VASA Ski Club Raptors High School Team

Welcome to the Vasa-Raptors!We are the Traverse City Area High School Nordic Ski Team, focused on developing junior skiers of all abilities through hard work and fun. Athletes participate in local, regional, and national races throughout the winter season.

Coaches

Head Coach: Ethan Goss - tcvasaraptors@gmail.comAssistant Coaches: Amy Powell, Hannah Goss, Jordyn Ross

Parent Board President: Meghan Dykstra - meghan.dykstra@tandemwealthtc.com

Informational Meeting

Date & Time: November 5th @ 7 PMLocation: Hickory Hills Lodge

Registration

• Deadline: December 12th 
• Eligibility: 9th-12th graders; 7th-8th graders can "ski-up" after registering with Vasa Flyers.
• Fee: $365 (Team uniform, race support, and State Championship registration fees)
  • Skiers must purchase their own Hickory Hills Season Pass

Please note that race registration and travel costs are not included in the team fee, except for the State Championship registration fee, which is covered. Scholarships are available through the team website.

Practice

• Start Date: November 10th
• Schedule: Five days a week starting at 4:15 PM, lasting 90 minutes.
• Locations: Pre-snow: TC Central, Hickory Hills, Civic Center, The Commons trails. With snow: Hickory Hills.

Weekly training schedules with practice details will be emailed.

Communication

Weekly emails provide training schedules and updates. The TeamReach app is used for direct communication with athletes and parents, and the Teambuildr app is used for strength workouts. Both athletes and parents must have these apps downloaded.

Racing

• Local: MI Cup races and MI High School State Championship.
• Regional: CXC Junior Qualifiers for the Great Lakes Division. Athletes can qualify for Junior Nationals or U18/U16 trips based on performance.

Equipment

Required:

• Dryland gear (ski boots for rollerskiing, ski poles, athletic clothing)
• Winter ski clothing (base layers, Nordic pants, jacket, gloves, socks, hat, BUFF)
• Ski gear (skate skis, classic skis, poles, ski boots, ski ties)

Recommended:

• Practice skis, yoga mat, water belt, ski bag, wax cork, scraper

Local Purchasing Options

Local shops like Suttons Bay Bikes, Brick Wheels, and Don Orr Ski Haus offer Nordic ski gear and expert advice. Supporting local stores ensures proper fitting for your equipment.

Rentals

XC Ski Headquarters offers affordable rental packages, ideal for beginners.

Transportation

Athletes are responsible for their transportation to practices and races. Contact the Parent Board if you need assistance with carpooling.

Volunteering

• Parents: Help is needed at events and fundraisers, as 25% of the team’s budget comes from fundraising. Contact the Parent Board to get involved.
• Athletes: Volunteering for Vasa programs earns points toward a varsity letter.

We will host Tuesday night sprint races this season and need volunteers for setup, registration, bib distribution, and timing. Please reach out to help.

Join the Vasa-Raptors!