use Alpine Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy as the training standard for athletes with all levels of aspiration in skiing. For more information, see Alpine Canada at https://ltad.alpinecanada.org/

The U16 regular program is a 14 week program, with an additional two weekends of skiing added to the season. Choose Friday*, Saturday or Sunday on the 14-day program or two days of Friday/Saturdays/Sundays for the 28-day program. U14 programming includes 2-3 home race events. Skiers who want to ski more than 28 days at this level are encouraged to sign up for the P60 program (see description in this section). Skiers at this level are strongly encouraged to ski at least 2 days per weekend. 

At the U14 and U16 levels, the LTAD recommends 10-20 race starts during the season. These may include Zone races, Provincial events, and Ski Cross races. 

 Athletes have the opportunity to participate in more fun-based club events including:

• Annual GKHAT cookie cup.

• Annual GKHAT Nancy Greene race. U14 and U16 athletes may participate as a forerunner.

• Annual club year-end ski-tacular event.

For some home events, athletes will be included as mentors to younger skiers in order to build team and leadership skills. 

Additional to local events, U16 racers are encouraged to attend: 

• Up to three “zone races” hosted by other clubs throughout the season

• These races include slalom and GS races 

• Up to two provincial series “Open Road” multi-day races 

  • U16/19 race events for racers looking for a more serious race environment 

• Speed Camp if offered 

  • This is typically a weekend of training super G at a host ski hill followed by a fun race

• Western Ski Cross Event

• Hosted annually by different clubs, this is a full weekend introduction to ski cross, suitable to all levels of athletes and tons of fun!

• Provincial races if the opportunity arises 

 Program begins the second weekend Kicking Horse is open. See registration pages for details. 

Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Volunteer Requirements

Additional to standard volunteer club duties (yurt cleaning, helping at local race events), we ask our parents of older athletes to contribute to the club by:

• Organizing/helping out at social and team building activities.
• Filling key roles in organizing and volunteering at zone races when our club hosts.
• Consider taking a level 1 or 2 officials course if you have a child who loves to race.
• Volunteering at away races when help is needed.

Don’t be intimidated if you have never been involved in ski racing. There are always jobs that can be done by anyone and we believe that ski racing should be fun for the whole family! Please speak to the volunteer coordinator as early as possible if you are unable to fulfill your volunteer commitment for the season for whatever reason (volunteer.coordinator@gkhat.ca). Please see our GKHAT Parent Handbook for more details.

Equipment (see parent handbook for more information)

GKHAT Parent Handbook

*About Friday Skiing

Friday Skiing offers a slightly different experience than other ski days. Lift lines may be shorter, and programs are not interrupted by club race days. However, parents should be aware that since fewer athletes register for Friday skiing, this will often require mixing ages and abilities within groups and that groups may change through the season with mixed duration of ski seasons for the different ages. Also due to timing of operation of some of our ski racing environments and grooming requirements, the ski cross course may be less available for use on Fridays. 

To Register

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