Nancy Greene
Program Information
Welcome to another season with the Crystal Mountain Ski Club!
We have been busy preparing to make this season the best ever for your family.
Our club offers three programs determined by age and skill. E1 is for ages 5 – 8, while E2 is for ages 9 – 10. We are now offering a special group called the Race Tigers for ages 11+. Fees will be the same as the rest of the group, but we hope to challenge these older athletes in not just racing, but all-mountain skiing and they will be allowed to attend races, but will not be able to compete for medals. What group and coach they ski and train with depends on level of technical skills, described best in the Snow Stars handbook. Our program is 10 weeks in length on Sundays, and starts in the 2013 season on Sunday, January 6th and ends on March 10th.
E1, E2 and Race Tiger programs meet Sundays at 9:30 am ready to ski. Skiers should do their active warm up outside the cabin between 9:30 and 9:45. The coaches will be getting together from 9:00 to 9:30 to plan their day and to work on their coaching and skiing skills. Please be punctual and assist your child in getting ready. If you are late, the coaches will do one run on the T-bar and check back at the cabin before moving to other parts of the mountain. Our goal is to be on the hill at 10:00 am! Lunch at 12:30 pm can be eaten in the club cabin, or with a parent/guardian elsewhere. The end of our day will end at 3:00 pm. Please be prompt in picking up your child. Coaches will not release children to anyone other than a parent/guardian at the end of our day. If you have made other arrangements for your child, please inform the coach in the morning.
Our executive committee for the 2013 season is as follows:
President: Dorothy Kaiser
Vice President: Andrea Vucinovic / Mario Vucinovic
Treasurer: Ron Regan
Secretary/Registrar: Shirley Regan
Chair: Erin Gunoff
Fund-raising Chair: Jane Hardy
BC Alpine
Objective and Mission Statement
The objective of BC Alpine’s programs is to develop ski racers, to have fun through competition, to be of the highest quality, and to be adaptable as young skier’s progress through the system. BC Alpine’s objectives can best be summarized by its mission statement:
To bring to our communities fun, challenge and opportunities for personal excellence through participation and competition in alpine ski racing.
Organization
The BC Alpine Ski Association is a member division of Alpine Canada Alpin which in turn represents Canada at F.I.S. (Federation Internationale de Ski). Alpine Canada is an autonomous body which, under the auspices of the Canadian Ski Association, is responsible for alpine ski racing in Canada. All full time staff are employed at the BC Alpine office and includes the following positions: General Manager; Program Director; Finance and Communications and Club Services and Administration.
Membership
To participate in the Alcan NGSL programs or events sanctioned by BC Alpine, participants must belong to a ski club affiliated with BC Alpine. Although the Alcan Nancy Greene Ski League is open to 5-11 year old athletes, it is recommended that 11-year olds consider U14 programs which are designed for this specific age range. If they have the interest and ability, children at this age may find the subsequent transition to U14 easier. Athletes with an Alpine Canada Alpin Competitor Number (ie: entered in a U14 program) are not eligible to enter Nancy Greene Ski League competitions.
Sponsorship
Present on six continents, Rio Tinto Alcan is a world leading mining organization.
They are a global supplier of high quality bauxite, alumina and aluminium. Their AP smelting technology is the benchmark of the industry, and their enviable hydro power position delivers significant competitive advantages in today’s carbon-constrained world.
Their extensive bauxite, alumina and aluminium development portfolio, which includes 16 large scale and attractive projects in 13 countries, provides them with unrivalled reach worldwide. These strengths, and more, make them the global leader in the aluminium industry.
Rio Tinto Alcan is the aluminium product group of Rio Tinto, a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK. Rio Tinto is listed on the London, New York and Australian securities exchanges. Rio Tinto’s major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy, gold, industrial minerals and iron ore.
Rio Tinto Alcan provides the League with race bibs, which the children are to wear while participating in the League, race panels, banners, certificates and financial support. Rio Tinto Alcan has made it possible to have professionally developed news advertisements created for all clubs in the League. Print advertisements and brochures have also been produced through Rio Tinto Alcan’s generosity.
