“It would be cheaper to buy your kid a pony,” one World Cup parent warned us when our six-year-old first led us into the ski racing world. We laughed it off, but 10 years later he sounds like the smartest guy in the room. Yet anything worth doing comes with costs – whether dedicating time and energy in training, or selling pies to help pay for your ski equipment.
These expenses might feel overwhelming at first. But you’ll start to find that you are able to sell last-year’s gear to younger athletes and purchase next-year’s gear used from older athletes. Teams also have volunteer opportunities to help defray some costs, and your kids can turn their summer jobs and business ideas into cash to help pay their way.
So, here are a few things you should know about what costs you can expect as you support your child’s racing journey.
These typically cover coaching staff, space to train on a race hill or at a local resort, safety equipment such as b-net, training equipment such as gates and stubbies, and administrative costs for keeping everyone organized. Depending on how many days you sign up to train, you can expect team fees to run from $1600 to $7000 per season.
Depending on your team, you may need to purchase a season pass to more than one resort or training facility. For example, here in Utah many teams train at their home resort, one other resort that might offer steeper or longer terrain, and the Utah Olympic Park for gate training. Depending on how committed your family would like to be, your racer might need season passes to all three. However, many teams also offer a recreational level of training that is less demanding on time and resources.
Each race your child attends will require a race fee. You will also need to purchase your racer a lift ticket, often at a discount, for the resort hosting the race. Race fees are roughly $24 at the very beginner level up to $200 at the U16 level. Lift ticket costs vary by resort, but discounted racer tickets are often about $70 per day.
At the U12 level and beyond, you may start to travel to overnight races. Some teams travel together, and they may have a bundled fee for each race that includes racer travel expenses and a portion of the coaches’ travel expenses. Often, you are free to book your own travel. Keep in mind that you will need to arrive in town the night before because of how early the races start. Even if you book your own travel, you will still be required to pay your portion of the coaches’ travel costs. If all of your races are local to you, then there are no travel fees. For U14 racer on a traveling team, you might need to book 3-4 nights in a hotel, and you could expect to drive up to 6 hours for away races.
Each racer must be licensed with the US Ski and Snowboard Association. These fees typically run around $200-300/season depending on the racer’s age.
In addition to warm and waterproof ski clothing, your racer will need specialized racing equipment. We're not here to tell you to avoid using rental equipment altogether. But if you are investing so much time and money into a racing program, scrimping on equipment will make it harder for your racer to improve their technique, especially beyond the YSL level.
Many people are able to find hand me down deals through ski swaps organized by their race teams, and coaches are often on hand to give advice. HOWEVER, do not trust community ski swaps. The sellers are motivated to sell and are not knowledgeable about what equipment is right for your kid.
Sometimes local shops, such as Saami Ski Shop, will work with their vendors to host race nights where local athletes can purchase race-specific equipment at a discount. These race nights usually happen in September. The costs outlined below are typical of race night pricing; full retail costs will be higher. Helmets, goggles, pole guards, speedsuits, and boot bags can last for a few years if you take care of them.
To be effective, race boots fit tighter than what your child may be used to. To test this, remove the liner from the shell. Have your child put their foot into the shell and then check that you have no more than 2-fingers of space between their heel and the back of the boot. Also, as a general rule, the athlete's weight should be higher than the "flex index" of the boot. Four-buckle boots are required for all racers, meaning rental boots will not be adequate. Finally, investing in a quality footbed will increase comfort, improve performance, and reduce potential for foot damage over time.
There is a significant jump in equipment requirements at this age. Also, as your racers get taller, they may start to need adult length skis which can make a big difference in cost.
At race night prices with all new gear, U14 to U19 racers can expect to spend about $4500-8000 on equipment.
Phew. Remember you won’t need to buy all of this all at once. As your child progresses through racing, you will be able to sell the old gear to pay for the new and add a little to your equipment collection year over year. Taking good care of your gear will pay off - it will last more than one season if it still fits your racer, and you will be able to sell it for a higher price when you're done with it.
]]>The very first year our family learned to ski, we were riding Jake's lift at Sundance. Our daughter looked down, saw the race kids training in gates, and decided right then that was for her. We've had incredible experiences being a part of youth ski racing, and we'd like to share what we've learned along the way as race parents. This first article in the series covers how our local leagues and races are organized.
Races for child athletes all the way up to the US National Team are sanctioned by the US Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). Like most youth sports, ski racing is split up into age groups as well as into divisions and regions. In Utah, we are part of the Intermountain Division (IMD), which includes Utah, Southern Idaho, and Wyoming. The IMD is a part of the Western Alpine Region.
