Hand Tuning Skis with Alex Martin

Learning from the Pros: Hand Tuning with Alex Martin

This past April I had the opportunity to join a handful of ski tuning professionals at a ski tuning clinic offered by Ted Ligety’s personal ski tuner, Alex Martin. The tuning clinic, presented by Head Skis and hosted by The Speed Factory in West Campton NH, was an amazing opportunity to see the latest hand tuning techniques and advance my skills in one of the most respected crafts in the ski industry.

Alex Martin is World Cup ski racer and Olympian, Ted Ligety‘s right hand man on the hill since 2010. Just as Ted’s coaching staff watches Ted on the course and advises him on his performance, Alex watches Ted on the course and makes changes to improve the performance of his skis. When Ted is testing a course, Alex takes notes and Ted’s feedback and works on improving the skis until they are just right. Quite often, they do not even discuss the changes, Alex makes observations, makes changes based on his knowledge and experience and then just lets Ted ski them and tell him what he thought.

Ted Ligety skis Giant Slalom, Super-G, Slalom, Combined and Downhill. Typically he tests about 50 pairs of GS skis per year plus he also tests skis for all the disciplines he races…and that’s just for training! Alex tunes the trainers exactly the same as the race skis, except for the wax so that Ted gets a good feel for the tune. He will use different waxes and overlays on race day to make the skis as fast as possible. Alex hand tunes every single pair of Ted’s skis from brand new to race ready. You can imagine how many skis go across Alex Martin’s tuning bench each season. He and Ted will test skis until they find a pair for each event that they believe are the fastest, and those skis are put aside to be used exclusively on race day for Ted’s actual race runs. Once a ski has a nick in the edge, it is done and a new pair of skis is used.

Hand tuning is super simple, yet incredibly in-depth. Alex doesn’t use any fancy high-tech equipment. He uses simple basic hand tuning tools that anyone can easily source and learn to use. Some basic tools he recommends every ski racer own are (most of these items can be found in our Peak Race Tuning Kit):

Swix 2nd Cut Race File / Panzer file
3° side edge file guide
Swix Sand paper (120 grit and 400 grit)
Swix Fibertex
Swix Fiberlene
Temperature controlled iron or Digital iron
Nylon Roto Brush (and shaft)
Diamond stones – 100 grit, 200 grit, 400 grit and 600 grit
Brush Assortment – Brass brush, Nylon brush, Horsehair brush
A good supply of waxes for training and racing

Alex is incredibly in-tune with each and every ski he lays his hands on. He finesses every step from pulling the sidewall to finely polishing the edges. Alex was full of tips and tricks of the trade as well as words of wisdom for both novice and experienced ski tuners alike. From this clinic I gained a gratitude for hand tuning skis and a certification from Head Skis and Alex Martin himself.

I’ve been hand tuning skis since I was a young ski racer and race tuning skis at Peak Performance Ski Shop since 2006. I went to this clinic to watch a true pro and master at work and learn the little nuances that make the difference. I left this clinic feeling invigorated and excited to bring what I learned back to the shop.

Post-camp summer ski wax

What should you do with your skis after summer ski camp?

After summer ski camp, properly cleaning your skis, prepping them and applying summer ski wax for summer storage is going to increase the lifespan of your skis and get you back on snow quicker and easier in the fall.

Follow these steps to properly clean your skis and apply summer ski wax:

