WSRC U12 Train to Train
Program Guide

Sharpen Your Skills, Race with Friends, Chase the Finish Line

The U12 Train to Train Program is for athletes who are ready to take their skiing to the next level. At this stage, skiers develop technical skills, train in structured environments, and gain exposure to more formal racing. It’s about sharpening skills, building resilience, and learning to compete in a supportive team atmosphere.

Program Overview

• Age Group: Athletes born in 2014 & 2015
• Season Dates: January 3/4 – March 21/22, 2026
• Options:
  • 3-day (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
  • 2-day (Saturday & Sunday)
  • 1-day (Saturday or Sunday)
  • Optional Thursday/Friday add-on training for 1- and 2-day athletes
• STRIVE Level: Train to Train – developing race habits, resilience, focus, and teamwork

Goals of the U12 Program

• Strengthen technical skiing skills (carving, pressure control, body position)
• Introduce structured race training and courses
• Develop competition skills in a supportive environment
• Learn mental preparation and review techniques (video, debriefs)
• Foster resilience, sportsmanship, and teamwork

A Typical U12 Training Day

• 8:45 AM – Meet by the finish shack for on-snow warm-up
• Morning session – Drills, race training, guided free skiing
• 11:30 AM – Lunch with family (unsupervised)
• 12:25 PM – Afternoon training
• 2:30 PM – On-snow ends; video review & mental training until 3:00 (2- and 3-day athletes)

Prerequisites

• Ability to ski confidently on blue and black terrain
• Comfortable skiing independently and riding lifts
• Willingness to learn in structured training environments

Required Gear

• Skis: JR Race Slalom Skis (no taller than their nose) & GS Skis (about 10 cm taller than their Slalom Skis). It is optional to have two pairs of skis based on your athlete’s competitiveness and development.
• Boots: Jr. Race Boots - 4 buckle front overlap design. They should be able to flex the boots.
• Helmet: The athlete should have a hard hard FIS approved helmet with a chin guard.
• Guards: Jr. Sized slalom shin guards and Jr. pole guards
• Race suit optional but increasingly common at this stage

RACING & TRAINING SAFELY

U12 Athletes will need a MINIMUM of three days of Gate training (GS & SL) in order to mitigate the risks they are exposed to on Race Day in a course. The WSRC Coaching staff ultimately makes the decision as to whether they feel an athlete is Safe enough to race.  This can be an issue for early season races.

Parent Takeaway

The U12 program is where skiers become racers. With more structured training, competition opportunities, and skill development, athletes sharpen their skiing while building confidence, resilience, and a love for racing.

👉 Register for U12 Train to Train and help your skier chase new goals!