Training and Competition

On Snow Days per Year: 

Ski as often as possible with parents. In the winter months, children should strive to attain as many days on snow by participating in an introductory structured ski program and skiing with parents as often as possible to increase mileage. Parents should seek to take children out to ski in good weather, to a place with easy access and a good learning area for young children. Children under the age of 4 should aim to ski 20+ days per year, by the age of 6 years old, the goal should be to be skiing 40+ days per year. 

THERE WILL BE DIFFERENCES IN ALL REGIONS DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THE SEASON AND THE PRESCRIBED NUMBER OF DAYS ON SNOW SHOULD SERVE AS THE BENCHMARK. CHILDREN SEEKING THE COMPETITIVE PATHWAY WILL SKI MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM NUMBER OF DAYS ON SNOW. THE NUMBER OF DAYS ON SNOW WILL VARY BASED ON THE GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD.

On Snow Volume Recommendations:

There are no volume recommendations at the Gliding Start stage, it is suggested that children participate a minimum of two days per week in a structured ski program and ski with parents as often as possible. The focus is on developing physical literacy and a child's passion for playing and participating in snow sports. 

General Training:

• Children should aim to take part in a structured club program or ski school two days per week and ski with parents as often as possible, especially after the ski lesson or training, to practice their newly acquired skills with parents.
• Children learn by watching; parents should become involved with their local ski club or ski school by enrolling in clinics or lessons to refine their skiing skills to ensure they are providing an excellent visual example for their children.   
• Children can develop spatial awareness through parent-supervised play in the pool or playground, in a structured gymnastics program, or structured on-snow program offered through a  local ski club. Developing excellent spatial awareness requires children to learn how to jump and land, push off the ground, and jump in the air with turns.

Competition Specific Training and Competition:

There are no recommendations on the number of days for the Gliding Start stage.

Competition Starts/Type(s):

Children are not encouraged to participate in formal ski racing events; children are encouraged to participate in fun skill development activities at their local clubs or home ski resort.