Clean your skis. Hose your skis off to remove chemicals, dirt and organic particles and allow your skis to dry overnight. Glacier snow is very dirty and full of chemicals that are used to make the snow firm.
Remove the residual wax fluorocarbon from the skis. Once your skis are clean and dry, if you want to further clean the fluoros out of bases we suggest using Swix Glide Wax Cleaner. We do not recommend using a citrus based cleaner it removes wax and lubrication from the ski bases and dries them out.
Assess whether your skis need to be ground. If they need any base work have them welded, the edges set and fully tuned. We recommend our Elite Race Ski Prep (T3-STAGE-2).
Hand sharpen the skis. If bases are in good condition and there is no need to grind/machine tune the skis, hand sharpen the skis with diamond stones (sometimes called moon stones) or files to remove any dings, burrs, or rust from the ski edges. Use a Swix 2nd Cut Race File or 100 grit MoonFlex Diamond File and a 200 grit MoonFlex Diamond File to sharpen the edges, then follow with a 400 grit MoonFlex Diamond File and a 600 grit MoonFlex Diamond File to finish sharpening the edges and polish the edges.
Condition the bases. To truly pull all the fluoros out of the skis and properly condition the bases you can take the skis through several hot waxing and scraping cycles. To hot scrape; iron in a coat of Swix CH8 or CH10, and before the ski wax is fully cooled – scrape it off. It is ideal to do this to a point where you no longer see any dirt coming out of the ski base. Generally, one to three cycles of ski wax and scraping does the trick.
Wax the skis. Finish with a coat of summer ski wax or storage wax. Iron in a coat of Swix CH7 or CH8 all-purpose wax. Leave this wax on the ski until you ski again in fall/winter.
Strap and store the skis. Use ski straps to secure the skis base to base, and store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Store them in a closet in the main part of your house or under your bed. Do not store skis in the basement or garage – the concrete floors will cause the edges to rust.

Proper cleaning and ski wax is essential to prolong the life of your skis. Taking care of your skis in the summer will make getting back on snow in winter quicker and easier. When you return to snow in the fall/winter, just scrape off the summer ski wax and you are ready to ski!

5 Reasons to buy new junior race skis

Should you buy new junior race skis?

Your child is returning from summer ski camp. If you haven’t decided already, now is the time to decide whether to keep the skis they are bringing home from camp or buy new junior race skis. But how do you know when it is time to move on from a pair of skis?

Plan ahead to buy new junior race skis for your child when they need them. — Peak Ski Shop customer Amanda J.

There are several reasons to buy new junior race skis:

USSA/FIS rules change. There are different rules for each age category that dictate ski length and ski radius. These rules can change from season to season. They are determined at the USSA Congress in April each year. Keep up-to-date on the USSA ski racing rules matrix so you know if the rules have changes for the category your child skis in and whether you have to buy new skis. We’ve summed up the 2015-16 ski rule changes in our blog post Race Ski Rules 2015-16 for USSA and FIS Alpine Racers.
USSA/FIS Category change. If your child changes racing category (ie; goes from a U12 to a U14) they will probably need a new pair of skis as well as some other new equipment (helmet, shin guards, etc.) Refer to your local ski racing club website or the USSA Alpine Athlete Rules (this will not be completely updated for the up-coming season until September) to determine what equipment you will need to replace. We summed up the helmet rule changes in our blog post USSA Ski Racing Helmet Rules for 2015-16. We think the Pennsylvania Alpine Racing Association (PARA) did a nice job summarizing the 2015-16 rule changes on their website with their page USSA Updates for 2015/16 Season.
Growth spurt. Where do your child’s skis measure up to them? Recommended length for SL skis is between the mouth and forehead. Recommended length for GS skis is 10 – 20cm longer than their SL skis (this varies/changes as the child gets older). Minimum length for junior GS skis should be head height, and the more skillful junior skiers should be skiing on GS skis that are over head height. If your child’s current SL or GS skis are already too short or very close to being too short, it is time to move on.
Performance Issues. Does the ski your child is currently using work for your child? Can they turn the ski they are using effectively? Or do they need a softer or stiffer ski? Talk to your child’s coaches and determine if you should buy new junior race skis that will work better for your child.
Quality Issues. How do the bases look? How do the edges look? How many times has the ski been tuned? When you have watched your child ski does it seem to perform as it should? Does your child have any feedback on how they feel it is performing? We feel a junior race ski in its 2nd season of use can still be a good race ski. A junior race ski in its 3rd season of use should be used as a trainer only. A junior race ski in its 4th season of use should be replaced. If the skis your child is currently using have been handed down several times, or was purchased used and is starting to look pretty bad, it’s probably time to replace it.

