Alpine Ski

Any St. Louis Park student currently enrolled in grades 7-12 and making appropriate progress
towards graduation (as determined by SLPHS) can participate on the SLP High School Alpine Ski
Team.
New members should be strong downhill skiers, but do not need to have ski racing experience.

Minnesota High School teams compete in the discipline of alpine slalom skiing. Alpine slalom ski
racing is a competitive skiing event in which skiers must navigate a course marked by a series of
poles or gates. The gates are spaced much closer together than in other alpine skiing events,
requiring skiers to make quick, tight turns to pass through them. The skier who completes the
course in the fastest time without missing any gates or straddling a gate (which would result in
disqualification) is declared the winner. The event is typically held on a steep, snowy slope, and
skiers must use their skills and techniques to navigate the challenging course as quickly and
efficiently as possible. During a race, each skier makes two runs down the course. The times
from the two runs are added together, and the fastest total time determines the winner.
Individual times are combined for a team result.

All equipment can be purchased at local ski shops. Used equipment is also a good option and
can be purchased at ski swaps that take place around the cities in the fall. Coaches are happy
help athletes figure out what is the best equipment for their ability and race level.

As a high school winter sport, the ski season starts in mid-November and ends in early
February.

Once there is enough snow on the hill, the team practices at Hyland Hills Ski Area in
Bloomington and will be held each school day from 7 pm to 9 pm, except on race days. Prior to
getting on the hill, the team holds dryland practice at Eden Prairie High School from 7 pm to
8:45 pm. Prior to the season, in early November, the captains hold a few captains; practices at
the high school to meet new skiers and get ready for the season.

Varsity races are held at Buck Hill on Thursdays starting at 4 pm, and junior varsity races are
held at Hyland Hills Ski Area on Fridays starting at about 4:30 pm. Girls and boys practice
together, and generally race at the same time but race on separate courses and are scored
separately. In addition, the team competes in a number of Invitational Races each year.

As with all high school sports teams, there are costs that will be incurred with membership.
Costs vary somewhat from year to year, and person to person, but here is a breakdown of costs
associated with the team.

Activity Fee - paid directly to SLPHS when you register for the team.
Hyland Season Pass (required to participate) - Pricing is determined by Hyland and is
discounted if purchased in advance. Current pricing can be found on their Hyland Hills Hours &
Rates website page.
Team Fee - This fee use used to help offset team costs (such as replacing gates).

Ski Equipment - See question above for information on required and optional ski equipment.

Team Training Trip (optional) - Roughly every other year, the team takes a training trip to
Lutsen Mountains at the beginning of the season. There is an additional cost for those athletes
who want to go on this trip - which is everyone because it is a blast!

Team Apparel (optional) - Team apparel such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, etc. is decided on
and designed by the captains each year, and made available for purchase.

Athletes on the SLPHS Alpine Ski Team are eligible for awards and recognition including team
and Lake Conference awards, as well as SLPHS Varsity Letters and Participation awards.