As the title sponsor of the Rio Tinto Alcan Nancy Greene Ski League, Rio Tinto Alcan is committed to a ski league that encourages a love of skiing in an enjoyable and challenging atmosphere without intense competitive pressures. Rio Tinto Alcan supports BC Alpine's goal in the Rio Tinto Alcan NGSL of encouraging
participation, interaction and the development of skiing skills in an exciting teamwork environment.
Rio Tinto Alcan NGSL Bursary
A $100 Bursary per athlete per zone is available to any athlete who participates in the Rio Tinto Alcan NGSL program as measured by participation and attitude. The athlete must show need and dedication. Clubs and coaches may submit their recommendations directly to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at BC Alpine.
Fundraising
All members of the club MUST participate in fundraising opportunities within the Crystal Mountain Ski Club. Our club retains profits from these fundraising opportunities and these in turn allow us to maintain our cabin, program development, and purchase new equipment for our race team.
Equipment
Boots – Many young skiers have boots that are too big! They should fit snug and should not be purchased big enough for multiple seasons. You can avoid the high cost factor by buying used. A conventional 2 to 4 buckles boot is best. To get a proper fit, remove the inner liner and put the racer’s foot in the shell with the big toe just touching the front of the boot you should have room for one or two fingers behind the skiers heel. With the liner installed, the racer should still be able to flex their ankles, even outside in colder temperatures.
Skis – shaped skis are great for helping a young skier learning to carve. There are more junior race skis available now than ever. Here’s a start to sizing,
40-50 lbs-110 cm
50-60 lbs-120 cm
60-70lbs-130 cm
70-80 lbs-140 cm
80-90 lbs-140-150 cm
Poles – Poles should only be used if you child has the necessary motor skills to coordinate balance and timing. Poles may come before the ability to handle them and they tend to be detrimental in developing technical skills on the slopes. Speak to a coach if you have questions about if you child needs poles. To fit poles, have your child standing in their ski boots and turn the poles upside down. Have them grasp the poles below the basket. The child’s elbow crook should be at a 90° angle.
Helmets – Are mandatory and should fit tight enough so that they don’t move in a fall. To race gates, helmets must have hard ear protection.
Dress in layers – Layering allows you to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature. For example, dress your kids in polypropylene underwear (top and bottoms) which feels good next to the skin, dries quickly, absorbs sweat and keeps you warm. Your kids should also wear a turtle-neck, possibly a sweater or fleece, and of course a jacket. No cotton socks! Proper ski socks are worth the money, and you only have to buy one pair to last a year! Socks of silk, nylon, spandex and wool blends are appropriate. Do not double up on socks. This tends to cut off oxygen and circulation to little feet, making the cold worse!
Sun Protection – Be sure they wear sun protection, even on cloudy days. The sun reflects off the snow and is stronger than you think!
Goggles – Have quality goggles on them. Skiing is a lot more fun when you can see. Always wear proper eye protection.
Be prepared - Mother Nature has a mind of her own. Kids should wear a thin hat under their helmet or in their pocket, 80 percent of heat-loss is through the head. If a child’s jacket does not cover their face when fully zipped, a fleece scarf or mask should be worn. Kids should also wear gloves or mittens (mittens are usually better for kids who are susceptible to cold hands). Pack one or two hot pads in your children’s pockets for those especially cold days on the hill. When buying skiwear, look for fabric that is water and wind-resistant, storm flaps to shield zippers, snug cuffs at wrists and ankles, collars that can be snuggled up to the chin and drawstrings that can be adjusted for comfort and keep wind out. I recommend that your child has the name and phone number written down on a piece of paper/fabric flap and is in a secure pocket along with all their other bits and pieces. Although it is very unlikely that your child would get separated from the coach, be sure your child has a ski hill map and is able to remember the coach's name. Also handy if another child has a similar jacket or snow pants.
