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2018 Brochure

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THE BROCHURE PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING ABOUT POWDERPIGS There are 4 basic parts to the brochure • All about Powderpigs o o o o • All About The Various Programs: o Menu of classes o o o o o • Wee Little Pigs –the preschool program List of “MUSTS” for preschoolers More for Advanced Skiers Snowboard program Adults Unlimited The Instructor Training Program Getting signed up o o o • Description of Powderpigs and what we offer Schedule: Dates & times Tuition & Fine Print pages The Red Parkas – both instructors and students wear them during lessons for safety & fun! Fine Print page – important policies & protocols. Daily Life in Powderpigs – “how to’s” & routines of lesson days. Page: 2 3 4 5 6 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 The application See “Registration 2017” on Main Menu “About Your Child” Pages for those who already sent in registration page. Also under “Registration 2017” “Tell Us About Your Child” 17 Getting ready for the season o o o o o o o o o Clothing Helmets Ski Equipment Ski Boots Snowboard Equipment Gear Check List Powderpigs Partner Stores Season Passes From the Area Questions? Just email them to 20 22 23 26 14 27 28 29 30 2 POWDERPIGS – WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT Welcome to Powderpigs! The 2018 season is our 48th year of providing children with ski lessons and, the 22nd year of snowboard lessons. Although the majority of our Powderpigs are school-aged children, we also have ski lessons for preschoolers and ski and snowboard lessons for Powderpig parents and friends. It has been both thrilling and challenging to put together the very best learning experience we can for each of our Powderpigs throughout the years. Our ultimate goal is to provide a program in which every student can enjoy the process of acquiring the skills of skiing and snowboarding as they become competent and confident on the slopes. Our instructors are selected from individuals who have shown real enthusiasm for working with children as well as skiing and snowboarding. Each fall, our staff participates in the fall long Powderpig Instructor Training Program. Weekly dry land clinics are followed by On Snow clinics in December. These clinics cover the many facets of the learning to ski or snowboard process in order to provide each of our students with a happy, safe and successful learning experience. Our students are placed in classes with careful attention given to compatibility with fellow students and a real goodness of fit with their instructors. The information you give us on the application enables us to do this job successfully and gives student’s instructors the information they need to do their job well. If you decide to join us, please be sure to use the article “Tell Us About Your Child” on page 18 as your guide as you answer the questions on the application. All classes begin in the first weeks of January. (See schedule for exact dates.) Our programs run for nine weeks. The traditional Powderpig Break falls on President’s Day weekend. There will be no classes held on break days so that both Powderpig families and Powderpig instructors can plan ski vacations. Friday evening classes run from 7 PM to 9 PM. Saturday and Sunday classes start at 10 AM and end at 3 PM with an hour off for the lunch break between 12:00 to 1:00. Parents are asked to meet their children for these breaks. The Pigpen, our ski school lodge and headquarters, will be available for weekend students and their families during ski school hours. All programs include skiing or snowboarding safety, etiquette of the slopes, mountain safety, and equipment care along with the skills of the snow sport; and are tailored to the age and stage of the student’s level of experience and understanding. The Powderpig Brochure is also your “Powderpig Handbook & Survival Guide”. If you have questions after reading through the brochure or have trouble finding specific information, just email us at [email protected]. We will be glad to help you find the information you need! 3 DATES & TIMES POWDERPIGS 2018 Weekend programs: times first day break last day Friday Eve Saturday Sunday 7 PM - 9 PM 10 AM - 3 PM 10 AM - 3 PM Jan. 5 Jan. 6 Jan. 7 Feb. 16 Feb. 17 Feb. 18 Mar. 9 Mar. 10 Mar. 11 OUR PROGRAMS: The details of the various programs can be found in the following pages • CLASSES FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN – THE BASIC PROGRAM offered Friday PM – Sunday. • WEE LITTLE PIGS FOR PRESCHOOLERS See article on pages 11-12. o Friday Eve – Must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 o Saturday & Sunday – Must be 4 by Sept. 1 o Before enrolling your 4 year old, please read the following articles in this brochure: Wee Little Pigs article includes for details of this program. Please ponder the list of “prerequisites” in the “Learning to ski in a small group Readiness Must List” carefully. Tell Us About Your Child article helps guide you through questions we ask on our registration information which we use when creating classes. • SNOWBOARD PROGRAM Weekend lessons available for kids ages 7 & up and for adults. (Pg. 14) • OPTIONS FOR ADVANCED SKIERS (Pg. 13). • LESSONS FOR ADULTS Available Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. (Pg. 15) PARENT MEETING FOR PARENTS OF NEW POWDERPIGS: The meetings for the parents of new Powderpig students will be held in December TBA, from 7:00 PM – 8:50 PM at the Mercer Island Community Center. The meeting is strongly recommended for all new parents and downright mandatory for parents of first year preschoolers. They are not recommended for children. If you are unable to attend one of these meetings, just come to the other meeting. We offer each meeting one time only. How to Sign Up Please go to “Registration 2018” on the main menu on . Please be sure use the article, “Tell Us About Your Child” (on page 17) as your guide as you fill out the “About Your Child information during registration. This article explains and expands on the “More About Your Child” questions we ask in the application. The information you give us about your child on the application helps us to form compatible, well balanced classes and to create a happy, successful learning experience for your child. A must before a child can be placed in a class. 4 TUITION FOR 2017 Program Price W/ Parka Friday evening $395 $495 Sat/Sun $575 $675 Adult: Friday eve Sat or Sun $275 $345 Kids: Choose the method of payment that best fits your needs: • Deposit of $275 with application with balance due by Dec. 1 • Payment in full with application. • $50 of the tuition is a nonrefundable registration/processing fee after Oct. 15. Equipment and season passes are NOT included in the tuition. Powderpigs Ltd. P.O. Box 916 Preston WA 98050 We ask that all our youth students wear the Powderpig parka during classes. These bright red parkas are for safety as well as being a fine old Powderpig tradition. If your Powderpig needs a Powderpig parka, add $100. When you order a parka- In early December once the parkas are in-store and ready for pick up, we will email you a “pick ‘em up” card. Take that card to Alpine Hut (Seattle), Edge & Spoke (Redmond), or Gerk’s Ski & Cycle (Issaquah) and swap it for a Powderpig parka in the correct size. As soon as the parkas arrive and & we can get them delivered to the stores listed above, we will notify the families who purchased a parka. If you already have a totally fire engine red parka with NO external trim or stripes or shapes of another color and wish to use it, we will gladly provide the Powderpig patch. SAFETY ALERT: If your child’s parka has a hood, make sure it is removable or can be folded into itself and fasted down securely. Hoods and Chairlifts can be a risky combination. 5 Fine Print Pages: The “Nitty Gritties” of how we do things: REFUNDS: Are prorated for lessons cancelled without make-ups by the Ski School. Refunds are not available for missed lessons, nor are missed lessons deductible from tuition still owed. Tuition is refundable through Oct. 15. After Oct. 15 there is a $50 nonrefundable processing/ registration fee per child. No refunds after Jan. 1. ABSENCES: Please call or email us and let us know if you are going to be absent from a lesson as soon as you know. This helps us get classes out on time and makes the make-up program possible. CANCELLATIONS & LATE START DAYS: If the weatherman should decree inclement weather and we are unable to operate or must begin lessons a little late, we will announce the change of plans on and on our 425-392-7277 message phone line just as soon as we hear about the changes. Ordinarily, the message for Friday evenings will be available by 4PM of that afternoon and for Saturday and Sunday by 8:15 of the morning involved. For Wednesday and Thursday afternoon classes by 11AM of the afternoon involved. For Friday morning classes by 7:30AM that morning. LAST MINUTE CHANGES OF SCHEDULE: Sometimes weather, power outages or road conditions precipitate a last minute change of plans. If you think conditions look iffy on the way up, check the Powderpigs Facebook page, Website, or Telephone message line. We post any changes of schedule as soon as we hear about them. 4.5˚F not 45 ˚F One of the