ski and snowboard policy guide

The following Policy Guide has been laid out to assist in the governance of the Jasper Freeride Ski and Snowboard teams. Coaches, Athletes and their families are encouraged to become familiar with the operating policies of JFST when joining our club. 

  • Registration is completed through Snow Reg Platform

    All athletes require a membership for the applicable season with Freestyle Canada/Freestyle Alberta (Ski) or Snowboard Canada/Alberta Snowboard to participate in any of our club programming. JFST has no control over membership rates. Rates may vary based on athlete level and are necessary for insurance purposes.

    These memberships are automatically added to your registration if your athlete does not already have these in place. 

    Please contact: jasperfreeridereg@gmail.com  if you require any assistance with the registration process.

  • Jasper Freeride Ski and Snowboard teams are not learn to Ski or Snowboard Programs. 

    We highly recommend your child has at least 2-3 seasons attending ski/snowboard school lessons or has similar ski/snowboard experience with a knowledgeable adult prior to joining our programming. 

    Skiers: 

    Must be able to execute wedge turns advancing to parallel ski on most terrain. Confidence on Green runs. Comfortable on Blue Runs.

    Snowboarders: 

    Are mostly linking turns and can ride in control, are mostly able to get off chairlift unassisted. Exhibit confidence on Green runs and are comfortable on Blue Runs.

    In order to comply with our sanctioning bodies insurance requirements athletes must turn 5 years of age on or before November 15th of the year that is the start of any given season to participate in our programming.


    If you are unsure if your child is ready, we welcome you to schedule an evaluation session with our club. Please contact  jasperfreeridereg@gmail.com to inquire.

  • Not Included:

    • Lift Passes

      • Due to the number of training days a season pass to Marmot Basin is recommended. 

      • Lift passes to competition hills are not included.

    • Your mandatory Freestyle Canada/Freestyle Alberta (Ski) or Snowboard Canada/Alberta  Snowboard membership. 

    • Competition registration fees

    • Personal costs for attending competition or training events. 

    Included: 

    • Coaching/Training outlined as per the schedule of the program you register for. 

    Coaching Costs for Competitions if defined in the program you register for

  • Registration fees are set in advance based on anticipated operational expenses for our programming. Coach scheduling is laid out based on registration numbers. In order to keep financial aspects of the club running smoothly a refund policy is in place as follows:

    Injuries

    Due to injury variations, requests for refunds due to athlete injuries will be reviewed by the board on a case by case basis. 

    Illness

    There are no refunds due to missed days due to sickness/illness. If your athlete is sick please keep them at home

    Weather Cancellations

    Best efforts will be made to determine a weather cancellation prior to 8am on the day of training. Select Make-Up Ski/Ride days may be offered due to cancellations for cold weather but no refunds will be offered. 

    Withdrawals

    Athletes who withdraw from programming will be subject to a meeting with the team manager/head coach upon withdrawal from or return to any program within JFST. 

    Prior To January 1st  - Full Season Programming Commitments.

    Withdrawals prior to Jan 1 are subject to prorate based on the number of ski/ride days attended + a 10% administration fee.

    Post January 1st  - Full Season Programming Commitments.

    Withdrawals from programming will not be refunded. 

    Drop In’s

    There are No Refunds on Drop In Fees. An alternate Ski/Ride Day can be scheduled with the Team Manager/Head Coach as long as 48 Hr Notice is provided. 

    Punch Cards

    There are No Refunds on unused punch card days. 

    Special Circumstances

    The JFST board will review requests for  refunds due to special circumstances on a case by case basis. 

  • As a non-profit society, JFST relies heavily on volunteer contributions and fundraising efforts to help keep our program fees and club related opportunities accessible and affordable, it truly is the heart of the club.

    “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart!”

    Venue Building and Maintenance

    Volunteers are required on-hill throughout the season for Venue Building and Maintenance. 

    Our Mogul Course, Jump Site, and Airbag site all require assistance from time to time. Families will be notified in advance of a job or task that is available for assistance. This generally only requires an hour or two of your time working with other club members staking a fence, chopping a landing or unfolding the air bag. This is always a great way to get some physical exercise and meet other club families. 

    **All On-hill volunteers are required to obtain a free Volunteer Membership from Alberta Freestyle or AB Snowboard Association for insurance purposes.

    General Fundraising

    Throughout our season there may be fundraisers organized for families to participate in. If you have a suggestion for a great fundraiser we highly encourage you to come forward.

    Club Competitions

    In order for your athlete to compete in the annual club competition. 1 parent or appointed family volunteer minimum is required for your athlete to participate. 

    Club competitions are a massive undertaking. Numerous volunteer positions are required to be filled when JFST hosts a competition. These include management, on-hill and fundraising and registration positions to ensure a successful weekend for all. We encourage everyone to be involved. 