Snow Stars
Snow Stars is Alpine Canada Alpin’s (ACA) skill development program for young skiers. This seven-step program outlines the key skills required for children to progress from the beginner to athletic skier and eventually to learn the basic tactical skills needed for a ski racer. The goal of Snow Stars is to encourage the development of skiers and ski racers of all ability levels in a fun and rewarding environment. The program provides the necessary information to ensure that skiing skills are developed and refined in proper sequence, according to the "FUNdamentals" and "Train To Train" phases in ACA’s Alpine Integrated Model (AIM). Each level identifies various skill related goals and provides a means to measure the skill acquisition of each child. The system assesses children on a Bronze, (Sometimes), Silver (Often) and Gold (Always) scale.
Race Schedule
We have away events this season:
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Race Formats
Glalom: Set a course that has a shorter radius than giant slalom but a longer radius thanslalom. “Glalom” is a perfect alternative for this age group and suits development turns with gates at a 12-15 metre radius. Two glalom courses are set side-by-side; normally one red in colour, and the other blue. Approximately 20 turning gates are set in each course. Racers must complete a full race on each course. The race is timed on each course, and the two times are combined for final results. Any mistakes, such as missing a gate, result in 5 second time penalties per gate. Racers who fall on the course are encouraged to get up and continue if possible. If the athlete has fallen and does not feel they can continue, they can either ask a course volunteer to help them get off the course, or get up and ski to the side and then to the bottom to meet the coach or team volunteer.
Ski Cross: A course set to follow natural flow of the hill, sometimes accentuating features such as banks, rollers, tabletops and pitches. Our athletes will train on our natural features on the hill, and run trials on the hill separately, not in teams as seen on television. Our goal is to train to have fun, and by doing it as safe as possible, and this applies to the new sport of ski cross.
Rules
Participants must be a member in good standing with a BC Alpine club
Competitions must be sanctioned by BC Alpine
Helmets are mandatory at all times
Downhill suits are not permitted for BC Alpine competitions in the Okanagan Zone. A downhill suit is considered to be an item of clothing, one or two pieces, constructed of material such as spandex, the purpose of which is speed enhancement. If attending a race in another zone, please ask before the event if downhill suits are allowed.
Children are permitted to use only one pair of skis in competitions
Children are encouraged to participate in terrain, obstacle and giant slalom events
Children compete in both individual, team and skill events in the races
Notes for Racers
- If you become separated from your group you should return to the club cabin where your coach will ski by and reunite the group.
- Riding up the lift with your group means having the safety bar down and skiers under the age of 7 must ride with an adult.
- Know and follow the Skiers Responsibility Code.
- We all represent our club and are expected to act in a polite courteous manner at all times.
- We are some of the best skiers on the mountain; let’s try to help people who don’t get to ski as much as we do e.g. picking up a ski for a beginner who falls.
HAVE FUN!!!! And let your coach know if there’s something keeping you from enjoying our favourite sport of skiing.
Nancy Greene
Nancy Greene was Canada's top ski racer through the 1960's, winning gold and silver medals at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics and overall World Cup titles in 1967 and 68. Her total of 13 World Cup victories is still a Canadian record. She won 17 Canadian Championship titles in all disciplines.
In November 1999 Nancy was named Canada's female athlete of the century, no doubt not only because of her athletic accomplishments but because she has continued to contribute to the sport she loves. The Nancy Greene Ski League, for example, is where young Canadians get their start in ski racing.
Visit www.nancygreene.com for more information on this great Canadian.
Nancy Greene FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How old should my child be?
Crystal Mountain Ski Club uses 5 years of age (as of Dec.31) as the entry level. Most clubs use 6 as the starting age. Children in our program MUST have the skills to ride the T-Bar and get on lifts by themselves, regardless of age.
How good of a skier do they need to be?
Young people vary greatly and progress quickly in their skiing abilities. Your child should able to ski in a basic parallel stance and get down blue runs. If you are unsure or think your child might be ready, ask a Nancy Greene Coach.
What type of ski equipment do they need?
Young children’s skis do not have performance properties as older children skis do. However the newer shape skis even in short lengths do help children turn easier.