several reasons we might decide not to hold a lesson! WHEN WE MUST CANCEL SKI SCHOOL: We make up the lesson by tacking it on to the end of the season. For example: if a Saturday is cancelled this year, the make-up lesson would be Saturday, March 17. When Summit Central suspends operations (closes) for a day, we must cancel for that day too. CONFIRMATION & “PICK ‘EM UP CARDS”: Confirmations are sent out automatically with the completion of the registration process. “Pick ‘em up cards” for the parkas are sent out as soon as the children’s parkas have been delivered to the stores and are ready for pick up. Watch your inboxes in December! This news will be also be posted in “Latest News” as soon as we have that information. If you have ordered a parka when you registered on line or have emailed in an order for the parka, you will receive a parka "pick 'em up card" as soon as the parkas arrive in the stores, which you can then swap for the parka at Alpine Hut in Seattle, Edge & Spoke in Redmond, or Gerk’s Ski & Cycle in Issaquah. PARENT MEETINGS FOR ALL NEW POWDERPIG PARENTS: The Parent meetings will be held at the Mercer Island Community Center (8236 SE 24th St, Mercer Island) are TBA in December, from 7:00 PM – 8:50 PM. We will cover information about getting ready for lessons, what you can expect from your Powderpig experience (and some of the things you probably can’t ☺) and all about how classes work, the Powderpig “day” & daily routines and why we do it all the way we do. We will also talk about equipment, clothing, safety and the “fueling and hydration of Powderpigs for optimum fun and performance”. Bring any questions we have not yet answered and come meet us. Please contact us at [email protected] if you are unable to join us for this important get together. This meeting is not appropriate for children. 6 When things get complicated. . . Or a bit overwhelming And you would like some HELP Just let us know! Problems? Questions? Suggestions? Your concerns are something we need to hear about. Even if you only think something might not be working for your Powderpig, Please contact us right away, before it has a chance to develop into a problem. If you are not sure, email us. We can put our heads together and figure it out. Only with your help can we really do the best job for your child. If there is already a problem, the sooner we know about it the sooner we can take care of it. Email us at [email protected] (this is the best way to reach us) or call 425 392 7277. If you do not hear back from us within a day, email or call again. Sometimes communications on the mountain get interrupted by mysterious atmospheric or weather conditions when cell or portable phones and internet connections are involved! SOME USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND WEB SITES: HIGHWAY INFO: 511 CASCADE SKI REPORT 206-634-0200 www.powderpigs.com That would be us! www.summitatsnoqualmie.com The Summit at Snoqualmie (Area web site) www.skiwashington.com Ski reports for Washington www.nws.noaa.gov NOAA weather forecasts Partners in Winter Recreation Powderpigs provides employment, services, and privileges regardless of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age or national origin. 7 Navigating Everyday Powderpig Life On The First Day of Ski School . . . On the first day of ski school we suggest that you come at least an hour early so you will find room in the parking lot, have plenty of time to find your way to the Pigpen, find a place to stow your things, locate the bathrooms, grab a snack, and explore a bit. Class assignments, always announced on the first day of lessons, can be found listed on the monitors inside the Pigpen and on lists posted both in and outside the Pigpen. If you have questions or would like some help, we will be at “Command Central” at the table across the room as you come into the Pigpen. Ordinarily, the children will meet the instructor at the class sign about 5 minutes before the hour and leave to go skiing at 10:00 sharp on Saturdays and Sundays and 7:00 Friday nights. Classes are instructed to move out exactly at the hour and if you are late, please meet your instructor at the base of the chair by the Pigpen. Let our line wrangler know you need help finding your child’s instructor when you arrive. Harry’s Class Early 1970s We had class signs then too! We ask that parents deliver their children to their class signs at least a few minutes before class time and to be there a few minutes before class is supposed to end. This way the classes can go out on time and no child will experience the fearful anxiety of thinking they have been left behind at lunch or at the end of the day. This is important both at the beginning and end of the day as well as at lunch time. Again, thank you for your help. Snacks and Lunch – keeping your Powderpig fueled: Our starting time on Saturdays and Sundays, is 10:00 a.m. which puts some of our Powderpigs into their lessons and half way up the hill just as their inner alarm clocks and stomachs say, “LUNCH TIME! HUNGRY!!” Be sure to feed your child a substantial snack and something to drink before class, especially if he/she usually eats between 11:00 and 12:00 or has a short hunger fuse. So many children have dietary restrictions because of allergy or other reasons, that we have instructed our staff not to share any food with their students. Putting snacks into pockets or in a day pack where your child can find it easily is also a good idea. 8 A LOVELY SUNNY LUNCH TIME Lunch is a picnic affair because we're so far from food services. The Pigpen can be pretty crowded on snowy days. But it is a friendly crowd and not unbearable during lunch. Many families head down to their vehicles for a peaceful lunchtime on those days when everyone decides to dine inside. Now we have a new lodge at the base of the Silver Fir chair which is especially useful for the families of more advanced skiers. However, Silver Fir lunch adventures are not recommended for families with skiers in it who are not totally comfortable with the Silver Fir chair and its runs. We have tried to figure out a way to stagger lunch hours and reduce the crowd without some parents spending half the day inside monitoring their various children’s lunches, but to no avail. Suggestions are welcome. Because of the increasing numbers of instructors who are also Powderpig parents, who must also get through lunch and get their own kids fed & ready to go back to class and be at their signs so they can be on time to meet their students, we reserve the kitchen for staff and their families during lunch (12:00 – 1:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays). If children have a hard time carrying their equipment up from the car they will not have much energy left for learning to ski. Your patience, good humor, help and a little red sled can make a big difference in how the rest of the day goes for you and your child. Plastic sleds from Fred Meyer, Big5, Amazon, or your favorite sports store (prices range $20 to $30) help get all your belongings up the hill and give you an excellent off the snow seat for sunny day picnics. Remember, sledding is NOT allowed in the ski area. This is not only an Area safety rule, it is also a United States Forest Service policy. Thank you for your help with this. 9 Menu of classes Powderpigs 2018 For the details of the various programs, please see the individual articles in the following pages. Weekend Program Friday evenings, Saturdays & Sundays *For details please see the article “Who We Are”, and check the “Nitty Gritty” and “Fine Print” pages (schedule, tuition, etc.) Wee Little Pigs Ski classes for ages 4-5 year olds *See “Wee Little Pigs” (pg 11) & “Tell Us About Your Child” (pg 17) Powderpig Fundamentals Ski classes for ages 6-12 year olds *This is our tried and true beginner to intermediate group lessons More Advanced Skiers Classes for parallel skiers confident on all terrain *See “More Options for Advanced Skiers” (pg 13) Snowboard Program Snowboard lessons for ages 7 and up. Older 6 year olds if they are totally driven to learn to ride! *See “Snowboarding” (pg 14) Leadership Program Ski program for ages 12 and up, who are interested in becoming instructors *See “More Options for Advanced Skiers” (pg 13) Adults Unlimited Weekend ski and snowboard lessons for adults *See “Adults Unlimited” (pg 15) Instructor Training Program More information on page 13 10 All lessons are held at the Pigpen Friday Evenings 7 PM to 9 PM Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM to 3 PM Lunch from 12-1 PM Parents meet their children for lunch. Important safety rule: Students must be delivered to and picked up from the instructor at the class sign at the beginning and end of the lesson as well as at lunch time. Please make sure that both you and the instructor are aware that you are delivering your child or that you are picking them up. Verbal acknowledgement by both parent & instructor at time of the “handoff” is a must. This rule is intended to keep all our Powderpigs as safe as possible. If someone, other than the person who delivered a student, is to pick them up, please let us know via email in advance, or tell Jennifer or Nancy in person, as well as the instructor when you deliver your child to the instructor that session. Children will not be released from class until