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Who We Are:
The University of Missouri Columbia – SnowSki Club Team
The club will promote the sports of skiing and snowboarding to all skill levels of students at the University of Missouri. We will promote the following to our members…
Discounted trips to awesome winter resorts.
Discounted trips to local hills around the midwest.
Exclusive movie premiers (Snowboarding Companies Go on College Tours promoting their riders)
Ski and Snowboard Gear Giveaways
Learn To Ski or Snowboard with us.
Join our Race team and compete against other schools.
A chance to meet exciting people that like to Ski and Board.
Work with disabled skiers and snowboarders in order to bring the benefits of the sport to everyone.
When were we established?
A group of employees at the University of Missouri Recreation Complex began planning snowski activities in the winter of 2006. There have been numerous group trips to participate in the Midnight Madness program at Hidden Valley Ski Area and we have had as many as 14 students attend. A snowboard trip was also conducted during the winter break of 2006 to Lake Tahoe, Calif that consisted of three Mizzou students. The idea of a SnowSki team at the University of Missouri was then developed in order to build a larger community that would participate in similar activities.
What will we do when there is no snow?
All schools participate in offseason workouts that will sharpen their balance and stamina on the mountain. The University of Colorado - Boulder and the University of Minnesota have developed an organized dryland training schedule that we will incorporate into our program that consists of:
Weightlifting with the use of Balance Boards
Yoga (We will encourage attendance in flexibility classes at the Student Recreation Center)
Biking Trails
Hiking Trails
Also… In October there will be trips planned to participate in snowski related activities that will hype up the upcoming season. These include:
Alpine Shop Winter Swap in St. Louis
Chicago Snowsports Winter Expo in Chicago
Dryland Training Session in St. Louis
Bi-weekly meetings to discuss upcoming trip info.
Can a SnowSki team exist in the Midwest?
Yes! There are 38 colleges in the Midwest region that have a SnowSki club that participates in racing. They are…
Midwest Conference
Northwestern University
Purdue University
University of Notre Dame
Clarke College
Grand Valley State College
Michigan State University
Michigan Tech University
Univ. of Michigan
Bowling Green University
Kalamazoo College
John Carroll University
Carleton College
Ohio State University
St. Olaf College
Univ. of Minn., Duluth
Univ. of Minnesota, TC
Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
Marquette University
Univ. of Wisconsin, LaCrosse
University of St. Thomas
Univ. of Wisconsin
Mesabi Community College
Kettering University
Univ. of Wisc., Stout
Western Michigan University
University of Toledo
Gustavus Adolphus College
Kent State University
Univ. of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
St. Cloud State University
Univ. of Akron
Univ. of Wisconsin, River Falls
Albion College
Northern Michigan Univ.
Iowa State University
Lake Superior College
Concordia College
Central Michigan University
How will we race these schools?
The University of Missouri SnowSki club has already registered to compete in the 2007-2008 United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. When accepted, we will be placed in the Midwest Snowsports Conference with the other schools in the region. (http://www.uscsa.com/)
What are the races like?
We would compete against many other schools in Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa. The races typically begin early Saturday mornings, with a racer meeting at around 9am. Saturday is Slalom, and Sunday is GS. Two runs each day. There is both a men's and women's winner each day, and then a winner for the races combined. There is also a team winner for each day. Each team designates 5 racers for an "A" team, and 5 racers for a "B" team. Everyone else is allowed to compete as well, but they are not eligible for team points.
Is this safe?
The races are strictly downhill races… meaning no freestyle tricks will be done. The USCSA requires proper safety equipment for all racers. In addition, each racer must pay for insurance through the USCSA that covers injuries while racing.
While there is a slight likelihood of a crash, racers will all be required to wear helmets that will help avoid a serious injury. The races are all supervised by the conference and they have ski patrol and emergency staff on hand at each event. In addition, ski patrol is also on hand at Hidden Valley Ski Area where the practices will be held.
The team’s director (Michael Neustedter) will be at all events and is certified specifically in Sports Safety and First-Aid training by the United States Olympic Committee and the Red Cross. This training involves extensive safety training that is given to trainers and coaches who oversee athletes on the United States Olympic Ski and Snowboard teams.
Where will we practice?
Hidden Valley in Kirkwood, Mo and Snow Creek near Kansas City are open from December until the end of March or early April. Both ski areas are about an hour and a half away and we will be able to set up courses for the team to practice on.
What other local activities will there be?
