SMSSF is the "Sugar Mountain Ski and Snowboard Foundation", also known as the Sugar Team or the Sugar club. The team is run for the most part by parent, racer and family volunteers. The foundation offers coaching by ski race and snowboard competition professionals. AGE and ABILITY REQUIREMENTS ~
The Divisions of SMSSF - the "High Country" and "USSA" Alpine ski teams and the Snowboard Team are rac
e/competition teams, not "learn-to-ski/ride" teams, so that we ask that a prospective member be proficient in skiing or riding the majority of the mountain. Before putting a child on the team, we ask that parents consider these prerequisites ~
All prospective team members should be able to do all of the following:
* Get on the chair lift and lower the safety bar without assistance.
* Raise the safety bar, and off-load the chair lift without assistance.
* Ski from the chair lift to the practice area without constant supervision
* Be mature enough to be able to follow a coach's instructions
We do have a large number of younger racers who cannot quite manage these prerequisites. However, these children have at least one parent who attends every practice with them. This is a membership requirement for children who cannot get on or off the chair lift without help. BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT OUR TEAMS ~
We have 2 alpine race divisions (or teams) in SMSSF -
* HCJRS (High Country Junior Race Series) also called "High Country." The coaches in this division help our fledgling racers learn race techniques and work to improve ski skills.
* USSA ~ The more experienced racers participate in the USSA division. This division of our team serves as a developmental pipeline for the US Ski Team and as our team members medal in races they progress through the various divisions ~ from the South Eastern regional races (we are members of SARA - the Southern Alpine Race Association), to Eastern Finals and on to Junior Olympics. USSA race disciplines in this part of the country are Slalom and Giant Slalom. Head Coach Sean McKee works with the parents and the racer to determine what division is best for each racer.
*Snowboard Team ~ Head Coach Aaron Maas is the contact for information regarding snowboard competition events. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS ~
Attendance at practices and participation in races or snowboard events is at the discretion of each member. There is no penalty for not attending a practice or a race/event. TRAINING SCHEDULE ~
Practice times are dictated by our Head Coach Sean McKee, but IN GENERAL, the following applies during the race season...
Both divisions of the team practice on the same days and at the same time, but in separate division groups. Practices will begin as soon as the slope conditions necessary for safe practice occur. An email notification will be sent out to all team members as soon as practices are scheduled. Prior to the Christmas school break the racers practice every Saturday and Sunday morning from 7 AM until approx. 12 or 1. The time that practice ends is dependent upon conditions, crowds and what the coaches plan to accomplish for the day. They do take regular breaks, and usually a meal break around 10 or 11 for the kids to get something to eat in the cafeteria (or the club rooms) before going back on the mountain. They will also take more breaks or send the kids inside more often during extreme weather conditions on the mountain. Over the Christmas school break the Foundation offers a 16 day, coaching intensive "Christmas Camp" AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE! Team members attend camp every day, with the exception of Christmas day and New Year’s Day. Cost for this training camp is included in the annual coaching fees. After Christmas break practices continue to be held Sat/Sun morning, with Tues/Thurs practices being added. These mid-week practices are held from 4:30 until 6:00 pm when the mountain is closed to the general public and they often consist of gate training. Many of our team members are not "local" and therefore cannot make these mid-week practices. There is no penalty for not being able to attend ANY practice. Practice generally continues through the end of February and can even extend into 2nd or 3rd week of March. RACE SCHEDULE ~
HCJRS has five Sunday races and a Championship event. These races are all held at the area ski resorts of Sugar, Beech or Appalachian. The High Country Junior Race Series website, with a list of scheduled races, can be found here http://hcjrs.com/
The USSA races begin shortly after Christmas, and there is usually a race somewhere in the region every weekend until SARA Regional Championships, which are generally held the 3rd weekend (for the older racers) and 4th weekend (for the J4 - J6 racers) in February. LENGTH OF SEASON ~
The HCJRS race season begins the first weekend in January and ends the last weekend in February. USSA races begin around December 26 and end about mid-February. USSA then has post season events (finals, etc.) until about mid-March. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ~
Even if there are USSA races or High Country races being held elsewhere, practice will still be held for whatever division is still on the mountain. Once the season coaching fee has been paid, there are no additional coaching fees for the season. If your children attend races at Beech or Appalachian, Sugar Mountain coaches will also be attending. If your children attend the SARA Regional Championships, Sugar Mountain coaches will be there too. There are team rooms available on the ground floor expressly for the use of our team members (and only our team members) - one with cubbies for storing helmets and boots, a large team room with picnic tables and a flat-screen for reviewing practice videos, etc., a "kitchenette" with 'fridge and microwave, a restroom and a couple of coaches offices. Paid members of the team qualify for a reduced rate season pass from Sugar Mountain Resort, paid to Sugar Mountain Resort (not the ski team). Once Coaching Fees have been paid, Season passes may be purchased in the Administration Office of Sugar Mountain Resort, located on the second floor of the main lodge. The phone number in the team rooms is 828 898.4521 x 237
.. for information about our regional ski teams, please check the website for the Southern Alpine Race Association (of which Sugar is a member) This is the site to use to register for all USSA/Sara races and up-to-date race schedule http://sararacing.org/
.. for information about USSA races in our area please see the US Ski Team website at https://webapps.ussa.org
"High Country" racers do not need to be a member of SARA or USSA. Members who elect to participate in our "USSA" division must be a member of both SARA and USSA. Head Coach and Race Director: Sean McKee
email: [email protected] cell phone: 828 387.0173
Think Snow!
