U12

U12 Overview

• MSRC’s U12 program is designed to build on the fundamentals skills developed in U10 through further exposure and integration to racing specific on-snow training and competition. Defined by the “learn to train” stage of the Alpine Canada long term athlete development plan (https://ltad.alpinecanada.org/), athletes will be further educated on the requirements of Slalom, Giant Slalom and Ski Cross. They will be instructed on how to use their respective gear, and how to best apply their fundamental skiing skills to the racecourse.
• Training will maintain a focus on developing core skills and competencies within and outside a race course environment. Training courses will be designed to challenge and further develop form, balance, and timing. Competition events at the U12 age increase in frequency and formality while still maintaining a major focus on time spent skiing, as well as creating a fun and engaging environment.
• Breaks are included in training times. We encourage athletes to attend as many sessions as possible. However, it is not mandatory for your athlete to attend all days in the schedule.
• While all participation in race and camps is optional, available U12 events would typically include:
  
  • Mont-Sainte-Anne or other Pre-Season Camps
  • Martock Race Weekend
  • Other regional races deemed suitable by coaching team
    • Wentworth Slingshot Race (available slots are limited by host)
    • Byrne Cup
    • Ben Eoin Race

Our Programs

There are 6 program options in our U12 program for the 2025-26 season:

U12 3-Day Performance Program (Wednesday PM + Saturday & Sunday @ Ski Martock)

• The U12 3-day performance program is aimed at skiers who are looking to maximize their on-snow time and get extra training "in-gates". This 12 week program consists of 10.5 hours of weekly training at Ski Martock from January to March.
• Daily weekend training is offered from 9:00 am - 1:45 pm, with a 45 minute break for lunch from 11:00 - 11:45.
• Wednesday PM training is offered from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm with the goal of having a training course set to practice on as soon as snow conditions allow.
  • Wednesday night training is typically more independent than on weekends with a goal of getting as many "laps" in the set training course as possible. 
• First planned day of training: January 7, 2026 (Wednesday PM).
• Final planned day of training: March 29, 2026.

U12 2-Day Program (Saturday & Sunday @ Ski Martock)

• The 2-day (Weekends) program is historically our most popular U12 option and is aimed at skiers who are looking to develop their skiing ability with a slightly lower time commitment that the 3-day performance program. This 12 week program consists of 8 hours of weekly training at Ski Martock from January to March.
• Daily weekend training is offered from 9:00 am - 1:45 pm, with a 45 minute break for lunch from 11:00 - 11:45.
• First planned day of training: January 10, 2026.
• Final planned day of training: March 29, 2026.
• Due to coach scheduling requirements athletes are NOT permitted to change their training days on a week-to-week basis. Athletes are only eligible to train on the days on which they are registered.

U12 2-Day Program (Wednesday PM & Saturday @ Ski Martock)

• This U12 2-day program is aimed at skiers who are looking to develop their skiing ability with a slightly lower time commitment that the 3-day performance program. This 12 week program consists of 6.5 hours of weekly training at Ski Martock from January to March. The Saturday/Wednesday split provides one typical weekend training day along with a Wednesday night gate-training session.
• Wednesday PM training is offered from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm with the goal of having a training course set to practice on as soon as snow conditions allow. 
  • Wednesday night training is typically more independent than on weekends with a goal of getting as many "laps" in the set training course as possible. 
• Daily weekend training is offered from 9:00 am - 1:45 pm, with a 45 minute break for lunch from 11:00 - 11:45.
• First planned day of training: January 7, 2026 (Wednesday PM).
• Final planned day of training: March 28, 2026.
• Due to coach scheduling requirements athletes are NOT permitted to change their training days on a week-to-week basis. Athletes are only eligible to train on the days on which they are registered.

U12 2-Day Program (Wednesday PM  & Sunday@ Ski Martock)

• This U12 2-day program is aimed at skiers who are looking to develop their skiing ability with a slightly lower time commitment that the 3-day performance program. This 12 week program consists of 6.5 hours of weekly training at Ski Martock from January to March. The Sunday/Wednesday split provides one typical weekend training day along with a Wednesday night gate-training session.
• Wednesday PM training is offered from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm with the goal of having a training course set to practice on as soon as snow conditions allow. 
  • Wednesday night training is typically more independent than on weekends with a goal of getting as many "laps" in the set training course as possible. 
• Daily weekend training is offered from 9:00 am - 1:45 pm, with a 45 minute break for lunch from 11:00 - 11:45.
• First planned day of training: January 7, 2026 (Wednesday PM).
• Final planned day of training: March 29, 2026.
• Due to coach scheduling requirements athletes are NOT permitted to change their training days on a week-to-week basis. Athletes are only eligible to train on the days on which they are registered.

U12 1-Day Program (Saturday ONLY @ Ski Martock)

• The U12 1-day program is new this season and aimed at skiers with previous racing experience who are interested in staying involved in ski racing, with a minimal time commitment.
• This 12 week program consists of 4 hours of weekly training at Ski Martock from January to March.
• Saturday AM training is offered from 9:00 am - 1:45 pm, with a 45 minute break for lunch from 11:00 - 11:45.
• First planned day of training: January 10, 2026.
• Final planned day of training: March 28, 2026.
• Due to coach scheduling requirements athletes are NOT permitted to change their training days on a week-to-week basis. Athletes are only eligible to train on the days on which they are registered.
• A 1-day (Wednesday only) option is not available for U12 athletes.

