- Updated 26Nov07 -

GVBKYS Program for 2007/8

• Program Goals:
• Ski as much as possible = FUN!
• Be accessible to new skiers but facilitate interest and development of experienced skiers
• Introduce all XC Ski aspects including classic, skate, skills, biathlon, Ski-O and competition
• Ready willing athletes for school team participation in junior high, possible US Skiing Junior Olympics track
• Ski as much as possible = FUN!

   

• Skier Groups - We use four distinct Skier Groups to assure that all children are skiing at the appropriate level and receiving individual attention based on their developmental needs. To summarize how to approach your child's placement, consider:  

• If your child has never skied before or are not ready to start skate skiing, racing, etc., they will be in either Bobcats or Sno Monkeys depending on age.
• If your child is self sufficient at skiing and is interested in going fast/far, skating and/or fun racing, they will be a Sno Leopard.
• If your child is an accomplished skier that is truly interested in ski sport and being ready for competition (at some point), they are a Cheetah.
• Note that Sno Leopards and Cheetahs will share coaches and activities during most practices.
• The Sno Monkeys are our transitional group.  Our goal for skiers in the Sno Monkeys group is to help them progress their basic skills to be ready to ski and fun race with both ski techniques.  We will use our sets of club skis to allow these children to experiment with fast skiing and skating as soon as they are ready and interested.
• If you have any questions about where to place your child(ren), please contact us.  After we start skiing with the children, we will make natural placement changes to assure everyone is at the correct level.  Please note the ski equipment requirements for each level.

   

• Curriculum - We are basing our development curriculum on the New England Nordic Ski Association program, perhaps the best organized Bill Koch Skiing program in the USA.  We will use Skills Progression Charts to track the developmetal progress of the children.  We will encourage the children to track their progress after practices on Saturdays. 

• Coaches - See the Contact Us page for a listing of the program coaches with contact information.

• Ks for Kochers - We will also encourage all children to keep track of how far/how much time they spend skiing each season via participation in the NYSSRA " Ks for Kochers" program.  NYSSRA will send each child a tracking sheet that we will fill in weekly.  Awards will be presented at the end of the season.  Previous years have indicated a strong correlation between Ks skied and positive results at the NYSSRA Mid Atlantic Bill Koch Festival!

• Schedule - 2007/8 Schedule

• Venues - GVBKYS uses multiple venues in the Greater Rochester area to give every the best possible expereince and keep the children's interest levels high.  This year we are adding the new Bristol Mtn facility with snowmaking; we plan to ski there during December and also ski there during any thaw periods. (Bristol details; 7 and under free, older children qualify for special $40 team rate season pass, parents responsible for trail passes.)  Maps, links and special instructions by venue:

  Mendon Ponds Park - We meet at various locations in the park as indicated on the Park Map.  For sessions at North Meadow, park on Canfield Road near the kiosk.  For sessions on Pond Road, park on road near the designated horse trailer lot.  Please note that typically there is not access to warm shelter or rest facilities.  Please be sure to lock your vehicle when skiing at MPP.

  Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area - This little-known but amazing venue is located approximately 25 minutes south of Mendon Ponds on Canadice Hill.  Located at 2100ft above sea level, the trails (HHSRA Trail Map) there typically have skiable snow for most of the winter season and are groomed by RXCSF.  The NYS Parks website includes a location map link.  Please note that typically there is not access to warm shelter or rest facilities.  Temperatures at HHSRA typically are 5-10 degrees colder than in Rochester, so plan accordingly.

  Bristol Mountain - New for 2007/8, Bristol Mountain will be operating an XC ski facility with prefessionally designed trails and a lodge facility with rest rooms and refreshments available.  There are a total of 3km of trails, with 1.2km with snowmaking and lights (Bristol Mtn XC Brochure and Map).  The trails will be professionally groomed by snow cats with power tilling and hydraulic classic track setters, so skiing conditions should be consistently good.  Access to the mountain-top facility is via town-maintained dirt roads with two sharp corners and steep hills so drive with caution.  The brochure has a small map; take NYS 64 south to CR32 west to South Hill Road south to end.  Allow sufficient time for the drive.  Use the Bristol Mountain website for conditions reporting.

  Dryer Park - Dryer Park in Victor is known for excellent mountain bike trails and this year will be starting limited XC ski trail grooming as snow conditions allow.  The trails are great for pre-season hiking & running. Victor Mountain Bike Club has a children's mountain biking program that may be of interest to GVBKYS families.

  1012 Oak Ridge Drive - This is the Witkowski's house in Victor located off NYS 215 between Victor and Mendon.   Snow permitting we have a classic ski loop, a small hill with fun jumps, a mini biathlon range and a sledding hill.  We welcome GVBKYS families to join us here on select after-school sessions.   Lucky parents can also have access to our ventilated ski waxing workshop!

  The RXCSF Trail Conditions Report offers additional descriptions, directions along with current trail conditions for most venues.

• GVBKYS Practice Sessions Summary:
  • The schedule includes all the planned activities for the year.  Typical sessions include:
    • Saturday Regular Practices – Games, instruction, ski tours, fun races and always hot chocolate.
    • Tuesday Fun Skis – Optional sessions usually involving a short ski tour to practice, have fun and accumulate kilometers.
  • Be on time! We know from first hand experience how hard it is, but please make every effort to be on time for practices (and ready for the skiing technique noted on the schedule for Sno Leopards and Cheetahs).  The children (and adults) can get cold while waiting for others to be ready.
  • Weather Decisions and Notification – GVBKYS is a winter program subject to the whims of Mother Nature.  We may have to cancel if extreme weather; generally there is no skiing for all groups below 0F or during wind chill/heavy snow events.  The younger Bobcats group practices are optional below 10F - use your best judgment knowing your child’s capabilities.  Notifications for practice changes and cancellations will be via email and website – always check before practice.
  • Bring a friend – please ask us before if we have club equipment available for guests.  We are always looking to expand our club and this is a great way to introduce other children to XC skiing.

• Holiday Camp - We will run a two day Holiday Camp at Bristol, included for GVBKYS children but also open to any other interested children.  This will be a great opportunity to invite your children's freinds to ski with us.   

• Fun Racing - GVBKYS skiers that are ready are encouraged to participate in our own fun races and also in NYSSRA Bill Koch Ski League races in other communities in Upstate NY.  Everyone who participates in Bill Koch races receives a participation award.  Any initial hesistation to race is usually misplaced, as the children end up having a good time celebrating their acheivements.  The Bill Koch League Section of the annual NYSSRA manual has additional information regarding racing including the age group divisions.  The kids really enjoy participating in races in other parts of New York.  Syracuse Sunnycrest, Old Forge, Holland Patent and Winona Forest/Tug Hill Tourathon are kid-friendly venues not too far from Rochester.  For races that are out of town that will be attended by Cheetahs and other GVBKYS skiers, we will attempt to establish car pools, etc. to make the trip easier and more cost effective.

• Bring a Friend!
  • Club Equipment is available to bring a friend; will need to reserve or first-come first-serve.

• NYSSRA/Mid Atlantic Festival – This year, GVBKYS is hosting the Festival.  Please contact us if you are interested in helping with planning and execution.

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