there is a parent or other designated safe person there to pick them up. Please do NOT ask your child to meet you somewhere else! 11 Wee Little Pigs – a program for preschoolers Our preschool program is specially designed for four and five year olds who are truly “ski ready”. (See below). These classes are staffed by instructors who are particularly interested in teaching the younger children and receive specialized training for work with this age group. It is very important that our 4 year old Powderpigs truly be ready to learn to ski in a small group. A list of “prerequisites” can be found below. Enrollment is limited. Friday night lessons: are for 5 year olds and only very mature and second year 4 year olds. We have found these evening lessons are just too much for our younger students. (Four year olds must be 4 by Sept 1, even the night owls!) Saturday and Sunday lessons: are for 4 and 5 year olds. (Four year olds must be 4 by Sept 1.) Readiness to learn in a small group: Most 4 year olds are very ready to learn to ski if they have an instructor all to themselves. However, for them to have a successful learning to ski experience when they share an instructor with other children, they must already have acquired a number of skills and developed certain strategies. Because our youngest Powderpigs must learn so much entirely from scratch, it usually takes them longer to get it all put together and get up skiing on the chair lift. But when they do, it is amazing! It is also very important to note that putting any kind of pressure on them to "produce" is the quickest way to shut down a happy learning to ski experience - sometimes for good. Below are our “Top Twelve” most important things a preschooler must have mastered in order for them to have a successful small group learning to ski experience. So take a careful look at our favorite “musts” and then take time to really ponder before you enroll your youngster. We have found there is no force in nature greater than that of a 4 year old who is not entirely convinced that learning to ski is a good, fun and safe thing to do. 12 In order for our youngest Powderpigs to have a happy and successful learning to ski experience A preschooler must: • Really know what snow and skiing actually is. • Possess their very own and very real desire to learn to ski. • Enjoy playing outside and have spent some time playing in the snow and liking it. • Be able to separate from parents and parents must be ready to separate from their child. • Have enjoyed other small group experiences – Preschool, gymnastics, swimming lessons, other classes. • Be reasonably confident and comfortable with adults other than parent or other safe person. • Be able & willing to listen to and follow simple directions given by someone other than their parents or other safe person. • Be able and willing to communicate with an adult other than parent or their safe person. • Be able and willing to share an adult with other children. • Have comfortable coordination and balance in large muscle activities – running, jumping, hopping, climbing, sliding, etc. • Have enjoyed participating in other physical learning activities like gymnastics, swimming, dance. • Be reasonably confident in his or her ability to learn new physical skills. This may seem like a daunting list of “musts”, but it contains most of the major ingredients of success for our younger Powderpigs learning to ski in a small group. Those little ones who must learn too many of the “basics” of learning in a group along with the complex skills of skiing and that, in addition to those maneuvers that go with the successful negotiation of the winter environment, often end up with “too much too soon” and wind up snow checked until the next year (which is the only option available after Jan. 1). After reading and pondering, if you have any doubts about your younger 4 year old being ready for a small group learning experience, we need to talk! Please email us if you have doubts! PARENTS must have a clear understanding that no matter how thorough we all may be in determining a preschooler’s “ski-readiness” before starting the season, we may get on snow and discover the whole thing is just “too much, too soon” for this particular little Powderpig to learn ski in a small group learning experience in the time allotted. We have had wonderful success with preschoolers throughout the years. As each little Powderpig arrived at “ski ready” they were able to acquire the basic skills of skiing and, in their own good time, go on to enjoy the ski slopes safely and comfortably. Did they ever have fun and were we ever proud of them! Preschoolers must have REAL ski gear: We must stress excellent equipment, not just “okay” equipment. Younger children are the most vulnerable to injury, frustration and to becoming discouraged when equipment doesn’t work properly. Flexible skis with edges and proper side cut are absolutely necessary. Current release bindings which are properly mounted and adjusted for that child are a must! Boots that fit properly and are comfortable are where it all either happens or bombs. Anything but the best quality equipment jeopardizes the whole operation. Happy hunting! Our friends at: Alpine Hut, Edge & Spoke, and Gerk’s Ski & Cycle can really help with this. IF you have any questions, please e-mail us at [email protected]. 13 More options for our Advanced Skiers Classes for the more Advanced Skiers These classes are designed for the advanced skier who is interested in skiing anything and everything. They will focus on the fine tuning of advanced skills through fun skiing the steep and the deep, the bumps, jumps, the trees. These classes visit the other Areas at the Summit to find the most challenging terrain and conditions when weather and conditions permit. It is for confident black diamond skiers who are comfortable with seeking new terrain and speed. Above and Beyond! This class will include just about everything that will help our most advanced skiers develop their skills so they can enjoy all types and degrees of terrain in all conditions. In the Sunday class it will include running gates. The class will travel to the other Areas in the Summit at Snoqualmie to sample more varied and challenging terrain. Students applying for this class must be able to ski parallel consistently and in all terrain. Limited enrollment. An unlimited pass is required. Instructor recommendation required. Leadership Group - Junior Instructor Class This is an opportunity for the advanced student who may be considering becoming an instructor to explore the teaching-learning experience from the other side of the Powderpig equation. It is a great way to get a good look at what instructing is all about, as well as providing them with a good start on gaining the skills of an instructor. Emphasis will be on improving their own skiing, getting a more detailed knowledge of the technical aspects of skiing and developing basic teaching and observation skills. This is a clinic style class with directed “hands on” practice teaching and lots of skiing. Students must be parallel skiers who ski comfortably & confidently everywhere in all conditions. Ages 12 and up. Very limited enrollment. 14 SNOWBOARD CLASSES We also offer snowboard lessons for our Powderpig parents and friends. Classes follow the usual Powderpig recipe of times, dates, class size and prices. When you sign up for this program please use the application for snowboarders which you will find under “Registration 2017” on the main menu. Remember to use the article “Tell Us About Your Child” for snowboarders as your guide when you fill out the “About Your Child” pages. If you need more information, just email us at or call the office at (425)-392-7277. Snowboard Equipment Part of the beauty of snowboard equipment is that it is much less exacting and demanding than ski equipment. However, as with ski gear, there is a wide variety of choices of quality and style, and finding the ”just right” equipment for your Powderpig still takes careful attention. For our recommendations for clothing and other gear See article on “Gearing up & Getting Ready” We recommend our partners at Alpine Hut, Edge & Spoke, and Gerk’s Ski & Cycle to help our Powderpigs and their families. Be sure to check with them or someone equally knowledgeable about children and snowboarding before you purchase equipment. Clothing for the learning to snowboard experience is very close to that required for skiers so the basic list on page 20 is a good place to start. If you decide to look for a longer snowboard style parka, please look for one all in bright red. We will provide the Powderpig patch. The bright red parkas are an important part of the Powderpig safety program and so we ask your help with this challenge. 