Common Questions
What are the fee’s for the Programs?
Please review the fees on the Programs page here
What should my child wear at the hill?
Looking good is half the battle right? No! We’re more concerned with keeping the athletes warm and happy. It usually takes a couple of weekends to re-adapt to skiing in winter temperatures. Please dress the athletes warmly and in layers.
For Example:
- Top – Long-sleeve thermal shirt, fleece jacket, winter jacket, neck warmer, and gloves or mitts.
- Bottom – Long underwear or leggings, and ski pants. If your athlete is usually cold, add a pair of sweat pants or track pants.
- A toque should not be worn under the helmet. If you have to wear a toque, your helmet doesn’t fit.
What does the typical day at Sunshine look like?
A typical day will go as follow:
- 08:50 – Meet coaches at the Fire-Hall located near the Wa-Wa Chairlift
- 09:00 – Coaches and athletes depart for the morning session
- 12:00 – Athletes head into the day lodge for lunch
- 12:45 – Depart from the fire-hall for the afternoon session
- 3:00 – Finish in front of the day lodge
What size and style of ski should I put my child on?
It is important that the athletes train on skis meant for racing and NOT twin-tips or powder skis.
While ski length depends on the ability, weight, and strength of the athlete, the following guidelines can be used:
- Slalom – ski length between the chin and nose.
- Multi-event – ski length between the chin and forehead.
- Giant Slalom* – ski length to the top of the head.
* – U12 athletes participate in a number of Giant Slalom (GS) races throughout the season. While GS skis are not required, they can be beneficial, particularly for the 2nd-year athletes with a desire to move on to the U14 program with the Sunshine Alpine Racers.
Please contact our Program Director at programdirector@sunshinespeedsters.com if you have further questions.
Is a second pair of skis e.g. powder ski’s, rock skis, required?
A second pair of skis is not a requirement.
It is, however, beneficial to have a second pair of skis for the afternoon sessions where free-skiing can include some areas with marginal conditions. This second pair of skis can be a powder ski, a twin-tip, or an old pair of race skis. A second pair of skis can spare the heartache of a ruined pair of race skis.
Please contact our Program Director at programdirector@sunshinespeedsters.com if you have further questions.
As a parent how can I become more involved with the club?
There are a number of parent volunteer opportunities available. If you would like to volunteer please contact us to discuss available roles and how you might be able to help the club.
Is there a parent program?
Currently no.
What is the age range my child must be to participate in the Speedsters?
The Speedsters program is for children aged 5-11. There may also be an option for 12 year old children who are not ready to move into the U14 program.
Please contact our Program Director at programdirector@sunshinespeedsters.com if you have further questions.
What do I need to know about ski boots?
Ski boots are arguably the most important piece of ski equipment, and while there are many excellent boot fitters at local ski shops, there are also be some inexperienced ones.
If you are buying boots second hand, you may not have someone to help you size your child’s feet. The following video (http://vimeo.com/73415950) will give some helpful insight into the proper fit and flex of a child’s boot. Pay close attention to the section on flexing a boot and what that looks like in a warm ski shop. Boots will not flex as well in -10 compared to +20.”
Please contact our Program Director at programdirector@sunshinespeedsters.com if you have further questions.
What program should I put my child in?
The right program for your athlete depends on the goals of your family and your athlete. The programs run one, two, or three days a week depending on age and level of commitment.
A description of the programs available can be found here.
Please contact our Program Director at programdirector@sunshinespeedsters.com if you have further questions.