Peak Ski Shop customer Kyle B. with an appropriate length GS ski for his age. — Peak Ski Shop customer Kyle B.

Ski racing is an expensive sport. Don’t become a ski collector. Make a decision to get new skis in spring or summer and sell off the skis you are replacing as soon as possible to fund the next pair of skis. Selection is best for buying new skis in summer and fall. Many places hold used ski swaps in the fall. New Englanders can usually find a list of used ski swaps on Boston.com, or skimaven.com does a nice comprehensive list each year. We feel the best time and place to sell off used race gear in Vermont is at the Pico Ski Swap or the Killington Ski Club Ski Swap on Columbus Day weekend at the Snowshed Base Lodge at Killington Resort. The Killington Swap is one of the largest used ski swaps on the east coast and typically has a lot of race skis, gear and race suits.

So when your kids get back from summer ski camp, take some time and determine if now is the time to buy new junior race skis. The sooner you do it the better the chance of getting what you want and need. You don’t need to pre-order your race skis or wait for a special day to buy them – manufacturer’s sponsored race pricing is available every day of the year for USSA and FIS racers at Peak Performance Ski Shop and on peakskishop.com.

USSA Ski Racing Helmet Rules for 2015-16

What are the ski racing helmet rules for 2015-16 and who do they apply to?

Beginning in season 2016 athletes U14 and older must use helmets that meet the new FIS helmet rules for ski racing for all USSA GS, SG and DH competitions.

The USSA and FIS Helmet Regulations issued by the USSA/US Ski Team states that for the season 2015-16 helmets bearing the FIS RH 2013 sticker are required for all U14 and older USSA alpine competitions (scored and non- scored). Previously the FIS approved helmets were recommended for U14 and older athletes (so all kids 12 years and older) – now they are required. These ski racing helmet rules do not currently affect Masters ski racers, the USSA tabled the decision to require masters racers to wear FIS approved helmets pending feedback from the FIS meetings in June.

The ski racing helmet rules for Kombi competitions have not changed; athletes must use the helmet that meets the standards for the faster discipline being contested.

According to the USSA, helmets must cover the head and ears. Helmets with spoilers or edges that stick out are not permitted. Protective features integral to the event being contested, such as chin guards on SL helmets are permitted. Soft ear protection is only permitted for helmets used in SL. Helmet mounted cameras are not allowed on helmets in official training or competition.

Currently the following race ski helmets are FIS approved and comply to the new USSA ski racing helmet rules for speed events (GS, SG and DH):

Briko Vulcano FIS Helmet
Head Stivot Race Helmet
POC Skull Orbic X Helmet
POC Skull Orbic Comp Helmet
Shred Mega Brain Bucket RH Helmet
Rossignol Hero 9 FIS Helmet
Uvex Race+ Helmet
Bolle Podium Helmet
Atomic Redster WC Helmet

There are no ski racing helmet rules for slalom. A racer can wear the same helmet that they wear for speed events for SL as well. Many athletes prefer a ‘soft ear’ helmet for slalom racing, but their team or club will not allow them to wear one. Check with your team or club to see if they allow soft ear helmets for SL racing.

For more information, Ski Racing Magazine summarized all the race ski equipment rule changes for 2015-16 in their article Upcoming alpine rule changes you need to know.

If you still have questions about ski racing helmet rules, please give us a call at Peak Performance Ski Shop at 802-422-9447.

Wax for Mt Hood ski camp

Wondering what the proper wax for Mt Hood summer ski camp is?

