Are you tired of watching your son or daughter turn into a “couch potato” each winter?  Is your child normally full of energy and adventure?  Looking for an exciting way for your child to spend his or her free time this winter?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, the Kelly Canyon Ski Team may be a great fit for your family. 

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

The Kelly Canyon Ski Team is sponsored by the Idaho Falls Ski Club.  It provides young skiers an opportunity to learn a lifetime sport and to compete with their teammates along with racers from other teams throughout the Inter-mountain West.  The approximate coaching ratio is one per four skiers. The team experience includes skill drills, powder skiing, mogul skiing, racing and jumping.  The team is divided into two main groups.  The Development Team and the Travel Team. 

THE D-TEAM

The Development Team is comprised of new skiers, usually between the ages of 6 to 12, who have some experience skiing (i.e., they can ride a chairlift by themselves and can put their own equipment on after falling).  The D-Team training consists of learning basic race drills as well as instilling the fundamentals.  The D-Team practices almost everyday during the Christmas vacation, snow willing, and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 to 2:30 with a 1 hour lunch break from 11:30 to 12:30. Your skier will also have the opportunity to participate in a few one day races at Kelly Canyon, Jackson and/or Pebble Creek Ski Areas.  In addition to becoming great skiers, the coaches emphasize independence, responsibility,  good sportsmanship, and most of all fun!  This program helps your skier forge lifelong friendships and builds self-confidence. You will be shocked at the difference in your beginner skier after participating for just one week during the Christmas break!

There will be an organizational meeting in mid November for new D-Teamers and their parents.  The Head Coach for the D-team is Mike Hinman.  He can be reached at 529-2302 for more information or questions. Watch the Post Register for more information on this meeting.  

THE TRAVEL TEAM

After spending some time on the D-team and becoming more proficient, a young racer may want to take on the exciting challenges of the Travel Team. The Travel Team racers join the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (www.ussa.org ).  Initially, a racer will compete in 2 year age groups and move onto other qualifying events as they get older.  The USSA uses a point system to compare a racer’s time and placement in several races.  They are then ranked along with others throughout the USA in their particular age bracket. 

Each Travel Team member has the opportunity to attend races in Jackson, Boise, Sun Valley, and several resorts near Salt Lake City. Parents are not required to attend the out of town races, but are certainly welcome.  Kelly Canyon Ski Team usually hosts at least two races each season. 

Practice for the Travel Team takes place on Saturdays and Sundays as well as Tuesday and Thursday nights.  The Head Coach for the Travel Team is Bruce Birk.  He can be reached at 522-8166 for more information or questions.