15 LESSONS FOR ADULTS "Adults Unlimited" Classes for our Powderpig parents and friends are available on the weekends and are coordinated with the children’s lesson times. Adult lessons are offered for skiing and snowboarding. These classes have an instructor with a small group of students who work in a format of small group instruction and individual directed practice. This provides the flexibility necessary to allow students to work on particular skills and move between groups when skills and experience dictate. This assures adult students the opportunity to learn at their own pace. The Adult Lessons begin 15 minutes after the children’s classes start and end 15 minutes before the children get out. This allows you a 15 minute buffer before and after both morning and afternoon “sessions” so you will have time to get your Powderpigs into classes and then get ready for your own lesson without having to rush. The cost for the “Adults Unlimited” classes will be $275 for the Friday evening session (1½ hours for nine weeks), and $345 for the Saturday or Sunday session (3 hours for nine weeks). Parkas are not included in the adult program, nor required. Good equipment is just as important for our adult Powderpigs as it is for our younger Powderpigs. A visit to your favorite snow sport store is a good first step. If you are skiing on skis you have used before, taking your skis in to get them checked out, tuned up and the bindings checked is also a very good idea. Alpine Hut, Edge & Spoke, and Gerk’s Ski & Cycle provide these services and do a fine job! As with the kid’s equipment, the earlier you visit these stores, the less congested they will be and the more individual attention you will receive. 16 Instructor Training Program Many of you have asked about our instructor training program. We believe we have one of the finest available because it combines a good solid knowledge of the technical part of skiing with an in–depth exploration of children as individuals and as learners. In this series of dryland and on snow clinics we emphasize the importance of the teaching - learning process and its relationship to the creation of a good learning experience for each of our students. Our goal for the instructor program is to produce instructors who can create physically and emotionally safe learning environments where both students and instructors can thrive. Annelise Ring directs the technical program for the ski school. As Training Director she works with the technical team, trains the clinic instructors, staff and prepares instructors for certification. Annelise, a Powderpig since 1969, is a PSIA level 3 certified instructor and has been very instrumental in the development of the program. Dr. Rose McCartin developed and presented the section on children and learning our first thirteen years of operation. Her expertise in this area gave our instructors a wonderful advantage when they went on the snow with children. Rose retired from the University of Washington’s school of Educational Psychology and her duties as professor and assistant dean, in favor of those of Professor Emeritus and golfer at large. She continues with us as consultant, mentor and friend. Rose’s generous contribution is one of the main reasons that Powderpigs is “the children’s ski school with a difference.” For the past 36 years Nancy Ring has further developed and directed the “Kid Tech” program. Nancy’s background in Child Development and Early Childhood Education and experiences at Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School (Pasadena, California) has contributed substantially to her unique approach to children. Her years of study and work with children in Norway and now 48 years of Powderpigs gives the program a broad and varied base. From the beginning Powderpigs has brought experts from many related disciplines to prepare our instructors to teach. This tradition has changed little in the last forty seven years. However, now many of those experts come from within the school itself. This group is known in the ski school as the “tech team”. They staff the fall-long instructor training program, the “on snow” clinics before the season and the “continuing education” clinics during ski school. This team brings a wide variety of individual expertise and experience to instructor development. The ultimate purpose of this training program is to provide our Powderpigs with a school where they can become safe, happy and skillful skiers and snowboarders with a collection of fond childhood memories of their Powderpig years. After our several years of operation, more and more of our staff are Powderpig “graduates”. In recent years, increasing numbers of our instructors are also Powderpig parents. If you think you might be interested in joining us in creating the Powderpig experience for our children, just contact us at [email protected]. 17 GETTING SIGNED UP If you are signing up for Powderpigs, and have not yet registered on line, please go to “Registration 2017” on the main menu. If you are a returning family, go into your already established member account to register. If you are new to Powderpigs, please create one of your own. Just follow the directions and email us if you have questions! Please be sure to use the article “Tell Us About Your Child” (directly below) as your guide as you answer the questions on the “About Your Child” pages. questions, please email us at [email protected] If you have any questions about our TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHILD Please use this article as your guide as you fill out the application. The information you give us about your Powderpig enables us to place each child in the class that will be just right for them. It also gives us the information we need to plan a successful learning to ski experience for each student. The following article tells you a little about the kind of information we are looking for and how we intend to use it. Please use this article as your guide when you answer the questions on the application. In creating each child’s class we take a wide variety of things into consideration in addition to the usual “ages and stages” traditionally used to put classes together. The following is what we have found important for us to know about each of our students: What interests your child the most? The social or the skiing/riding end of things? When we know this in advance, we can mix the class to just right proportions to everyone’s advantage. If you don’t have a clear idea it just means you child is probably balanced somewhere right in the middle! Does this learner flourish in an environment where s/he can participate in determining what goes on in the learning experience with a social-cooperative instructor? Or does your child learn more easily in the security of a more traditional class structure where the instructor’s approach is firm and directive? Knowing what concerns our Powderpigs or their parents helps us to know where a child may need encouragement and a little extra support. Concern, anxiety and fear are real detractors from a satisfying learning to ski experience. Helping a child discover their baseline success level, so they can build step by step from there, is the nursery for competence & confidence. A remarkably simple way to reduce the discomfort & distractions of anxiety flavored concerns. Designing a really good learning to ski experience for a child entails knowing how a child best takes in & processes information. If we know beforehand, then we can put kids with others with compatible learning styles so they can complement rather than frustrate one another. When we know a child has difficulty sitting still, “staying long enough” to take in information and remembering directions, we know that it is of even more than usual importance to keep things moving and give them the support they need when they are required to take in new information. Chair lift rides, lift lines, safety information, & plain old directions come under this heading. We must make sure the way we give directions to that Powderpig really works for them. 18 We need to know about your child’s tolerances so that we can help him or her stay within their comfort zone. This is a safety as well as a satisfaction issue. Discomfort, whether it is physical or emotional, is a distraction from what is going on. Too much or too little of anything on the tolerance list and they will need help dealing with it in order to stay safe and satisfied with the adventure of learning to ski or snowboard. Knowing where their perceptions and tolerances are will help us monitor their wellbeing. Excitement is an inherent part of skiing. Knowing how much excitement is “just right” for a student allows an instructor to plan for class activities that work for all their students. When the excitement level goes up because of external circumstances, the well informed instructor will know who will need extra support and who will downright relish the event. With excitement, knowing where the “too little” level is can be just as important as knowing where the point of “too much” is. Kids (of all ages) who need more excitement than is currently available often create it for themselves. This is usually not the kind parents and instructors would prefer. An individual’s need, use and tolerance for excitement can vary with familiar and unfamiliar environments or activities. Even so, an individual’s underlying preference for lots or little excitement is usually consistent over time and fairly obvious unless it is hidden “somewhere in the middle”. When a child runs out of energy, whether it be physical or emotional, (Often both) we can help them get recharged when we know what their preferred recharge mode is. Time out in a quiet corner with a book or some music? Someone to chat with? Other? While some children move easily from one activity to another with no appreciable distress, others