Opinion

The Sierra Nevada University Ski Team needs your support! We are an alpine racing team

"If you do choose to commit to the life of a FIS racer, you’ve just begun to 'run the gauntlet' in pursuit of your ski racing goals."

"With September coming to an end, you have entered Phase II of the prep period for the ensuing race season that is equally as important as your summer efforts to your achieving your ski racing goals."

One of the more glaring aspects of this upcoming season’s World Cup calendar is the

The Minnewonka ski club up in the Yukon has it all figured out.

"Expanding the use of the flip-seed format would level the playing field for all our junior racers and discourage point chasing. The bottom line is the USST doesn’t need more kids with low points, they need athletes who can ski fast regardless of the course conditions."

Ski Racing contributor Aldo Radamus returns with a candid assessment of cost in the U.S. versus other nations, as well as an informative list of "what's important and what's not" when it comes to spending money.

"In addition to being a costly piece of the ski racing puzzle, equipment is also a sizable variable in the larger ski racing success equation. ... The ramifications of cutting corners when it comes to equipment can render all other efforts less effective."

"In an ideal world, cost would never be an obstacle to a young skier who wants to become a ski racer. But this is the real world, and we must face the reality that the cost of ski racing will always be a barrier to entry for many.

"The purpose of my article is not to discourage ski racers from attending a ski academy or major resort program. However, the U.S. development system clearly needs another track for training junior alpine ski racers."

"Ski racing is not just about who can carve their ski the cleanest, hold a more aerodynamic tuck, or get out of the start the quickest. I would argue that THE most important skill to have, especially on race day, is confidence."

When it comes to cost and programming, according to veteran coach Johno McBride, it's a fine line between doing too much and not doing enough.

The always-entertaining former World Cup racer and Olympian Chad Fleischer pulls no punches in his latest letter to the editor. He points out, if you want to be great, it's going to take sacrifice — and money.

The cost of racing in the U.S. is five or six times what it is in Italy, according to one contributor. Why is that?

You’re right, the cost of ski racing has grown to crazy levels (my son was

“I am a firm believer that a kid from a small program can make it without breaking the bank,” says USST alum, ski parent and part-time coach Kyle Wieche. “It involves talent and hard work, but most importantly patience and confidence in doing your own program, your own way.”

It is easy to point our finger at the expense of equipment and lift passes and the increased costs of airline tickets, accommodations and travel meals but the problem is us.

As a community, we need to start asking, are these financial decisions making us stronger as a nation or simply making us faster than our neighbors? Are we giving our kids an edge over the competition or pricing the competition out of the market?