Ski Academies

[RossiSkier]

Has anyone every attended, or sent one of their children to a ski academy?

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Has anyone every attended, or sent one of their children to a ski academy?

Twins gettin to you already Rossi? Less they 1 year is probably a little early. JMO.

 

[RossiSkier]

Yeah HPD, I'm just thinking about it.

Should I teach them to ski, or should I get them ready for the Winter Olympics. Hmmmmm. . .

 

[thetrailboss]

Yeah HPD, I'm just thinking about it.

Should I teach them to ski, or should I get them ready for the Winter Olympics. Hmmmmm. . .

Depends on how much you have to spend, my friend. :wink: The sky is the limit....but ask yourself, how many, HONESTLY, how many great skiers are rich out of their minds? Only a relative few. That said, many good colleges and universities sure do like Ski Academy students because they often have the smarts and discipline to get ahead.

 

[smootharc]

Has anyone every attended, or sent one of their children to a ski academy?

Twins gettin to you already Rossi? Less they 1 year is probably a little early. JMO.

I wholeheartedly agree that less than one year is a perfect time to create unrealistic expectations and set up your kids for a life of disappointment, low self-esteem, and eventual expensive therapy bills.

My future olympian/world champions are feeling the heat, and I let them know everytime I can that they are letting me, their family, their friends, their school and their nation down. Jeez....lazy five and seven year olds. When I was their age I had already won my first World Championship golds.....

:dunce:

P.S. Numerous prep and college classmates were from the "usual suspects" ski schools (Burke, GMVS, Stratton), and all seemed to like it....and, surprise, they basically killed the competition at the high school and college level.

 

[RossiSkier]

I wholeheartedly agree that less than one year is a perfect time to create unrealistic expectations and set up your kids for a life of disappointment, low self-esteem, and eventual expensive therapy bills.

Smoothman, you're a rip! :lol:

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I wholeheartedly agree that less than one year is a perfect time to create unrealistic expectations and set up your kids for a life of disappointment, low self-esteem, and eventual expensive therapy bills.

Smoothman, you're a rip! :lol:

That was a funny take by smoothman, too bad there really are parents who push their kids like that. Bunch of aholes. I kills me when they say they’re doing it for the kid. F dat they’re doing it to live vicariously through the kid. Better stop my rant now I could get carried away on this one.

 

[JimG.]

That was a funny take by smoothman, too bad there really are parents who push their kids like that. Bunch of aholes. I kills me when they say they’re doing it for the kid. F dat they’re doing it to live vicariously through the kid. Better stop my rant now I could get carried away on this one.

So HPD, I take it you're not much of a fan of figure skating, tennis, or gymnastics. Me either, for the reason you've stated.

Damned stage parents.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

So HPD, I take it you're not much of a fan of figure skating, tennis, or gymnastics. Me either, for the reason you've stated.

Damned stage parents.

Yeah, but you can find them in every kids sport.

 

[deadheadskier]

I didn't go to a ski Academy, but did attend a boarding school with a strong skiing program - Vermont Academy.

We got to the mountain (Okemo) at 1:30 on Tuesday's and Thursdays, noon on Wednesday and Saturdays (race days) and could ski all day on Sundays. They have their own hill as well that they fired up the rope tow a few times each winter on Mondays and Fridays when there was enough natural.

While its not the place you would want to send your child if you have World Cup expectations of him, it is a great school to send your kids if you want them to get a good education and possibly ski on a Division 1 College team, which many have from there.

Famous skiers to attend there: Eric and Rob Deslauries - they were in a number of ski movies in the 80's along with the Egan brothers.

I loved it - best four years of my life.

 

[RossiSkier]

Thanks Deadhead. I was hoping somebody had an experience to share instead of an opinion. Don't think I could ever afford to send my kids to ski academies but I do think they may do race teams. Read a few articles on the rigors of putting your kid through one of these schools and driving miles from race to race. Just think it's a fascinating topic. Far more interesting than ski hills that beging with Sugar. Thanks again DHS.

 

[Masskier]

My daughter attended Burke Mountain Academy. I can’t speak highly enough about her experiences there. Ski academies certainly are not for the vast majority. They are expensive, but there are financial aid and scholarships available. Most of them are not a place where wealthy parents park their kids, nor if a student/athlete is not there because they really want to be, They will burn out. The most important quality of how well your child will do in the vigorous academy environment is How bad do they want to be there.



BMA enrolls approx 60 students. Grades 9-12 full year (Aug 15-May 31) and grade 8 winter term (Nov.-March). Each student commits to an honor code and to doing their best in all areas of their life. Interesting BMA is a non grading school. Kids that come of BMA if they don’t go to the US team, they go on to some of the best colleges in the country.



You won’t find tvs, soda machines or other junk food vending, or other time wasting or un-healthy distractions on their campus. You will find a school full of healthy, happy, extremely hard working teenagers, pursuing excellence and working hard to become the best that they can be. Its not about winning. Its about the process of growing and becoming the best that each individual can be. Each student earns equal respect. The school does not make heroes or give special recognition. Next time you ski Burke mid week, take a few minutes and watch BMA train. Can you recognize the skiers that qualify for the JO’s? Practically the whole school does. Can you pick out the 17 yr old girl (16 at the time) who finished 7th in the Nationals for slalom last year at Mammoth, or another girl who at 16 is nationally ranked 40th (all ages in the country)DH. Most high schools would welcome the publicity they would receive on such outstanding accomplishments. BMA keeps a very low profile.



Students commit to hard work, long days and year round training. In return they have life experiences and travel extensively. For example this year in August they were in Chile for 3 weeks of training. Then at Burke for double sessions of dryland training and academics. Right now they are in Austria for 2 weeks. And in November they go to Colorado for 3 weeks. When they travel they take their school assignments with them and are tutor at night.



I hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Burke Mountain Academy sounds like a great place. There are a couple of Academys in and around Lake Placid, but I don't know much about them.

 

[Birdman829]

I'v worked with two kids for the last three summers who go to Carrabassett Valley Academy and they love it. It is damn expensive but if your kid loves racing and you can afford it, I'd say go for it.
In a side note, I go to a private high school and love it. When I was in 8th grade I wanted no part of it but my parents basically forced me to and I cannot even express how glad I am that they did. I guess I'm just saying that sometimes kids do need a little prodding.

 

[RossiSkier]

I first learned of these things called ski academies from reading a Ski Magazine article last year called Fast Times at CVA. It was about Carrabassett Valley Academy at Sugarloaf. Bode and Kirsten Clark, and a host of other champions and achievers are graduates of the school.

Ski Magazine Article - Fast Times at CVA
www.skimag.com/skimag/instruction/article/0,12795,694716,00.html

Carrabassett Valley Academy web site
www.gocva.com