Crossroads Frequently Asked Questions

Crossroads Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years parents have asked us, as Crossroads Coaches, various questions ranging from the program operation to equipment and clothing needs.  This will be an attempt to answer many of those questions without the on-hill confusion that may go along with it….so, without further ado, here are the Crossroads FAQs (and other odds and ends).

Crossroads, what is it? Crossroads is a seasonal ski program designed for mature kids that are looking to improve their skiing skills while having lots of fun. It also provides kids with the ideal environment to develop their own set of social skills, improve their comfort level with adults (Coaches) and make new friends. It provides the perfect winter playground where kids get to try different ways to get down, across, up and around on frozen water. We do however ski and ski hard. If your young athlete is more inclined to strap two feet to one board and go down the hill, Mountain Riders is the program to ask about.

What level skier do I need to be? Crossroads skiers need to be at a level 6 meaning that they can ski all blue terrain in an open parallel stance. If the athlete was in Stratton's Little or Big Cub program, they would have skied at the silver level for the last month of skiing. By the nature of the program, kids won't realize the full benefit if they're not skiing at the required minimum level. During the first couple of weeks, we will work with our young skiers to get their ski legs back-in-shape and up to skiing a level 6.  Should a skier need additional work, we will make arrangements for them to participate in a program more suited for their ability with hopes that they can return to the Crossroads program.

What times can we count on for the program? The coaches will be at our meeting area in the morning at or about 8:30.  We will leave en masse at 8:45 to our on hill gathering point. This is where we split into groups. We will do one loop down to our meeting area to pick up anyone who got stuck in traffic. We try to return promptly at 11:45 for lunch.  We start to regroup again around 12:45 and leave for afternoon session at 1:00. We return with tired legs and ears (and the kids generally follow) at 3:00. Because the afternoon session is shorter, we typically do NOT do a loop down to the bottom.

Where is the meeting area? Wherever the Crossroads sign is. Typically you'll find it on the west side of the American Express Chair and near the equipment rental tent. Just walk straight out from the Base Lodge main hill entrance and you should see us.  Our friends in Little Crossroads meet just up the hill of us so don't get confused if you come around the rental tent from the uphill side.

Why do you form groups up on the hill? That's simple, it's faster and easier to do it up there and we can get the groups organized with much less "external distractions."

Breaks?  We generally feel the need for refreshment in the morning at some point, so we generally stop at the Mid Mountain or Sun Bowl Lodge. We try to avoid the confusion of the Base Lodge. Kids are on their own for a snack/drink so they should bring a couple of dollars each day. (Okay, perhaps more than a couple of dollars.)  For some of our younger kids this is their first opportunity in dealing with money.  We try to provide some guidance where needed but this is an area they tend to master quickly.  

How are groups organized? We try to organize by ability. Usually kids form friendships and these groups tend to form on their own. At times we will break these enclaves up, not to create uproar, but to help foster other camaraderie or adjust for levels of ability.
 
Let us take this opportunity to point out that the kids that get the most out of the program are the ones that are here regularly. Once per month puts the athlete on a much different learning and social curve which clearly hurts their development.

What happens if our young athletes get separated from the group? The kids are coached on safety right from the beginning. We take them on tours and ask them to lead us around; organized events that make them learn the mountain and know where things are. Although we take great care to prevent separation, it does occasionally happen. The kids are coached to return to our Crossroads Meeting Sign so we generally just ski down and pick them up. On really cold days the kids are told to go upstairs in the Adult Ski and Snowboard School Building and let one of the supervisors know that they were separated from their group. We'll be by to pick them up as quickly as possible. If totally lost, they are coached to go to a Lift Attendant or to a Ski or Safety Patroller who will call for appropriate personnel.

On the Crossroads Forms why do you ask for measurements, weights, etc? These are needed to rent equipment and are required by the mountain. We also ask about medical or special needs that we should know about to be better equipped to handle a situation or provide the correct feedback to the individual. Please include your email address on the forms so we can keep you up-to-date on our activities and developments.
 
What kind of equipment do we need? Kids skiing in Crossroads should have gear appropriate for this level. By this we mean buckled, front entry boots, performance skis, quality bindings, and poles with straps.
 
Boots need to be fitted to the size of the foot as it is right now, not what it will grow to be. Ill-fitting boots don't allow correct skiing, period, in any person. Correct stance for anyone is necessary to make a ski work as designed.

First Run Ski Shop located in the Stratton Mt. Village has some of the best boot fitters in New England. Also, dealing with a ski shop that's located right on the mountain has the advantage of being able to fix boot problems quickly.
 
The coaches can also assist you with making decisions related to equipment needs.  Based on our experiences with young skiers, we very well may take the liberty to make suggestions when appropriate.

What should we wear? Dress appropriately. Velcro-shut mittens don't cut it when it's 10 degrees out and the wind is blowing at 20 mph. High-quality mittens or gloves are a must. Dressing in layers is also important. The first layer should wick away moisture, middle layers supply the insulation and the outer layer should be wind and waterproof resistant. Helmets, neck warmers, nose protectors, good goggles (double pain anti fog) and zippers that work all make for a more pleasurable day on the hill. Functional clothing!  We assume that if you show up, you are planning on skiing, so dress for the weather.

What weather do you go out in? We start the Saturday after Thanksgiving and end the last weekend in March. In between, we'll ski on anything that's white, mostly white and deep enough to make a turn. We'll ski in just about every kind of weather. If the kids are game to go, we'll be ready. Actually some of the best skiing is in the rain and how can you beat a foot of fresh powder.
 
Where do you ski on the mountain? Exactly. Ok, more specifically, if it's a marked trail on the map and it is not roped off it is fair game. Now, don't get too nervous, we don't force anyone to go down anything they're not comfortable with or that is beyond their ability. That said, we ski the woods, bumps, groomed, steep, flat, terrain parks, you name it.

What about "higher level" athletes? As we said, we do group by ability but during the last couple of years we have encouraged some of our higher-level kids to explore some of the other seasonal programs offered by Stratton. For athletes who are looking at possibly going into a racing program, we have provided coaching on gate training as well as provided some coaching during home mountain races.  For athletes who have shown an interest in spending more time with their skis off the snow than on, we have provided some jump training on World Cup with the Allegro athletes.  We look for not only skiing ability but also a desire to learn and compete. 
 
Is the program competitive?  While the program is not competitive like Racing and Allegro A and B Teams are, we do try to incorporate some competitive fun events into the agenda. Depending on the interest level of the group, we may schedule some mid-season events like a slalom race or a bump and ski competition. We'll be sure to plan these events in advance and encourage our Crossroads Families to come and cheer us on.  Each year we also plan an end-of-season parent-child race which is generally held on the last Saturday or Sunday of the Crossroads season. Parents are responsible for their own training for this event. And remember, our one main objective is to have fun.

What is expected from Crossroads Skiers?  Crossroads skiers are expected to behave appropriately. For their safety and the enjoyment of everyone in the program, it is important that they listen to the direction of their coaches.  We will expect that they know, understand and practice the Skier Responsibility Code.  Should their behavior not be acceptable, we will ask that they take a time out from the program.  Behavioral problems will be discussed with their parents.

Why do you do it? That's easy. We give up our weekend lives in the winter because: We love to ski. We love to teach and watch our "Crossroads Kids" mature and develop. We enjoy the friendships that blossom during the season among coaches, parents and the kids. And we love the contagious enthusiasm that kids bring to the mountain and to the sport.

I'm sure there are other questions but that's all we can think of for now. 

Have a safe and snow-filled season.

The Crossroads Coaches