HEALTHY COMPETITION
Racing on the slopes a bonding and learning experience
One of my most beloved memories from childhood is when my father, my siblings and I would compete in the weekly NASTAR ski race — a national recreational race program that would allow you to compare your time to anyone regardless of where or when you raced.
But it was the family competition that drove us. We’d talk smack all week, jibing one another about past times, wipeouts or our general belief that we were going to kick the others’ butts the coming weekend.
Sometimes I’d win, sometimes a sibling would. Every now and then, Dad came in ahead of us all. Today, as the mother of two adult kids who grew up on skis, I have to wonder if my father loved it more when he beat us, or we beat him. Either way, from my view today, it seems like a win.
Racing never was my competitive choice. My gymnastics background led me, quite naturally, to the freestyle skiing sphere. And yet, racing always was a part of my ski life and still is from time to time. This is good, and it should be a choice for everyone who loves to ski or ride.
Why? Because, put simply, racing on a relaxed, recreational level makes you a better skier.
“Gate racing at any level is just so great for your skiing,” Olympian Pam Fletcher said. “It forces you to look down the hill and plan how you approach your run. And it helps you to find a rhythm in your skiing.”
Fletcher often helps skiers learn how to ski gates, encouraging them to plan their turns ahead of time and look forward to the upcoming gates instead of down at the ground ahead of them.
“I always say, ‘Don’t look at the snow in front of your skis. Look ahead instead,’” she said. “Most people don’t realize that.”
Fletcher said slower skiers can benefit the most from recreational racing because they begin to anticipate the next turn and drive toward it.
“And when you are anticipating like that, it does not feel like you are skiing as fast as you are,” she said. “That means you are most likely going to ski faster.”
There are many ways to ski recreationally. One of the best is the Vertical Challenge Program. Now in its 28th year, this free program is offered at as many as 32 eastern resorts each season.
“This event now touches three generations,” program spokesman Frank Tansey said. “We give stuffed dogs to the little kids who are just getting brave enough to give it a try and tell them to bring their dogs back for future races. These days, we have 30-year-olds still showing up with their stuffed dogs. It’s great.”
The Vertical Challenge is set up to look like an Olympic event with flags, blowups, a prize table (with $5,000 worth of prizes and trophies), a winner’s podium and music. But participants are not left on their own to take on the race.
Instead, each race is staffed with volunteers who are assigned families to “adopt” for the day. Experts in racing and calm, positive supporters, these volunteers help families learn to navigate a ski racing event from start to finish. They also are trained to impart sportsmanship wisdom on kids.
“We like this experience to not just be a racing lesson but a lesson in life,” Tansey said.
The Vertical Challenge also embraces newbies to racing. While one might expect the hardcore racer to be the VIP at these events, first-timers are, Tansey said.
The Vertical Challenge applauds families that race together. A special “family trophy” is awarded to those who race as a unit. And anyone who wins gold, silver or bronze is invited to the finals, this year held at Jay Peak on April 7. Organizers expect more than 2,000 racers to attend; most of them recreational skiers. For locations of races, including one coming up at nearby Nashoba Valley, visit www.verticalchallenge.com.
There are other great programs, too. King Pine in Madison, N.H., holds a weekly Saturday night family racing event, a fun dual-slalom race on a moderate trail that just about any skier can handle. Under the lights makes it extra exciting, and the racing is free to anyone with a lift ticket.
At Bolton Valley in Vermont, you can get actual pro racing tips every Tuesday. For just a $5 fee (with your lift ticket), you can run gates and get tips from experienced racers.
In the end, racing can boost your skiing IQ , help you feel more comfortable on snow, win you some prizes and bragging rights, and build great lifetime family memories.
I know it did for me. And by the way, siblings and Dad: I’m pretty sure I won the most. Just saying.