Conditions

Skiing on the Palmer Glacier in summer is a lot like late spring skiing conditions at most American ski resorts: dirty and very variable. Therefore, to get the best performance out of your skis it is important to take the proper ski wax for Mt Hood with you to camp. When skiing on the Palmer Glacier at Mt Hood you need to protect your skis from abrasion. Dirt and dust particles attach to the glacier snow pack and very sharp ice crystals form from the salt used to keep the surface hard. The snow is very dirty and cycles every day from very hard to very soft and back again.

At summer ski camp, the ski racers are waxing and tuning their own skis daily under the guidance of their coaches. Waxing their skis every day at ski camp is important to keep the bases clean and gliding well in a variety of temperatures and on chemically treated snow. The temperature on the glacier changes every day from air temperatures 20°F – 30°F first thing in the morning to 60°F – 70°F by 11am or noon.

Wax

CH7X (Swix) (purple/violet) is the best all-around wax for Mt Hood summer ski camp. It is hard enough to protect the skis in the morning on the cold and chemically treated snow, yet still gives good glide later in the day when the temperature gets warm with strong sun.

If you are going to ski camp at Mt Hood for 2 weeks you will need a minimum of one (1) 180 gram bar of Swix CH7X. Two (2) 180gm bars of Swix CH7X wax should get you through 10 days of skiing SL and GS at Mt Hood. Make sure you seal the wax up in a ziplock bag when you put it in your gear bag to fly to camp. If your luggage and/or plane sits on the tarmac and things heat up the wax may melt. Proper packing before flying will save you the time, effort and expense of trying to find wax at camp and a lot of clean up later.

After Camp

Despite daily waxing at camp, the salt and abrasive conditions can still dry the ski bases out. We recommend thoroughly cleaning the bases and tuning and waxing your skis after any summer ski camp. Subscribe to our blog to read our upcoming post that talks about cleaning your skis and what to do with your skis after summer ski camp.

Happy Father’s Day ski racing dad!

For your tireless efforts on and off the hill, we thank you ski racing dad.

To all the ski racing dads out there, we recognize how much you do to keep your kids ski racing. We see you early in the morning picking up skis so that your kids have sharp edges and the proper wax for racing that day. We see you in the evening after having spent all day on the hill in the freezing cold, to drop of skis so they can be properly tuned for their next use. We appreciate the time and effort it takes to get your child into the proper gear they need for the season and get them out on the hill each day.

Ski racing dad and his daughter enjoying a non-race day skiing together. The skills she has learned from ski racing have enabled her to ski in the woods with dad comfortably. — Ski racing dad and his daughter enjoy a non-race day together.

Spending time in a ski shop with a child trying on helmets, goggles and race suits can be a thankless job, especially once the season is in full swing and selection is depleted. You’ve put up with it all – making sure they have the helmet brand and style that meets racing rules and that meets your child’s criteria too (none of their friends have that color…or some other kid who is a really good ski racer has it…or some other reason that no one will ever know), and the race suit that they want not only fits, but fits with a little room to grow (but not too much room, so they will actually wear it this year) and hopefully it will last more than one season. And for the 50 pairs of goggle you have endured them trying on to finally find one that fits their little faces and comes in a color that they will wear – only to lose them from the lift a few weeks later.

Ski racing dad, we know what you go through, and we appreciate you! Happy Father’s Day, ski racing dad!

Race Ski Rules 2015-16 for USSA and FIS Alpine Racers

Need help determining the 2015-16 race ski rules?

Every year the USSA Congress meets in May to review (and revise) the standards for FIS and USSA ski racing. Watch this short video: Alpine – Sport Committee Recap- USSA Congress for a brief overview of all changes to the race ski rules for alpine ski racing. After the meeting they distribute a new equipment matrix that details the alpine race ski rules for the upcoming ski racing season. The USSA and FIS Alpine Equipment Rules Matrix 2015-16 (ver 6) shows the ski length and radius rules for each age category for the 2015-16 season. As you can see from the image below, this matrix can get pretty confusing, so we have interpreted the chart for you.