    Families will be required to donate items to our silent auctions and/or raffles that are used to help fundraise for the club. 

    Casino’s

    JFST runs a Casino Fundraiser in Edmonton bi-annually over a 2 day period. This is a vital piece of our operations. 

    Numerous volunteers are required to run a successful casino fundraiser. Each family is required to volunteer at least one position for at least 1 day of the casino. You are welcome to find someone to fill your position if you are unable to attend.

  • Illness

    If your athlete is sick or unwell please keep your athlete home. 

    There are no refunds due to sick days.

  • Our club encourages family involvement, we are a community. 

    Our programming runs from Jims Den to Jims Den. 

    Parents are encouraged to engage with our coaches at pick up and drop off at Jim’s Den. More particularly, for any athletes under the age of 12 on a regular basis. 

    It is important for parents to check in on occasion with our coaches on how their athlete is doing in the program. 

  • JFST supports and highly recommends limited cellphone use in our programming for the following reasons:

    • To encourage athletes to be focused and engaged. 

    • To limit athlete distractions.

    • To encourage team unity and togetherness

    While cell phones have become a general attachment to all of us, we encourage all athletes with personal devices to minimize their use during training and competition days or even to leave them in the car, or in your backpack. 

    Coaches are the main point of emergency contact when your athlete is in our programming. They have access to designated contacts to assist your child if there is an emergency. 

    If consistent cellphone use by athletes is found to be a distraction or cause for disengagement,  parents will be notified and action steps may be followed.

  • With more advanced tricks and higher refinement of skills in order to attend higher level competitions,  development team athletes are subject to minimum requirements prior to joining the team.

    Registration for the development team is provided to families through a private link once your athlete is approved by the Team Manager/Head coach to join. 


    All other registrants can sign up for Freestylerz until it is determined that the athlete is ready to move up both physically and mentally by Head Coach/Team Manager and Family.  At that time the differential in registration rate will be calculated.

  • All athletes and families are bound by the JFST Code of Conduct when joining our club. Code of conducts are accepted by all registrants in the Snow Reg Registration process and an in person Code of Conduct review is held with coaches at the start and middle of the season. All athletes and parents will be subject to sign this code of conduct in person. 

    A special event code of conduct may be applicable for athletes attending special events that require additional costs/investments from the club, coaches, families. 

    ____________________________________________________________

    This policy was developed by the Jasper Freeride Ski Team (JFST) Board  to promote an enjoyable, respectful,  and safe environment for all club members to develop freestyle Skiing/ Snowboarding skills. 

    Successful athletic programs all  have a basic understanding of acceptable and cooperative behavior among athletes, parents, volunteers, and coaches. 

    Therefore, upon acceptance to the Jasper Freeride Ski and/or Snowboard Team, all members will be expected to  conduct themselves in accordance with the JFST Code of Conduct.  

    Sportsmanship:

    • I will treat all coaches, athletes, officials, volunteers, parents, hill staff and the public with courtesy and respect. 

    • I will demonstrate good behaviour and act in ways that bring respect to me, my coaches, my team, my family and JFST.

    • I will not argue with any coaches or officials' decisions. 

    • I will remember that the goal of skiing/snowboarding is to have fun, improve our skills and feel good. 

    • I will be a good sport, cheering and encouraging all athletes no matter their skill levels or ambitions.

    • I will refrain from foul language, violence, behavior deemed dishonest, offensive and/or illegal at all times. 

    • I will respect JFST, fully supporting the team's mission, coaches and board of directors at all times. 

    Adherence to schedule:

    • I will attend on-time, with enthusiasm and follow coach instructions.

    • If I am late it is my responsibility to meet up with the team at a designated time and place that suits them. 

    • I will eat lunch/snack and find an opportunity to use the washroom when we are in designated areas so as not to hold up the teams schedule. 

    Personal Responsibility:

    • I will not make inappropriate or unwanted physical, or verbal advances on others

    • I will keep track of my personal belongings. 

    • I will keep my cell phone use in training and competitions to a minimum so that I am not distracted or disengaged from the team. My coach is the main point of Emergency Contact. 

    • I will clean up after myself in eating areas and other spaces. 

    • I will behave in a manner that reflects positively on myself and JFST


    Disciplinary Actions

    if it is determined that a breach of Code of Conduct occurred or was reported to the board. An appointed board member of JFST shall speak with the Team Manager or Coach, and/or the parent or guardian of the athlete, about the incident, reiterate the Code of Conduct, and discuss corrective steps.


    Repeat offences will be considered together and may result in a more serious consequence. If necessary a committee will be formed to complete a formal investigation. Depending on how serious the offence is, consequences may take one or more of the following forms.

    1. Verbal or Written warning.

    2. 1 weekend Suspension.

