Since starting in 1951 Mt. Mansfield Ski and Snowboard Club (MMSC) programs have graduated
many US Ski Team members, Olympic athletes and Collegiate ski racers.

The MMSC Alpine Racing programs accommodate a wide range of athletes from seven year olds to high school and postgraduates. Our programs are designed to provide a stimulating and enjoyable opportunity to become excellent skiers, help them reach their potential as competitors, and most importantly foster a life-long love of the sport while teaching athletes the values of teamwork and sportsmanship.

 

(Click here for Alpine Racing program registration forms)

 

J6 - Sunday Program (ages 7-8)
This one-day per week program is designed to introduce young skiers to MMSC and ski racing. The low athlete to coach ratio of 8:1 allows for a highly personalized attention to skiing technique. The primary focus of the program is to allow kids to learn to interact with other children through free-skiing and various drills with coaches. Additionally there is an introduction to skiing through gates and courses. Interclub races are optional and highly encouraged. There is no travel to races
at other venues. A helmet is mandatory. The program runs from January to mid March. Vermont Alpine Racing Association (VARA) and United States Ski Association (USSA) licenses are NOT required for this age group.

 

J5/J6 - Program (ages 7-10)
In our most popular program, the emphasis is placed on building strong skiing technique and an introduction to ski racing. Other goals include learning about good sportsmanship and instilling a positive team spirit. Group skiing is done in small groups of 8-10. Participants must be able to ride the lift alone, put on their own equipment, ski parallel, and ski down challenging trails such as Nose Dive (easier black diamond runs). Participants will be grouped by ability and will rotate through the different coaches biweekly. VARA establishes a schedule of four or five races throughout Northern Vermont (Bolton Valley, Burke, Cochran’s, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Smuggler’s Notch, Sugarbush and Stowe). Attendance at these Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom (SL) races is completely optional, but highly encouraged. Typical equipment needs for this group includes a helmet and one pair of skis; back protection is encouraged. Participation in these races requires VARA & USSA licenses. The program meets Saturdays and Sundays from December to late-March. Additional training is available during the Christmas and Vermont February school vacation weeks, and on Friday afternoons from January to mid March.

 

J4 Program (ages 11-12)
As the athletes begin to grow and gain confidence, their skills and techniques are further refined and shaped. This program is designed to continue to improve basic skiing fundamentals through free skiing, drills, and gate training. Prior racing experience is not required to participate with this group, but strong skiing skills are. While there is a substantial amount of free skiing, this is a race-oriented program. Depending upon snow and weather conditions athletes are introduced to Super G (SG) racing. VARA establishes a schedule of five or six interclub races throughout Northern Vermont, and athlete results are ranked with the top racers advancing to the Vermont State and other regional competitions. Typical equipment needs for this age group include a helmet, GS suit, SL gate protection, and correctly sized SL and GS skis; back protection is encouraged. VARA & USSA licenses are required. The program meets Saturdays and Sundays from late- November to late-March. Additional training is available during the Christmas and Vermont February school vacation weeks, and on Friday afternoons from January to mid March. Tutorial and Academy training is also available.

 

J3 Program (ages 13 & 14)
Athletes in the (J3) Program have typically been skiing for many years and by all accounts are expert skiers. Most (but not all) have been racing for a number of years as well. Coaches continue to provide “technical freeskiing”, but an increased focus on gate training, video analysis, and technique specific drills is provided. Depending upon snow and weather conditions athletes are introduced to Super G (SG) racing. VARA establishes a schedule of five or six interclub races throughout Northern Vermont, and athlete results are ranked with the top racers advancing to the Vermont State and other regional competitions. Other “open” races are often attended. Typical equipment needs for this age group include a helmet, GS suit, gate protection, and correctly sized SL and GS skis; back protection is highly encouraged for training and racing. VARA & USSA licenses are required. The program meets Saturdays and Sundays from late-November to late-March. Additional training is available during the Christmas and Vermont February school vacation weeks, and on Friday afternoons from January to mid March. Tutorial and Academy training is also available.

 

J1/J2 (ages 15 & 18) & PG Programs (18+)
These are MMSC’s full-time MMWA high school athletes who have been skiing and racing for years. The goals of these athletes range from Olympic and National Team ambitions to skiing collegiately, and all have an underlying desire to improving their rankings. Athletes typically are “on-snow” training and racing six days per week. The program provides high level technical coaching in SL, GS, and SG with low athlete to coach ratios. Depending upon desire, Downhill (DH) is introduced. Strength training and video analysis are integral pieces of the program. (J1 & J2’s) participate in multi-state USSA and FIS races. VARA & USSA licenses are required; FIS licenses are required for entry into FIS races. The program runs from mid November to late March, early April. PG’s are accepted into MMSC on a case-by-case basis. They train and race with the (J1 & J2) athletes.

 

 

Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy (MMWA)
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy programs provide academic accredited Middle School program for (J3s) in the 8th grade. Accredited High School programs are offered to High School students. Typically athletes are racing and training six days per week. These programs are built and managed around the students racing and training schedule.

(Click here for MMWA)

 

Tutorial Programs
1-Day Tutorial programs are offered for (J4’s & J3’s). In addition to the training available during the programs listed above, athletes will train with their coaches on Tuesdays. Transportation from school to the hill will be arranged by MMSC.

2-Day Tutorial programs are offered for second year J4’s (7th grade) and J3’s. In addition to the training available during the programs listed above, athletes will train with their coaches on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Transportation from school to the hill will be arranged by MMSC.

 

Dryland Training
MMSC offers a scheduled dryland program focused on ski-specific conditioning to complement its athletes' off-season activities. We believe that the overall athleticism and coordination learned through playing sports such as soccer, tennis and lacrosse are invaluable in the development of high-level ski racers. Through dryland training we seek to reinforce that foundation with strength, quickness and anaerobic conditioning. To support our dryland training, our in house facilities includes state of the art fitness and strength building equipment.

(Click here for Dryland Training program)

 

Video Analysis
MMSC does a series of Video analysis for both training and races is filmed for each athlete. Athletes need to contact Lorant Gudansz for instruction to log on for individual video clips.

(Members can log in here to access Video Analysis)