U14 Racers (racers age 12 and 13 years old)

Race ski rules for ski length and radius have not changed for U14 athletes 2015-16 season.

U14 athletes SL and GS there is no ski radius or ski length requirement.
U14 Super G there is no length or radius rule but the recommendation is to use a GS or SG ski that is 10 – 20 cm longer than your GS ski.

U16 Racers (racers age 15 and 14 years old)

Race ski rules for ski length and radius have not changed for U16 athletes 2015-16 season.

U16 athletes SL there is no ski radius or ski length ski requirement. Most athletes this age should be skiing 150cm or longer slalom ski.
U16 athletes GS there is a radius requirement of 17m or greater. This enables the U16 athlete to use most skis manufactured from 160cm on up (with some companies having a 155cm ski that is greater than 17m for GS). That being said, most athletes this age should be starting to look to adult skis 175cm – 188cm with a radius of 23m are greater for GS. This will make their transition to U19 much easier.
U16 Super G skis will need to be 183cm or longer and have a radius greater than 27m. All Super G specific skis on the market today that are 183cm or longer conform to this regulation of 27m or greater. In many cases athletes use GS skis for Super G and most GS skis will have a radius greater than 27m, but you need to double-check the ski.

U19 Racers (formerly called U18 – racers age 16 years and older)

For the new age designation – U19, which replaces U18 for athletes age 16 – 17 and 18 years old, there are different requirements for men and women. These race ski rules are different from last year.

U19 Mens SL regulation is to have a ski 155cm or longer. Full sized males will probably be faster on a 165cm SL ski and should probably move to this as soon as possible.
U19 Womens SL require a ski that is 155cm or longer.
U19 Mens GS USSA requirement is for GS skis that are 180cm or longer and greater than 23m. (If they are racing any FIS races, follow FIS rule.)
U19 Womens GS USSA requirement is for GS skis that are 175cm or longer and greater than 23m. (If they are racing any FIS races, follow FIS rule.)
U19 Mens Super G ski requirement is 200cm or longer and greater than 33m radius skis. What this means is that all SG skis that have been produced in the last 10 yrs 200cm or longer are legal – none of these Super G skis are FIS legal though, only USSA legal.
U19 Women Super G ski requirement is 195cm or longer and greater than 33m radius skis. What this means is that all adult SG skis that have been produced in the last 10 yrs 195cm or longer are legal – none of these Super G skis are FIS legal though, only USSA legal. Be aware, there are some Junior Super G skis on the market that are 195cm that have 27 – 30 meter radius. These skis are not legal for USSA U19 ski racing.

The 2015-16 race ski rules explained above apply to athletes who are only participating in USSA races. All U14 and U16 athletes ski USSA races only. These athletes should concentrate on the USSA ski regulations. At the U19 level athletes have a choice; they can ski USSA races only, they can ski FIS races only or they can ski both USSA and FIS races. Some U19 athletes opt to ski USSA races only, these athletes should use the USSA U19 ski regulations. Some U19 athletes opt to ski in both USSA and FIS – it is recommended for these athletes both men and women conform to the FIS regulations for both training and racing USSA and FIS events. The above mentioned rules do not apply to U19 racers skiing in FIS races only.

FIS Racers (racers age 16 and older)

FIS race ski rules, which apply to athletes 16 yrs and older that are skiing FIS races have not changed. These race ski rules apply to all athletes skiing any FIS races.

FIS Mens SL requires skis that are 165cm or longer – all FIS men use a 165cm ski.
FIS Womens SL requires skis that are 155cm or longer. SL skis are available in 155cm, 156cm, 157cm, and 158cm (length varies by manufacturer) – which are all suitable sizes for women.
FIS Mens GS skis required are 190cm or longer with a radius greater than 35m. (Most male athletes use the 195cm GS ski.)
FIS Womens GS skis required are 183cm or longer with a radius greater than 30m. (Most female athletes use the 188cm ski.)
FIS Mens Super G skis are required to be 205cm or longer with a 45m radius. (Which means Super G skis that have been produced within the last 3 years.)
FIS Womens Super G skis are required to be 200cm or longer with a 40 m radius. (Which means SG skis that have been produced within the last 3 years.)

