Welcome to Sundown Race Team!

 


Welcome Back for Another Ski Racing Season with SRT!


Welcome back banner for 2025

 

Welcome back to another ski season!

FIVE Tasks to Get Ready for 2025!

  1. Check Fit, so you have time to acquire new equipment, if necessary.

    • Have a Professional Check Binding Setting! 
      As kids grow their bindings need to be adjusted. This must be done by a Professional. Please, do not ask a coach to do it.
      If you have questions about equipment or checking bindings, please visit Free Flight to speak with one of their qualified technicians.

    • Tune & Wax Skis, Please make sure edges are sharp! Early season snow is frequently icy & slick. Sharp edges help kids build confidence.

    • Check Helmets, Goggles (Don't forget Yellow lenses for training at Night!), boots, socks gloves/mittens, jackets, insulation layers, and protective gear.
       

    • U12 or U14 & Up must acquire Protective Gear, (i.e. Shinguards, Forearm Guards, & Pole Guards. IMPORTANT: Pole guards are allowed only for SL. Racers are not allowed to use pole guards in GS for safety reasons).

      Where to find protective gear:

  2. Buy & Pick-up your Sundown Season Pass ASAP.  Please don't wait to pickup your season pass the night of first practice.
     

  3. Complete Sundown Race Team Registration. 

  4. Wijara Registration to be Opened Up, then register.

  5. Sign-up for Team Updates & Announcements: If you haven't already, join SRT Facebook Online.  All team announcements will be posted both here on the team's website and copied to our Facebook Page.


Finally, please keep in mind the more you ski the better you'll be! So get out there and enjoy the few months of skiing that we have access to here annually! 

Coach Mya


Welcome to SRT, Learn to Ski Message


Interested in Improving Your Child's Skiing Skills?
Here's a Brief Introduction to Wijara & Sundown Race Team

  • First off, if you're interested in joining SRT, all are welcome, send an email to srteamcoordinator@gmail.com.
     
  • SRT is a non-profit Club, a parent's run club, providing kids an opportunity to learn advanced skiing skills through participation in Alpine Ski Racing. 
     
  • As the second largest team in the league (Wijara.org), with 95+ athletes competing, we count on parent involvement and support! Parents must volunteer.
  • Our coaches pick-up where Sundown's Learn to Ski Program ends. The team's objective is to teach kids advanced skiing skills thru repetition, strategy, and skills development. SRT host practices three times weekly; Tuesday and Thursday evening, and Saturday Mornings.

  • SRT is one of 8+ teams competing in Wijara, Wisconsin Illinios/Iowa Alpine Junior Racing Association, boasting teams from Wisconsin, Illinios, Iowa, all the way South to Hidden Valley, in Saint Louis, Missouri. The Wijara League consists of eight other teams: Chestnut Mountain, Tyrol Basin, Cascade Mountain, Snowstar, Hidden Valley, Blackhawk, Four Lakes, and Wilmot.

  • Each season Wijara schedules four weekend events: two in January and two in February. Weekend races typically have between 400 to 550 racers, run on two separate courses and trails. The races are held at Sundown, Chestnut, Cascade, (occasionally Devil's Head), and Tyrol Basin.
     
  • SRT sends eight coaches to every Wijara race.  Our coaching staff ensures that the team is well organized and supported throughout each race day.  Coaching staff are on hand to provide support, guidance, and strategy thru out each race day, helping racers and parents with course inspection, communicate start times, calming competition nerves at the start, monitoring finish area, and assist with questions or timing issues.
     
  • For minors, a parent or guardian must attend the race, supporting their children with lift tickets, food, free skiing in between race runs, coordinating schedules, transportation, and lodging needs. 
     
  • Wijara Competitions: On Saturday, teams compete in one day of Giant Slalom (GS), and one day of Slalom (SL) on Sundays, (a.k.a Sunday Slalom!). The weekend events are fun outdoor competition opportunities for kids and parents alike, providing all with the opportunity to get outside during the winter season. The weekend races are a chance to enjoy winter, make new friends, watch the kids compete, and join in a fun carnival like atmosphere.  
     
  • To learn more about Wijara Race Weekends click here.
     
  • Visit our FAQ page by clicking here.
     
  • To learn more about practice policies, including storm and cold weather policies, please read our Practice Page.

     

SRT Team News

 

 

    Team Dues for 2025 Increases by +$40 per Athlete

    This season the team has increased the team registration fees by $40. This increase provides our racers with an additional opportunity to race, as now all SRT racers may enter the Iowa Games without paying the race entry fee. As in prior years, the team continues to offer a generous opportunity for families with more than one racer. 

