Please see Practice Information HERE
Your skier will need the same equipment for practice and race days - with the exception of a race suit, which is optional -.
This gear includes: Helmet with face guard, skis, poles, boots, shin guards, snow jacket and snow pants (race suit optional on race days), mittens, boot bag - to carry boots to carry gear other than skis and poles, and optional but useful, ski bag for skis and poles.
New racers do not need race specific skis or boots, but as the racer progresses it becomes important to buy race specific gear.
A full document of gear and descriptions can be found on this link: Gear List Link
Varsity races are held at Buck Hill on Tuesdays at 4 pm
JV races are held at Hyland Hills on Fridays at 4:15 pm
Specific race days and invitationals are located on the Calendar page
There a few options to get your skier to practice during the week:
A bus will run from HHS to Hyland Hills after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. A bus will pick up skiers at WMS, and then at NMS/HHS to transport to Hyland Hills with their ski gear. Skiers will need their own ride home from all practices.
Saturday morning practices skiers will need their own transportation to and from practice.
Skiers are welcome to drive themselves, or carpool to all practices
Parents are welcome to drive their skiers, or carpool to practices
An athletic bus will bring all skiers to races. Skiers will need to provide their own transportation home from races at Hyland and Buck.
Skiers are released early from school on race days. A bus will again transport from WMS, NMS and the HHS to Hyland Hills or Buck Hill.
Where do I purchase or lease ski equipment and gear?
New racers do not need race specific skis or boots, but as the racer progresses it becomes important to buy race specific gear.
There are a few ways you can get your skier gear:
Ski Shop: Buy new ski equipment or lease for the season. We have some great ski shops around that are incredibly helpful for sizing, fit and understanding what is needed for an alpine racer and many offer a discount of 15-20% for high school race teams.
Tonka Ski and Cycle in Hopkins, Gear West in Long Lake, Hi Tempo in St. Paul, Pierce in Bloomington, and Hoigaards in St. Louis Park, Eriks with multiple locations.
Ski Swaps: Ski swaps are a great way to find used gear. Many of us love to hit the ski swaps yearly for gear both to sell and purchase.
Buck Hill, Hyland Hills, Afton Alps, Gear West all have yearly ski swaps. The booster club will send out an email in early September with the dates for the season. Many of these ski swaps happen in Sept/Oct each fall. - Check the Calendar page for dates as well!
On-line: There are some fantastic online ski swap sites to purchase used gear at great prices: SideLineSwap, Powder7, and Hopkins Alpine Slack Channel. (HAST)
What events are held for the team?
The booster club holds team meals, banquets and info nights. We welcome and request parent volunteers for all of these events!
Parent and skier info night
Pizza night for skiers in the beginning of season
Bingo night and potluck
Team meals at Hyland Hills before or after practices
Meals for skiers for traveling races
Brainerd race and family dinner at Cragun's Resort
Concession volunteer opportunities in the spring and fall to fundraiser for your skier
Sections team dinner
JV Championship dinner
Closing banquet
How can parents be a part of the season?
Parents are such an important part of making the alpine season a success! There are so many opportunities for parents to support our team and racers.
Volunteers are needed at each race to help it run smoothly - and this is a very fun way to be a part of the race with our skiers! At the beginning of each season we ask for parents to volunteer and sign up to volunteer at a race - no ski experience needed for these roles
Hill positions
Gate Keeper
We will also request send out volunteer info to be a part of team meals, banquets and concessions. Once again these are very fun ways to interact with the team and racers!
Is there a booster fee for the season?
Yes, the booster fee for this season is $180. The booster fee covers the activities noted above, and supplements a number of expenses that are not covered by the athletics fees, including additional coaches, some coaching equipment, skiers blueberries (parkas), meals and busing for out of town races, and other team expenses.
What is the bus fee to weekday practice for those that need the transport?
The bus fee is for the skiers requiring a ride to weekday practices Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday The cost is $130/skier.
Check out these page for more info:
Join - for weekly practice and race info, initial costs and required gear list
Calendar - for invitational race dates, winter break schedule and races, team events and banquets
FAQs - for bussing questions, gear list, ski swap info
Coaches - for contact info