Thunderbolt Youth Training
2018-2019 Overview


Thunderbolt Training Centers offer ski race training for school-age skiers. 
This program will improve your overall skiing ability as well as prepare you to become a serious racer.

Our program includes balance development, gate drills, course tactics, starts and finishes, slalom and giant slalom training, plus individual and video analysis.
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All training is implemented using US Ski Teams Training Standards.

Please Note:
Helmet and goggles are mandatory.
Racers clearing gates must have a chin guard.
Hand, shin, forearm, and spine guards recommended.
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What is Gate Training?

Gates are thin poles or squat stubs on ski slopes through which skiers pass (if set in pairs) or turn around (if set singly). They are used to produce a course for skiers and offer a variety of challenges. Gates are used for timed races. Coaches train their students to learn how to proficiently navigate the gates on a race course.

Junior Development Program

​This six-week racing program will begin between January 10 and 12, 2018. This is our base level of commitment for skiers of all abilities and race experience. It is for grades K - 8.

Our successful and most popular program will remain the same plus all Sunday Morning Race Series are included in the price along with a Thunderbolt T-shirt. 

Racers will be grouped by age, ski ability and race experience. We will work on free skiing drills each week for 45 minutes and then be in the gates using gate drills and full courses. We will start with Giant Slalom (larger turns) on week one and alternate between slalom (short turns) and giant slalom. 

Prices and details are in the 2018-2019 Brochure.
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Pine Knob Middle School Program

This six week program is the same as the Junior Development Program and is designed specifically for middle school students. This is our biggest night on snow. The program begins Wednesday, January 9 and runs for six weeks and includes the Sunday Morning Race Series and a Thunderbolt T-shirt. 

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What is NASTAR?

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NASTAR stands for National Standard Race and is the largest public grassroots ski racing program in the world. Founded in 1968, NASTAR gives recreational racers an opportunity to compete and compare their scores to friends and family regardless of when and where they race using the NASTAR handicap system.
Visit the NASTAR website and learn more.

Thunderbolt Holiday Race Camp

Racers clearing gates must have a chin guard.Our race camp is designed to provide the serious racer as well as the recreational skier the opportunity for early season gate training and coaching. 

If you are interested in a final training camp before the race season begins, be sure to take advantage of the Holiday Race Camp at Mt Holly or Pine Knob. 

Join us for all 5 Days or drop in for one or a few days.

December 27-31, 2018
Racers through the 8th Grade
Racers clearing gates must have a chin guard.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION INCLUDE:
  • Train Both Slalom and GS ( daily schedule T.B.A. )
  • Extensive video analysis
  • timed runs/race day preparation
  • Individual Evaluations
  • Tons of "Gate Time"
When: December 27 - 31, 2018 
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. daily 
Cost: $450.00 plus lift tickets 
Daily Drop-in Cost: $75.00 plus lift tickets

For prices and more details download the 2018-19 brochure. 

For more information: 
Call the Mt Holly Ski School at  248-634-3249 
Call the Pine Knob Ski School at  248-625-0800  x 4

What is Pinnacle Racing?

Founded in 2008, Pinnacle Racing is a non-profit educational alpine ski racing program dedicated to providing elite levels of coaching and training in a competitive environment. We are dedicated to giving each athlete the optimal training experience by providing both on and off snow guidance, one- on- one or small group coaching, and state of the art facilities. Pinnacle is an USSA Central Region III club.

Pinnacle Race Program Calendar

Contact Us

Pine Knob Ski School
pkskischool@gmail.com
Phone: 248-625-0800 ext: 4 

Mt Holly Ski School
mhpkss@att.net
Phone: 248-634-3249 

I think the most important thing in skiing is you have to be having fun. If you're having fun, then everything else will come easy to you. - Lindsey Vonn