Snow Stars @ The Heights
Snow Stars is a seven-step skill development guide that offers coaching education, evaluation resources and an assessment tool for alpine, ski cross and para-alpine skiers. Originally created in 2001, the success of this program is built on its role as an accessible education and planning guide for coaches and families. Taking the length of our season and terrain available into consideration and the desire for more quantifiable measures, we have created a “Heights specific” version of Snow Stars however much if the information, goals and competencies are the same or similar, making the resource information available still relevant.
Benefits
The Snow Stars program effectively combines technical, tactical, physical and mental (emotional and cognitive) building blocks as the foundation to build athletic skills. With fundamental athletic skills in place, children benefit from the opportunity to develop qualities that extend beyond a lifelong passion for sport including leadership, self-esteem, cooperation, peer mentoring and learning, goal setting, task-focused activities and independence. The Snow Stars program guides opportunities to develop lasting friendships, family bonds and memories of on-snow fun, thus cementing a child’s love for alpine skiing.
Materials For Parents
Many parents are looking for answers to explain what is right for their child when it comes to athletic development. As a coach, you need something that will help explain the facts in an easy, accurate, and user-friendly manner. The Coaching Association of Canada, in coordination with Canadian Sport for Life, has created the following document: “Long-Term Athlete Development Information for Parents” to help coaches educate the parents of the children in their programs.
Alpine Programs Levels of Ability
1
Beginner 1
First time skiers. Never been on skis or, require full assistance riding and skiing on Magic Carpet.
2
Beginner 2
Can climb, straight run and snowplow but need to develop turning skills. They can ride and ski the Magic Carpet without assistance. Have not yet ridden a chairlift
!
Novice 1 - is the min skill level for participation in full day All Mountain programs (U6 and up)
3
Novice 1
Can ski down green runs (Little Bear, Bunny Hop, Hare Raiser) in control, unassisted and ride chairlifts with instructor/parent assistance.
4
Novice 2
“Controlled Skier” and can participate in larger group instruction. Can ski all green runs and some blue, in a controlled snow plow and ride the chairlifts with some instructor/parent assistance.
5
Intermediate 1
can start turning with a snow plow and can finish a turn with skis parallel. They can ski Blue runs with comfort, some Black runs, and use all the chair lifts with some assistance. They can negotiate their own equipment and can take group instructions.
!
Intermediate 2 - is the min skill level for participation in U10 Race
6
Intermediate 2
can ski on all hills with comfort. They ski with their skis parallel on Blue slopes and may start their turns with a snow plow on steeper slopes. They can ride lifts without assistance and can take group instruction.
!
Advanced - is the min skill level for participation in Race programs U12 and up!
7
Advanced
“Parallel Skier” and can comfortably ski at higher speeds with their skis parallel always. They can ride all lifts and take direction in a group setting.