This area of the website contains questions on anything you may want to ask and information you didn’t know you needed on topics before, during, and after the Season. Always feel free to ask coaches, team parents or parent mentors any questions that may arise.
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You need to be a member of the USSA (USSA.org/membership). Please include your club (Camelback Ski Team / PASEF).
You need to hold a Super Pass to Camelback Mountain Resort.
Go to PASEF (www.pasef.org) and register for the respective team.
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There are multiple lots across the resort - the parking map and parking fees can be found at www.camelbackresort.com/resources/directions-parking/. Season Pass holders can park free in General Parking or other designated areas for Season Pass holders. Parking rules can change so please check site at beginning of each season.
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There are no team-arranged overnight stays, but the Lodge at Camelback Resort and many local options in the area are available. Check out www.poconomountains.com, the official site of Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, for many lodging options and other local information.
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The Alpine Teams sign in at the Competition Center at the start of each training morning/evening. The Competition Center Is located to the left of the Main Base area next to the Ski Patrol / First Aid and across from the Adaptive Ski Center (link to Camelback map found here). The Development Team meets first in front of the Waffle Cabin, the staff will have designated meeting spots for their teams. (For example, in front of the Waffle Cabin at the Main Base area not far from Competition Center is one option).
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The Alpine and Discovery Team typically trains weekend days from late December through mid March from 8:30AM - 2:30PM (start time is at 7:30AM on weekends after January 1st weather and snow cover permitting). A 6-day camp will be held between Christmas and New Year’s weather permitting. There are also optional Friday evening sessions from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. All athletes participating must be graduates from development team.
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The Development Ski Team typically trains weekend days from 9:00AM - 2:30PM. Athletes must be picked up by their parents for the lunch break. The season typically begins in January and ends in mid March.
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Lunch break is typically 11:30-12:30. Racers, coaches and parents are on their own for this hour. There are multiple options at the mountain if food needs to be purchased. Note that Development Team parents must pick child(ren) up for lunch break at the same place they started the day.
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The Development Ski Team is an intensive training program designed to teach the technical skills necessary to progress into competitive ski racing safely and successfully. Tryouts are at the beginning of the Season (usually end of December/ beginning of January).
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The day consists of skiing and drills. As the groups progress they will participate in SkillsQuest.
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SkillsQuest is a USSA training and evaluation program that develops fundamental competencies in young skiers.
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Ski racers are divided into age groups to ensure fair competition, like many junior sports. Until age 21 racing groups are divided into 2-year groups. For example, if a racer turned 13 prior to the season, he or she would be racing in the U14 group. See www.pasef.org/bio-1-1 for more details.
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The day consists of skiing, drills and running gates. Occasionally videos are watched to view new techniques or reinforce skills.
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When it comes to gearing up, there is a lot to consider. See www.pasef.org/athlete-equipment-needs for equipment requirements and recommendations – varies by age. Please also visit our Equipment Overview page and our Where to Buy Equipment page.
Any equipment needs regular maintenance to stay working properly! We highly recommend to start the season with a quality tuning, waxing and sharpening of the edges. -
We recommend they dress in layers – you can always take a layer off as the day progresses and warms up. Other items such as hand and toe warmers are a good bet on very cold days (even keeping them in your pockets is nice, as they warm your legs and fingertips!)
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Yes, it is recommended to label everything – helmet, jackets, pants, gloves, equipment. Especially ensure all is labeled on Race days where you may leave jacket and pants on the mountain, and they will not find their way home if they don’t know who they belong to.
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Only those advancing to the team level may order uniforms. Typically, at the end of a season, Team gear is available to order for the next season. Also, multiple times a year the Team offers spirit wear for family and friends to purchase to support the Team. There is a Gear Swap Facebook page where parents can purchase slightly used (sometimes new) Team gear.
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Go to the website adminskiracing.com
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Tons of fun that’s what! Race day starts early but the excitement to compete as a team fuels the day. See Race Day details page for more information www.pasef.org/race-day-details
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https://www.live-timing.com/index.php Official results are posted a couple days after the race at USSA.org.
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Seed points are a numerical indicator of a competitor's individual ranking with all other competitors. The list serves as a tool to seed (Second year U14 are eligible for points at the end of a season – the rule applies to U16 and up.) the start of a race. For more information see https://www.pasef.org/bio-1-1
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Derbies are the State Championships for PARA. This is an invitation only event. Camelback is in the Northeastern region of PARA. Each region has a quota for the Derbies, which is based upon how many members they have from the age groupings in qualifying races. Derby standings/points are posted on the PARA website during the season. The points are expanded World Cup points and are awarded based on a racers finish in EACH RUN (not the race) and they are awarded according to finish by Para Region. See PARA site for more information https://www.paracing.org/derby
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Coaches discretion– athletes should consult with their coaches as to readiness.
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We can’t do this without the help and support from our parent community and Race days only run smooth if we all pitch in. Jobs board will be posted at the beginning of Season (typically via Sign-up Genius). It is asked that at least one parent from a family volunteer one hour each Season.
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Reflect on the wonderful times of course! Keep the season going as long as you can - while the Pocono region loses terrain by early Spring, our neighbors in the North and West do not. In the warmer months, stay active and find activities that build core strength and balance. Participation in other sports is encouraged!
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We follow USSA guidelines https://usskiandsnowboard.org/covid-19/. If not feeling well, for any reason, and not well enough to ski please take the time to rest and recuperate. You need all your senses to ski safely. Please let your Coach know if you are not able to make training. Either email or phone the coach or that you will not be attending - return to training requires a negative covid test.
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The Pennsylvania Alpine Racing Associates (PARA) is the governing body of sanctioned racing in Pennsylvania and can be found at https://www.paracing.org/ .
USSA is the US Ski and Snowboard Association and the national governing body of Olympic skiing and snowboarding. The USSA sanctions several races in our region, and to participate a racer must have a USSA membership. USSA can be found at https://usskiandsnowboard.org/. PARA membership is required to race in the State and can be obtained when you register for USSA.
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Ask our Alpine Director Gus Picariello, or email Team Admin with any general questions.
