Anonymous wrote:OP here. It seems all teams mentioned above accept 7+ kids. Except Bryce resort. Is it our only choice?

Yes b! Tch yes

Anonymous wrote:OP maybe take it as a sign that most of these clubs only accept kids at age 7. Why is a ski team necessary for a five year old? Can't your kid just enjoy skiing without turning it into a sport so young?

This...it’s ok for her to not go pro at 6.

Anonymous wrote:The OP clearly wants DC to be an Olympic champion and there is nothing wrong with that. Except living in McLean. But anyways, I'd reach out directly to the ski coaches in those areas and ask for advice.

If that is the goal this is the wrong area to live in. OP needs somewhere where the ski season is much longer!

Bryce, Liberty, Massanutten, and Wintergreen are all good choices (I have two older kids who race at all four resorts). Timberline too but it's a bit farther and just got new (albeit very good) owners. Just don't get too hung up on the vertical drop or trail count as you can become a very good skier on a small mountain (even in the mid-atlantic!). Speaking from experience, Bryce is flexible about its seasonal programs for kids over 5 and transitions them very well from the "developmental" to the "race team" (as do the other resorts I'm sure). The important thing is to have fun with a good coach and similar-age peers. If they progress well enough and are serious about it, you can always look at camps or even ski academies up north or out west when they're a bit older- but no need to think about that now!

The OP clearly wants DC to be an Olympic champion and there is nothing wrong with that. Except living in McLean. But anyways, I'd reach out directly to the ski coaches in those areas and ask for advice.

If your child is interested in ski racing or you have a particular interest and think your child might be a good fit, ski a lot. Until they hit the age where race programs start (and even after) just take them skiing all over the mountain. Travel to other mountains, have lots of fun and spend good quality time outside. Skiing is such a technical sport where success comes in large part from time on snow, if you can get them more of that now and they still love to be out there, then they may like a race program. Once they start racing you will spend less time with them outside so soak it up now and keep finding opportunities to do it with them.

-signed a ski race parent of 10 years

OP maybe take it as a sign that most of these clubs only accept kids at age 7. Why is a ski team necessary for a five year old? Can't your kid just enjoy skiing without turning it into a sport so young?

U8 is the youngest age group for racing and there usually not a lot of competitors at that age. 5 is too young for most kids—race kids need to be able to handle their own equipment, ride the lift, and ski in all conditions.

Liberty race program starts at 7 but at that age its still mostly about getting time on snow and exploring the mountain. The bigger group starts at 8. The ski school also has a junior program that works well for the younger ages.

I should have clarified - during the race training, you have to ride the lift with an adult. It seemed to be a non-coach and a parent would volunteer each weekend.

The issue seems to be riding on the chairlifts. At Timberline, you have to accompany your kid on the lift until they are 9 I think. I know when they are 7 you have to ride with them. Can't remember about 8.

You can always reach out to the teams and see what they say. 5 is really young to do a true racing program. A lot of mountains (out West, up North) have weekend programs where the kids ski for several hours each weekend with the same group of kids all season. I think Liberty might do that. It might be a better fit at your child's age.

We have done seasonal lesson programs in WV for several years. Our kids have become awesome skiers doing that. They could easily move to racing around age 7 after two years of those programs at ages 5-6.

OP here. It seems all teams mentioned above accept 7+ kids. Except Bryce resort. Is it our only choice?

Timberline and WISP both require you child to be 7. Unsure if they make exceptions.

Haven’t looked into any of the other resorts.

Timberline in WV. Whitetail and Liberty in PA. Bryce and Wintergreen in VA.
You can look up PA ski racing and Southeast ski racing to see which mountains have teams.

Hi guys, any ski team / program recommendation for five year old? She can do blue trail and very easy black trails. Love skiing.
We live in McLean. Ideally 2 hour drive or less.

Thank you very much.