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Ski School Application (MS Word File) | Ski School Application (PDF File) | Ski School Class Description (PDF File)

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2009-2010 SKI SCHOOL PROGRAM

The by-laws of the Schussmeisters' Ski Club identify the purpose of the Club as "to encourage participation in the sport of skiing, [and] to improve individual skiing proficiency...". To accomplish this task, members of the Schussmeisters' Ski Club, as a benefit of their membership, have access to one of the best ski instruction programs in Michigan.

We have a weekly lesson program on Thursday nights at Mt. Holly. Ski and snowboard instruction covering all ability levels from first-timers to racing are provided. Other opportunities for instruction are available on one-day bus trips and an all day lesson is available on the Ski School Bus Trip.  Regular attendance improves the learning process and creates better continuity within a class. The lesson program continues every Thursday night that Mt. Holly is open.

The Ski School teaches the American Teaching System (ATS) ski technique as developed by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). The highly structured system of the past has been replaced by four basic skills: balance, turning, edging and pressure control. Relating the complexity of skiing to these basic skills brings order and simplicity into the otherwise confusing myriad of mechanical concepts. What this all means is that learning to ski becomes fun without sacrificing proper technique.

Most of the instructors on staff are certified by the Central Division of PSIA as qualified ATS instructors. Certified instructors are required by PSIA to maintain their teaching abilities by attending PSIA training sessions on a regular basis. Both certified and non-certified instructors are required to attend Ski School training sessions throughout the year.

The Ski School is an active participant in other club activities. The Cold Duck Race and the Ski Club Trophy Race are two such activities run by the Ski School and open to any Club member.

THURSDAY NIGHT LESSONS

WHERE: Mt. Holly - 3rd floor above the ticket office
WHEN: 7:00 PM beginning the first Thursday in January and continuing every Thursday night Mt. Holly is open
WHAT: 1½ - 2 hour ski lessons for all abilities

COST: Included in membership dues

The Thursday night lessons program features ski instruction for all levels of skiing, from beginner to racing. The lesson program begins the first Thursday night in January and continues every Thursday night that Mt. Holly is open.  Remember that lessons are every Thursday night that Mt. Holly is open beginning the first Thursday in January. Lift tickets are available at discounted prices at the club meeting. Call the Mt. Holly Snow Line (1-800-582-7256) if you are not sure whether Mt. Holly is open.

Signing up for lessons

IN PERSON:

You can sign up for lessons in person at any of the fall membership meetings. Membership meetings start in September, see the Calendar of Events for dates. After paying your membership dues, go to the Ski School desk. Here you will be asked to fill out an application to assist us in placing you in the proper class for your skiing ability. Instructors are at the Ski School desk to assist you in providing accurate information on the application. Filling out the application is all there is to signing up. You will be notified by mail around the end of December of your lesson group and instructor. Now you can look forward to that first Thursday night in January for your ski lessons.

BY MAIL:

You can also sign up by mail. After joining the Ski Club, just complete the Ski School application and mail the application to the address on the application. You will be notified by mail around the end of December of your lesson group and instructor. That's all you need to do except to be at Mt. Holly on the first Thursday night in January.

THURSDAY NIGHT FORMAT

On Thursday nights, the Ski Club meets at Mt. Holly, on the third floor above the ticket office at 7:00 p.m. sharp. Here you can buy your discounted lift ticket, meet with your instructor, and sign-up for upcoming Club activities. There is a short business meeting with important announcements regarding Club activities. A wine raffle is held to help offset the cost of instructor uniforms. At approximately 7:30 p.m., you will meet your instructor in front of the main lodge for your lesson.

COLD DUCK RACE

WHERE: Mt. Holly

WHEN:, TBA

WHAT: Cold Duck Fun Race

The Cold Duck Race is a tradition of the Schussmeisters' Ski Club. As part of your lesson on Cold Duck night, students and instructors will take the challenge of this unique race. Unlike anything you've ever seen or experienced, the Cold Duck Race incorporates all the skills you learned in your lessons plus a few your instructor may have missed. Practice your limbo, uphill skiing and everything else you've learned and you may be the big winner of... Can't guess? You'll just have to be there! A Club sponsored party concludes this fun evening.

TROPHY RACE

WHERE: Mt. Holly

WHEN:TBA 

WHAT: Club Championship Races

The annual Schussmeisters' Ski Club Trophy Races are held on a Thursday so no lessons are scheduled. These races are open to all Club members and all skiing levels. Two dual racecourses, on Snowstream and Canyon, are provided to accommodate all skiing abilities. The top three finishers in each class will receive trophies at the annual Spring Election Banquet in April. The classes are (for both men and women) Elite, Vets (40 and over), A, B, C, D and snowboard (Novice and Advanced). Sign-up and classification will begin on Thursday night one week before the race. This is your chance to race against your friends and classmates and compare times. There is usually a Club sponsored party after the race in the Mt. Holly bar.

BUS TRIP LESSONS

One or more instructors are usually on club bus trips. If you would like a lesson or an introductory tour of a ski area new to you, contact the ski school to make arrangements.

RACING TRAINING

Race training is available to all club members on Thursday nights. There is formal instruction and plenty of racers are present and give advice freely to anyone who asks. Contact Bob Morey for more information and arrange a meeting time and place.
 

SKI INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

The Professional Ski Instructors of America, Central Division, have certified most of the instructors teaching for the Ski Club. Certification requires demonstrating your instructional abilities during a two- or three-day on snow examination. Candidates are tested for skiing ability, teaching ability and technical knowledge.

There are three levels of certification numbered I, II, and III. Level I certified instructors have passed the test requirements covering instruction levels 1 through 3. Level II instructors have passed the test covering instruction levels 1 through 6, and Level III instructors are certified to teach all levels of skiing. PSIA requires regular participation in instructor training clinics to maintain certification.