SMA Alpine Ski Team

Parent Resources

How can you help?

We rely on parents for a variety of roles to keep our team and league rolling through the season like a well-oiled machine. We ask that families drive for our weekend carpool at least 3 times throughout the season, if they are able. Other volunteer opportunities include:

Bus chaperones
Overnight chaperones
Race volunteer : Course crew
Race volunteer : Gate judge
Team snack tent attendant
Be a supportive parent & cheerleader to your own athlete and to all other athletes on our team

Expectations

As you'll see in our team policies, we ask that all parents:

Volunteer as you are able. We are a volunteer-run organization and rely on everyone to offer help
Encourage your athletes to practice good ettiquette in the lodge and on the hill, and to help with race & training set up and tear down as needed
Be a shining example of what it means to be a contributing member to a positive and supportive team environment
Allow and trust coaches to do their job without interfering
Communicate effectively with coaches. Athletes will not always be comfortable speaking up. Parents are a great option for helping athletes feel heard. Always speak up.
Communicate about conflicts, foreseen or unforeseen, as soon as possible.

Get Involved

Use the following links to access Signup Genius pages for volunteer opportunities.

Please note that volunteering on race day does not guarantee you will be on the list, but we do our best to give everyone who is willing to work something to do and it's rare we have extra bodies, so don't be shy. Be sure to sign up each volunteer individually, even if you're from the same household/family.

Bus Chaperone

We need a parent to ride the bus every week for on snow training. You are welcome to bring your other children with you on the bus, but you will be responsible for them for the day/evening.

On Monday, Dec 22nd, the bus departs SMA at 6:30am, and leaves Government Camp to return at 3:30pm.

On weeknights, the bus departs SMA at 3:30pm, and leaves Skibowl to return at 8:30pm.

Bus Parent

Anthony Lakes Chaperone

We need parents to transport athletes and stay overnight with us when we head to Anthony Lakes on Friday, Jan 9th for our first slalom race.

We have reserved a block of rooms in Baker City. I'll need a solid head count to plan for room assignments. *Note: Chaperones will likely either share the room with your own child or with a same-sex chaperone. If you're traveling as a family, use the link in the blog posts to reserve a room at our group rate.

Race Day Volunteer

Our league relies on our wonderful parent volunteers to help make race days a success! If you're interested in getting a front row seat to the action, enjoying a free sack lunch, and getting on the mountain for free for the day, please sign up to volunteer!

Naomi will reach out to you with assignments and additional information prior to race days.

Race Day

Become an Approved Driver/Chaperone

Any parents driving kids who are not a part of their own family and/or chaperoning our overnight events are REQUIRED to complete a background check (both) and become an approved driver (not required for chaperoning if you're not a driver.

Use the button below to access the forms. Once completed, these can be emailed to the SMA Athletic Director, Sanjay Bedi at sanjay.bedi@smapdx.org

Please note that approval can take time. Complete the forms and turn in ASAP so you're approved before our first day of on snow training.

Access Forms

Learn About Being a Race Day Volunteer

Interested in volunteering, but not quite sure what that looks like? Check out the job descriptions below to get a better idea of what it is you'll be asked to do on race day when you sign up to volunteer.

Expectations for All Race Day Volunteers

Check in at the volunteer table as soon as you arrive (it’s a volunteer tent at Kelsey’s Race). If you need a lift ticket for that day you’ll get it when you check in. You’ll also pick up supplies for your job and lunch.
Check out when you’re done and return arm bands, buckets, etc. In the past, the resorts had also given volunteers a lift ticket to be used on a different day, but this can change (Meadows stopped this benefit in the 2024-25 season).

Course Crew

This is a job for skilled skiers or snowboarders.
You’ll help to set up and break down the course which involves carrying netting, poles, and other necessary items depending on the race and conditions.
During the race you will slip the course between racers to clear ruts, loose snow, and bumps. Here is a handy description of slipping from the Pacrats (of which our own Marina is Vice Chair!): https://www.pacrats.org/files/slipping-diagram.pdf
It’s very important to pay attention and get off the course immediately if you hear anyone yell “Course!” and not to ski through the finish gates at the bottom of the course. You’ll wait at the top of the race course and slip when told, then take the lift back up and repeat.
You’re also responsible for calling out “Course!” if there’s a potential danger to an oncoming skier, such as a maintenance volunteer or a fallen skier.
There’s a lunch break and the league will provide you with a good bagged lunch.

This job does not require ski or snowboard ability if the race course is accessible by foot. Before the race begins, the Gate Judges meet and get a clipboard, pencil, papers, safety vest, bagged lunch, and bucket to hold all items that doubles as a seat.
You’ll be assigned a set of adjacent gates and will be responsible to watch and ensure that each skier goes around the gates correctly. You’ll get instructions on the correct route around the gates before the race begins.
If a skier misses a gate or gates, you’ll mark their bib number and the missed gates on the paper provided by the league. It’s very important that you hand in the paper at the end of each race because the information is taken into account in scoring.
You’re also responsible for calling out “Course!” if there’s a potential danger to an oncoming skier, such as a maintenance volunteer or a fallen skier.
There’s a lunch break and the league will provide you with a good bagged lunch.

Gate Judge

Helpful Hints for All Volunteers

Dress for the weather. It can get cold when you’re waiting to do maintenance or when you’re judging gates.
Particularly for Gate Judges, consider grabbing a mat from your car on which to stand or put your feet. This makes a big difference in keeping your feet warm.
Pay attention. There’s a lot going on in a relatively narrow space on race days, doubly so at Kelsey’s Race. Always be aware and if an obstacle emerges on the course, help clear it ASAP.
Be patient! The high school ski community is a great group of dedicated volunteers who pull off a huge, coordinated effort for every race.
Be flexible! Sometimes you get assigned to a different job than you signed up for because race days are dynamic and the volunteer coordinators have to respond to last-minute changes.
Have fun! The SMAlpine team is the most supportive and enthusiastic team in the league. The girls have a lot of fun and it’s infectious!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to Naomi or the coaches or the parents of a Junior or Senior with any and all volunteer-related questions! You can send direct messages through Remind.