Hidden Valley Ski Team Starts Dry Land Training This Weekend

The independent Hidden Valley Ski Team officially begins team practices for the 2012-2013 alpine racing season this Sunday, September 16, 2012.

Dry land training is scheduled for 3:30-5:00 p.m. every Sunday until Thanksgiving. Practices take place in the parking lot at 17361 Edison Avenue in Chesterfield valley (near ATA Martial Arts).

“The purpose of dry land training is to prepare for the upcoming season in a fun and safe environment,” says HVST’s dry land training coach, Shane Mayer. “We’ll focus on strength conditioning and team building, which includes a wide variety of exercises, skills games, running, roller blading, streching, and other activities. The location in Chesterfield valley is a central location for our athletes, who come from Illinois as well as St. Louis and St. Charles counties.”

Anyone interested in joining the nationally ranked Hidden Valley Ski team is welcome to participate. Those interested in joining the team will pay current dues, which are gradated depending upon level of involvement (see hvst.org for more information about fees). Members also must have membership in the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA).

During the winter snow season, the team trains at Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood, MO. Children who join the team receive training on skiing technique and alpine racing. All have the option to travel to regional races and compete in junior race programs or in USSA races, considered to be the conduit to the U.S. Ski Team. With more than a dozen coaches, many with racing experience, the team has racked up impressive accomplishments in both regional and national alpine race events. Since the team was founded 20 years ago, more than 300 racers have been coached. The team is proud to have had eight Junior Olympians as well as other racers who have moved on to college teams. Currently there are more than 60 members of the team. This past year, 15-year-old Abigail Murer of Wildwood was named the 2012 National Champion in the NASTAR circuit, the nation’s largest recreational ski and snowboard race program. It was the second year in a row that Murer ranked at the top, earning her training time with the U.S. Ski Team.

Practices are weather permitting. If you would like more information about the ski team, visit www.hvst.org. You can send questions to the team through a link on the website.  Participants can call the HVST information line at 314-995-1580 for weekly updates.

 **Team directors will be on site during dry land training to answer any questions and take membership applications. Children interested in joining the team must be able to ski and independently get on and off a ski lift. All racing skills will be taught in small groups that are designated by age/skill level. Ski team activity levels include: developmental (no out of town racing); and then partial and full race/travel team levels.