ALPINE RACE TEAM
AN ELITE ALPINE SKI RACE PROGRAM
FOR SKIERS AGES 8+
USSS (US Ski & Snowboard) Alpine Ski Race team, competing in the Connecticut Youth Ski League/Tri-State League
The Mohawk Mountain Alpine Race Team is an elite alpine ski race program for children, age 8 and up. We have U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18+ age groups. Membership on the team is by invitation only, and is based on a number of factors, including a skier’s “AAA Rating” and the unique needs of the team from season to season.
AAA is an assessment of Ability, Attitude and Attendance. A significant number of our team members have come through Mohawk Mountain’s Interclub and DSquad race development programs, giving the Mohawk Mountain Alpine Race Team coaches an opportunity to assess them. Competitive tryouts occur every year in February.
Race Team is a demanding program, requiring significant commitment of time and resources. Members of the Race Team are expected to attend every weekend practice, and optional weekday practices whenever possible. Practice begins in December (weather permitting), and the season can extend into mid March for racers who qualify for post-season competition. Travel for competition to other ski areas is a necessity, as is membership with USSS, Tri-State and CYSL.
The rewards of membership are also significant! Race Team members receive outstanding coaching, resulting in marked improvements from season to season. Team members forge friendships with teammates and coaches that last lifetimes, and learn to compete at the highest level while displaying unrivaled sportsmanship.
ALPINE RACE TEAM ELIGIBILITY
RACE TEAM MEMBERS MUST BE AGE 8 OR OLDER AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2024, BIRTH YEARS 2007 THROUGH 2016. MEMBERSHIP IS BY INVITATION ONLY. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO RECEIVE AN INVITATION:
1) RETURNING RACERS SHOULD REGISTER ONLINE BEGINNING ON AUGUST 5TH, 2024. RETURNING RACERS MUST REGISTER BEFORE AUGUST 18TH, 2024 TO RETAIN THEIR AUTOMATIC INVITATION. IF A RETURNING RACER FAILS TO COMPLETE THEIR REGISTRATION BY AUGUST 18TH, 2024, THEIR INVITATION WILL BE REVOKED.
2) NEW MEMBERS OF THE TEAM WILL RECEIVE EMAILED INVITATIONS FROM MOHAWK MOUNTAIN ALPINE RACE TEAM DIRECTOR IN MID-AUGUST WITH DETAILS OF HOW TO REGISTER.
REGISTRATION
2024/25 REGISTRATION BEGINS ON AUGUST 5TH, 2024, EXCLUSIVELY AT WWW.MOHAWKMTN.COM. ALL RETURNING RACE TEAM REGISTRATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN AUGUST 18TH, 2024 OR INVITATIONS TO JOIN THE TEAM WILL BE REVOKED. NEW RACE TEAM INVITATIONS WILL BE SENT OUT IN MID AUGUST. IN THE FALL YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INFORMATIONAL PACKET, WHICH WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT SCHEDULES, REQUIRED EQUIPMENT, USSS/CYSL/TRI-STATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION, ETC. PLEASE BE SURE TO PROVIDE US WITH ACCURATE EMAIL ADDRESSES, AS EMAIL FROM [email protected]
WHO SHOULD REGISTER FOR RACE TEAM?
MEMBERS OF 2023-2024 RACE TEAM. IF YOUR CHILD WAS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF THE 2023-2024 RACE TEAM, YOU MAY REGISTER FOR THE RACE TEAM. YOU MUST REGISTER BETWEEN AUGUST 5TH, 2024 AND AUGUST 18TH, 2024 TO GUARANTEE A TEAM SPOT. IF YOU FAIL TO REGISTER BY AUGUST 18TH, 2024, YOU WILL FORFEIT YOUR SPOT ON THE TEAM, AND IT WILL BE OFFERED TO A NEW PARTICIPANT.
IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR RACE TEAM. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ELIGIBILITY, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (860) 672-6100 OR EMAIL AUSTIN BAIRD, SNOWSPORTS CO-DIRECTOR, AT [email protected]
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
MOHAWK MOUNTAIN ALPINE RACE TEAM IS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF AUSTIN BAIRD, DIRECTOR, SNOWSPORTS DISCOVERY CENTER AT MOHAWK MOUNTAIN, AND HEAD COACHES TIM RUH AND JAKE HOLMQUIST.
AS HEAD COACH, TIM PROVIDES EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP OVER ATHLETE & COACH RECRUITMENT, COACHES EDUCATION & TRAINING, THE ATHLETES TRAINING CURRICULUM AND TEAM COMMUNICATIONS. TIM HAS COLLEGE LEVEL SKI RACING EXPERIENCE AND HAS COACHED BOTH HIGH SCHOOLS AND THE MMART FOR SEVERAL SEASONS. TIM IS A CERTIFIED USSS ALPINE COACH AND RACE OFFICIAL.
RACERS ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP IN USSS, TRI-STATE ALPINE SKI RACING ASSOCIATION, AND CONNECTICUT YOUTH SKI LEAGUE. LINKS FOR REGISTRATION AND RENEWALS ARE SUPPLIED IN THE FALL.
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS MUST BE NO MORE THAN 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM MOHAWK MOUNTAIN AND BE ABLE TO DROP WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHEN THE PROGRAM IS IN SESSION.