The Youth Ski League is the entry level for the youngest ski racers. YSL races are held for U8 (children under 8 years old) through U10 groups. Most races are held locally and only last one day. Each race will include either a slalom or a giant slalom (GS) event. After inspecting, or “slipping,” the course, YSL athletes have one run each. Boys and girls race in separate categories. U12 athletes are welcome to race as guests in the YSL if they choose. At the end of the season, there is a YSL Finals competition.
In the Intermountain Division, races for U12 athletes are split up into a North Series and a South Series. This split allows racers to attend races that are relatively close to home and also helps to manage the number of athletes in each race. The North Series covers Southern Idaho and Wyoming; the South Series covers Utah. U12 races typically last two days, with one day being a slalom event and the other being a GS event. Boys and girls race in separate categories.
Each time a new course is set, racers are allowed a course inspection and two runs for time. Their overall score is their combined time for each event. Once all of the athletes have completed a run, there is a period for the course officials to submit any disqualifications (DQs) or DNFs (did not finish, for racers who did not complete the course).
Athletes complete three races within their series. The top racers in the North and South series are invited to compete in Tri-Divisionals, which includes racers from the Intermountain, Northern, and Pacific Northwest Regions. North and South Series athletes not attending Tri-Divisionals race against each other at IMD Finals.
At the U14 level, Utah athletes begin to travel greater distances for races, working to earn points that will qualify them to compete in either Tri-Divisionals or Western Regionals. Athletes who might not qualify for either race are invited to compete in the IMD Finals.
Qualifying races typically last 3 days, and each race includes multiple events. For example, some races might include 3 Super G events, while others might include a mix of slalom and GS events. You can go down the rabbit hole of trying to track a racer's qualifying points, but your coaches will tell you that the best way to succeed is to focus on performance and not results. Wherever your racer places, your job as a supporter is to offer encouragement and leave the coaching to the coaches.
Racing at the U16 level is a major commitment of both time and resources. U16 athletes typically train 4-5 times per week and most attend summer training camps. Managing school work and attendance becomes more intense at this level of racing. Throughout the season, athletes participate in a points system and work towards qualifying for Tri-Divisionals or Western Regionals. Athletes who might not qualify for either race are invited to compete in the IMD Finals. Qualifying races are similar to those at the U14 level, except that the courses are more difficult and the gates are larger.
For athletes who are looking for a more relaxed racing environment, local SODA leagues are a great option. Organizations such as the Arrowhead Ski Team host open night races for youth and adult athletes. The atmosphere is fun, and the prizes are worthwhile.
As supporters, races are as fun as you make them. Sure, there is a lot of waking up early, loading up the car, driving in the weather, and standing around for a glimpse of your athlete. But the joy is in the journey. We’ve found a few items that make life as a ski team supporter that much more fun.
In the end, you should understand that as a race parent, you are not purchasing a service - you are joining a community. The more you are willing to jump in and help, cheer on other athletes, and fill volunteer assignments, the better the experience will be for everyone.
]]>You may have met Andrew at the store in recent years. He is easily identifiable by his Australian accent (albeit fading). Andrew came to skiing rather late but has a passion for getting families on the hill.
Why are you changing the name?
As part of the sale Scott requested a name change so that he could relax a little and not have his name attached the store and the stress associated with it.
What is the name?
Saami Sports is the official name of the company but we be operating as Saami Ski Shop.
We expect you to have to same great experience we have strived for since Nymans began and hope to even take that to another level.
What other changes are you making for the 2021/2022 season?
We are bringing in a a complete backcountry line up. We will have multiple bindings, skis, boots and safety equipment specific to backcountry. We will have an airbag refill station. We will likely have a beacon field where you can come and practice your search techniques.
New brands for next year include:
There are many more brands I would like to carry but we can't bring them all in...yet.
Andrew, Scott and their families do appreciate the trust you put in us. We know that the money you spend here represents hard work and sacrifice on your end and hope we always prove worthy of your business.
Cheers,
Andrew and the team.
Should you rent skis or buy? There are three things to consider as you decide: how fast kids grow, getting the most for your money, and how you want your skis to perform.
When kids are young and growing fast, renting is hands down the best option. You can get a child season rental for around $100-130, depending on their size. Kids will outgrow boots and skis nearly every single year until they are about 13 for girls and 16 for boys (recognizing every child is different). At that point, it may not be as much about growth as the cool factor of having your own skis. When your kids reach those teenage years, you could consider buying them a ski that will work for multiple years, and then just rent the boots until their feet stop growing.
