Junior Development Team (JDT)
Swiss Valley Racing for ages 5-14 years old JDT is open to all skiers ages 5 to 14, of all ability levels.
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Junior Development Team (JDT)
Swiss Valley Racing for ages 4-14 years old JDT is open to all skiers ages 4 to 14, of all ability levels. JDT Racers are encouraged to attend scheduled events which include races held at Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, Bittersweet, Cannonsburg, Mt. Brighton, and Caberfae Peaks. JDT Director, Jennifer Perry Ross, leads the coaching team made up of former racers and professional ski instructors. Lift tickets & additional event fees not included, purchasing a Season Pass at Swiss Valley is almost always the most affordable option. (Each Racer must pay for racing bib in addition to their race fee.)
Program Goals & Training
The JDT program’s primary goal is to give our team members a chance to learn the art of ski racing and improve their overall skiing skills while having fun. Team Participation includes a Holiday JDT Race Camp along with weekly practices scheduled for Tuesday nights and weekend mornings. (Please reserve Thursdays as a weekly make up in the event practice is not held on Tuesday.) Our season ends with an athlete family race on February 25, 2024.
NEW FOR 2023-2024
The JDT program has been reorganized for optimal racer development. The team has been divided into JDT LITE, JDT & JDT PLUS. Please read the descriptions below to figure out which group is best for your athlete.
JDT SEASON 1/2/2024 to 2/25/2024
JDT LITE
JDT Lite Intro to skiing and ski racing program offered for ages 4-10. This is a fun, skills-based program focused on developing basic skiing skills and familiarity with skiing and ski race terminology. Practice Tuesdays (6-7:30), Saturdays (9-10:30), and Sundays (9-10:30) when JDT is practicing. Includes coaching at Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, and Bittersweet races (race fees are not included). Coaching at other JDT races is available for an additional fee. Athletes must be able to ride the chairlift alone or they should be accompanied by an adult who can help them with the chairlift. Athletes must have helmet, goggles, and skis/boots. Poles are optional.
This program is for your child if:
They have never ski raced before, or have less than 2 years of experience with JDT.
One of the levels below describes their skiing abilities:
Level 1: “I’ve never skied.
Level 2: “I can slide, slightly change direction, and come to a stop.” – Easiest green terrain
Level 3: “I can link turns together and stop where I want to on the easiest green terrain. My turns are usually all the same size.” – Green terrain
Level 4: “I am linking turns together smoothly on all green terrain. I can make narrow and wide turns” – All green and easiest blue terrain
Program includes:
25.5 hrs of basic skills instruction and coaching at practices – 1/2/24-2/25/24; 17 sessions x 1.5 hrs
Coaching at 3 races: Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, Bittersweet (note that race entry fees are separate and payable to the organizers of each race) – coaching at additional JDT races is available for an additional fee
End of season family fun race!
Swiss Valley JDT hat to show off your Swiss Valley spirit on the podium!
Program fees: $225
JDT
JDT
A focused race program for ages 8-14 who have already participated in JDT 2 or more years or are age 10+ and trying JDT for the first time. Racers in this program are looking for longer practices and an increased racing schedule. This program seeks to perfect individual race skills, tactics and race terminology. Practice Tuesdays (6-8), Saturdays (9-11) and Sundays (9-11). This program includes coaching at JDT races at Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, Bittersweet, Schuss, Mt Brighton, and Caberfae. Racers must be able to get on all lifts without help. Must have full equipment set (poles, skis, helmet, goggles, protective gear as needed). It is recommended that JDT racers get involved in dryland sessions.
This program is for your child if:
• They are 8-14 with 2 years of racing experience, OR 10-14 and trying JDT for the first time.
• They are committed to learning more about ski racing and have identified this as a sport they enjoy participating in.
• They have the support of parents/family to learn more about the off-hill components of the sport – dryland training, ski tuning, etc.
• They are able to maintain focus/attention for longer practices.
• One of the levels below describes their skiing abilities:
Level 4: “I am linking turns together smoothly on all green terrain. I can make narrow and wide turns” – All green and easiest blue terrain
Level 5: “I am skiing mostly parallel in a couple different turn sizes and shapes on most blue terrain. I am beginning to use my poles and can hockey stop in both directions.” -All green terrain and most blue terrain
Level 6: “I am skiing parallel and confidently on all groomed blue terrain. I am exploring un-groomed trails and the easiest bumps. I usually make the same turn sizes and shapes on un-groomed trails.” –All groomed blues, easy blue bumps, easy groomed blacks
Level 7: “I am able to smoothly link parallel turns together with a pole plant on all blue and black terrain. I am exploring un-groomed black terrain, including bumps. I can connect different turn sizes and shapes seamlessly for the different challenges.” – All blue terrain and most black terrain
Program includes:
• 44.5 hrs of race-focused coaching at practices – 1/2/24-3/3/24 – 18 sessions x 2 hrs + Swiss coaching for 8.5 hrs of add-on practices at Schuss/Caberfae
• Help with equipment sizing and equipment care instructions at optional pre-season equipment night
• Coaching at JDT races: Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, Bittersweet, Schuss, Mt Brighton, and Caberfae (note that race entry fees are separate and payable to the organizers of each race); plus coaching at the MI Middle school race for 6-8 graders who live in MI
• End of season family fun race!
