Ski parenting

It’s like you have your own sport.

Support and foster a positive experience, work together with coaches (most of whom are parents, and all volunteers)
Let coaches know if an athlete has any relevant allergies or medical conditions
Be on time so athletes don’t get bored or cold waiting around
All personal equipment should be labeled, and athletes should be dressed for the weather
Provide (rent/buy) appropriate and properly fitting equipment and clothing for cross-country skiing
Athletes should bring a nut-free snack and a drink for a mid-lesson break
Parents of young athletes (Bunnyrabbits, Jackrabbits) are often required to help coaches.
Participate with classes when coaches request help, in case some athletes prefer to doddle or need extra help (coaches will do their best to keep the team together)
Parents need to notify the coaches when they collect their child, especially if it’s before the end of a lesson
Do not bring your child to lessons if they are feeling unwell or have cold or flu symptoms.
At the end of each class be ready to pick up your athlete on time. But please be patient as lessons may run late depending on how far they ventured
Take them skiing outside of lessons. The more time kids spend skiing, the better they get at it and the more fun they have.

If you’re a Nakkertok parent, this will probably be The Cookie Race. But the advice applies to all beginner races.

You must register for the race on Zone4. There will be a deadline. Register before the deadline as there’s not likely to be registration at the start line.
Search for the name of the race, for example: “Nakkertok Cookie” instead of scrolling through the endless, unsorted list of events on the Zone4 home page.
Use the zone4 “registration confirmation list” to see if your friends have already registered for this fun event. After you have registered, your child’s name will show up on this list.

Exact start times and assigned bib numbers will be posted for your child on Zone4 one or two days before the event.
Check the event website for the course maps and start times.

Show up early.
You must pick up your child’s bib well before your race. Pickup is in the “blue room” above the “Barn”, behind the chalet. If you don’t know where that is, there will be signage. Please pick up your bib on time. No child can race without a bib.
The bib pickup area and the results boards will list when your child’s race begins. Races are organized by year of birth. In all events girls and boys race separately
Listen to the announcements over the loudspeaker as to when your child should line up for their race. The call to line up is typically 5 minutes prior to race start.
Do not walk across the course.
If you’re looking to have a ski prior to race start, the Inner/outer Pond and Horseman’s Pass loops will be open.

Make sure your child has returned their bib and gotten their medal.
We do not post results for the youngest racers. We want the experience to be a positive one.
There are results posted and an awards ceremony for the top 3 finishers in each older category.

I will not force my child to participate in sports.
I will remember that my child engages in sport for their enjoyment, not for mine.
I will teach my child the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
I will teach my child that doing one’s best is winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome.
I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for competing fairly and trying hard.
I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
I will remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.
I will never question the officials’ judgment or honesty in public.
I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sporting activities.
I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to provide sport activities for my child.