The race ski rules can get pretty confusing. If you are unsure which skis your kids need to ski, give us a call at 802-422-9447.

Is Shipping Really Free?

Free Shipping is an important buying decision for most people.

Written by Wayne Collier of www.fljean.com

The free shipping phenomenon started when shopping on the internet became a popular past time for millions of people around the world. In the beginning days sellers would have the best price but hit you at check out with an inflated shipping cost. Most would get very disappoint and swear off internet buying. The major market places realized this right away and offered discounts and encouraged their sellers to offer free shipping. Not to be left behind major shipping services offered free shipping supplies to help offset the cost of shipping so sellers would use their service.

Shipping is not free to the sellers; we pay the shippers to deliver your clothing to you. However everyone involved agrees how important free shipping is and has done something to help offset the cost of shipping to the sellers.

Shipping to a buyer might be free if you pay attention to a few key factors. Key points to watch for are:

Number 1 compare prices on same product to make sure the clothing is not inflated to cover shipping cost.
Number 2 awareness of where the product is shipping from. Some sellers ship from overseas and those shipments run a high risk of getting lost. Your ability to track your package from an oversea seller offering free shipping could be limited by language bearer, different time zones or fine print might state they are not responsible for lost shipments.
Number 3 is check a sellers rating or buy from a reputable business. Look closes at this you might think you are buying from a major company but in reality you are purchasing form a sub seller on their website. This practice has become increasing popular in today’s market place.
Number 4 is make sure free shipping is free no matter how much you spend not based how much you purchase.

These four facts will help you get the real free shipping you deserve.

Free Shipping can be a great thing for an internet clothing buyer, just read the fine print before you click the buy button. Buy often and buy from a reputable internet seller our world depends on it.

How to choose a Back Protector for ski racing

A back protector is an important piece of protection for a ski racer.

POC Spine VPD 2.0 Vest back protector for ski racing — POC Spine VPD 2.0 Back Protector Vest

Everyday we get asked about back protectors…”do I need to wear a back protector?” or “who needs to wear a back protector?” or “do they really work?” We cannot answer these questions for you, but what we can do is educate you to help you make a more informed decision for yourself. Back protectors are designed to distribute impact pressure across your entire back in the event of a crash or fall. Instead of taking a sharp hit to one specific spot when you fall, a back protector will absorb the force and distribute it more evenly. This helps you to avoid broken vertebrae.

POC Spine VPD back protector for ski racing — Vest-style back protector from POC

Slytech 2nd Skin Back Pro XT - YXTBPLC back protector for ski racing — “Back pack-style” back protector from Slytech

In Europe, wearing a back protector is the norm for all skiers. Here in the United States back protectors are primarily worn by competitive skiers – whether they be alpine racers, freestyle competitors or big mountain skiers. There are several different back protectors on the market. The two brands we like the best and sell in our store are POC and Slytech. Both brands have done extensive R & D and offer products that meet the highest US and International safety standards.

POC coccyx protector that can be added to a POC back protector

There are several different types of back protectors, but all perform essentially the same function – protecting your back! One style is somewhat of a “backpack” style – where the back protector sits against your spine and is held in place by a waist belt and suspenders. On this style of back protector racers can remove the waist belt and suspenders and just stuff the actual back protector into their race suit while racing. Another style of back protector is an actual mesh vest with a pocket in the back that the back protector goes in that holds the protector at exactly the right spot for proper protection. For racing, the back protector in this vest could be removed and stuffed in a race suit as well. There are also additional coccyx protectors available that velcro onto both of these styles of back protector for additional protection. Choosing the style that is right for you is really a function of comfort, and if you are a racer – comfort and whatever fits within the guidelines of your sport.

