U16 PROGRAM OVERVIEW
U16 Race Program — Ages 14 & 15
The U16 program is designed to build on past experiences and further develop their mental, physical and technical skills. The experienced, professional staff will encourage clear communication of goals and provide appropriate challenges through free-skiing, drills, and training environments that often mimic race situations. Through more self-reflection and use of log books/journals athletes will learn to link their outcomes with their preparations, working towards more autonomy and responsibility for their actions. Overall, U16 athletes are focused on training to race as they prepare for F.I.S. competition.
When do we train? The season runs from December through early April, with training on Fridays & weekends and over the Christmas holiday break — making it easy to fit into the school year.
Athletes will compete in provincial races, zone events, and Whistler Cup during the season. In addition, week-long/weekend camps run through the summer and late autumn.
What will athletes get up to? Of course, racing is at the heart of it — but the fun doesn't stop there! Throughout the season, athletes will also have access to:
🏋️ Fitness training to is a key component
🎿 Ski tuning clinics to learn how to keep their equipment race-ready
This program is all about building confidence, making friends, and falling in love with the sport — one gate at a time!
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U16 Full Year program includes:
Coaching for off-season camps/trips, Sports Saturdays, in-season camps, trips, events, and training
Season: May 1 to April 18
Estimated available program days: 120-130
Best for athletes committed to 3 or more days per week during the season and planning to attend the Chile Camp
U16 In-Season program option includes:
Coaching for all in-season camps, trips, events, training, and Sport Saturdays
Season: December 3 to April 18
Estimated available program days: 85 – 95
Best for athletes committed to 3 or more days per week during the season and planning to attend fewer than 16 off-season camp days. Chile is expected to be approximately 21 days, while the November camp will be around 10-14 days
Weekend program option includes:
Coaching for all in-season weekend days, December holiday camps, and Sport Saturdays
Season: December 3 to April 18
Estimated available program days: 50
Best for athletes who can’t commit to an extended program or have an unknown variable schedule. This option can pick and choose additional training or trips that work for the athlete/member
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Skis
All U16 athletes must have a pair of skis for each discipline Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS) and Super Giant Slalom (Super-G), for training and racing in each of the specific disciplines. A second pair of skis for racing GS and SL are not mandatory and only recommended for athletes who are seriously contending for top 5 ranks in provincial competitions. It is very common that U16 athletes upgrade the ski length mid-way through the season, if they show a significant skills development or physical growth
Boots
U16 athletes need junior or adult racing models provided by the main boot brands, through direct ordering and later delivery at shops. No athlete should buy boots directly at the shops and ski on public models, unless recommended by the coach. Short cuff models for lighter/shorter athletes can be exceptionally used, with previous coach agreement.
U16 Girl sizes range from 22.5 to 24.5. It is extremely rare that any U16 girl has a smaller or bigger size than that. Flex index should range from 90 to 130.
U16 Boy sizes range from 24.5 to 26.5. Rarely, some U16 boys need a size 27.5 boots. Flex index should range from 90 to 130.
Boots are most important part of your kit! A wrong boot choice or an ill-fitting boot will compromise the athlete’s development and increase injury risk. Ask your Lead Coach for the upcoming season, before ordering!
Helmets
Helmets are mandatory and need to fit properly. Soft-eared helmets are only allowed for slalom, with a chin guard. Athletes will need FIS approved helmets.
Clothing
Club Jacket and windbreaker. The club jacket and softshell contribute to create teambuilding and the sense of belonging to a collective. They are also very good quality pieces of clothing that fit very well. For these reasons, we ask all athletes to have them.
Ski pants. Warm ski pants are very important for cold and or weather days. They should have full leg zippers, so they can be worn or removed while wearing the ski boots, on the snow.
Tight and light puffy jacket, to wear under the windbreaker or the ski jacket on very cold days. Should have a tight fit with no hoodie, to not be bulky.
Tight and light windbreaker, to wear on top of the speed suit while training, without compromising aerodynamics too much. The club windbreaker is perfect.
Speed suits are strongly recommended for racing. Athletes racing with a speed suit, need to be training usually with a speed suit too. They must be the right size, as too small and tight will restrain movements. When training with a speed suit, they need to wear certain layers on top to protect from abrasion in case of fall on hard snow, from weather and from cold temperatures. These layers must be tight, to not affect too much the aerodynamic advantage of the speed suit. For all these reasons, the following layers should be a part of every day’s training equipment.