get so deeply involved in what they are doing, it is like trying to pry a limpet from a rock to get them detached enough to go on to the next activity. Distressing for all concerned! There is an art to helping those deeply involved kids shift gears; and when we know in advance we have a student who is gifted with “deep focus”, their instructor can build an early warning system into the instructional mix for “happy transitions”. Any insights you might have about things that work well for your Powderpig are very welcome. When some kids encounter new or unfamiliar things or people they move right in for a closer look, comfortable & ready to engage. Others like some time to look things over before they are ready to try it, taste it or talk to it. While still others need real support when they are required to deal with something new, the unusual or the unexpected. It helps all involved when we are able to plan ahead for a child’s needs in this dept. Does your child’s feelings getting hurt easily? This will make the most sense to parents of a child who is very tuned into the messages others give them and who care what that other person thinks. The answer to this question can make a difference in our selection of instructors, classmates and activities. “Big Changes” are something we need to know about. When children go through a Big Life’s Event, it can impact a broad spectrum of things in their lives. A Big Life’s Event in a child’s life may or may not be the same as one in an adult’s. Focus of attention, sensitivity to certain subjects, feelings of safety, security and competence and even their sense of being “OK” & worthy of love can be shaken. These things in turn can have a very big impact on their perception of their safety, to say nothing of their enjoyment of learning to ski and snowboard. When we know a child has undergone a Big Event in their lives, whether it is loss, addition or just plain old change, we set the class up so that if they have increased needs, we have the flexibility to help them take care of them. Here are a few examples of things that have really impacted our Powderpigs throughout the years: moving from old neighborhood, new school, loss of a pet (never underestimate this one), loss of a family member, being bullied/being ganged up on or left out by peers, having a hard time in school, addition of new family member (by birth, adoption or marriage), separation/divorce, best friend moving, new school, accident/injury, surgery(however minor) serious illness, accident/injury of family member, serious illness in family. Rough time at summer camp. 19 If Your Child Has Any Special Needs - Let Us Be Part Of Their Team! We need to know if a child is dealing with any medical issues – temporary or chronic - allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes, chronic tummy aches, headaches, sinus or ear infections, injuries, medications, treatments, limitations, etc. And, if so, how does it impact them? For example, how severe is the allergy? Is it food or environmental or other? What happens? What would you like us to do in the event of an allergic reaction? Where is their medication located? Do they self-administer? Do they need help? How do we contact you? Does your child have anything else with which they are dealing and our knowing about would help us design an even better learning experience for them? A good clear picture is particularly important when a child is dealing with any variations on the human theme like differences in hearing, sight, perception, wiring, ADD, ADHD, anxiety or any of the myriad of things with which we humans sometimes come packaged. These bright, beautiful and frequently energetic children usually have a fine array of very special needs and sometimes some rather spectacular “do it yourself” strategies for getting those very legitimate needs met. When their needs are identified, we can help them learn to manage them in our snowy learning environment and then they are free to become enthusiastic & skilled skiers and snowboarders. However, when a child’s needs are not acknowledged and managed – these are the kids that can blow a class apart in a heartbeat. Leaving that child with yet another unsuccess – painful and unnecessary. We all come packaged with our very own unique collection of the traits known as temperament. Some of us have been “issued” our temperamental gifts in XXL. These are the kids who just have “more”. More energy, more caution, stronger convictions, larger responses with which they encounter their world. They are often more tenacious, notice more, hear more, see more, think about things more, taste & smell more and feel more – kinesthetically and/or emotionally. Some of our finest “critical” thinkers come from this group. Because they are quite literally dealing with more than the rest of us, they must build more strategies in order to live in harmony with themselves and the rest of us. These are our spirited kids who, with our encouragement & understanding, very often become our stars, but who need extra help figuring out how to manage the endowment of temperament with which they have been blessed. We need to have a very clear picture of our spirited kids so we can be friend & mentor rather than just one more thing with which they must deal. With the help of our students throughout the years, we have developed some neat strategies to help set all our Powderpigs up for success. We have discovered that it truly takes all of us to manage this feat. When you give us a really clear picture of your Powderpig you can make a very big difference for your child and for us. Thank you in advance for taking your time and the energy to fill out the About Your Child pages. Use separate sheet(s) of paper if necessary. The About Your Child questions are the first step in our friendly co-conspiracy to create the very best possible learning to ski or snowboard experience for your Powderpig. Any information that you would prefer be kept in total confidence may be emailed directly to Nancy at [email protected] and marked “For Nancy’s Eyes Only” in the subject line. Otherwise, all information on the application about a child is kept in strict confidence and shared only on a need to know basis. 20 GEARING UP & GETTING READY FOR THE SEASON Clothing and Equipment Because proper gear is so vital in learning to ski and snowboard, having the right shopping list and a good idea of what you need is of maximum importance. When you get to the mountain for lessons, the time for messing around with binding adjustments, boot fitting, and ski & snowboard tuning is long past and it is time to enjoy the learning experience! The following equipment and clothing list is the first step in this direction for our Powderpigs. Snowboard clothing & equipment information for our Powderpigs comes best from the experts at the Alpine Hut (Seattle), Edge & Spoke (Redmond) and Gerk’s Ski & Cycle (Issaquah). CLOTHING LIST: TOP TO TOE & INSIDE TO OUT Powderpig Parka Make sure the sleeves are long enough. Also make sure it is big enough to accommodate layers underneath for the very cold days. Machine washable. Follow the instructions on the label. Nancy suggests keeping all parkas out of the dryer. But if you must, only very brief encounters with the dryer – on low settings is recommended. Helmet (see article about helmets below) Please put child’s name on front of their helmet Turtleneck Polypropylene (Best!) - Lightweight polar fleece now available in children's sizes. A variety of new fabrics available in all sizes. Powderpig Demo Team Alpental 1974 Sweater Polar fleece - Wool or wool-poly – medium weight. Socks (never, ever cotton!) - Wool ski socks, Thermax, or Kombi “silver” socks with the fuzzy insides. Make sure socks are long enough to reach above ski boots and fit well enough to prevent wrinkling & wadding in the boot. No patterns woven into sock – those can hurt! Long Johns (never, ever cotton! Not even a little tiny bit of it.) - Lifa, REI. Polypropylene, Polyester, or other with new “space age” fabrics. Wool-poly combination (this last can be a little itchy for those who are sensitive to wool) Bib type Warm Ups are a must to keep snow from being scooped into warm up pants during falls, slides and enthusiastic snow play. Powder cuffs are also a must to keep loose snow out of boot tops (where it immediately melts, dribbles down and produces wet cold feet) and body heat in and are worn down over the outside of the boot. Some warm-ups are made of water resistant fabric. These are most effective. Mittens, At least two pair! - When mittens get wet, hands get painfully cold and are more susceptible to frostbite and severe discomfort. Make sure there is enough insulation to keep little hands warm but not too much for gripping chair lifts & poles. Gloves are not as good at keeping little hands warm. 21 Goggles - A good double lens and/or no-fog goggle with an amber (yellow) lens for flat light and night skiing – Smith, Alpina, Scott and Carrera. Raingear - Very nice to have on wet days. Our Powderpig parkas are made of water resistant fabric and do a wonderful job, but really wet ski days are just too much even for them. We don’t want any of our Powderpigs to miss a good day of skiing because of a few rain drops! A light waterproof shell (clear plastic is good, but any color is fine) is recommended