Programming
Age Group Overview
U16s
This basic outline describes a typical U16 full time or weekend skiers’ season with MWVST.
Our goal is to provide a smooth transition from children's racing to scored and seeded USSS racing for our 14 and 15 year old athletes. The U16 program welcomes skiers from all of the valley’s youth programs, as well as interested athletes from outside of the valley.
When you register for the U16 program, the ski season starts when local mountains open and there is space to run safe, and productive programming. Our main focus for the first month of the season is basic fundamental skill sets, including lots of balance work and an emphasis on general kinesthetic awareness. We accomplish these tasks through extensive drill work and repetitive movement patterns on snow. The next step for our skiers, before they start full length gate training is turn shape drills that bring the fundamentals from free skiing into dictated direction changes. This portion of the programming is crucial in order for our U16s to have the ability to make positive changes to their technique and tactics before training in tall gates.
U16 athletes will pursue the U16 NHARA Tecnica Cup qualifier schedule, and will participate in open races and compete in the Macomber Cup events throughout NH in the early part of the season. The NHARA U16 Tecnica Cup qualifiers are seeded by USSS national points, therefore committing to early season races is vital in order to secure adequate starting positions in the Tecnica Cup, especially for our first year U16 athletes. The Tecnica Cup qualifiers are designed for New Hampshire U16 skiers to compete head to head in multiple disciplines in order to qualify for the NHARA State Championship events where the athletes will compete with the best USSS skiers in the state, including U18s & U21s.
We continue to emphasize basic skill set development in the middle part of the season, but shift our focus a bit to boost race day performance. Mindset work, and quality race simulation runs are just a couple of examples of important focuses we add to on hill training sessions.
Ultimately, the results from the NHARA State Championship events qualify athletes through an annually adjusted New Hampshire quota of men and women U16s into the following Eastern region postseason events:
U16 Eastern Championships - Ronnie Berlack Grand Prix
U16 Eastern Finals
For more information regarding the postseason qualification process, refer to the NHARA handbook.
It is important to revisit the rules and criteria each season if you want to stay up to speed with the U16 qualification criteria’s structure. The Ronnie Berlack Grand Prix qualifies a number of men and women to the U16 Nationals event where all of the United States’ best U16s come together to compete in early April.
After the U16 Tecnica Cup series, and NHARA State Championships conclude, there are still a variety of open races, and Lafoley spring series events happening throughout the state. Oftentimes, athletes are continuing to improve and peak toward the end of the season during the championship events, and it is always guaranteed to be a fun and rewarding time as we approach the end of the year.
U18/21s - USSS Racing
This basic outline describes a typical U18/21 full time or weekend skier focusing on USSS racing with MWVST.
The U18/21 program is designed to provide a high energy, competitive, and safe on-snow environment for 16 to 21 year old athletes in order to prepare them for both USSS and FIS sanctioned events. The U18/21 program welcomes athletes from all of the valley’s programs, as well as teams outside of the Mount Washington Valley.
The U18s and U21s will have the choice to pursue USSS races, FIS sanctioned races, or a combination of the two. Our programs are tailored to fit every skier’s needs, and we are equipped to support each athlete’s basic fundamental skill development as well as help them attain their individual short, and long term performance goals.
When you register for the U18/21 program with a focus on USSS racing, the ski season starts when local mountains open and there is space to run safe, and productive programming. Our goals for the first month or so of the season for this age group are very similar to our U16 track.
Basic fundamental skill sets, balance work, and general kinesthetic awareness are the center of attention at the beginning of the ski season. We accomplish these tasks through extensive drill work, and free skiing to solidify positive movement patterns on snow before they start full length gate training. Turn shape drills with brushes and stubbies are equally as important. U18 and U21s will progress their focuses in free skiing to training environments where turn shape is dictated for them.
Most of our U18/21 athletes focus on early season USSS open races, and the NHARA Macomber Cup events which begin in early January.
Accumulating Macomber Cup points qualifies U18/21 athletes for the NHARA State Championships at the end of February - an event bringing together the best U16, U18, and U21 skiers in the state. Mac Cup races are held all over the state of New Hampshire and include Super G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom disciplines. The Macomber Cup series is highly regarded because both the men and women’s overall point winners from the series are awarded with a brand new mountain bike.
Upon completion of the Macomber Cup events, USSS focused athletes will be encouraged to pursue the Lafoley Spring Series, and other great race opportunities to lower their point profile toward the end of March into the beginning of April. Races such as the UNH Fundraiser and Sugar Slalom in Stowe, Vermont, are perfect examples of events that can prepare each individual for better start positions the following year. Athletes that are successful within USSS events will be encouraged to take the next step toward the FIS level of competition.
Mount Washington Valley Ski Team has many U18/21 athletes that are racing for their respective High Schools all over New England. We are proud to support the Eastern High School Championships every March. MWVST encourages our members to prepare for their in-state Meet of Champions in hopes of qualifying for the four day regional championship event. All of the preparation through USSS open races and series, such as the Macomber Cup and Lafoley series, will help them get ready for this special event.
U18/21 - USSS & FIS Racing
This basic outline describes a typical U18/21 full time or weekend skier focusing on USSS and FIS racing with MWVST.
FIS racing (Federation Internationale de Ski) is for athletes ages 16 and older looking to race at a more competitive, regional, national, and international level. If an athlete has an aspiration to take ski racing further whether it be, pursuing the U.S. Team, a NCAA collegiate team, or skiing at the highest level available for U18/U21 athletes, then FIS racing should be their main focus.
Many MWV Ski Team athletes are looking to race in both USSS races and FIS events throughout the season. The preparation and overall approach to fundamentals, and skier development is the same whether you are focusing on USSS racing, FIS events, or both within this age group. As a U18 or U21, an open line of communication with the head coach is crucial in order to prepare, plan, and be in agreement on a suitable athlete schedule prior to the season, as well as during. It is also important to revisit the athlete’s season plan each off-season, so any appropriate changes can be made for athlete fulfillment and future success.
Athletes focusing on USSS and FIS racing will compete in a thoughtfully designed, mixed schedule of NHARA USSS races, and regional FIS events.
FIS series are typically multi-day regional events. They require preparation and coordination in advance, and carry extra costs such as transportation, lodging, and coaches travel expenses. Please refer to the ‘On the Road with the MWV Ski Team’ section, near the end of the handbook for more details on traveling with the club.