The Gateway Disabled Ski Program is located in St. Louis and club members will be able to volunteer on evenings to work one-on-one with disabled skiers at Hidden Valley Ski Area. In addition, the team will help out at the Variety Club Children’s Ski Camp at the end of January.
We will also have watch parties at local restaurants to view televised races like the Chevrolet Grand Prix and ESPN Winter X-Games.
How Much money is required to participate?
The club is planning on sending men’s and women’s alpine ski teams and a men’s and women’s snowboard team to race in numerous Midwest events this season (4 total teams). The conference charges registration fees of $225 for the first team and $125 for each additional team. Therefore the team will need $600 in registration fees if we are able to field 4 teams.
The team will also need to register with the Midwest Conference, which will be approx. $100 total.
In addition the team will also eventually look to purchase:
Ski and Snowboard Roof Racks ($150)
Hidden Valley Lift Passes ($30/day)
Bus Fair, Hotel, and Lift Tickets for a Colorado Trip ($350-400 per person)
How much will we ask for from the university?
The club would like the university to cover the registration fees that will enable participants to race due to the fact that money will also need to be spent on gas, other transportation expenses, and hotel fees. However, because this club is in its first year, it may only be realistic to send one male and one female team to race. As a result, the club will ask for $350-700 this year.
The University of California – San Diego required each member to pay a $75 fee and additional fees for each activity. The club had over 50 members paying these dues. Therefore, the club will still be able to function without the fees.
What are the other college teams like in the Midwest?
They are all different, but University of Missouri SnowSki would like to incorporate the motives of three specific main Midwest campuses into our organization.
*The “Mission Statement” for the club comes from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and describes the racing aspect of our club.
Club Mission Statement:
1. Inclusion of all those individuals that enjoy skiing and want to be a part of the racing experience. Exclusion is not to be tolerated if at all possible.
2. To represent all racers able, at all races. Limitations set only as directed by the MCSA or USCSA.
3. To uphold the traditions of ski racing excellence.
4. To create an environment which is supportive to Student Athletes. To perpetuate itself with the ideal of improvement from one season to the next.
5. To generate a highly competitive atmosphere that will produce highly qualified racers to represent the Midwest conference at a national level and perform with a level of excellence that correctly demonstrates the quality of the race program upheld by MCSA.
6. To keep competition fun and exciting with the purpose of encouraging it's athletes to stay involved in the sport and athletics in general.
7. All members will strive to represent the best interests of the team and school.
*Financially we would like to operate similarly to the SnowSki team at Iowa State University…
Everyone is welcome, and no one will be turned away. The experience is what you make of it. Everyone is responsible for themselves. We pay our own way from lift tickets to lodging to gas and snacks. Each year the team dues are around $150. This covers all of the USCSA (United States Collegiate Snowsports Association) National and the MCSA (Midwest Collegiate Ski Association) Regional Fees. The fee also covers a per race insurance fee that we have to pay as well. The team is able to fund trips to the following destinations every year:
Thanksgiving Trip to Colorado
Winter Break Trip to Colorado
Spring Break Trip to Jackson Hole Wy.
*The University of Missouri SnowSki club would like to also offer activities to members who love skiing and snowboarding but do not want to make a commitment to racing. Therefore, we will adopt the main motive of the University of Illionois –Urbana Champ. into the club.
What is this club about? The University of Illinois Ski and Snowboard Club is a registered organization run by students for students. It primarily exists for our annual winter break trip. The officers of the club organize the trip and bring a bus load of UI students out of the Illinois plains and into the mountains for a week of unforgettable skiing and riding. Our goal is to gather students interested in skiing and riding into a large group in order to reduce the cost and maximize the fun for all. Prior to the trip we hold a number of informational meetings and plan social activities so that the members of the club can get to know one another.
Who cannot participate in the club?
Everyone who wants to be part of the club will be given membership.
Who are the officers?
President and Snowboard Director - Michael Neustedter
Vice President and Ski Director – Ashley Gaughan
Treasurer – Shelby Stokes
How can I get more information about the University of Missouri SnowSki Club?
Co-founder/ Snowboard Director – Michael Neustedter (408) 497-3078
Co-founder/ Ski Director – Ashley Gaughan (651) 308-5756
Links:
Midwest Collegiate Snowsports Association:
http://www.skimcsa.com/
US Collegiate Snowsports Association:
http://www.uscsa.com/
United States of America Snowboard Association:
http://www.usasa.org/
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