    3. 2 weekend Suspension.

    4. Expulsion From the Team.

    In any case where a disagreement occurs between affected parties we will follow the JFST Grievance Procedures guideline to come to a formal resolution.

    Do You Understand the Athlete Code of Conduct Agreement?                             

                                            ▢ Yes ▢ No

    By signing below, I am saying that: 

    • I have read (or have had read to me) the JFST Code of Conduct Agreement. 

    • I understand the words and meaning and I agree to obey this Code of Conduct Agreement. 

    • I understand that this Code of Conduct Agreement is a general guide for my conduct and does not describe all types of good and bad behavior.

    •  If I breach this Code Of Conduct agreement I understand and agree to follow the JFST disciplinary actions that are applicable to my breach. 

    • I understand that my future participation in JFST activities could be affected if I do not obey this Code of Conduct Agreement. 

    Signed:  Signature and written please.

    Athlete___________________________________ _________________________

    Parent ____________________________________ ______________________

    Coach ___________________________________ _________________________

    Date ______________________________

  • If it is determined that a breach of Code of Conduct occurred or was reported to the board. An appointed board member of JFST shall speak with the Team Manager or Coach, and/or the parent 

    or guardian of the athlete, about the incident, reiterate the Code of Conduct, and discuss corrective steps.

    Repeat offences will be considered together and may result in a more serious consequence. If necessary a committee will be formed to complete a formal investigation. Depending on how serious the offence is, consequences may take one or more of the following forms.

    1. Verbal or Written warning.

    2. 1 weekend Suspension.

    3. 2 weekend Suspension.

    4. Expulsion From the Team.

    In any case where a disagreement occurs between affected parties we will follow the JFST Grievance Procedures guideline to come to a formal resolution.

  • The following Policy is laid out to provide information on the use of the Jasper Freeride Airbag at Marmot Basin.

    Usage

    Use of the Air bag is only available to skiers and snowboarders active in Jasper Freeride or in a registered event/Camp with Jasper Freeride

    All Users must have a valid 

    • Alberta Freestyle/Freestyle Canada 

    OR 

    • AB Snowboard /Canada Snowboard membership.


    For regular team riders this must be their annual membership. 


    For Try It or special event days/camps there may be applicable special event or limited use memberships available. Memberships must be verified with the lead jump coach in order for athletes to proceed. 

    Coaching

    Following Air Qualification System rules set out by Freestyle Canada and Canada Snowboard the requirements to commence jumping on the airbag are as follows:

    Skiers: 

    A Ski coach with Air 3 minimum must be present.

    • Certified Air 3 coaches can coach single inverted maneuvers with twisting on water ramps and on the airbag

    Snowboarders: 

    A snowboard coach with 

    • Comp Intro,. Adv. Certified with Air 1 and Air 2 certification


    Snowboard coaches who do not meet the above requirements, can coach their athletes at the AirBag under the supervision of a coach who does meet the minimum standards. An appropriately certified ski coach is able to fill this position.

    Site use:

    1. The Airbag site will be fenced off at all 4 sides. 

    2. Signage for site CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC must be present. 

    3. There will be one access gate at the top of the take off, the gate is to be monitored for Jasper Freeride Participants only. Once the appropriate number of athletes are in the site the gate must remain closed to public access.

    4. If a special event is occurring all jumpers must have their memberships verified and appropriate waivers complete prior to jumping.

    5. Rakes and shovels for jump shaping and maintenance must be present

    6. The airbag site will be checked for safety by the lead air bag coach prior to commencing jumping. 

      • This includes but is not limited to:

        • Shaping the jump

        • Grooming the take off

        • Ensuring proper connection of the anchors.

        • Ensuring proper connection of the blowers and piping. 

        • Ensuring proper ventilation for adjusting the firmness of the air bag.

    7. At the end of the session

      • the jumps must be “X”’d off with stakes. 

      • The airbag is deflated and must be folded in thirds if there is 

        • Significant Snow in the forecast or

        • No planned use the following day

      • Generators,spill kit, blowers, shovels and rakes need to be returned to the locked shed in P1.

    Jumping:

    1. It is critical for jumpers to be aware of “X” and “O” signals prior to using the air bag. 

      • There is to be NO jumping at the indication of an “X”

    2. Athletes MUST complete the appropriate number of speed checks deemed necessary by the Airbag coach in charge prior to jumping on to the air bag. This may vary based on the site conditions of the day. 

    3. Athletes must complete appropriate warm up jumps and preparation in order to advance to tricks. 

    4. Trick attempts must be approved by the Lead Airbag coach prior to an athlete making the attempt. 

    Athletes that do not follow Lead Coach or assistant Instructions will be asked to sit out from the remainder of the jump session and may be suspended from further participation if deemed necessary.