Swiss Valley Alpine Race Team
Swiss Valley Alpine Race Team offers training for youth ages 4-18 years old, of all ability levels.
Swiss Valley Alpine Racing Team (SVART)
The goal of Swiss Valley Alpine Racing is to create excellent skiers with a life-long passion for our sport. We follow US Ski and Snowboard’s Long Term Athlete Development model, which emphasizes development of ski skills before race tactics. Therefore, racers on our team should anticipate that we do not solely run gates, but work towards mastering balance and skiing skills first.
SVART Values:
–Encourage Participation and Development: Our program is accessible and inclusive to skiers of all skills, so that all team members’ skills will improve, regardless of where they begin.
–Nurture Passion: Encourage love for skiing and ski racing through play and fun on the hill.
–Build Community: Our racers and families care about, encourage, and respect each other.
–Enhance Life Skills: We teach skills valuable for our athletes’ lives: discipline, concentration, respect for self and others, how to succeed and fail, and mental flexibility and toughness.
–Strive for Achievement: We work hard to achieve our individual and collective goals.
Training
SVART is organized into 3 groups to promote optimal racer development:
- JDT Prep is a fun, skills-based intro to skiing and ski racing offered for ages 4-10.
- Junior Development Team (JDT) is a focused race program for racers 8-14 who are looking for longer practices and an increased racing schedule.
- USSS Team is a high level, high volume program for racers ages 10-18 looking towards the next level of racing (ie USSS or High School).
Please read the descriptions below to figure out which group is best for your athlete. Contact Coach Jen with any questions about placement.
JDT Prep
JDT Prep (formerly 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. Limited time in gates to allow for appropriate development of skills according to US Ski Team best practices. 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 additional JDT races is available for an additional $20 fee). Participants 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
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Level 4: “I am linking turns together smoothly on all green terrain. I can make narrow and wide turns”
Program includes:
- 27 hrs of basic skills instruction and coaching at practices – 1/4/25-2/25/25; 18 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 $20 fee
- New members will receive a Swiss Valley Alpine Racing hat to show off your Swiss Valley spirit on the podium!
Program fees: $235
Junior Development Team (JDT)
Junior Development Team – 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. Racers will refine the ski skills they’ve learned and will begin to learn race tactics and 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, and are expected to be fully independent on the ski hill. Must have full equipment set (poles, skis, helmet, goggles, protective gear as needed). It is recommended that JDT racers get involved in dryland sessions and winter fundamentals camp.
This program is for your child if:
- They are 8-14 with 2 years of racing experience, OR 10-14 and trying ski racing 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”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
Program includes:
- 5 hrs of race-focused coaching at practices – 1/4/25-3/3/25 – 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 events
- Coaching at JDT races: Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, Bittersweet, Schuss, Mt Brighton, and Caberfae plus MI middle school race for 6-8th graders (note that race entry fees are separate and payable to the organizers of each race)
- New members will receive a Swiss Valley alpine racing hat to show off your Swiss Valley spirit on the podium!
Program fees: $300
USSS Team
USSS Team (formerly JDT Plus) – A high level, high volume program for racers ages 10-18 looking towards the next level of racing (ie, USSS or High School). Racers should have previous JDT success and coach interview before joining the program, and program participation will be limited to 15 athletes or less for the 2024-25 season. Practice Tuesdays (6-8) and Thursdays (6-8), Saturdays (9-11) and Sundays (9-11) . Expectations for the program include at least 95% practice attendance (including dryland and winter fundamentals camp), 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. An individual training plan will be created for each racer in the program, to outline which races, camps, etc would be most beneficial for the development of each individual racer. If outlined in the individual training plan, racer participation at 2 USSS races is included for racers in this group. Racers whose training plan involves more than 2 USSS races (i.e., qualifiers, etc) may need to pay additional coaches fees of $100-150/day.
This program is for your athlete if:
- They have a history of consistent JDT practice/race attendance and plan to attend all scheduled practices in 24-25. All athletes in this group should plan to attend dryland practices and Winter Fundamentals PLUS camp.
- 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 consistently.
- 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 of racers, involvement as volunteers on race days, 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 USSS-credentialed coaches directions about appropriate behavior.
Program includes:
- Race-focused coaching at practices by US Ski & Snowboard credentialed coaches – starting as soon as Swiss opens until 3/13/25 (or until Swiss closes for the season)
- MANDATORY review of equipment, including sizing and equipment care instructions
- Individualized training and race plans to promote maximal development/achievement
- coaching at JDT races for eligible racers who elect to attend
- coaching at up to 2 additional USSS races by USSS trained and credentialed coaches
- New members will receive a Swiss Valley alpine racing hat to show off your Swiss Valley spirit on the podium!
Program Fees: $1000
ADD-ON PURCHASES
Winter Ski Fundamentals Camp 12/30/24-1/3/25 9am-11am – This is a drills and skills-focused camp meant to get kids ages 4-14 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 Prep or JDT program; $175 as standalone program
Winter Ski Fundamentals Camp PLUS 12/30/24-1/3/25 9am-2pm – For returning JDT racers ages 10+ (or with Coach Jen’s permission) 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. *Please note that for this camp, we do not plan to take a lunch break until after 12pm (but athletes may bring a water bottle and “chairlift snack” out on the hill). We will have an intense 3 hr session on skis before athletes are dismissed to eat lunch together in the JDT room. Video review sessions, tactical discussion, and additional skiing and/or dryland training will occur after lunch. If your child will not tolerate an extended/intense morning of training, the basic fundamentals camp may be a better option. Cost: $150 as add on to JDT program; $300 as standalone program
NASTAR ski membership – Allows racers to compete in NASTAR races held at Swiss Valley during the 24-25 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: $35
JOIN THE TEAM
Communication/Questions
Our team uses the Band app for communication. You may also find information and photos on our team Facebook group page.
Please email Coach Jen with any questions regarding Swiss Valley Alpine Race Team and/or Nastar.
Membership Deadline December 15th – REGISTER NOW!
Membership must be purchased by December 15, 2024, limited space available.
And For Parents!
Parents are encouraged to participate in the complimentary Tuesday Night Parent Ski Clinics, held at the same time as SVART 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.
Friday Family Freeski Fun!
This season we have scheduled Friday Family Freeski nights for family fun and team camaraderie! This will be a great opportunity to get to know your coaches and/or others on the team a little better, while noticing all of the skills your racer is developing in practice!
SVART REGISTRATION DEADLINE
DEC 15, 2025
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