U12 1-Day Program (Sunday ONLY @ Ski Martock)

• The U12 1-day program is new this season and aimed at skiers with previous racing experience who are interested in staying involved in ski racing, with a minimal time commitment.
• This 12 week program consists of 4 hours of weekly training at Ski Martock from January to March.
• Sunday AM training is offered from 9:00 am - 1:45 pm, with a 45 minute break for lunch from 11:00 - 11:45.
• First planned day of training: January 11, 2026.
• Final planned day of training: March 29, 2026.
• Due to coach scheduling requirements athletes are NOT permitted to change their training days on a week-to-week basis. Athletes are only eligible to train on the days on which they are registered.
• A 1-day (Wednesday only) option is not available for U12 athletes.

All U12 program options also include a Fall Dryland Training component which runs on Wednesday evenings in Halifax (Emera Oval) or Wolfville (Waterfront Park), and Sunday mornings at Ski Martock.

• Wednesday PM Dryland training is offered from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.
  • First planned Wednesday dryland training session: September 3, 2025.
  • Final planned Wednesday dryland training session: October 29, 2025.
• Sunday Dryland training is offered from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
  • First planned Sunday dryland training session: September 7, 2025.
  • Final planned Sunday dryland training session: December 7, 2025.
• We are also investigating adding an additional indoor Wednesday PM program that would be offered after outdoor training concludes (due to early darkness). More details will be shared in the fall; however, the cost of this program is NOT included in program fees and would require an additional charge for interested athletes to cover facility rental fees and trainer fees

Additional information on our NEW 1-day program

The 1-day option is a new program offering for the 2025-26 season. At the U12 level, the 1-day options are aimed at skiers with previous racing experience who wish to remain involved in ski racing while participating in other activities that may make 2- and 3-day options harder to fit in their schedules.

The 1-day options are NOT recommended for new ski-racers at the U12 level. Our (2-day Saturday and Sunday) and 3-day options are more suitable for U12 athletes without previous ski racing experience.

Please contact us at admin@msrc.ca before registering in a 1-day U12 program as a new ski racer.

Additional Information

Ages

• Birth Years 2014 & 2015
• Proof of age is required for all new members.

Ability

MSRC does not offer "learn-to-ski" programs

All athletes MUST be able to:

• Use the lifts (T-bar and/or Chairlift) independently.
• Ski from the top of Ski Martock independently.
• Be away from their parents for the duration of the training session. 

Should you have concerns with your child's skills, please identify this to a member of the coaching staff or executive in advance.  We will work with you and your child to achieve this goal early in the season.  Should you wish to take advantage of a private one-on-one lesson to prepare for the season, you can arrange this through Ski Martock here:

http://www.martock.com/first-timer/private-lessons/

Lift Pass

• Program fees do not include the cost of a lift pass.
• Lift passes are available directly from Ski Martock and can be purchased online.

Equipment

• Appropriate clothing for weather conditions (note that MSRC Team jacket is included in U12 registration fees)
• CSA Certified Ski helmet
  • A Hard-Eared (FIS RH 2013 compliant) helmet is highly recommended for U12.
• Appropriately sized skis, boots and poles
  • If athletes will only be using on one set of skis, a pair of slalom or multi-event race skis are recommended.
  • Some athletes may benefit from separate slalom and giant slalom event-specific race skis.
• Athletes may also require the following:
  • Additional protective equipment including chin guards, shin guards and pole guards to participate in slalom training. (Highly recommended)
  • Race suit 
  • Basic ski tuning kit
• Additional information session will be held in the fall to review equipment needs of each of these programs.
  • More information can be found here: https://msrc.ca/content/gear-requirements-and-recommendations
• A seasonal rental of a Martock Ski Race Club Team Jacket is included in all U12 programs.

Alpine Ski Nova Scotia / Alpine Canada Membership Fee (Mandatory)

• All U12 athletes are required to have a Ski NS and Alpine Canada "Recreational" membership, which MUST be purchased prior to participating in any club training activities. Membership purchase information will be included on our registration pages.
  • This Membership fee is $177.48 (after taxes and fees) for the 2025-26 season and is not included in our fees listed at the bottom of the page
    • Some athletes may be required to upgrade to a ACA "National Card" membership to participate in out-of-province races (+$103.50)

Pre-Season On-Snow Activities

• Given the unpredictable recent December/January weather in Nova Scotia, we are hoping to offer a number of optional additional on-snow training camps for some programs (U10 and up) for an additional cost. A questionnaire to gauge interest in these training camps will be sent by email in the early fall to registered athletes to assist with planning for these events.
• Due to the greater difficulty of terrain at the hills at which the pre-season camps are anticipated to be held, those camps are targeted at returning athletes; however, attendance at these camps by first year athletes may be possible with permission from the coaching staff. If you have questions about whether any of the pre-season camps are appropriate for your athlete, please discuss with the age group head coach prior to registering for the camp.
• More details on these camps will be provided on the website, via email, and through the established WhatsApp group chats for each age division

Program Costs

PLEASE NOTE: 1-day athletes who participate in weekend races or training events outside of their chosen training day will be subject to an additional coaching fee surcharge for that event.

Fees for our 12-week 2025-26 program are as follows:

*taxes and admin fees are extra where applicable