for those damp days that are otherwise very skiable. Day Pack - Optional, and very handy to put everything in to carry up the hill. Never for use on chair lifts! Ski Wax - Makes skis turn more easily. Ski Tune up with a hot wax job before season begins and again at the break can make a very happy difference in a season of skiing! Sun Block - For sunny & not so sunny days any time during the season. Night skiing being the exception. Plastic Sled - To haul family belongings to the Pigpen. They reduce fatigue and makes a great snow seats for sunny day picnics. (Available at toy & sports stores for $20 - $30.) Be sure to put your name on it! SLED ALERT: The area has a strict NO SLEDDING policy that developed out of some pretty ugly sledding accidents (not Powderpigs, thank goodness). We ask you all to join us in supporting this policy. So, these neat little sleds are just pack horses and picnic seating during lessons. Sigh. . . WARNING! PUT NAMES ON ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!!! Everything looks alike during ski school - Parkas, hats, mittens, boots, poles, goggles, and especially skis and snowboards and even helmets! Black “Sharpie” (or silver Sharpie marking pens for dark surfaces) marking pens by Sanford are the most permanent and non-running. If something is misplaced during ski school and it has a name on it – it usually finds its way back to you. If there is no name, or the name is in a “hidden” or not easy to see place - we won’t know who it belongs to, even if we do find it. The next important step is to find a store that has it all and is staffed with personnel qualified and able to work with children as skiers & snowboarders. The staff must be willing to take the extra time necessary to listen to and work with you and your child as individuals. Go early in the season to purchase your gear and avoid the crowds and distracted, exhausted store staffers at the end of the getting ready season. TALK WITH YOUR SALESPERSON. Make sure their “credentials”, attitudes, knowledge and focus of attention satisfy you. “Gritting your teeth and taking it” in a ski store sets you up for a good possibly of having to “grit your teeth and take it” on the mountain. It REALLY is worth the time it takes to find a salesperson who has the knowledge of children, the time, the interest & the willingness to put it all together for your child. 22 HELMETS AND POWDERPIGS After careful consideration, we have finally come down on the side of helmets and strongly recommend your Powderpig wear a helmet during lessons. Up until a few years ago we left the helmet VS hat decision up to our parents. The final decision still belongs to our student’s parents, but we have collected enough information to convince us that helmets are a good idea. So we now recommend that your child wear a helmet when they are on the slopes and ask they wear one that is properly fit, adjusted & firmly fastened during lessons. When you go to purchase a helmet, here are some things to remember: • • • The helmet needs to be specifically designed for snow sports with good peripheral vision and made so hearing is not hindered by the helmet. Buy the very best you can find that fits your child’s head comfortably and properly. Helmets should ALWAYS be fit by a trained professional. Each time your child is using their helmet, before you send them off, always check to: • Make sure that the straps are properly adjusted so the helmet is held firmly in place in case of a fall. • And make sure the straps always get fastened before heading for the slopes. This means the chin strap sits snuggly under the chin so the helmet doesn’t slip back and forth on the scalp. When the helmet is fit properly and the strap is adjusted properly the scalp will move rather than the helmet. This assures you the helmet will stay in place and do the job when it is needed. Helmets and spring skiing: When the sun is shining and the weather has gotten warmer, it is very important to remember that helmets are well insulated and heat, usually dispersed via the head, will not have that avenue of escape. Brains do NOT like to be baked – and keeping track of temperatures and exposure to direct sun (especially if the helmet is a dark color) and subsequent heat levels in the helmet wearer is vital. Also important: • Making sure that other ways of getting rid of excess heat are maximized. • Staying well hydrated • Wearing layers that can be removed as things heat up (one piece suits do not work well for this) • Checking yourself, your children and each other for signs of overheating & dehydration • Maintaining an awareness of the potential for overheating. WORKING HARD ON A HOT DAY! 23 SKI EQUIPMENT SKIS must be flexible, the proper length, a major brand in order to insure quality, and be no more than 3 or 4 years old. Having the appropriate skis for your Powderpig’s skill level as well as for their appropriate height and weight will determine whether or not they will get the most out of their lessons. Control is another important factor to consider. A child whose skis are hard to turn, unstable & hard to control (too short) or cumbersome & hard to control (too long) is not as safe as one who is able to get the response they need from their skis. In the past few decades technology has dramatically changed the manufacture of ski equipment, broadening the capacity of many models of skis to respond to demands of a much greater spectrum of terrain, speed and ski levels. How to measure skis for proper length: • • Position for measuring ski length: When we measure ski length, we have the skier stand facing their skis with the tip curving towards the child. Length: We measure in terms of where the ski tip reaches: Chin, Nose or Mid-forehead. Beginning Skiers have very specific needs where skis are concerned. They need skis that are easy to turn and very forgiving at moderate speeds on moderate terrain. (Around chin level/nose level length) Skis for Beginning Skiers Are designed to be easy turning and very forgiving on gentle slopes at moderate speeds. Ski length for beginning skiers: Ski tip should reach from chin to nose depending on body build and how aggressively the skier approaches physical activities. The shorter ski will provide greater ease of movement at slower speeds and the longer ski will provide greater stability at faster speeds. Who the skier is will determine what the best ski length will be. Is this skier Solid? Slender? Strong? Willowy? Is this skier careful or aggressive in their approach to new physical activities? Older and/or Larger Beginning Skiers who are very aggressive in sports remain beginners for such a short time that an intermediate ski could be more appropriate. Their rapid transition to more challenging terrain and greater speeds suggests a ski that will support these more demanding activities. Higher performance skis are also more durable. Beginning Intermediate Skiers are those skiers who, no longer beginners, are graduating to a more challenging terrain with some confidence, picking up a little speed and are beginning to consider venturing up into even more challenging terrains. Skis for Older/or Larger Beginning Skiers and Beginning Intermediate Skiers. Today’s shaped skis make for fine success in taking on the challenge of the slopes. These skis have some of the attributes of the advanced skis that give them greater stability at faster speeds and are more likely to respond well when asked to deal with increased slopes and varied snow conditions. This, without the “quirkiness” that the truly advanced skis may have. Advanced skiers don’t mind at all – they call those quirks “quick” and “responsive” while beginner and beginning skiers would find themselves on their ears on the snow. These skis are particularly effective for older and more powerful beginning and intermediate skiers. Length will depend very much on how fast they are growing and just how easy a time they have learning new physical skills and how aggressive they are. Intermediate Skiers are those who have left their humble ski beginnings far behind and are on their way to more advanced skiing skills and more challenging terrain. Included in this category can be unusually fast physical learners, very aggressive athletes or those who will spend a great deal of time on their skis. Shaped skis, standing beside the child, should come up to somewhere between the chin and mid forehead. Make sure the skis you buy are children’s skis and not short adult skis, unless your child weighs 100 + lbs. or more. 24 Intermediate Skis are designed with increased torsional rigidity to hold more firmly on ice and more demanding terrain. These skis will turn more quickly and have greater stability at higher speeds allowing the skier to advance as far and as fast as they can. Here too, shaped skis provide a whole new world of advancement for this level skier. Intermediate skier’s skis should be anywhere from ski tips to nose to forehead to just a little longer depending on your skier’s build and how aggressive they are in physical activities and how fast they are growing. Discuss this with your Alpine Hut/Gerk’s/Edge & Spoke representative. Advanced Skiers – Easy to recognize at a glance, are those skiers of all ages who seem to float down the mountain effortlessly, with smooth, economical movements through any conditions