Once you have chosen the style of back protector that is right for you it is essential to get the proper fit. Mike Martini of POC Sports USA explains proper fit in this video:

For proper fit of a back protector you should make sure that the protector covers from C4 on your spine (the knob you feel just below the base of your neck if you tilt your head forward) to the top of your tailbone (L5), which is just above the top of your butt crack. It is important to make sure placement of the back protector is correct so that it does not interfere with your helmet when you are squatting down (or when a racer is in a tuck position). Since the back protector will be partially in your pants, you might also want to make sure that your pants still fit comfortably when you have your back protector on.

Back protectors are increasingly the norm among skiers and ski racers all over the world, but they don’t help you if you don’t wear them or they don’t fit right. There is no one single style of back protector that is better than any other. The most important considerations when choosing a back protector is that it is properly sized and the most comfortable to you.

Advantages of Junior ski racing

There are many advantages of junior ski racing.

Some might say the ultimate of the advantages of junior ski racing is the freedom it affords the parent! You’ve “done your time” – teaching your kids to ski, slogging down the bunny slopes, riding the poma all day and dealing with their temper tantrums. You’re thrilled that you child finally loves skiing as much as you do, and now wants to race – but what specifically are the advantages of junior ski racing for the child/athlete?

Good physical activity.
Instills good organizational skills – requires the athlete to organize their time appropriately to get schoolwork, training and racing in regularly.
Teaches discipline and how to deal with authority and constructive criticism.
Encourages social interaction and levels the playing field between males and females thereby fostering peer groups of equals instead of cliques and dating scenes (in the older groups).
Promotes teamwork through sharing tasks related to racecourse set up in training and on race day.
Builds confidence through good work ethic, persistence and follow through – they get to see their hard work produce results. They learn that their result is THEIR result and that they can’t always win, but they should not give up, after much failure there will be success.
Helps them learn self-assessment skills and enables them to visualize success.
Increases awareness of their environment and surroundings and its effect on their performance, as well as how to assess a situation and plan accordingly.
Encourages independence and responsibility – In their younger years the parent takes care of equipment and race entries, but the older the athlete gets the more this evolves. By about J3/J4 (15-16-17 years old) – the athlete is capable and self-sufficient. At this point the burden of the work transfers from the parent to the athlete.

Clearly there are no disadvantages to sports participation for youth. The social benefits alone are almost too numerous to count. How can you possibly measure the value and satisfaction derived from working hard and mastering a skill? We’ve all done it, and the feeling is exhilarating, regardless of age. With sports and exercise, a child has the opportunity to experience this on almost a daily basis. Proficient skill acquisition allows children to value the accomplishments of their body and mind, making further challenges less daunting. These are attributes that simply can’t be measured. Nor can the sense of community created through sports, bonding with new friends and teammates, building healthy relationships between males and females and improving relationships with adults. Ski racing also allows children to take on leadership roles, handle adversity, and improve their time management. Let us not forget the potential for athletic scholarships too!

According to researchers at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, kids that play sports actually do better in school and have enhanced social skills. Sports also help prevent drug and alcohol abuse and children that participate in sports are less likely to start smoking and, if they do smoke, are more likely to quit. Research on the benefits of sports and exercise for girls in particular has been especially promising. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has reported that athletically active girls develop increased self-esteem and confidence, are more likely to finish high school and college, and have a healthier body image. The Women’s Sports Foundation has also found that females participating in sports are less likely to become pregnant as teenagers and they suffer less depression. Furthermore, there is evidence that athletic activity can decrease the likelihood of developing breast cancer and osteoporosis.

Regardless of any future goals or prospects, ski racing should be an enjoyable experience for both the athlete and parents. Too often, the pressures of advancement take precedence over the many dynamic aspects of the sport. Fortunately for parents, ski racing offers so much more than competition, and you can be assured your time and investments will most certainly foster lifelong rewards.