Practice Information
Bogastow practices are on Wednesday evenings from 6-8PM. Practices are held at both Nashoba and Wachusett. The way coaching and payments for lane space to the ski areas work you have to choose Nashoba or Wachusett. Primarily the skiers from Dover/Sherborn and the metro west area go to Nashoba and the racers that live further out go to Wachusett. Later in the season there are opportunities to participate in additional practices at the two areas. We will provide notification when additional practice opportunities are available. Below we provide some information for both areas.
Nashoba Practices
- Bogastow practice lanes are typically on Chief or Warrior. If arriving late it is best to head to the this part of the ski area to find the group. Nashoba is small enough where its usually very easy to find our group. Primarily on our training nights its us and the adult racing league, so crowds are minimal.
- Tickets can be purchased starting at 5pm. You have to give your name at the ticket window for the discounted ticket. The ticket window is right next to the entrance to the lodge.
- Some families arrive early and have dinner and do homework in the lodge/upstairs restaurant. You will see many teammates getting ready in down stairs lodge around 5:30pm. All the team members are very friendly and will gladly answer any questions for new skiers.
- All racers and coaches meet out in front of the lodge at 5:45pm. From there we usually split into groups. We do not always go right to the lanes to run gates, often the coaches have the kids doing free skiing drills and assessments before starting in the training courses.
- Usually we train GS first early in the season to "get back to basics". Its a bit more manageable for all the kids to start with GS before we transition to SL.
- There are 3 coaches and usually 3 parent coaches on skis during our practices. Additionally there is always seasoned parents in the lodge that can help any racer needing to go in to warm up, take a bathroom break or help with any general needs. All coaches have radio communication devices on at all times. A lodge parent also has one of the radios so we can communicate when some kids are coming in or if anything else is needed.
- Ski patrol is always near by to tend to any injuries or other emergencies. It should be noted that based on the severity of any potential injury we (coaches and parent coaches) are not allowed to move an injured person. We must wait for ski patrol to arrive.
- At the end of each practice we are responsible for pulling the gates and slipping the course to smooth out the ruts. It is expected that all racers help with the slip. Also depending on the snow conditions racer may have to slip the course during practice to maintain conditions. Coaches will notify racers when this needs to happen.
Wachusett Practices
- Typically the lane space given to us at Wachusett is either in Vickery Bowl area or on Challanger.
- Wachusett is considerable larger than Nashoba, therefor any new families may want to get there early, connect with a current member and get the basics down and know who to look for in the lodge for any questions. Many of the parents for the Wachusett practices participate on hill with coaching and general looking out for the kids.
- All racers and coaches meet out in front of the lodge at 5:45pm. From there we usually split into groups. We do not always go right to the lanes to run gates, often the coaches have the kids doing free skiing drills and assessments before starting in the training courses.
- Usually we train GS first early in the season to "get back to basics". Its a bit more manageable for all the kids to start with GS before we transition to SL.
- At the end of each practice we are responsible for pulling the gates and slipping the course to smooth out the ruts. It is expected that all racers help with the slip. Also depending on the snow conditions racer may have to slip the course during practice to maintain conditions. Coaches will notify racers when this needs to happen.
- We will review all the practice procedures/meeting spots etc. at the first practice.
