FAQ
Who can be on the Wilmot Ski Team?
There are no tryouts but kids need to ski independently, this means having the ability to ski all terrain and ride all lifts at Wilmot without assistance.
When does the season begin?
Training typically begins the second weekend after Wilmot opens.
When is training?
Training is every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30-12:30 except on WIJARA weekends. For an additional fee, there is training Tuesday and Thursday night from 5:30-7:30.
What is the cost of training?
Our base program costs $1489.00 (as of 2024/25) and permits the athlete to attend all weekend practices and now includes coaches fees for WIJARA and/or USSA. Every team member must sign up for the base program.
Additional weeknight training is held Tuesday and Thursday night from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The cost of weeknight training is $369.00 (as of 2024/25). Weeknight training is open to all team members. Weeknight training consists of mostly SL gate training.
https://www.wilmotmountain.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/products/junior-race-program
SEASON PASS/LIFT TICKETS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF TRAINING. See the Wilmot Mountain website for pricing.
What expectations are there for the athletes during training?
On weekdays, all athletes should be suited up and at the base of the mountain outside the cafeteria to meet the coaches no later than 9:25. All athletes should remain until 12:30, at which time coaches expect them to slip the hill twice before leaving the mountain.
On weeknights, athletes must meet at the top of Chair 5 at 5:30 unless directed otherwise.
What if my child cannot attend all practices or races?
Practices and races are NOT mandatory. Try to attend as many practices as possible, but there is no penalty for missing practice.
Is there a code of conduct for the Athletes?
Yes! All athletes are expect to sign and adhere to the team Code of Conduct. (link coming soon)
What is the focus of training?
The program focuses on a combination of skill training and gate training. For skills, we focus on a yearlong progression of drills, including the USSA based Skills Quest. Our gate training consists of mainly Slalom and Giant Slalom with some speed training when the conditions permit. Athletes are placed into groups based on a combination of age and skill level.
What can I do to help?
First and foremost, be supportive of your child. Reinforce good behavior or goal accomplishments. Don’t criticize skiing skills or lack of achievement. Don’t become an instructor or coach during free skiing time—ski with your children to have some fun. Lessons or tips you give may undo things which the coaches are working on with your child. Ask your child to show off what they have learned or what they like to do the best. If you have questions on the learning or development process for your child, please talk to your athletes coach —don’t discuss these items with your child.
Who are the head coaches?
Steve Schwartz – Head Coach, email coachsteve0415@gmail.com
Jon Schwartz – Team Coordinator (and WIJARA Head Coach and President), email wilmotwijara@gmail.com
What is the team uniform?
There is no required uniform but we do have a team jacket and other branded team gear through Sync where proceeds benefit team activities. Traditionally, the team jacket was sourced through Arctica, so there are legacy older style jackets still in circulation that parents often sell when their child outgrows them. Custom embroidery is a third option if you have already have a red Arctica or Sync jacket, information on the embroidery file can be sourced from other parents.
What is the required equipment?
It is important, but not mandatory for new team members to have race skis, and appropriate boots. By U14 or earlier, each athlete should have both SL and GS skis. The fit of the boots should not be too stiff. Having skis tuned (sharpened and waxed) is also very important. Most athletes have their equipment professionally sharpened and waxed before the start of the race season.
All athletes MUST have a FIS certified hard sided race helmet and googles. The coaches can help with guidance on proper equipment for athletes.
What is the required equipment for SL practice and races?
After athletes reach a certain level of skill (coaches can tell you when they reach this level), they are required to wear chin guards and shin guards for SL.
What is the required equipment for GS practice and races?
After athletes reach a certain level of skill (coaches can tell you when they reach this level), they need arm guards. Hard sided helmets are required regardless of skill level but slalom chin guards are prohibited.
Can I watch my child during coaching or training sessions?
Yes, but please be discrete in such activities. Observing from a safe distance ensures that your child will undertake the activity as an individual—not as a child under your wing. Sometimes learning will be delayed if parents are too close to the action.
Races are a different matter!! We encourage you to watch and support the racers during race activities. Please remember that all coaching and teaching has been accomplished prior to your child entering the race. Races are for showing off new skills. Encouragement and positive reinforcement are the order of the day. Even a run ending in a powder dusting had great moments prior to disaster! Such time is for a hug and a “nice try,” not emphasis on what went wrong. The coaches will have some pointers for your racer. Your job is to cultivate a positive self-image. The worst race course time of the day can be great if the effort was great—it’s our basic philosophy and it works in the long run.
Here’s a good article on How to Be the Best Ski Racing Parent Possible.
How many races are there per season?
WIJARA hosts four weekends at four locations per season, each weekend has two races Saturday and two races Sunday. USST has additional races. There are other optional races as well.
What is WIJARA?
The WIJARA race series which consists of four race weekends starting in early January and ending in late February. Each weekend consists of four races, two giant slalom races Saturday and two slalom races Sunday. The races are held at Chestnut Mountain in Galena IL, Sundown Mountain in Dubuque IA, Devil’s Head in Portage WI (previously at Cascade) and Tyrol Basin in Mt Horeb WI. Most our team participates in this race series and new racers typically start their racing in WIJARA. See the full schedule for this year.
