Safety, Conduct & Equipment
Discipline
Safe behavior and good conduct are expected at all times while Mighty Mites is in session. Rude and unsafe behavior is discouraged and not tolerated. The Mighty Mites are examples to all young skiers as role models.
The inherent dangers involved in alpine skiing combined with the size of Mighty Mite groups require that children promptly obey the rules established by the coaches and parent helpers. Children who are unable to obey the rules pose a threat to the safety of others as well as themselves and put an unfair burden on the coaches, other children, and parents. Children who are unable to follow the rules established by the coaches will not be allowed to attend practice. Normally, the following procedures will apply:
- First infraction: formal warning to skier
- Second infraction: return to RTC for the day/ discussion between coach, parent, and athlete
- Third infraction: suspension for two weeks
- Fourth infraction: termination from program
At the discretion of the program director, certain serious infractions (such as fighting or situations involving risks of physical harm) may result in deviation the above policy, up to and including immediate suspension.
In addition, Alyeska Resort has great information and resources for mountain and skiing safety and education:
- Know the Code (Alyeska Resort skier responsibility code)
- Safety Violation Enforcement Guidelines
- Alyeska Resort Mountain Education Test. All results will be kept with the Alyeska Ski Patrol.
Proper Dress and Equipment
Children should come to Mighty Mites dressed for the weather! On very cold days, hand and toe warming pouches could mean the difference between skiing and sitting in the lodge. Mittens tend to be warmer than gloves. On rainy days, wear rain jackets AND rain pants. Helmets are required for participants. There are so many options available today in the area of children’s ski gear, so the best advice is to “Keep It Simple and Affordable.” Ski swaps and used gear are a great way to meet the needs of young skiers. Find your comfort zone ($) while paying attention to ski length, boot flexibility and pole height.
Skis should reach between the skier’s chin and nose. If in doubt, go shorter. Shorter skis are easier to handle. Look for side-cut, this means a wide tip and tail with a narrow waist.
Boots need to fit and be flexible. To determine if a boot fits lengthwise, take the bladder out, have child put his foot in the shell and slide toes to the front. He should have 1/2 – 1 inch of space between the back of his heel and the back of the shell. Put the bladder back in and try on boot for comfort. Have child flex the boot – this should be easy!
Pole Height Have child hold a ski pole upside down and grip just below the basket. You are looking for a 90 degree angle bend in the skier’s elbow while the lower arm is parallel to the ground.
Helmets must fit properly to be of any use; they should fit snugly. While not required, yet, it is recommended that helmets cover the ears. It is not advisable to buy used helmets for your racer, as it is often impossible to determine if a helmet has sustained a blow merely by looking at it. Children tend to drop helmets on the floor, throw them into the back of vans and cars, and each time the helmet receives a knock, it may well be sustaining minor fractures that are not visible on the outside, but reduce the effectiveness of the helmet.