Programs Overview

How do I join SaskAlpine?

Membership to SaskAlpine is through one of the Saskatchewan clubs associated with SaskAlpine. Refer to our club contacts page on this web site to find a club near you.

What are the age category designations at races?

The category names are established by age group.

E2 for 8-10 year olds
K1 for 11 and 12 year olds
K2 for 13 and 14 year olds
J1 for 15 and 16 year olds
J2 for 17 through 19 year olds

The 15 year olds an up are sometimes also referred to as FIS since they can hold FIS Cards and be eligible to race in FIS designated races.

What is the Snow Stars program?

The Nancy Greene Ski League (NGSL) program includes a 7-step learning process referred to as the Snow Stars Program. This program will take your child through 7 stages and includes level stickers and a report card. Similar to swimming lessons, the Snow Stars Program outlines the skills and safety lessons for each level. The Nancy Greene and Snow Stars are first and foremost "Learn to Ski" programs.

Races, at this age, emphasize fun, safety and friendship. The young athletes do have the opportunity to participate in club races and two provincial events to gain an exposure to ski racing. All of the race courses are set with the 5-year-old skier in mind. There is a prize for every athlete that participates. Same prize for all – regardless of result. Everybody is a winner.

Equipment: Helmets – All SaskAlpine athletes are required to wear properly fitting helmets. Skis – There are no special ski requirements. It is the PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that their child has properly fitting and properly functioning equipment.

What is the Nancy Greene Ski League?

An introductory program to racing for kids ages 5 through 13 (as of December 31), with a focus on fun, safety and skiing development. It was founded by Kell Antoft in 1968 after Nancy Greene won gold for Canada in the Grenoble Olympics. The Nancy Greene Ski League (NGSL) operates all across Canada and has a history of creating lasting memories and good skiers.

The philosophy of the NGSL is to promote FUN, SAFETY, SKILL DEVELOPMENT and FAIR PLAY for children. Emphasizing social interaction, the League teaches children fundamental skiing skills and the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. Each child will improve their skiing skills, make new friends and come home with a feeling good about their accomplishments each weekend.

Dedicated volunteer and professional coaches ensure a perfect mix of fun, skill development, safety, and skier etiquette for the skiers. Skiers will participate and have the opportunity to excel in organized alpine racing through team and individual racing where fair play is promoted and rewarded with ski medals and ribbons to every competitor, resulting in huge smiles and great memories!

Do I have to Race in the Nancy Greene Ski League?

Although races are designed to be part of the fun, there is no pressure to attend the races. To minimize competitiveness and build teamwork, individual times are not posted and clubs / intraclub teams compete together with the best-combined time winning.

What is the Sask Alpine K1 Developmental Team?

The K1 Program is the first level of Alpine Ski Racing. This program is for children of ages 11 and 12 (children must be either 11 or 12 years old as of December 31st).

For the highly competitive skier: This is the start of their journey as a competitive alpine skier. K1 racers begin to adapt to a more competitive atmosphere where each individual is encouraged to push themselves through competition and a quality-training environment to further their skills as a skier and racer.

For the less competitive/recreational skier: The clubs offer a high level of coaching to less competitive skiers who may not which to travel to races outside of Saskatchewan. These skiers can participate in all club races and may move to the more competitive program at any time if they have a desire to ski at a more competitive level.

Race Season: All K1 athletes will compete in the Sask Cup race series. There are 4 to 5 races throughout the season as well as the club championships usually the last weekend of March of first weekend of April. All athletes entering these races contribute points to their club's Sask Cup standings - which are presented at the end-of-season windup usually held mid-March. K1 athletes will also have a few out-of-Province racing opportunities throughout the season commencing in January. These races can be in Manitoba, Alberta, and BC. Attendance at these races is optional but encouraged for those who wish to be competitive racers. The calendar for all the training and races is posted on this web site.

Whistler Cup - this international event is held the first weekend of April every year for qualifying K1 and K2 athletes. Qualification criteria for this event can be found on this Sask Alpine web site.

Summer Training: Some K1 athletes may also be invited to our summer training camps. Consideration to costs and availability will affect the location. Most years there is a 3-day skills camp in May, fitness testing and dryland training through the summer, as well as a 4-day gate training camp at a site such as Farnham Glacier. Costs for these programs are not included in your program fees. Information will be provided near the end of the ski season.

Equipment Requirements: Helmets - A certified race helmet is mandatory. These helmets include a full hard cover shell over the ears. Racers will not be allowed to race without it. As well we suggest a detachable face guard for slalom.

Cross Blockers - These attach to the poles and protect the hands when skiing slalom and can be bought from our retail partners.