What are the fees for WIJARA?
The Wilmot fee for a WIJARA athlete is $336.00 included in the registration fee (as of 2024/25), and is for coach coverage at races. There is an additional WIJARA race series fee of $50.00 that enters the racer into the WIJARA system. This is necessary for the athlete to get placed in the start order for each WIJARA race. This is a yearly onetime fee done online through the WIJARA website.
What is USSA?
The Wilmot Ski Team competes in USSA races in Region 2. Region 2 consists of races held in IL, WI and the Upper Peninsula of MI. USSA races start in December and go into March. Athletes that participate in USSA can qualify for Jr. Championship teams that compete throughout the US. Wilmot has had many Jr. Championship Athletes over the years. In addition, those athletes that have the goal to compete at the collegiate level ski USSA FIS to obtain FIS points that rank them nationally.
What is the fee for USSA?
The Wilmot fee for a USSA athlete is $414.00 included in the registration fee (as of 2024/25) and is for coach’s coverage at the USSA races. There are additional USSA fees associated with racing in USSA races that vary depending on the age of the athlete and the races that they attend. Each athlete must be a member of USSA to register to race. Athletes register on a race to race basis. See the USSA website for more information on this.
How many races must an athlete attend?
All returning racers are required to attend a minimum of two WIJARA or USSA races per season. Race participation is not required for NEW team members but is strongly encouraged.
Do you have a fall kick-off meeting?
YES! We have typically have a team meeting and ski swap in late October or early November with coaches and athletes. The 2023/24 meeting was on November 12, 2024/25 is TBD.
Where can I get used equipment?
We have a ski swap at our fall kick off meeting and many people bring their used equipment, skis, boots, poles and race suits, to sell. Some local shops sell used equipment and if you know what you’re looking for, eBay and SidelineSwap are good resources. There is also a Facebook Southern Wisconsin Ski Racing Equipment Page that basically consists of parents selling gear their kid’s grow out of (and some adult gear).
Does the Wilmot Ski Team work with a ski shop for new equipment?
You can get your equipment anywhere but locally for new equipment we recommend Williams Ski in Arlington Heights for your ski equipment. They will give you a discount if you mention the Wilmot Ski Race Team.
If I plan to race, where do I get a bib?
Coaches will distribute bibs before the first race to those attending. The bib must be turned back in when your athlete stops racing for the year. Typically, they will retain their number for the length of their WIJARA career.
What are the parents obligations on a race weekend?
All parents are required to volunteer for races. Typically that involves gatekeeping. We co-host the Cascade race with the Cascade team and there are more volunteer obligations for that race. A link to a sign up will be sent out and placed on this website to fill these spots.
Parents are not to coach their kids at the top of the race course. Coaches are provided at the top to assist your athletes. Please just be a spectator and cheerleader for your athlete.
What do athletes do at a race in between races?
Athletes should be free skiing and running drills on their own between races. Coaches will not be available to provide coaching outside of the start and finish of the races.
What do athletes do if they do not attend a race on a race weekend?
Normal weekend training will not be available at Wilmot as it was in the past. This is to highly encourage all team members to attend races.
INFO FOR RACERS ON RACE DAYS
How do I know when to line up for my race?
Racers should be aware of the start order and where they fall in the start order. Racers should constantly check in with a coach at the top of the hill to see how the race is progressing and how much time they have before they need to report.
Coaching staff emails out the race order several days before a race. It is recommended to print it out and bring it to the race.
When should I be at the mountain on race day?
Racers are expected to be on the top of the course at 7:50am to slip the course (course inspection) with their coach at 8:00am.
Where do I find my race times?
There is a score board located at each race where unofficial times are posted. Official times and placements are emailed out to all racers after completion of a race weekend.
My ski fell off during a SL/GS race, what do I do?
If a ski falls off at any time during a race, the racer is disqualified. A gate keeper will assist the racer in moving their equipment off the course. Racer is to ski down the side of the course.
I missed a gate, what do I do?
In a GS race, the racer is disqualified.
In a SL race, the racer can hike back up the hill with your equipment on to the missed gate and resume racing. The racer must cross the plane of the missed gate before resuming the race.
I caught up with the racer in front of me, what do I do?
If at any time a racer feels that they are going to overtake the racer in front of them, they are to ski off the course and go directly to a course official and request a rerun. DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE!
Someone fell and is blocking the course, what do I do?
Racer should ski off the course and go directly to a course official and request a rerun. DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE!
Finally……….PLEASE REMEMBER:
The philosophy of the program is to TEACH SKIING and that skiing should be a FUN activity.
The success of the Wilmot Ski Team is measured in terms of teaching the lifetime sport of skiing. We also achieve high results in competition in WIJARA and USSA races. We are proud to assist your racers in growing as both young adults and as athletes. These results happen because of the support of the Wilmot Mountain management and ski area staff. Parent support and assistance is critical to our organizational support activities. With your help, we promise to do our best to achieve this philosophy for your children.