A2 Ski Team

About

High School ski racing is a growing sport and many of the school districts that have recently started teams have found the sport to be an enriching opportunity for their student-athletes and their families.

The goal is to provide high-quality ski coaching and develop student-athletes ski racing skills with an emphasis on character development and skiing fundamentals.

How it works

  • Female and male students athletes from AAPS high schools are invited to join the team.  The team will practice at Mt. Brighton and compete in the MBHSSA.

  • According to MHSAA rules, a team must field at least 4 racers for 4 races throughout the season to be eligible for the Regional Finals (beginning of MHSAA State Tournament). 

  • If there are any males on the 4-student roster the team will compete in the boy’s division. 

  • There are, however, separate divisions and a maximum of 6 females and 6 males can compete in their respective divisions at MBHSSA according to MHSAA rules.

  • We are happy to accommodate 10 male and 10 female skiers for the first season and are willing to increase roster size in subsequent years.

  • Ski days will be Monday-Thursday with Practice on Monday/Wednesday and races on Tuesday/Thursday

  • Practice runs from 4 pm - 6 pm or 6 pm - 8 pm, races are typically 5 pm - 7 pm

  • Boys and Girls Varsity and JV Ski Teams

    Mt. Brighton High School Ski Association (MBHSSA), which includes Northville, Brighton, South Lyon, Birmingham, Okemos, Detroit Catholic Central / Mercy, UofD, Howell, Chelsea/Saline, Farmington and North Farmington.

    Varsity and JV teams race on the same nights

    20 skiers can compete at each race (six boys varsity, six girls varsity, four boys JV and four girls JV)

    The fastest four varsity skiers with combined times are scored for the school team that night; JV skiers are scored as individuals

Equipment

  • Athletes are responsible to provide their own ski equipment - skis, boots, bindings, ski poles, gloves,  helmets, goggles(clear or light lenses are better for night skiing), and clothing.

  • Racing helmet: Giant Slalom (full helmet) - hard ear covering; Slalom - must have chin bar, soft or hard ears allowed. If one helmet is desired, helmet must be a full helmet with hard ears and the skier needs to be aware that putting on and taking off the chin bar can be time-consuming. If you are purchasing a new helmet it is best to purchase a helmet that conforms to FIS Standards.

  • The team will provide all other equipment (gates, drills, training lanes at Mt. Brighton, and coaching).

  • Parents are responsible for transporting athletes to and from Mt. Brighton for practice and races. 

Coaching & Managing

  • Blake Lancaster is the proposed coach. Mr. Lancaster has been a coach for over 11 years and has been a coach in Mt. Brighton’s Race Department (XLR8) for over 6 years. He has been involved in ski racing for 40 years and is a certified coach with the United States Ski Association (USSA). He is currently taking classes to obtain his level 100 license before the 2022-2023 ski season.

  • Tom Phillips will be an assistant coach and the team manager and has been a part of Alpine racing for the past 10 years having three boys in the program. 

  • Through pay for play and fundraising, we will plan to buy our own equipment.

Fees

  • Pay to play for the ski team is estimated at $550 per racer for the training and race support

  • In addition, each racer will need to purchase a local season pass to Mt. Brighton - for the 2023/24 season, the cost is $547.

Join the Team!