The Development Parents Guide

Welcome to the Okemo Mountain Resort Competition Program. Whether you are new to this program or you have been involved in the past, this guide, written by parents and coaches, will help answer many of the common questions that will inevitably arise during the course of the year. So, without further ado, please read on.

What have I gotten myself into? Okemo Mountain has two programs for children interested in alpine skiing and ski racing. The Hopeful Program is a recreational program consisting of children between the ages of seven and twelve years old. Athletes will ski with coaches all over the mountain and participate in several entry-level races. The Development Program is a more serious racing program. It consists of approximately 100 children of the same ages. They will compete in sanctioned races in Mid-Vermont.

What is this "Devo" group I’ve heard about? If you have skied at Okemo and seen packs of children in black and yellow parkas, you have seen the "Devos." Although all athletes in the Development Program are technically in "Devo", after the holiday week, one group of stronger skiers will be selected to ski on the Mid-Vermont Council Team. From that point forward, two groups will emerge, with their own identities – "Devo" and "Council Team."

What, I have to travel to other mountains? Yep, you sure do. Both teams, Development and Council, compete throughout the winter at and against several Mid-Vermont ski areas (Killington, Pico, Ascutney, Middlebury, Queechee, and Suicide Six). Directions are posted on the website. Further, the Council Team members earn points to qualify for competing in the J4 Vermont State Championship against athletes from all around the state.

What the heck is a J4? Junior 4. USSA (United States Ski and Snowboard Association) has grouped children in age categories for competition purposes. J4’s are 11-12, J5’s are 9-10, J6’s are 8 and under.

When do the kids train? Like any sport, your children’s progress will depend upon the time they spend doing it. One of the prime goals of the program is to build within them a passion for the sport. What that means to you, Mom and Dad, is that we never cancel training! We ski in the rain, cold, wind, blizzards, typhoons, and sandstorms - every Saturday and Sunday from now until the golf courses open again. We also train every day throughout the holiday week (not Christmas Day) and February week. Training times are 8:30 – 10:30 and 12:00 – 2:00. Devo’s will meet at the top of the Base Quads. Council will meet at the gate shack by the Black Ridge Chair at the same times.

What do we do in training? Expand your child’s skiing skills. We make them do nasty, hard-to-do drills, we ski bumps, we learn to ski on one ski, we have snowball fights, and we ski gates. Note, that gates are only one of the things we will practice. A great skier, will probably be a good racer. Very seldom does a bad skier become a great racer, although I have seen it happen! Therefore, by the time your child becomes a teenager, they will most likely be an expert skier – something they will have the rest of their life.

What stuff do I need to give them? Remember the sentence about rain, snow, cold, and blizzards? Please dress them accordingly. Warm fingers and toes are important! They won’t get much out of training if they are physically miserable. Also, all athletes must wear helmets. We will not allow them to ski with the group without one.

My kid has a new Motorola radio, can he/she bring it to training? No. Your child will inevitably fall in training. We would prefer they not drive a radio through their sternum. If we are aware they are carrying a radio, we will not let them run courses. It’s a safety issue.

What about skis, bindings and boots? All sports require the proper equipment. Please ask a coach before you buy anything for your kids. I will say that again for emphasis, please ask a coach before you buy anything for your kids. We may be able to save you a bundle of money before you make a purchase that will handicap your kid’s performance.

What about tuning skis? This will be a real bummer for you new folks. We make your kids ski on solid ice, in ruts up to their knees on steep terrain. Ski racers require razor sharp edges. If you don’t keep your kid’s skis tuned everyday, they will never improve. If you don’t believe me, come on over to Wardance and we’ll give you a chance to ski on the courses your kids have to ski on. Also, FYI, we check their skis for sharpness. If they are dull, we will send them in. It is similar to giving Jeff Gordon a Yugo and sending him out to win a NASCAR race. Not only would he never win, it is inherently dangerous.

Can the coaches help us with tuning? Absolutely. We usually offer tuning clinics during the holiday week. We are also available to offer one-on-one instruction for any parents that want to learn. As you begin the program, we’ll concentrate on getting edges sharp. By the time your kid is 12 and competing at the state championship, you will know all about base bevel, base structure, fluorocarbon waxes, and cera f!

How does my kid get onto the "Council Team"? All sports have an "all-star" team, and every parent hopes for their child to be selected. After being involved in the selection process for many years, we are not certain if it is harder on the parents or the kids! In any event, we will select 30 (+/-) athletes for Council Team. Selection is based on continuous evaluation, by the coaching staff, of each and every child’s abilities from the day the program begins. The team is selected following time-trials on Monday, December 31. What are the selection criteria? The overriding factor is safety. Council races courses are much more demanding than Devo race courses and every athlete selected to the team must have skills strong enough to compete safely at this level. Council Team will ski in Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom races. Beyond that, other things that are considered are: skiing ability, age, motivation, effort, attendance, and time-trial results. Please note that time-trial results are only one of several benchmarks we evaluate. Another thought about Council Team selection: it is better for a child to win at the Devo level than struggle, or be at the back of the pack, on the Council Team.