Boots should be soft and be the buckle up type. Boots need to fit properly without trying to accommodate for future growth. Warm gloves and clothing is of course very important to the child’s enjoyment. Helmets are mandatory.
What program is after Nancy Greene?
Nancy Greene is the “Early Program” (E1, E2) 5 to 11.
After is the “Kinder Programs” (U14, U16). To continue this stage, other mountains offer Kinder programs. Unfortunately, Crystal Mountain does not.
Then comes sanctioned racing (FIS) which stands for the Federation Intentional Skiing for 16-18. Children get to experience provincial and national racing at this level.
Will my child only be a racer?
The skills for ski racing are the basic skiing skills required to be a strong skier in any type of skiing or terrain. Children who learn these fundamentals will find life long confidence and fun in skiing.
Who teaches/ coaches Nancy Greene’s?
Coaches are either certified by Canadian Ski Coaches Federation and/or Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance.
How are parents involved?
The Nancy Greene program involves the parents of children in races and social events. Parents are given opportunities to take Officials Alpine Canada Courses and improve their own skiing skills, as well as positions on the Committee.
Whole Family Sport
Skiing provides the opportunity for children of all ages to participate at the same time and be active together. Parents are encouraged to spend some time with their athletes group to have fun and maybe even pick up a tip or two from the coach!
Fees
Our program cost this season will be $350.
Any additional children from the same family will get $50 off the price, and be $300 for the season.
Here is what is included in the fee:
Coaching fees
Club maintenance fees
Hydro fees
Clubhouse tax
BC Alpine Liability (2 parents and 1 athlete)
Club Membership with BC Alpine
What is not in included in the program costs are the following:
Coaches accommodations for away races
Lift passes at our hill
Lift passes for away races
Race fees
If your child participates in the races this season, the cost is extra, depending on the overall participation, and which race we decide to attend. Each Zone Race will likely be around $25. This is decided at a later point in the season. Away races can also be discussed at later club meetings.
Tickets/Passes
Participants in NGSL have the following options:
Season pass paid in full.
Buy a 50% off lift pass for the athlete for the days they are participating in NGSL, and regular price if skiing separately from the club.
Purchase a Grade 4/5 Snowpass. AMAZING DEALS. Check out your child's school or www.snowpass.ca for more information.
If under 7, athlete skis for free at Crystal Mountain. A season's pass has an admin fee of $35 or you can go into Guest Services every morning before lessons.
Children’s Fitness Tax Credit
Starting with the 2007 tax year, the Government of Canada allows a non-refundable tax credit based on eligible fitness expenses paid by parents to register a child in a prescribed program of physical activity. Our program qualifies for this credit. Receipts will be issued with payment of program fees. Visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/fitness/ for more information.
Refund Policy
For athletes that are injured during the race season, a pro-rated portion of the coaching fee will be refunded. Medical certificates with a written request for a refund must be submitted directly to the treasurer of the ski club. Refunds will be processed from the date received, not the date of the written request or the medical certificate. BC Alpine fees and money collected through fundraising are non-refundable. Pre-existing medical conditions do not qualify for refunds.
Final Thoughts
There is a progression throughout the different levels; for example, E1 and E2 will spend most of their time free skiing and working on basic skills with some racing. As skiers become more involved in Alpine Ski racing the emphasis is on learning technical and tactical skills. This is achieved through a combination of gate training, free skiing and other on snow training. Nancy Greene is an introduction to ski racing and if a racer is keen about the sport they would join U14 at age 11, U14 athletes still focus on having fun but they ski and race more.
As a club that is run on a volunteer basis there are duties to do, year end fun days to plan, raffle tickets to sell, and decks to shovel - so any offer to help is always appreciated. Your child's coach is the only paid part of this club. Families must clock 5 hours of volunteer time. These hours are passed onto our Volunteer Coordinator.
We hope parents will be supportive of their kids having fun, meeting new friends and learning new skills. Keep in mind, the kids might not consciously realize they are learning but they'll know if they've had fun!
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For news and information, please check the Crystal Mountain Resort website or call: Crystal Resort 250-768-5189