Program Overview
The Wildcat Ski Team trains at Wildcat Mountain located across from Mount Washington and Tuckerman's Ravine in Pinkham Notch, NH. The ski team operates out of a separate race building fondly referred to as the "Den". The Den provides plenty of room for the athletes to prepare for training and race days, eat lunch, warm up on cold days, watch training video and "hang out" with their teammates. It's our home away from home at Wildcat.
Our training and race program operates from December 1st through March 31st. Athletes train each weekend day during this period, as well as during public school vacation weeks (Christmas and NH and MA February school vacation weeks).
Training begins promptly at 9 a.m. and typically ends 3 p.m. each day. Athletes are expected to arrive 15 minutes early to ensure they are prepared to begin training on time. Depending on age, athletes will train Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G, with more emphasis on Slalom and Giant Slalom element training. These two events help young racers develop balance, feel and edge control in big and small radius turns as well as respond to changes in terrain and conditions. The ability to ride a fast ski as a mature racer depends on feel and balance, and it is much easier to develop these basic skills at a young age. Athletes are able to perform big and small radius turns in a relaxed manner and develop good muscle memory patterns.
Gate training is a key element of our curriculum and increases in importance as the athletes increase in age. We begin gate training with short, rhythmical, fall line courses and progress over the season to longer, more difficult courses on steeper slopes. We also use a number of basic elements to develop good body position and discipline. Timed runs and video will are used to help the athletes understand and evaluate their stance, line and tactics. Free skiing, tree skiing and obstacle courses will be used to challenge balance and agility, and to have fun.