1.  How important is it to be at every practice?

We understand that you need to balance homework and ski practice, however the more practices your child can make it to the more they will gain confidence and become better ski racers.  At practice they can focus on specific skills that all come together to make a better racer.  Practice gives the kids a chance to run through gates several  times without the pressure of being at a race.  This gives them more confidence and takes some pressure off of race days.  Practices are also a fun team building time; the more practices, the more bonding with coaches and team mates. This being said, you can attend any number of practices each week based on your family’s schedule. We usually recommend at least 2 nights per week.

2.  How important is it to be at every race?

The race season starts up in mid-December and is over by the middle of March.  Attending races is important. Athletes will experience everything from getting up early to be ready to ski by 7 am to how to think happy thoughts in the start gate and most importantly how good it feels to cross the finish line, completing a good run.  There is nothing better than to see a racer at the finish with a smile on their face.  Race weekends teach discipline and time management.   Races can be heartbreaking but fun at the same time.  Attend as many races that work for you family. 

3.  How important is dryland training?

Dryland training is a great way to bond with team mates and coaches and get in shape for ski season. The coaches keep it fun and the kids enjoy it.   I think it's a good way to ease into the ski  season by getting exercise, meeting your team mates and coaches  and most importantly getting  excited about ski racing and the upcoming season.  I would suggest you attend as many as possible.

4.  Ski equipment is very expensive.  What is the best to find equipment for my new skier, especially if I don’t know if my child will stay with ski racing.

The Team Gilboa Swap is Oct. 10-12 at the Bryant Lake Pavillion. There is used ski race equipment there at good prices.  Be sure to get there early Friday evening as race equipment goes quickly.  Ask to have a Team Gilboa coach or experienced parent help you out in choosing equipment.  For more info on The Swap, visit the News and Events page on the website.  Don't forget, you can also drop off old or unused family equipment to make a little cash or donate it to help out the team.

5.  We pay a lot to ski race and go to events.  I thought we could go and watch our racers.  How come we have to volunteer at races besides everything else we do to get our skiers to the races?

Ski racing depends a lot on parent volunteers to make the races run smoothly.  There are many jobs that need to be done.  Skiing would cost even more if workers had to be hired for those jobs.  If you like to be outside and on the hill, you can get a free lift ticket for the day by volunteering to do an outside job.  There are also positions indoors to help with paperwork in the “race office” and with organizing volunteers.  Some jobs require official training and others you can learn “on the job.” It can seem daunting at first, but the longer you are in racing, you will find jobs that you like. You also get to know parents from other ski clubs thru working with them.  More experienced parents are very helpful in training in new parents.  They have all been in your position as a new parent at some point in their ski racing history.  

1.  Everyone keeps talking about this USSA. What is it?

Click here to get your questions answered about USSA.

2.  What do I need to know about traveling to USSA races that are not close to the Twin Cities?

Races start early in the morning.  If you are going to be staying overnight, it is good to check into hotel reservations well in advance as accommodations fill quickly.  It is better to get reservations early and cancel if you decide not to go than to be left with no lodging.  For the USSA races at Spirit Mountain, Duluth often has other events going on that cause lodging to fill quickly.  Likewise, the same can happen for the USSA races in LaCrosse.  So check on reservations well ahead of time. You can consider sharing condos with other families at both Giant’s Ridge and Lutsen.  

3. Are there extra fees to race in the USSA races?

Yes. There are registration fees for the USSA association. You need to register your athlete for both USSA and Region 1 (the region we compete in). If your athlete is also racing FIS, there is an additional FIS registration fee.  You can visit each of these three sites to learn more: USSA and FIS and Region 1.  For more info on USSA, click here.

 4. Why should I sign my athlete up for USSA?

The USSA racing circuit is what Team Gilboa races in. These are competitive, well-run races where racers compete against other teams across the metro (Buck Hill, Team Afton, TR2, etc.) and also teams from across the region (Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan). Athletes are always excited about the friends they make from other teams, the competition these races foster, and the depth of experience they gain from racing at a variety of hills.