Shinners - Shinners are worn over the ski pants or skin suits to protect the shins and knees when skiing slalom.

Speed Suits - Speed suits are not mandatory however by this stage most K1 athletes are using them.

Skis - K1 athletes will compete in 3 types of races. Slalom, Giant Slalom (“GS”) and Kombi. It is suggested (but not required) that K1 athletes have a pair of slalom skis for Kombi and Slalom and GS skis for Giant Slalom.

It is the PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that their child has properly fitting and properly functioning equipment.

What is Sask Alpine K2 Developmental Program?

The K2 Program is for children of ages 13 and 14 (children must be either 13 or 14 years old as of December 31st).

For the highly competitive skier: At this stage of the program the athletes should have a grasp on the skills required in this sport. The athlete is still in the developmental stages of ski racing and races should be viewed as training for future development. The K2 racers will participate in the Sask Cup Series, as well as various K2 races in Manitoba, Alberta, and B.C. At this level, athletes will find trying to balance schoolwork, training, racing, education, finances, family and social time - challenging but possible. It is also a policy that the trips will have chaperones attending to assist with management, tutoring, meal preparation, and other support tasks.

Summer Training: It is also our mandate as club to provide summer on-snow ski training for FIS athletes. Consideration to costs and availability will affect the location. Most years there is a 3-day skills camp in May, fitness testing and dryland training through the summer, as well as a 4-day gate training camp at a site such as Farnham Glacier. Costs for these programs are not included in your program fees. Information will be provided near the end of the ski season.

Race Season: All K2 athletes will compete in the Sask Cup race series. There are 4 to 5 races throughout the season as well as the club championships usually the last weekend of March of first weekend of April. All athletes entering these races contribute points to their club's Sask Cup standings - which are presented at the end-of-season windup usually held mid-March. K2 athletes will also have several out-of-Province training and races throughout the year commencing in January. These races can be in Manitoba, Alberta, and BC. Attendance at these races is optional but encouraged for those who wish to be competitive racers. The calendar for all the training and races is posted on this web site.

Post-Season Events: The K2 Nationals can be attended if qualifying criteria is met (available from this web site) . Alternatively, the K2 Western Championships can also be attended based on the same qualifying criteria - this race is a competition between the Western provinces. Whistler Cup is an international event held the first weekend of April every year for qualifying K1 and K2 athletes. Qualification criteria for all these events can be found on this Sask Alpine web site.

Dryland and off season-Training: Fitness is key! Dryland training should be attended throughout the fall - athletes are encouraged to do this training. Dryland will include cardio work, balance training core strength, flexibility and weight training. We also highly promote participation in other sports to develop great athletes and high fitness levels.

Equipment: Skis - K2 athletes will compete in 4 types of races. Slalom, Giant Slalom (“GS”), Kombi and Super G. At this stage, K2 athletes need a pair of slalom skis for Kombi and Slalom and GS skis for GS and Super G.

It is the PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that their child has properly fitting and properly functioning equipment.

What is the SaskAlpine Provincial Team (also referred to as the FIS team)?

Having years of preparation, athletes aged 15 and over are now ready to pursue a higher level of competition by joining the FIS team. This allows them to compete against athletes from other provinces and other countries. With this decision comes a commitment to a higher level of training and competition. As is the case for every age group, all events and days offered are optional. At this level, athletes will find trying to balance schoolwork, training, racing, education, finances, family and social time - challenging but possible.

The goal of the FIS team is two-fold. First, for athletes to continue their love for the sport and developing their skills. Second, to elevate the athletes' standings and possibly support their involvement in a higher level provincial team.

FIS Schedule: The FIS program is approximately 8 months in duration running from September to mid April - not including the summer dryland and fitness camps. It starts in earnest in November with extended weekend training camps before the first competition in December. Athletes may train Friday, Saturday and Sunday when not attending races.

Races: The FIS team competes mainly in Alberta and BC - but can compete in other parts of Canada and the United States. Athletes 15 and 16 years old compete in J1 and athletes 17 and 18 compete in J2.

Dryland and off season-Training: Fitness is key! Dryland training should be attended throughout the fall - athletes are encouraged to do this training. Dryland will include, cardio work, balance training core strength, flexibility and weight training. We also highly promote participation in other sports to develop great athletes and high level of fitness.

Summer Training: FIS athletes will be on snow at various times through out the spring, summer and fall in order to get mileage on their skis and refine their skills.

Races, in this category, are a little more competitive, safe and are the development of friendships for like-minded enthusiasts for the sport. The young athletes do have the opportunity to participate in club races and two provincial events to gain an exposure to ski racing. All of the race courses are set with the 5-year-old skier in mind. There are prizes for athletes that participate and achieve certain results.