There is also a lot to be said for a good hand-me-down strategy. If you have three or more children, it can work well to buy a ski with an adjustable binding for the oldest and plan to hand that down. Boots can sometimes be hit or miss, but they can work well as hand-me-downs too. If you get decent quality clothing and maintain them well, jackets, gloves, and goggles can be great to pass along -- just keep the colors generic.
Helmets are another story. Manufacturers give helmets a 3-5 year shelf-life, which makes hand-me-downs a little more tricky. If you are going to ski consistently throughout a season, the cheapest option is to buy a 1-year-old rental helmet for $25-30 from the shop (they run out quickly). A brand new kid's helmet starts at about $60. You can find cheaper, but you get what you pay for.
An average season ski rental is about $150 for an adult setup. When you rent, you don’t have to store the gear over the summer, but you do need to remember to come in early each fall to make sure you get a season package before they run out. By comparison, you can buy an entry-level adult ski setup (ski, binding, boot) for around $600. If you are going to rent for 4 years, it’s worth buying, and if you ski consistently for 4 years, you will start to outperform what a rental ski can offer.
Buying used through places like Craig’s List, KSL and ski swaps can be risky for a couple of reasons. You will almost certainly need to remount your skis to match the binding to your boot. Binding indemnification also becomes a problem, especially with skis that are more than seven years old. Binding manufacturers will not stand behind gear that old, and that means ski shops can’t work on them. Also keep in mind that the people selling are highly motivated to have you buy their stuff, and you don’t always get an honest opinion. Sellers won't be around the next day, and there is little consequence to them for selling you gear that is wrong for you. We have people stop in the shop every season who have been sold boots that are totally unsuitable and skis at the wrong length.
However, buying used from a reputable consignment shop can be a good solution. You will need to know what to look for in a good base and good edge - checking for gouges in the base or rusted out metal on the edges. The state of the top sheet can give you some insight into how the skis have been treated, but in the end it’s just cosmetic. Also, a shop worth its salt should have looked at the ski to see whether the binding is still indemnified. There may be some overhead cost wrapped up in buying on consignment, but you will benefit from a little extra knowledge and expertise.
Skis are like cars - they are designed and built with specific performance goals and price points in mind. Finding a used ski in the right length and shape, and in good condition can get tricky as you get more specific about how you want to ski. Buying new gives you the flexibility to find the right ski to fit you and your performance goals. Whether you buy from us or someone else, remember to shop local. The people who run local shops share their first-hand knowledge and expertise freely with the community. And you know where to find them if you have problems or more questions. When these local shops go away, that knowledge goes with them.
The typical rental ski is narrow under foot, which makes them a good fit for groomed runs. Rental skis in general do not perform well in soft conditions or off piste. The quality of rental ski can vary widely from shop to shop. A good adult rental ski will have a wood core rather than foam; a wood core will provide a stiffer flex, allowing you to carve better and carry more speed. For kids, foam core skis are easier for them to maneuver. We carry Nordica, Fischer, and Rossignol in our rental fleet.
Also, when people rent, they often don’t think to wax or tune the skis regularly, which limits their performance. Depending on how often you use them, you may want to have your rental skis waxed three times and have the edges done once or twice. Season rentals are not maintained by ski shops during the season, although daily rentals will receive regular waxing and tuning.
Demo skis are higher quality skis from the retail inventory that are available to rent. You can only rent demos skis for a day, but it is a great way to try out different skis before you buy. Most shops will apply the cost of one demo rental toward the cost of a ski that you purchase.
Whether you rent or buy remember, it's possible to get the family outside! Many of us got ourselves and our kids into skiing on rented and used gear, and traded up as we fell in love with getting above the inversion and spending more time in nature. Even teenagers will condescend to hang out with the family on the slopes, and they'll always come and find you on the hill when they get hungry. If you have questions about how to make skiing a reality for you and your family, stop in and let us give you a pep talk!
This is the only time you’ll hear us say “you don’t belong outside.” Each winter in Utah, nearly 3,000 people find themselves experiencing homelessness. That includes over 900 people in families with children, 191 unaccompanied youth, and 239 veterans. But together, we can make a difference!
Our local shelters and resource centers need donations of winter coats in good condition, new socks, blankets, hand warmers, sleeping bags, and new underwear. This winter, Nyman’s is collecting gently used or new winter goods in donation bins near the west entrance to the shop. These donations will be delivered weekly to resource centers such as the Provo Food & Care Coalition, Catholic Community Services, and The Road Home shelter.
For each donation you make during the 2019/2020 season, we will offer a free binding test. We love our customers, and we love our community. We want to help keep you all safe and warm this winter!
]]>It’s time! The leaves say it, the frost on your windshield says it, and the dusting of snow at the ridgeline says it. Winter is coming, and we are stoked. There are still a few weeks before the resorts open and the backcountry is skiable, so here are 5 steps to get your ski gear in order.
