TCAPS Learning, Enrichment & Athletic Program

Vasa Ski Club Raptors High School Team

Welcome to the Vasa-Raptors! We are the Traverse City Area High School Nordic Ski Team. Our focus is on developing junior skiers of all abilities and fostering a love for the sport through hard work and plenty of fun. Athletes on the team participate in local ski races throughout the winter and are encouraged to take part in regional and national events as well.

Coaches

• Head Coach: Ethan Goss tcvasaraptors@gmail.com
• Assistant Coaches: Amy Powell, Hannah Goss, Jordyn Ross

Informational Meeting

• Date & Time: November 7th @ 7 PM 
• Location: Hickory Hills Lodge
  

Registration

• Deadline: December 7th
• Eligibility: Open to all 9th-12th grade athletes. 7th and 8th graders should register for the Vasa Flyers but can "ski-up" with the Raptors starting November 11th. 
• Participation Fee: $350 (This includes: a team uniform for the season, race support at MI Cup and CXC Junior National Qualifiers, and State Championship registration fees. Other race registrations and travel costs are not included). 
• Hickory Hills Passes: Skiers are required to purchase their own Hickory Hills Nordic season passes. 
• Scholarships: Available through our team website. Under the resources tab. https://www.tcvasaraptors.com/scholarships.html

NOTE: Payment is required at the time of registration. You may register online using a Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or ACH (via a checking or savings account) by clicking the enrollment button to the right of this page.  Registration is not complete until your course appears in your dashboard. If you did not receive an email from Eleyo or see your course in your dashboard, the payment did not process and the student is not registered. Please call the LEAP office at 231.933.7480 for more information.

Team Communication

Weekly email updates from the Head Coach will include training schedules and important announcements. We use the TeamReach app for direct communication, and the Teambuildr app for strength workouts and progress tracking. Both athletes and parents should ensure these apps are downloaded for efficient communication.

Practice

• Start Date: Monday, November 11th 
• Schedule: Five days a week at 4:15 PM, lasting about 90 minutes. 
• Locations: Before snow conditions permit skiing, practices will be held at TC Central High School, Hickory Hills, the Civic Center, or The Commons near Greenspire School. Once snow arrives, practices will primarily be at Hickory Hills. 
• A weekly schedule will be sent outlining practice details, including location and time.

Racing

• Local Races: The Vasa-Raptors compete in MI Cup races throughout the season and at the MI High School State Championship. The coaching staff will select key races to best prepare athletes for the State Championship. 
• Regional Races: As part of the Great Lakes Division (GLD), we compete in CXC Junior National Qualifiers. Athletes who perform well may qualify for Junior Nationals or postseason trips like U18 or U16 events. 
• Details: Visit CXC Junior Cup Events for more information.
  
  

Skier Expectations

• Attendance: Attendance is essential for both individual progress and team cohesion. Missing practices or races impacts not only personal development but also the team dynamic. Athletes must communicate any absences in advance, and consistent attendance is required for varsity letter eligibility. 
• Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship is a core value of the Vasa-Raptors team. Athletes must show respect to coaches, teammates, competitors, and the public at all times. Negative behaviors, such as disrespectful language or unsportsmanlike conduct, are not tolerated. Athletes should help maintain practice facilities, leaving them in good condition for others. The goal is to foster a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to perform their best.
  

Varsity Letter Criteria

• Junior Varsity Letter: Earned by participating in activities, including practice attendance, races, state events, and volunteer work. Athletes need at least 75% of possible participation points and must volunteer at least once. 
• Varsity Letter: Based on both participation and performance. The top 7 male and female athletes will receive varsity letters, with 4-year seniors also earning varsity status if they meet JV requirements. 

Points System: 

• Participation: Practice (1 pt), Team Race/Practice (2 pts), Race (5 pts), State Championship (30 pts), Volunteer (2 pts per hour) 
• Performance: Local race points are awarded based on placement among teammates; State Championship points are double local race points; JNQ participation earns 4 pts. 
• Athletes are responsible for logging their volunteer hours using this form.
  

Volunteering and Fundraising

Our expectation is that athletes and parents/guardians will volunteer for team events. Team fundraising contributes significantly to our budget, helping keep participation costs reasonable and retaining dedicated coaching staff. For inquiries, contact the Parent Board. If a family is unable to volunteer, a donation of $200 is welcomed as an alternative. 

We host Tuesday night sprint races every week and are looking for volunteers to assist with setup, bib distribution, registration, and timing. Athletes are also expected to volunteer at Vasa-sponsored events, with points earned contributing to varsity letter eligibility.

Equipment

It's essential that athletes come prepared for each practice and race. We recommend labeling all equipment and clothing with your name and phone number. The coaching staff is not responsible for lost or misplaced items. 

Required Equipment:

• Dryland Training: 
  • Ski boots compatible with NNN bindings for rollerskiing 
  • Skate & Classic ski poles with rollerski tips 
  • Optional: Elbow and knee padding for new rollerskiers 
  • Athletic clothing, running shoes, and socks 
• Winter Ski Clothing: 
  • Base layers (synthetic or wool) 
  • Thermal weight long-sleeve shirts and long underwear (men may need windstopper tights) 
  • Nordic ski pants (wind-resistant front, stretchy back) 
  • Ski jacket (light insulation, windproof front, breathable back) 
  • Ski gloves (at least two pairs) 
  • Wool socks, mid-weight hat, neck gaiter (similar to BUFF) 
• Ski Equipment: 
  • Skate skis (purchase for the athlete's weight, not height) 
  • Classic skis (waxable and weight-appropriate, flex tested) 
  • Skate poles (reach to the athlete's nose) 
  • Classic poles (90% of the height of skate poles) 
  • Ski boots (preferably separate pairs for skate and classic) Ski ties (two per pair) 

Recommended Equipment: 

• Practice (rock) skis for bad conditions 
• Yoga mat for dryland training 
• Water belt for long sessions 
• Ski bag for travel 
• Wax cork and scraper 

Rentals 

For athletes just starting out, XC Ski Headquarters offers affordable rental packages. This is a great option for those still deciding how serious they want to be about the sport. 

Local Purchasing Options 

We encourage athletes to shop locally for their ski equipment. Great options in the area include Sutton's Bay Bikes, Brick Wheels, and Don Orr Ski Haus, all of which offer a range of Nordic ski gear and expert advice. Supporting these local shops helps ensure you receive the right equipment for your needs, including properly fitting skis based on weight and flex. 

Suttons Bay Bikes Curated Store: Suttons Bay Bikes has set up a curated store for the club with recommended equipment options at a significant discount. Orders take up to 2 weeks to process, so please plan accordingly. Link to store (site password: TheClub).

Uniforms

Uniforms will be distributed before the first race of the season. Athletes are responsible for keeping their uniforms clean and returning them laundered at the end of the season.

Transportation

Athletes are responsible for their own transportation to and from practices and races. Assistance with carpooling can be coordinated via TeamReach or by reaching out to the Parent Board.

Race Schedule

Current race schedules will be shared at the Informational Meeting on Thursday, November 7th at 7:00 PM at Hickory Hills Lodge.