Join the VARA Race Entry Procedure Forum!
Do you have ideas on what VARA can do to improve our race entry procedure? Are you willing to participate in a discussion on what we can do to make things better?
At the recent VARA membership annual meeting I was given the task of drafting a proposal that would potentially change how VARA member clubs accept entries to races in Vermont. The initial suggestion was that I should pull together a working group of race administrators. However, based on the animated discussion that this topic generated, it became obvious that coaches wanted a say in this as well. I can easily imagine that athletes and parents would like to give their input.
In order to draw in as many participants as possible, I have set up an online discussion forum at <http://skiracehelp.net/simplemachinesforum/>. If you would like to be heard, please register.
Some Teaser Questions: •Is it acceptable to require athletes to use a service that adds an administrative fee onto the price of the race? •Do we want to be early adopters of the USSA online race registration feature or do we want to sit back and see if it works first? •Under what circumstances are we comfortable holding onto the race-fee of an athlete that registered by didn’t attend the race? •Does anybody still fax in race entries? •Should entry fees and lift-tickets be separate charges?
Ultimately, the VARA Board of Directors has final say on what these policies are. Additionally, our policies must be consistent with USSA. However, the VARA BOD is typically supportive of recommendations that have been reached by a broad consensus after good discussions.
The primary target is to look at USSA scored races. However, I have set up threads for all categories of races: U10, U12, U14, non-scored U16 and FIS. I think it’s worthwhile to look at all of these while we are at it.
More broadly, if this forum is productive, it could expand to tackle other policy issues that tend to get lost in the shuffle.
Thanks for reading this. Please join the discussion if you are interested.
-David Iverson VARA BOD Alpine Officials Committee
(Disclaimer: I’ve never run an online forum before, so I’ll be learning as I go. In order to keep spammers out, I’ll be approving all registrations manually. I’ll also be moderating things pretty heavily. The goal is to be efficient and on-task in moving towards workable policies.)

This summer the Bromley Outing Club has joined forces with Okemo Mountain School to provide 2 great summer camp opportunities for the summer of 2012;

July 7-19 Whistler On-Snow Alpine Camp – Campers will enjoy 8 days on snow at the world class glaciers of Whistler-Blackcomb, some of the best and most reliable summer snow in North America. Along with daily on-snow training, the campers will participate in biking, rafting, rope course, hikes and other fun conditioning activities while enjoying all the beauty that British Columbia has to offer. Camp is all inclusive with the cost covering everything from the time the plane takes off until we return to New York.-transportation (air and ground, food, lodging, coaching, lift tickets and group activities costs). We will be flying as a group from JFK  to Vancouver, BC and then take a chartered bus to Whistler Village. Our accommodations will be at the Greystone Lodge. located in the heart of Whistler village. During the camp, all campers will receive coaching, video and training that is custom tailored to their age group. Campers will return to JFK on the 19th( early am)This camp is appropriate for campers aged 11-14. Dave Pinder will join the OMS staff for this camp’s coaching line up. The cost of the camp will be approx. $3900, final pricing will be based on the number of campers, exchange rates and final airfare cost. Please contact Dave Pinder to  get more details and reserve your spot today, director@bromleyoutingclub.com or 802-342-8295

July 29-August 11 Saas Fee Switzerland On Snow Alpine Camp- This camp offering is designed for dedicated athletes aged 13-18 at this world renowned summer training venue. Campers will be training alongside some of the best athletes in the world, while experiencing another culture and exploring the renowned beauty of Switzerland. Athletes will enjoy 10 days on snow, conditioning activities and cultural experiences.  Fundamentals will be covered, as well as focused and intensive SL and GS gate training. We will fly as a group from Boston to Zurich. The cost of this camp will be all inclusive from the time the plane departs to when we return on the 11th, air and ground transportation, great food, lodging, coaching, lift tickets and group activities will all be included. This camp will be priced at approximately $4,000, final cost will be determined based on final number of campers, airfares and current exchange rates. Please contact Dave Pinder at director@bromleyoutingclub.com or 802-342-8295 for more details and sign up.

Please remember that your athlete must have a valid passport( valid to 1/2013) to attend either of these camps

These are the only camps that the BOC is associated with.