Ski training shorts, to wear on top of the speed suit while training, without compromising aerodynamics too much and helping the athlete remain warmer and more protected against abrasion in case of falling on hard snow.
Thermal inner layers. When training in a speed suit when temperatures are low, it is very important to have the right thermal layers in contact with the skin. Have different sorts, for colder or warmer temperatures.
Ski Tuning Gear for edge sharpening and base protection.
Other EquipmentPoles are a very important piece of equipment. We recommend straight to have a pair of poles for SL with handguards and a pair if GS with no hand guards and smaller or cone shaped. The GS poles should be straight and of the precise length for the athlete’s height. Slalom poles can be 5cm shorter and Sg poles can be same size as GS and curved for easier tucking.
Slalom (SL) protection equipment are considered basic equipment for slalom training at this age. They include shin guards, pole guards and chin guards. These can have a big influence in the athlete’s development when learning to cross block SL gates, as too small and low-quality shin guards or hand guards will protect less and tend to get caught with the plastic gates. The chin guard will avoid painful impacts which will reduce confidence significantly and might end up in expensive bills from the dentist.
Mouthguards are mandatory for gate training.
Back Protectors are mandatory. Every athlete should have one which feels comfortable and has a good level of protection from the back of the neck to the tail bone. There are models made of gel, which adapt to the shape of the back and are light and comfortable, while absorbing a lot of energy from impacts.
Speed suits are strongly recommended for racing. Athletes racing with a speed suit, need to be training usually with a speed suit too. They must be the right size, as too small and tight will restrain movements. When training with a speed suit, they need to wear certain layers on top to protect from abrasion in case of fall on hard snow, from weather and from cold temperatures. These layers must be tight, to not affect too much the aerodynamic advantage of the speed suit. For all these reasons, the following layers should be a part of every day’s training equipment.
Goggles are needed that fit with your helmet. Extra lenses and/or spare goggles are very handy when the weather turns foul, or your goggles are damaged. Not being able to see properly with different light conditions will reduce performance significantly.
Gloves must be tough, comfortable to grab the poles and protected on the back of the hand. Having a second pair of gloves is also a good idea. In case one gets wet or lost.
Anti-cut inner layers are now mandatory, as we are making the ski edges very sharp and it can happen that someone hits and edge while falling, getting deep cuts. There are several brands in the market that offer inner layers with anti-cut properties.
Uniform
U16 registration includes a WMSC Club jacket. We encourage all athletes to wear the WMSC Club uniform.
2nd hand equipment can also be found at the Ski SWAP held on Thanksgiving weekend at the Club Cabin or through our Buy & Sell FB page.
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Athletes are expected to attend all events throughout the season, turning up on time and in their gear.
Athletes and their families/support crews should understand the Code of Conduct and all policies of WMSC listed on the About page.
Volunteering at events is fundamental to the success of WMSC. The minimum commitment per family for U16 is eight (8) days of volunteering. Please review our Onboarding and Engagement Policy and the Volunteer Policy before registering for the season.
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2026-27 WMSC REGISTRATION is open for returning athletes. Register HERE asap to take full advantage of early bird pricing.
Families interested in joining for the 26/27 season, please complete the Expression of Interest Form and the club will be in touch.
The season starts on December 4th, 2026 and ends on April 18th, 2027.
Full program fees are due on or before October 31st, 2026. Zero-Interest payment plans are available for registration prior to October 1st.
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For current members, here are steps to take in ACTIVE:
Select Family membership (includes parents registration with BC Alpine)
Select your Athlete's BCA License. This includes athlete's BC Alpine Membership, competitor license and liability insurance.
Select Program (either Full-Year, In-Season or Weekend)
BCASF: Those who wish to pay part of their fees through donations to the BCASF Developing Champions Fund can be done through this link. If you are making a donation, please ensure you select the payment plan in program registration. Please forward your receipt to info@wmsc.info and a discount will be applied to your program fees for the season.
Additional days will be available to purchase for Weekend Program athletes during the Winter Season. Please ensure these are purchased a minimum of one week prior.
Families interested in joining for the 26/27 season, please complete the Expression of Interest Form and the club will be in touch.
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Purchasing a WB Season Pass
WB Seasons Pass can be purchased directly from their website. Athletes registered in a WMSC program are eligible for a Sea to Sky pass. This product is NOT available to purchase over the phone or frontline at WB.
Program Communications
Here are types of communications you can expect throughout the season.
Weekly Coach Update
Event Group Chat
E-News
Volunteer Opportunities
Member Events
Member Retail Purchase Opportunities
U16 Program Calendar