Why does the Council Team ski in gates more often? Once the split has been made between the two groups you will notice that the Council Team trains in gates more often than the Devos. The fundamental skiing skills are best taught through free skiing drills outside of the race course. Because Council Team members possess stronger basic skills, they will spend more time gate training

Why do certain Devo athletes train with the Council Team? Over the course of the year some Devo skiers may occasionally train with the Council Team. In fact, based upon performance, some Devos may move up to Council Team. This is based solely upon coach’s discretion. We know your kids - trust our judgment!.

Do certain kids get preferential treatment? Yes. Didn’t expect that answer, did you? Don’t worry, all athletes will be treated fairly. But, there are some athletes who always seem to be there, always in the starting gate on the coldest day, always there for the last run, always asking for feedback, always wanting to be faster. A motivated athlete will garner our attention. Nuf said. Although an occasional free beer or round of golf for the coaches will never hurt (kidding, kind of).

Can I watch training sessions? Sure, you are always welcome, and we encourage you to come watch us ski gates, or even free-ski with the group. However, we will say this as tactfully as we can: don’t smother them! Come watch for a while, and then let them practice on their own.

Will the race schedule ever change? We have never seen it NOT change! This is Vermont! We have thaws, rain, etc. We have changed race venues on the Thursday before the Saturday race. Always check the phone recording for changes. Never assume!

What do I do on race day? Race days are always filled with anxiety, triumph, and for some, disappointment. How do you best serve your child? GIVE THEM SOME ROOM! Your child is learning how to become a ski racer. We are teaching them basic disciplines like figuring out where they need to be and how to plan their day. There is always a kid that forgets their boots, or helmet, or mittens. Within reason, let your child figure out how to get to the start at the proper time, with the things they need. Better they learn this lesson at age eight than when they are at the US National Championships! You do them no service by doing these things for them. Therefore, we ask that you get your child to the base lodge of the race mountain not later than 7:45am. Once there, we will do things as a team. We will dress as a team, inspect the course as a team, and race as a team.

Can I inspect the course with my child? Absolutely not. USSA rules allow coaches, athletes and officials on the race course, period.

Where is my kid’s coat? Another important race day lesson. The start of the race course is always a very confusing place. 150 kids and coaches, all furiously preparing for the big event. We teach the kids to put their coats and warm-ups in the "Okemo" pile of clothes. When the pile reaches the size of a Ford Pickup Truck, a coach, or parent, will endeavor to lug the oversize pile of coats to the finish (actually, this is usually a better show than the race, especially at Middlebury or Ascutney). Inevitably, though, there is a kid that doesn’t quite get their clothes in the pile, but rather, they drape them throughout the trees behind the start shack or put them in the Killington pile. The coach, or parent, who has just faced near-certain death hauling 200 pounds of ski clothes over the pitch, is then accosted by a furious parent demanding to know what we have done with their child’s $400 coat. Please refrain from harassing the volunteers! Also, MARK YOUR KIDS NAME CONSPICUOUSLY IN THEIR CLOTHES. There will be many identical size 12 black Spyder pants in the pile.

Can I help on Race Day? Absolutely. As coaches, we want to help get your kids ready at the start, and also watch their runs to give them feedback. Lugging coats is our last priority. We would love you to help. In fact, if you are a strong skier, and can haul the big pile over the pitch without crashing, we can talk to Wendy about getting you into the program as a coach!

What’s the difference between Devo 1 and Devo A? Due to the size of the Devo squad we split the Devos into two teams. This allows for a more even distribution of racers at each race. Although each team has a different race schedule, all Devos will train together. Following the time trials on Dec. 31, two lists will be posted in the training center. It is the responsibility of the parents to see which schedule fits their agenda best and sign their child up for the team they feel is best for them. If , by the end of that week, an athlete is not signed for a specific team the coaches will choose one for them.

Can I get my kid one of those snazzy uniforms? All uniforms can be purchased at the training center. See Mary Newman for size, availability or ordering information. This is an OMARA program, and the uniform prices are significantly discounted.

What is OMARA, VARA, USSA? Do I need to join these organizations? All Devo’s should be members of OMARA (Okemo Mountain Alpine Racing Association). OMARA is our booster club. Radios, timing equipment, gates, scholarships etc, come from OMARA donations. VARA is the Vermont Alpine Racing Association. VARA sanctions all alpine racing in Vermont. Devo athletes should be members. Council Team athletes must be members of all three organizations. More cash, Dad.

What else do I need to know? www.okemoracing.com. Any complaints should be referred to Coach Lori Ford.