Toes should touch end of boot lining when standing straight up. This is because when skiers flex forward while skiing, their toes will naturally pull away from the front of the boot. If the boot is too loose, their heel will lift inside the boot, giving them less control of their skis and developing bad habits as they try to compensate.
If in doubt about your boot size, you can do a shell test at home. To do a shell test, remove the boot liner and step into the boot. Your toes should lightly be touching the front of the shell. If you have more than two fingers of space between the back of the boot and the heel of your foot, the boot may be too loose. Anything less than one finger of space, and it could be too tight. If you’re looking for a second opinion, stop in and we’ll do it for you!
Skis for beginner children and teens should be mid-chin in height, with a ski that is narrow under foot and has some “shape” to it. Intermediate skis should be about nose to eye in height and can be a little wider underfoot. For advanced skiers, you are looking for a ski that is forehead height or taller. These more aggressive skiers may also appreciate both a more narrow shaped ski for carving and a wider ski for powder days. These guidelines can also apply in general to adult skiers.
Helmets have about a 5-year lifespan – assuming no crashes. A helmet should be replaced after just one significant crash. Each season, inspect your helmet foam for cracks, wear, or compressed areas. The helmet should also fit snugly and not wobble on your head; a slight amount of movement is okay.
Boots should be checked for wear on the sole, specifically the toe and heel pieces, which can wear thin over time. Thin toe and heel pieces create an unreliable release of the bindings and are a safety hazard.
Bindings are just a series of springs – and springs wear out over time. Each year, binding manufacturers release a list of their past products that are still certified for use. Once bindings fall off that list, ski shops can no longer work on them, even if the binding still appears good. Your local ski shop can help you look up whether your binding is still certified for use. At the beginning of the season, you should also have your bindings tested by a certified binding technician.
Jackets and pants benefit from a regular “technical wash” a few times during the season, depending on how often and how hard you go. Technical wash products keep your clothes clean and breathable, but also maintain waterproofing. When you start to notice that water no longer beads up on your clothing, it is time for a waterproofing treatment. There are several products available, and Nikwax is one we recommend.
Leather gloves need to be treated with a good leather balm every year, pre and post season, and sometimes even during the season if you’re out a lot. We recommend being careful using products such as Snow Seal, because we have noticed that it can dissolve the stitching. Instead, consider using products such as Hestra Leather Balm or Nikwax Glove Proof – which also works well on fabric gloves.
Make sure your skis are working for you, not against you. Skis accumulate dust and rust over the summer, and they need a good tune and wax to perform their best. A bad ski with a good tune will beat a good ski with a bad tune all day long. Stop by to chat with one of our certified technicians, or check back on the blog for more detailed posts on ski maintenance.
On our local hills, Halloween tends to be the cutoff for discount season passes. Make sure you get them early – Nyman’s sells season passes to Sundance Resort up through Halloween.
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I just finished 3 days learning the nuances of ski boots and how to fit them properly. While I knew many of the key principles there is always more to learn.
The foundation of skiing from an anatomical perspective are your feet. This is true on several levels. First is comfort. A ski boot that is wrongly sized, poorly fitted, or perhaps just the wrong boot by way of flex will lead to a miserable day. Secondly, the wrong boot will lead to a loss in performance. Your feet are the vehicle through which all your motions are transferred to the ski.
This is where the footbed comes in. If you have a footbed that is shaped correctly to your foot you will find that many of the pains people associate with ski boots are resolved. The stock liners are nothing more than a thin piece of foam. This does not support your foot and does not lock your foot into place and can often lead to pain and injury.
With a footbed you will be better supported and you will be able to transfer energy to the ski which in turn will respond the way you want. It may sound simple but it can create better skiing posture which will lead to better turns.
The long of the short of it is that every ski boot should have a footbed that is fit to your foot. I even recommend them to people who are renting skis and boots for the season. The difference you feel will be significant.
Do yourself a favor and take the time to get boots that are fit correctly and add a footbed to it.
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Welcome back for another great season of skiing and snowboarding. When you come into the shop you will quickly notice that we have expanded. Rental is in a whole new wing of the shop. We took the opportunity to remodel a few items as well. The decor has been updated and will continue to be enhanced. If there is part of the decor that you like, the chances are you can buy it. We have partnered with one of Utah County's premiere antique pickers to change up the shop.
We hope the second thing you notice is the expanded inventory. We have been very choosey in the brands that we carry. We wanted to give you more choice in all areas of the shop. Better variety and better pricing options.
We are excited to hear from you so swing in.
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