U16 National Points Team

Born 2010-2011

The U16 National Points program is designed for athletes that have fallen in love with ski racing and are ready to work hard to reach their dreams.

Our U16 National Points QAST program is built for athletes who are eager to challenge themselves and aspire to achieve great things in Alpine skiing. This is a full-time, five-days-a-week program, tailored for dedicated athletes who are committed to their sport while maintaining a balanced education through the academy at Wakatipu High School, or another distance learning option.

Our team of professional coaches provides a high-performance training experience encouraging athletes to develop independence, professionalism, and confidence. From dryland to warm-up to on-snow training, our approach focuses on helping athletes understand their movements, make the right adjustments, and continuously progress toward their goals.

Athletes will learn essential skills, such as conducting individual course inspections and making decisions tailored to their unique needs, empowering them to grow both in ski racing and beyond.

We also strongly encourage athletes to participate in dryland training sessions and physical testing, guided by Ben Griffin’s team and supported by our QAST coaches. These sessions help build strength and resilience, both mentally and physically, for success on and off the slopes.

Join us in this journey to unlock your potential and build a solid foundation in the world of Alpine skiing!

Training

  • Gates: 40% (Brushes, stubbies, big gates)
  • Technique Drills: 40% (out of gates)
  • Freeski: 20% (terrain park, off piste, ripping/chasing coaches down the mountain

 

Program Details

Full Time 5-Day Program 

Early Bird Rate: $7,200 (Registration due by 2 December 2024)

Standard Rate: $7,900

Injury Insurance: $288 (Early Bird), $316 (Standard)

This program is based on 5-days per week training, with half days on Wed, Thu and Friday (returning to school at 12pm), full days on Sat and Sun, plus school holidays.

QAST has partnered with Wakatipu High School to allow our athletes to train full time while pursuing their academic goals. This long-established program supports students to train on the mountain five days a week with teacher support, to help maintain their academic studies after school.

Located in Frankton, Wakatipu High School offers athletes a high-performance academy catering to local and international athletes. For more information about Wakatipu High School click here. Students with self-arranged, distance-learning academic programs are also welcome.

Short Term Athlete Goals:

  • Podium at the National Point races
  • Get selected for the New Zealand Youth Squad
  • Take part in overseas training and racing, either local races or international races

      Gain maturity, independence, get physically and mentally strong, achieve high technical standards and be ready to move up to the FIS Team in the future

      Club Representation

      All QAST athletes are expected to register with Snowsports under the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team as both the Training Provider and the Ski Club or they will incur a non-club member fee of $1,000 for the 2025 season.

      Joining Fee

      A $1500 joining fee applies to all new club members aged U14 and older.

      Prerequisites

      U16 Born 2010-2011:

      • Have an outstanding work ethic
      • Be a role model and support my team
      • I tune & wax my skis by myself after every training session
      • Have competed previously in the full National Points race series GS & SL & SG (Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Mt Hutt)
      • High level technical skills (Balanced position, outside ski pressure, stable upper body and clean arcs)
      • Winning attitude
      • Commit to on snow and off snow training (dryland)
      • Be a mentor for the U14 athletes
      • Have the right equipment, please check Here

      Program Notes:

      • Access to ski tuning workshops for athletes during the season – reach out to your coach.
      • Video analysis off mountain during academy time at high school
      • Dryland training (additional charges may apply)
      • A QAST jacket
        • To be returned end of season, please empty pockets and wash and waterproof.
        • Athletes are also required to wear black ski pants 
        • If your athlete's jacket is not returned in good condition your jacket bond of $80 will be retained.
      • Volunteer Bond: We require a volunteer bond of $450 on top of these fees which is returned to you at the end of the season if you have completed the required volunteer days.
      • Additional Camps: Additional camps focused on Slalom, GS and Super-G training may be held outside of Queenstown. This is an opportunity for the athletes to spend time with their fellow skiers and coaches independently, while fine tuning their racing skills. Details and costs to be confirmed. Costs will be payable prior to departure for the camp.

       

      Registration

      Please register your athletes interest here!