The GPST is a TEAM of people with a common interest in having fun and ski racing. This team is comprised of the following groups: Junior Racers, Adult Racers, Granite Peak Ski Area Management and Staff, Coaches, Program Directors, the GPST Board of Directors, and Parents, Guardians, Grandparents & Friends too! Each of these groups are detailed below:
Junior Racers:
Junior racers improve their skills by attending gate training and races (GPST, WIJARA or USSA). Junior racers are divided into racing classes based upon their sex and age. The age class is based on the racer’s age as of January 1 of the ski season. The age classes are:
|
Class |
Age |
|
J6 |
8 years and younger |
|
J5 |
9 and 10 years old |
|
J4 |
11 and 12 years old |
|
J3 |
13 and 14 years old |
|
J2 |
15 and 16 years old |
|
J1 |
17 years old and over |
In GPST and WIJARA racers are advanced one age class level when they win two (2) races. It is possible to advance several class levels in one season. The next race season, however, the racer starts in his/her regular age class.
Racers are expected to be courteous to others and conduct themselves in a sportsman like manner at all times. Racer conduct reflects on the entire team, therefore, racers and parents must abide by the guidelines in this material, requests of the coaches, program directors, volunteers, and GPST Board of Directors.
Inappropriate conduct or language may result in verbal warnings, suspension from an event and/or expulsion from the team. Decisions on such matters reside in the hands of the coaches. This is true both on and off the racecourse. Note that the ski area can also act on violations by restricting or revoking any patron’s lift privileges.
Adult Racers:
Adult GPST Members are welcome to participate in Gate Training and the Wednesday Adult Race Teams (WART). Racers must be 19 or over and a member of GPST. Adult racers compete using NASTAR by GPST. Helmets are required for gate training and are strongly encouraged for WART, (but not required).
Granite Peak Ski Area Management and Staff:
The GPST works closely with the Granite Peak Ski Area Management and their staff in order to provide a safe and fun environment for our racers.
Racers are required to have a season pass or lift ticket visible to ride the chair lift. Keep this in mind when your racer is attaching a ticket to clothing. Some racers attach their season pass to a jacket or vest, which they then remove before racing. This is not acceptable. Make sure the season pass is with the racer at all times. A lift ticket can be attached to a piece of clothing that will be worn during the race like the goggle band. During practice, tickets and season passes often are lost when the racer hits a gate. Another option is an arm/leg band ticket holder.
Granite Peak Ski Area offers several different ski lift options that save money for regular skiers. These include season passes and multi-pack tickets. Rates are also reduced on passes purchased well in advance of the ski season. Contact Granite Peak Ski Area at 715/845-2846 or visit www.skigranitepeak.com for more information.
Season pass holders must follow the same rules as regular ticket holders. Your pass must be visible at all times. If you loose your season pass or forget to bring it with you, check in at the counter inside the Ticket Office. Granite Peak Ski Area has outlined the season pass rules for all pass holders and they must be followed.
Coaches:
GPST has a coaching staff of independent coaches and volunteer coaches. The GPST Board of Directors is responsible for hiring and assignment of duties to the coaching staff. We are proud to say we have some of the finest coaches in the area working with GPST. Coaches are responsible for teaching racers:
o Ski racing technique
o Ski racing rules
o Good sportsmanship
o Ski racing tactics
o Skiing safety
Coaches are assigned to GPST programs based upon their availability and skill set to work with the racers at the respective practice sessions and races. Depending on an individual coach’s involvement with other racing levels, they may also be available to assist racers at GPST, WIJARA, USSA/USSA, High School and FIS races.
Parents, Guardians, Grandparents & Friends too!
The GPST needs parent and family participation in order to run programs and events cost effectively. All GPST, WIJARA and USSA races need parent volunteers (see Volunteering Details below). Many of the volunteer positions do not require the volunteer to be on skis. There are opportunities for volunteers to help with score tabulations throughout the season and assist with the Awards Banquet at the end of the season. Parents are expected to work at races throughout the year. The level of involvement required of GPST volunteers varies with each race. Parent volunteer coaches are also helpful in GPST and WIJARA. Generally, gate judges are always needed. Basic training is usually provided before each race at a Gate Judge meeting. Through this participation, parents:
o Gain a closer relationship with their racers
o See racer’s skills improve
o Gain a better understanding of junior racing and its rules
o Keep the team a viable organization by assuring the work does not fall on just a few
Finally, nobody (including parents) may take a run in the gates without the permission of the coaches.
Program Directors:
Program Directors are volunteers in charge of their specific GPST program (i.e. Gate Training, JART, WIJARA, USSA, Adult Race League). They are not coaches within that program. Program Directors are critical to the success of every GPST program. While they are not necessarily on the GPST Board of Directors, they can be. Program Directors have a great amount of flexibility in their specific program. Some program directors may have a large team of people that help them coordinate their program, while other Program Directors may do the majority the work themselves.
Responsibilities of the Program Directors include, but are not limited to:
o Communications and coordination with Head Coach
o Help coordinate Finish Banquet with other Program Directors
o Locate and train a person to backfill as Program Director for your program
o In charge of parent/volunteers (JART, WIJARA, USSA, where applicable) to:
* Keep it fun for racers and other parents
* Organization of Race Course Volunteers during races (Timers, Score Board, Line up, Gate Judges)
* GPST Race results to GPST Web Director for posting
* Actively participate in program presentation at the Start Banquet
* JART – Organize an awards ceremony after each race.
* Improving and documenting the program
GPST Board of Directors:
The GPST Board of Directors consists of six (6) members. Three board members are elected each spring by the membership at the “Finish” Banquet. Board members are elected for a two-year term. Board members represent all the programs within GPST. There are no term limits for board members. The board members elect three officers of the GPST: President, Treasurer, and Secretary for one year terms.
The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for all programs, guidelines, and finances of the GPST. The Granite Peak Ski Team is a 501(3)© (tax-deductible) corporation.