• Swiss Valley JDT hat to show off your Swiss Valley spirit on the podium!
• Program fees: $275
JDT PLUS
JDT Plus
A high level, high volume program for racers ages 10-18 looking towards the next level of racing (ie, USSA or High School). Racers must have previous JDT success and coach interview before joining the program. Practice Monday (6-8 or TBD), Tuesdays (6-8), Saturdays (9-11) and Sundays (9-11). Expectations for the program include at least 95% practice attendance (including dryland), above average listening skills, willing to give maximum effort at all times, must be able to train/focus at a high level for the entire practice time. Parents/families of racers in this program will be expected to learn about race equipment, and maintain athlete equipment to USSS standards. Participation at USSS races is possible for racers in this group, but additional USSS licenses will need to be purchased for each racer.
This program is for your athlete if:
• They have identified ski racing as their primary winter sport, and will attend all practices and dryland sessions.
• They continue to ask for MORE practice and are willing to work hard on and off the hill.
• They have above average listening skills and are willing to give maximum effort at all times.
• They have the support of parents/family to learn more about the off-hill components of the sport – dryland training, ski tuning, etc. Parent encouragement and maintenance of equipment is MANDATORY.
• If the racer/family elects to attend a USSS race, parents/families must be willing to learn about USSS rules and follow coaches directions about appropriate behavior at these events since the standards for participation are different than they are for JDT races.
• One of the levels below
Program includes:
• 70.5 hrs of race-focused coaching at practices by US Ski & Snowboard credentialed coaches – 1/2/24-3/17/24 (or until Swiss closes for the season) – 31 sessions x 2 hrs + Swiss coaching for 8.5 hrs of add-on practices at Schuss/Caberfae
• Help with equipment sizing and equipment care instructions at MANDATORY pre-season equipment night
• Coaching at JDT races: Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, Bittersweet, Schuss, Mt Brighton, and Caberfae (note that race entry fees are separate and payable to the organizers of each race); plus coaching at the MI Middle school race for 6-8 graders who live in MI
• Coaching at up to 2 additional USSS races by USSS-Credentialed coaches
• Swiss Valley JDT hat to show off your Swiss Valley spirit on the podium!
COACH INTERVIEW REQUIRED PRIOR TO REGISTRATION. PLEASE CONTACT COACH JEN by EMAIL- perry050@gmail.com
• Program Fees: $600
ADD-ON PURCHASES
Dryland Training
Five 1.5hr sessions to mentally and physically prepare you for ski season! Weekends in Oct/Nov
Cost: $50
Winter Ski Fundamentals Camp
12/26,27,28,29,30 9am-11am
This is a drills and skills-focused camp meant to get kids ages 4-18 comfortable on skis again, and begin to develop skills crucial for confident skiing this winter. Basics of balance, edging, and body positioning for skiing and ski racing will be taught through games and playful competition. We will begin with basic flatland balance and movement and work up to skiing around targets as the week progresses. Athletes must be confident riding the chairlift OR accompanied by an adult who can help with the chairlift.
Cost: $80 as add on to JDT Lite or JDT program; $175 as standalone program
Winter Ski Fundamentals Camp PLUS
12/26-30 9am-2pm
For returning JDT racers ages 10+ who are looking for extra practice as they begin the season, we offer a bulked up version of Winter Ski Fundamentals camp. The extra hours scheduled into camp will allow for MORE DRILLS and additional discussion of ski racing tactics and technique. Racers who sign up for this camp should be focused, attentive, and have a good attitude towards improving their skill level through slow repetition of basic movements.
Cost: $150 as add on to JDT program; $300 as standalone program
NASTAR ski membership
Allows racers to compete in all non-JDT NASTAR races held at Swiss Valley during the 23-24 season.
Cost: $50
Race Bib
New members who plan to race and anyone who has previously been on the team who has lost their race bib should order a new bib at the beginning of the season. Athletes will not be able to register for or participate in a race without a bib.
Cost: $30
JOIN THE TEAM
Membership Deadline December 15th – REGISTER NOW!
Membership must be purchased by December 15, 2023, limited space available. Membership varies depending on level, JDT Lite, JDT or JDT Plus. Register Now Please email Coach Jen at perry050@gmail.com with a copy of your proof of purchase. This will initiate Racer/Coach communication and additional instructions for participation. If purchase is made before November 30th, please email Coach Jen promptly to receive the Meet & Greet Zoom Meeting Invitation/Link.
Questions
Please email Coach Jen with any questions regarding JDT and Membership perry050@gmail.com
And For Parents!
Parents are encouraged to participate in the complimentary Tuesday Night Parent Ski Clinics, held at the same time as JDT practice. Our Parent Instructor plans a fun lesson each week and also spends time discussing race basics for maximum parent involvement. No additional cost, just show up! Updates for the lessons will be posted on the JDT Facebook group page. Lesson content varies.
JDT REGISTRATION DEADLINE DEC 15, 2023
| RACE LOCATION | DATE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Coming Soon! | Coming Soon! | Coming Soon! |
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