South Canterbury’s young skiers can now access advanced ski coaching on their doorstep.
Mt Dobson is offering three new advanced ski coaching programmes for 8-14-year-olds this season.
The Dobo Youth Snow Pro — DYSP — programmes are designed as a first step towards a race or competitive free-ride path in the ski industry.
Dobo Snowsports team leader Andy Swallow said the programmes would include a mix of free-skiing, drills and gate/race training with the emphasis on having fun while improving technique and confidence.
‘‘In race terms, this is an entry-level programme, but there will be an opportunity to ski a timed course at the start and end of each programme, weather and snow conditions permitting. We’ll also be doing a fair bit of off-trail free-ride skiing so if this aspect of the sport is their passion, they won’t be disappointed.’’
Skiers must be confident on all runs at Mt Dobson, including the black runs from the top of the T-bar before enrolling.
Mt Dobson is offering three programmes; a five-day programme beginning on July 13 and running daily (weather permitting) at a cost of $500, along with Seven Saturdays and Seven Sundays programmes, beginning the weekend of July 18-19, and costing $600.
Combo packages are also available.
Swallow said the packages had been created with locals and families in mind, all offering three hours’ training in the mornings.
‘‘Then kids are then free to go and ski with friends or family in the afternoon, whereas with most other programmes, it’s a full day.’’
Swallow will be taking the sessions, having competed the New Zealand Snowsports industry race programme Level 1 course last season, with a view to setting up the DYSP programme this year.
He said Mt Dobson had offered race coaching in the past, but not for a number of years.
Numbers for each programme will be capped at eight per coach, and as of early this week, there were only a few spots left on the holiday and Sunday programmes, while there was still plenty of space in the Saturday programme.
