Purgatory Alpine Team consists of athletes who wish to improve their skiing technique through ski racing and race training. This age group encompasses a broad range of both physical and mental development and includes skiers of widely varied abilities. Some of these athletes have been involved in the program for many years, and they are well on their way to become skilled ski racers. Others may be much newer to skiing and ski racing and they have never felt the absolute bliss of a carved ski turn. Whatever the skill level, this age group is in an extremely critical period of their skiing development. The fundamentals and techniques that they learn in these years will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The challenge then is to design a program that will benefit everyone involved.
To that end, The Purgatory Alpine Team will adopt procedures and athlete development from the USSA athlete competency guidelines. These guidelines are useful tools in providing enjoyment, play, and gradual learning in a social environment that promotes a growing and deepening interest in the sport. Fun associated with peers, parental approval and support, and the enjoyment of becoming more proficient at the sport are all important motivations for continued involvement and progress. Copies of the USSA athlete competencies book are available upon request.
The following table gives the breakdown of ages and age classes for your reference:
Junior Alpine competition is divided into age classes set up by the USSA (United States Ski and Snowboarding Association). The age groupings now in effect are:
U18 – 16/17 years of age
U16 – 15/14 years of age
U14 – 13/12 years of age
U12 - 11/10 years of age
U10 – 9/8 years of age
U8 - 7 years and under
Class is determined by age as of December 31 of the current year/season. (e.g. December 31, 2012 for the 2012-2013 season.)
Groups:
All group make up is based primarily on skiing ability and desire and not by age or gender. Our goal is to provide an enjoyable experience with all athletes skiing at the same pace and ability level. Please stay in your assigned group for the day as it can lead to overload on any one particular coach if athletes change groups or show up late.
Daily Training Expectations:
Our goal is to give young athletes a well-balanced experience, which blends all the components of a pleasurable ski day. They are expected to be able to ride the lift on their own and ski unsupervised for a portion of a run. Many times coaches need to prepare a training course for the athletes. Rather than have the athlete’s stand around watching the coach, we prefer they “take a lap”. This means that the athlete will go for a run and come back to the designated training area. The following is a general outline of the skills that will be addressed during the season. This progression can apply to each program, but may have different levels of skill that can expect to be attained. Some groups will be more advanced and move faster while others will take longer to master individual skills and techniques. If you have questions about drills, or skills or progressions that you child is working on, please don’t hesitate to discuss with the coaching staff.
Program Outline
Evaluations and Basic Stance
Basic Stance and Balance, Introduction to the Science of Skiing
Emphasis will remain on directed free skiing, however we will also be spending a lot of time on stance and balance drills. The goal is to ensure that the athlete can ski all terrain while remaining in control using proper stance and balance techniques.
Carving and Completion of Turns
The athletes will be introduced to the concept of a carved versus a skidded turn. Using the completion of a turn across the fall line to maintain control will be taught as well.
Carving, Angulation, and Rhythm
Carving will continue to be emphasized, with the introduction of hip angulation as a tool to make carving easier. The concept of skiing with rhythm will be introduced as well.
Carving, Angulation, Rhythm, and Introduction to Giant Slalom
Concepts introduced in the two previous weekends will be reinforced as we look forward to the GS race on the following week. Rhythmical GS courses will be set as we take the concepts learned in free skiing and apply them to a GS racecourse.
Short Radius Turns, Refocus on Stance and Balance, Slalom Gates
We will continue to teach the concepts of short radius turns, as well as reinforcing carving, angulation, and rhythm skills. We will also re-introduce stance and balance concepts as they pertain to short-radius turns.
Short Radius Turns, Pole Plants, Slalom Gates
Turn initiation and linking of short radius turns will be emphasized as well as an introduction to proper pole plants in directed free skiing.
Basic Stance, Carving, Angulations, and Tactics in GS Gates
A high percentage of time will be spent in GS gates as we teach basic tactical concepts as they pertain to Giant Slalom.
In case of Emergency:
During the course of training athletes may take a wrong turn, a teammate may have an injury, equipment problem or have a miscommunication with the coach. If this happens and you are separated from the group follow this procedure:
- Stay on a well-traveled run, not in the trees.
- Call Leah LeSage at 946-3515
- Wait at the bottom of the lift for your group. If they are not at the lift in a timely manner go to the designated lunch area and wait.
- If it’s after lunch go to the designated training site and wait.
- Tell another coach you are separated from your group and join theirs.
- If your group is not at the designated training site in a timely manner, go to the bottom of the mountain outside Purgy’s and wait.
- Often there are Team Parents at Purgy’s or on the Mountain any of those individuals would help return the athlete to the appropriate group.
- If you don’t find them after looking in these places, check in at the ski school offices or with ski patrol.
Part of the training is to make each athlete comfortable in exploring the mountain on their own while being responsible to the coach and other team members. They will be expected to stay together and return to the designated course. If athletes are not comfortable skiing on their own or with other team members they can stay with their designated coach at the course. Skiers who abuse this privilege and do not return to the designated training site in a timely manner may face the disciplinary actions, including the following:
- Loss of undirected skiing privileges
- Helping the coach prepare the course
- Expulsion from the next training day
- Expulsion from the team
For team members or parents who are not comfortable with this policy Durango Mountain Resort also offers Snow Burners and All Terrain Pioneers.
Alpine Programs
Click any of the links below for additional information.
Snow Demons Program
This program is designed to be a “step-up” program from the fantastic DMR Snowburners program. The intent is to enhance basic skills, create an all day program for those skiers who need more time on snow and are ready for more of a challenge. Athletes will experience all aspects of skiing from basic skills to moguls, tree skiing, park and pipe as well as training on both USSA and NASTAR course. Much of the day will be spent skiing various terrain and skill development and refinement. RACING IS NOT REQUIRED, but for those interested athletes, there is a list of potential appropriate races below.
Southwest Age Class Team
Team Southwest is a program designed for the budding ski racer. The age class team includes athletes 12 and under that have an interest in developing race skills and refining techniques. At the J4 level this will include an opportunity to qualify for the Junior Olympics
Rocky Ability Class Team
This is the ability class team; those athletes who are racing at a higher level and looking toward college racing and more FIS opportunities. This team has a longer season, options for race schedules and higher expectations for training and performance.
Four Corners Freeride
This program is designed for those accomplished skiers who would like to learn Freeride and Big Mountain techniques, including advanced technical skiing skills in a variety of terrains and conditions, tree-skiing, park and pipe techniques including air and tricks, line selection, snow conditions, safety and avalanche training. Training will utilize Durango Mountain Resort, Silverton Mountain and Wolfe Creek as determined by schedule and availability. This program will be initially be limited to 6 participants ages 13 and older. An application and coach recommendation will be required before admittance to this program.
Chapman Only
This program is designed to another training option for those kids who can’t or don’t want to go to DMR every weekend. The intent is to enhance basic skills in short and focused sessions. We would like to foster the team atmosphere and give athletes dedicated training and instruction. This team is also to give athletes a taste of an “ski team” with less financial and time burdens.
FLC/Masters Program
This program is designed for the Fort Lewis athletes to get some training prior to their season and allow any masters or local racers to get some training as well. This will be a Sunday program including some drills and gate training on appropriate course lengths and distances.
