Manitoba Masters Ski Club (2008/9) is all about:

Skill Improvement
At the heart of our program is our belief that everyone can enjoy winter and skiing if they are learning at a pace that works for them. By dividing into groups for the year where the content taught can be better based on ability we help target the individual’s needs. You chose the group that’s right for you.

Race Coaching
For many people the idea of racing can be intimidating. Our coaching approach keeps the emphasis on skill improvement and by training with the different tools available through the club programs your progress can be amazing. The added challenge increases the fun of skiing and the self-confidence of the skier too.

Racing
By separating the classes (the group you race in) by results rather than age (as is the case in traditional Master’s programs) our club has managed to satisfy and challenge skiers at all levels of athleticism and experience. We are able to provide a safe environment for our newest members and yet push the nationally ranked racer too. Improvement is accelerated by being able to compare your results against your own past performance or that of others. It’s only as competitive as you make it. Racing can be fun if you want it to be.

General Education
Our members can learn not only on snow but off as well.  Through seminars and our website they learn about equipment selection, tuning and waxing, the technique and tactics of racing and are even exposed to the psychological and physical preparation that can make the difference to their ski racing. Video is used as well at various times in the year to enhance your understanding of your technique and as a reference point.

Fun with Friends
The ultimate goal of our club is to make skiing fun in Manitoba for adults of all ages. There are organized group gatherings and in addition to the basic program there are options such as bus trips, a mountain ski camp and our focussed EPP (Enhanced Performance Program) offering for additional ski improvement. It’s like a ski vacation without the airfare.  Check our website for more complete descriptions and schedules.

Reminder: Helmets are mandatory for all Masters events and training. Please visit the website for more information. They must adhere to the FIS helmet rule for Slalom and GS.

WHAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES

PROGRAM ORGANIZATION
The Masters Ski Program is divided into divided into the following four training groups in order to allow the coaching staff to concentrate on the individual needs of the members. It is not absolutely necessary that the racing and training group members be the same.  The four race groups (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum) are based upon your times in events. Whether you join for ski improvement, to learn to race or to learn to race better, Masters has something for you! 

LEARNING GROUPS  
Skier Essentials (SE)
This training group will be used for teaching the more basic skiing skills. The focus is on learning the Fundamentals. Leadership by experienced ski teachers and coaches help develop the key skiing skills. Whether you joined for ski improvement, to get full value out of the new equipment, tune-up for that next vacation or have an eventual desire to race this is a great place to start.

Learn to Train (LTT)
This training group will be taught more advanced skiing skills and introductory race skills (primarily classic techniques to promote better line before other tactics are learned).  A fair amount of time is spent learning the classic techniques of ski racing. This is for skiers who have refined their skills and wish to become more comfortable in gates over the season. The focus is on developing more confidence and athleticism on the slope. Gates are a more integral part of the training process using all the tools at the club’s command.

Learn to Race (LTR)
These skiers are up for a challenge but need to work on their skills as they are applied to courses. Besides skill drills there is more time in drill courses to help refine and develop their ability in the racecourse. The content is oriented to helping our members to learn to apply new techniques in the course.

 Train to Race (TTR)
This training group is focused on high performance training for racing in the modern environment. The difference between LTR and TTR is partly a physical one. TTR training requires a higher degree of athleticism while the LTR program is still very oriented to learning basic tactics in the course. The goal this year is to increase the challenge in the type of courses they are exposed to. Training will be for combinations, rhythm changes and longer slalom courses too. Armour is necessary for protection in a modern race environment and in order to ski the lines that will be coached.

OUR COACHING STAFF
Masters is all about having fun, being challenged and discovering new capabilities inside yourself and maximizing your equipment’s potential.  The Manitoba Master’s Ski Club has assembled another tremendous team of coaches.  They include members of the club who have progressed because of their desire to improve not only their own skiing skills but to share their love of the sport. We use only C.S.C.F. and C.S.I.A certified staff. For more information on how to become a Masters Coach contact our Head Coach, Glenn Allen.

NEW and IMPROVED for 2008/9
As in prior years our basic program for members includes a combination of training and races.  This year, we have made some modifications to the program.

• Training - This year the basic program is again focussed on training and preparation more in the first half of the schedule in order to prepare skiers at all levels to improve their general skiing skills as well as experience race techniques and tactics. Fewer dates but more coaches per session.
• Races – This year there will be 9 races over the course of the year which is one more than 07/08.  This includes a new full length Slalom at Asessippi. All members will again ski on the same race courses and through the year the level of challenge (complexity) increases.  This way all members can experience the excitement that racing offers and test their skills and their progress.
• EPP at Holiday- These will again be an optional offering for three days held at Holiday Mountain where the participants are exposed to the most focussed coaching techniques available. If last year’s participation is an indication preregistration will be necessary so reserve your spot early.
• NEW Mountain Camp Option – Despite our best intentions Mother Nature usually succeeds in restricting our options on snow in February. Low temperature and high winds have caused numerous cancellations over the past 4 years so this year we’ve decided not to fight the elements. However instead of giving up entirely we’re trying something new this year. The club will be hosting a ski week/ ski camp for our members in the East Kootenays (that’s Fairmont, Panorama, Kimberley and Fernie for terrain). Our first taste of what this can be like was two years ago at Silver Star. We’ll spend only 2 days gate training at Fairmont and then ski the rest of the time at other mountains.
• NEW GS Option- To help members feel comfortable with the speeds that occur on our Asessippi Race Weekend we have scheduled a speed skiing clinic at Asessippi this year. Members who are eligible as well can enter Manitoba’s first ever Skier Cross to be held that Monday (Louis Riel Day).
• NEW Cancellation Policy: Our club program cancellation point has been returned to –28 for both training and racing nights at Springhill. This was in response to the desire expressed at the AGM to eliminate any confusion about when we would be training or racing.  
• NEW Club Coach Clinic- To help further the knowledge of our coaching members so that they can bring that experience into their sessions with you a clinic just for them is scheduled. These hardworking souls also need training and some ski time too to keep the fire burning.
• MMAST (Manitoba Masters Alpine Ski Team) To Form- A new high performance program is being developed for those members interested in showing their stuff on the next stage of competition. Contact our Head Coach or Race Committee Chair for more details.

MANITOBA MASTERS SKI CLUB EXECUTIVE