the mountain has to offer. Really good skis and boots that will support them are absolutely necessary for optimum performance. For these skilled skiers, make sure the skis you’re purchasing for you child are Jr. skis and not just short adult skis unless your child weighs well over 100 lbs.. If your child is over 100 lbs., check to assure yourself that the ski you are considering is indeed a higher performance model designed for a skier of your Powderpig’s height, weight and skill level and not just a lower performance adult ski. (This is one of the reasons you need to be sure of your sales person’s qualifications and integrity!) Some individuals who are not familiar with children and skiing have tried to make that substitution in the past. It really doesn’t work. Skis for Advanced Skiers are designed for high performance skiing in the steep, the deep and the downright scary. These skis are also for those that aspire to this level of skiing. In these skis the materials are designed and constructed specifically to deliver at the higher speeds and in more challenging terrain. Their shape, flex pattern, and torsional rigidity are designed to provide sustained performance at these sophisticated and challenging levels. Talk with your representative from Gerk’s, Alpine Hut or Edge & Spoke about ski lengths for your advanced skier. . Racing Skis - Designed for running the various kinds of courses. These skis are a demanding, high performance experience that sometimes leave something to be desired in conditions like deep powder! Talk with the expert in your ski store about these skis. Talk with your instructor or coach about models and lengths as well as the joys and limitations of these specialty skis. IF YOU ARE PASSING SKIS DOWN through the family, especially if the “inheritor” will no longer be a beginner when they are to use them, a more advanced model of ski should receive strong consideration – especially when the inheritor of the skis is an aggressive athlete. Those easy to turn, forgiving skis become an increasing liability as speed increases and terrain becomes more challenging. This is a very important thing to consider as you make plans for skis for younger siblings who already are skiers. SKI TUNE-UPS ARE ESSENTIAL! New skis as well as used skis easily become “untuned” because of temperature and humidity changes in storage. Since having flat bottoms on skis is essential to their performing properly, it is very important that a tune-up is included on the work order when you have your bindings mounted on your new skis OR WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR BINDINGS IN TO BE CHECKED BEFORE THE SKI SEASON BEGINS. In a tune-up the skis are flat-filed or machine ground as well as hot waxed. Hot waxing conditions the bottoms by filling in the pores of the base material, thus preserving them and producing a surface that makes the skis easier to turn. AT LEAST ONE SKI TUNE UP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON AND ONE MID SEASON SKI TUNE UP (i.e. during our break!) IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA. If you notice that your Powderpig’s skiing skills have begun to deteriorate, have their skis checked by an expert. Most often their skis have just begun to detune, and the problem is easily fixed with a tune up. Always keep skis well waxed. 25 Ski Bindings - Current, properly mounted, and adjusted by a certified binding technician for that brand of binding. The weight range of the binding must match your child’s weight, particularly the lower weight tolerances. BE AWARE: ONLY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN SHOULD ADJUST OR WORK ON YOUR BINDINGS AND THEY MUST BE CERTIFIED FOR YOUR BRAND OF BINDING. Otherwise, the company is released from all technician and malfunction-related responsibilities. Ski Poles - With the exception of the younger students, poles are required for all students. Make sure your child, with adequately insulated mittens, can hold the pole firmly. Poles must be long enough. To assure proper length, grasp the pole under the grip and hold the pole upright. The forearm should be parallel to the floor. Ask your salesperson. About new skis for “old” skiers: Remember, once you have outgrown your beginner skis you will never be a beginner again and you will need more advanced skis. Beginner skis are designed to be easy turning and very forgiving on gentle slopes at moderate speeds. With steeper slopes and faster turns those neat little skis that did such a good job in the earlier stages make for very unstable skiing and can take the joy right out of more challenging terrain. When an experienced skier tries to take “entry level” skis into steep and/or bumpy terrain his/her performance, confidence and enjoyment can be destroyed. Check with your sales representative to make sure that new skis are not “entry level” or beginner skis. If you are passing down beginner skis, make sure they are going to a beginner skier and not to a younger experienced skier. Previously Used Ski Equipment – last year’s or used: Be sure to have all your equipment checked over before you go skiing. Bindings will need to be checked by a CERTIFIED BINDING TECHNICIAN for proper function and readjusted for weight change and any change in ability level. This is even more important when equipment is moving from one child to another. Boot size change will precipitate a series of changes in the binding’s adjustment. Once again, find a certified binding technician for that particular brand of binding. Binding techs in reputable ski stores like Gerk’s, Alpine Hut & Edge & Spoke are certified for most bindings. Skis, new or used, need a “tune-up.” A tune-up consists of flat filing or stone grinding the bottoms, so edges and base are on the same plane; base repair (on used skis); sharpening and evening edges to the proper angle; removing burrs that will catch on the snow; and hot waxing the skis. Hot waxing “conditions” the base material of your skis and makes them run more smoothly and turn more easily thus giving you more control. It is very important that the equipment be as hassle free as possible so time on the mountain will be spent skiing and NOT trying to remedy non-functioning equipment. It must also be appropriate to a child’s skill level. The equipment has a direct effect on the student’s ability to learn to ski and enjoy it. If it is current, it is designed to perform the maneuvers we are teaching the children. If it is obsolete or of poor quality there is no way a child can make it work. Nor is it safe. 26 SKI BOOTS Boots should be no more than three years old, must have a DIN number (see ‘Safety Alert’), and should be fit by a specialist in fitting children’s boots. Boots need to be flexible (the uppers) - not too stiff, especially for the lightweight or beginning skier. Two buckles for the smaller sizes and usually three for the larger sizes. Single buckle boots, with the exception of very small boots, don’t offer the alternatives in fitting and comfort or walking that multiple buckle boots do. It is very difficult to walk with your top buckle undone when you have only one buckle. On the other hand, too many buckles can contribute to stiffness. A child’s boot should have a little “grow room” that can be absorbed by a heavy thermal sock for a secure fit. How much is determined by how early in the season the boot is fit and how rapidly the child’s feet are growing. There shouldn’t be so much room that good firm contact between foot and boot is sacrificed as that is the main connection between skier & ski and thus the primary locus of control. If you are considering purchasing used equipment: IMPORTANT SKI BOOT NEWS: ASTM - In an ongoing effort by the ski industry to remove as many of the risks of skiing as is humanly possible, there is an American directive about boot specifications. Each step of improvement in safety carries with it the corresponding action steps on our part. The upshot of this in practical terms is that new boot purchases, used boot purchases and remounts of equipment are closely regulated. Consequently older boots and bindings will probably come under careful scrutiny to assure they meet current standards. So be sure to check with the experts before you buy! Have used gear checked out by the experts before you allow your child to use it. SAFETY ALERT - When you are buying ski boots, new or used, be sure the boot has a DIN number on it. It is usually found on the bottom of the boot. The DIN number indicates a standardization of sole dimensions, materials and torsional rigidity to insure a good crisp release from the binding. Bindings must also have a DIN number. It is important to make sure that the person that mounts the bindings is certified by the company that produced that brand of binding. All current bindings and boots made by major companies (e.g. Salomon and Marker etc.) comply with these standards and show a DIN number. POWDERPIG ALERT - When considering a “package”, whether it is for a skier or snowboarder, look at each item separately. Skis, poles, bindings and boots OR snowboard, bindings and boots, each item needs to be individually and collectively appropriate for the child’s height, weight and skill level. If you want a Powderpig opinion, email us. The people at Alpine Hut, Gerk’s Ski, as well as Spoke & Edge do a great job with their kid’s packages and have designed them with us in mind. STORING EQUIPMENT - Both ski and snowboard boots need to be stored in a warm, dry place where they can dry out completely between each use, otherwise they can get moldy and very stinky on the inside (boots, especially). YUK! Skis and snowboards need to be stored in a dry, even temperatured environment. The experts advise us never to store skis or snowboards on a concrete surface without something substantial in between them and the concrete. When storing skis or snowboards over a long period of time, hot wax the bottoms, covering the edges too, this prevents bases from drying out and the edges from rusting. 27 Here is a great spot make notes about your Powderpig’s gear: ITEM HAVE NEED SIZE NOTES Powderpig parka Helmet Turtleneck Fleece/Sweater Sox (wool or poly) No Cotton! Tall enough to reach above boot tops. Long johns (poly) Absolutely no cotton here either! Bib type Warmups Mittens, pair #1 Mittens, pair #2 Goggles Raingear Day pack Ski/Board Wax Sun Block Sled Skis Snowboard Bindings Boots Ski Poles OTHER STUFF: Only for hauling gear and lunchtime seating! 28 Powderpig Partners: Alpine Hut, Edge & Spoke, Gerk’s Ski & Cycle: We work together to provide you with a place where a wide selection of equipment and clothing is available at reasonable prices. At these stores you can get expert help in finding just the right combination of equipment to assure a safe, comfortable and happy skiing experience for the entire family. Alpine Hut is located in Seattle and Gerk’s Ski & Cycle is located in Issaquah now and Edge and Spoke is in old Redmond. Parkas will be available for pick up at these stores in early December. We will announce the parka arrival via email, and on in “Latest News”. Powderpigs and Alpine Hut, Gerk’s Ski & Spoke and Edge & Spoke have had a very good working relationship for many years. We look forward to working with all three stores again this year. This does mean that for the Buy Back Program, when you buy gear from one store, that gear needs to go back to the store of origin. Each store has designed its own “buy back program”. Questions? Just email us: [email protected] Alpine Hut, Edge & Spoke, Gerk’s Ski & Cycle also have their own “Powderpig Packages” containing some of the best quality equipment you can get for kids. There is an excellent range of name brand models and sizes from entry level through high performance in boots, skis and bindings. All three stores have an equipment buyback program and a consignment sale program. The Powderpig recommendation is buy new and enjoy first owner use and warranties and get 40% buy back credit on next season’s equipment. DAILY RENTALS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED! Here are the basics of the original BUY BACK PROGRAM: (Each store has their own version) Equipment must have been brand new, originally purchased from Alpine Hut or Gerk’s, no more than one season old and accompanied by original receipts. You will receive a portion of the original purchase price towards your next purchase. If your equipment is more than 1 season old or purchased through another dealer, each of the stores, Alpine Hut, Edge & Spoke, and Gerk’s Ski & Cycle have their own buy back or consignment options for the older equipment. Just ask them about what they have to offer. WHERE CAN YOU FIND THESE FINE STORES? Alpine Hut Seattle 2215 – 15th Ave. W. Seattle, WA (206) 284-3575 www.alpinehut.com Edge & Spoke 7875 Leary Way Redmond WA (425) 883-7544 www.edgeandspoke.com Gerk’s Ski & Cycle 1875 NW Poplar Way Issaquah, WA (425) 270-3061 www.gerksonline.com 29 Student Season Passes Make the Best Sense for Powderpigs! In order to use the ski lifts during the season, you must either have a ticket for the day or a season pass. The Area has invested in new equipment for checking and tracking participants in order to more effectively staff the various chair lifts during heavy use and supply added staff when needed. In order to support the success of this, they have made the season passes for students in the various ski school programs a lot more economical than purchasing tickets on a daily basis. For this reason, we recommend you purchase a student season pass for your Powderpig (s). FYI: Season passes are not included in the cost of tuition. Heavy Discounts on season passes are available in the spring and summer and very early fall for the whole family and the Area extends discounts into the early fall for the whole family. Check the web site for these bargains! Spring discounts are always the best deals! The discounts on Student Season Passes are so good that daily lift tickets would make sense only if you were going to ski much less than the ski school season. The applications for the discounted student pass are sent out in the fall as soon as the Area makes them available. These applications must be used for the discounted student pass & passes can now be purchased on line. The cautionary note in this tale is to read the “qualifications and limitations” of each type of pass carefully and watch the deadlines just as carefully. That said, this is a great year for buying a Student Discount Season Pass. In order to qualify for a Student Pass, you must be registered in a ski school program for the 2016 season. The Unlimited pass is recommended for families that will want to ski in the other Areas during the season, especially Alpental and for the most advanced students. Ages are now based on the date of purchase. So, if your child is turning 7 or 13 during the fall or winter season, make sure you purchase their student pass before their birthday. Otherwise, from the date of his or her seventh or thirteenth birthday you must either buy the more expensive pass or buy a full priced Youth or Adult ticket each day they ski. (Tickets are no longer such a good deal & are no longer discounted. Ever. Just in case you were wondering. . .) The Area monitors the ages of ski school participants carefully so they do know when a child turns 7 or 13. Please go on to next page: 30 2017 STUDENT SEASON PASS INFORMATION AGE UNLIMITED (w/tx) Adult: 19-61 Teen: 13-18* Youth: 7-12* Child: 0-6* * * L-T-D (w/tx) Standard Snow Guarantee Standard Snow Guarantee $449 + tax $369 + tax $299 + tax $79 + tax $499 + tax $359 + tax $399 + tax $399 + tax $329 + tax $359 + tax $329 + tax $269 + tax $299 + tax $89 + tax n/a n/a All Passes are subject to current WA State Sales Tax. Age based on date of purchase. **Black out dates for L-T-D pass: All Sats & Suns at Alpental only. • The deadline for sending in applications for Student Discount Passes is Dec. 15, 2016. They must be in the office or in the mail and postmarked by that date. After Dec. 15 you can still purchase them in person at the Season Pass Office at Summit West. • Be sure to read all the information on both the front and back of the Pass Application, as it is your best source of information about the conditions and use of these Passes. • Applications for the Student Season Pass will be sent to you with your confirmation of enrollment and will be stamped by us so the Area will recognize them as valid. These Student Passes are available for our Powderpigs who are currently enrolled in one of our programs. • Super bargains on Regular (non-student) season passes can be found on The Summit at Snoqualmie’s web site main page. Spring is the very best time to get those discounts! But wait! There’s more . . . 31 Some important words of wisdom about navigating Season Pass purchases From Sharon, our Season Pass Representative: In order for us to process your pass so you will have it in time for ski school, you must sign up on line for the student pass by December 15th in order for them to process and mail your pass to you before classes begin. After December 15th, you may still purchase the pass on line, but in order to have it by the first day of lessons, you will need to pick it up at will call at the season pass office at Summit West. You will receive your season pass on the spot. WARNING: We strongly recommend you do not wait to get your season pass at the Season Pass Office at Summit West* on the first day of ski school. Some Powderpig families think that is a perfect time to purchase their season passes, but on those first days of lessons, the lines are always very long and the wait in those long lines, even longer. Not a pleasant way to begin the season and you may even end up missing your class altogether. Dreary thought! When you send in your child’s student season pass application make sure to include: 1. The student season pass application with all signatures in place 2. Payment 3. Photo of the child (see below for options)(Be sure to put child’s name on back of photo) Photos: If you are a new pass holder, or if you want a new photo on your season pass, here are your options: 1. You may email your photo to [email protected] Please use following guidelines: Photo must be in a jpeg format under 40K. Your nose should be in the center of the picture. No hats or sunglasses please. 2. Visit us at the season pass office at Summit West. (*the only location for Pass sales) Open daily starting October 24th from 9AM until 4PM. We will take your picture and hand you your pass on the spot. This is the only location for Season Pass sales. The End of The Brochure The Beginning of The Adventure!