    Please note, SRT's registration fees continue to remain in the lower 1/3, when compared to other WIJARA teams. All funds received by the team go directly back into supporting the athletes needs. No doubt ski racing is an expensive sport. Please feel free to discuss financial dilemmas with the team's board of directors.

    Any questions or comments may be directed to the team's board of directors.

    2024/2025 Team Registration Base Fees*

    • First Racer $315
    • Second Racer $265
    • Third Racer $215
    • Fourth Racer $165
    • Fifth Racer $165

    *This season's fees include the entry fees to the Iowa Games Races on February 1st, 2025, (a $40 value).

     

    Coaching Changes

    Coach Mya (me), will be moving to focus on running the U12 and Under program in the upcoming season. "I plan on continuing to coach as long as the team desires or my legs give out, which ever comes first!" says Coach Mya. 

    Coach Dan Sherr, will be taking over the Head Coach responsibilities as well as focusing on the U14 & Up program. He will be supported by our staff of very qualified and experienced coaches.  
     

    Junior Coaching Spots Open for 2024/2025

    Senior SRT Athletes may apply to become a Junior Coach.  To apply you'll need to login to SRT Online and fill out the SRT Coach Application, located under the Home button, Click Here.

     

    Before Registering Read the Instructions

    Five minutes of reading will save you and the team tracker hours of extra work! There are two separate sets of instructions, depending on whether you are a returning racer or new to the SRT program. 

    Section I: Returning Racers

    Section II: New Racers


    Returning Racer Registration Banner
    Are you returning for another year of racing?  Follow the instructions below!

     


    1.  

     

    1. Login or Create a New User ID & Password.

    2. Venmo Only for Online Checkout, via Venmo's send money!

    3. PLEASE! Enter all of your children into ONE Registration Packet. Do not fill out individual packets for each child.

    4. Make sure you have the following before you start registration...

      • Volunteer spots.  in order to complete your registration packet. 
        Must pick two jobs, 1 for the home race and 1 away race assignment. 
        If you have questions regarding volunteering please read Parents Volunteer Page under Team Resources.
         

      • Proper bib number(s): Click Here to Lookup Last Years Bib Number Assignment 

      • Venmo account.

      • Emergency Contact(s), Info for a Second Parent, Guardian, or Other? You may add as many contacts as you wish.

      • Finally, Register with Wijara at www.wijara.org (Registering with SRT is separate from WIJARA.

      • Fill out a Racer(s) Registration Packet with SRT. The registration package (form) is lengthy! This is due to the extraordinary liability challenges facing the sport in US legal system.  Make no mistake, ski racing is an amazing sport, but it's also dangerous! Your kids will be skiing downhill, on snow and ice, good weather and bad, day and night, around other racers, free skiers, trees, and other immovable objects line each trail. 

        The registration package includes the following pages: 
        1. Racer Information, (enter up to five children on this page).
        2. Emergency Contact Form.
        3. Liability Waiver for SRT.
        4. Concussion Waiver.
        5. Volunteer Job Selection.
        6. Checkout with Venmo.

    Click Here to Open a New Registration Packet

    IMPORTANT: Each season we have a number of prior year racers with the wrong bib number.  
    Help fix this issue by looking up their bib numbers before you register.
    Click Here to Lookup Last Years Bib Number Assignment 

     


    First Time Members Instructions
    If you are new to SRT, please read on below. Five minutes of reading will save you hours!


     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Instructions for First Time Parents

    First things first -- Welcome to SRT!

    When registering for the Sundown Ski Team, note that the team/club is separate from Sundown Mountain. We are a group of parents that operate a ski club for the benefit of our children, so they may learn advanced skiing skills, race tactics, and safety thru ski racing. We are open to any and all families and kids interested in learning advanced skiing skills thru participation in a ski racing program.

    To successfully join the team and fully participate read below:

    1. Your child must be a competent skier, with their own ski gear, capable of skiing on Black Diamond trails and loading the chairlift by themselves.
       
    2. To participate in Wijara, a child must be between age 6 to 20 years, (5 years old in special cases See Age Group in FAQ).
       
    3. Buy a Season Pass with Sundown Mountain;
       
    4. Contact the SRT Team Tracker, email address below, (they must assign your racer a bib to use for the season);  srteamcoordinator@gmail.com
       
    5. Fill out a Racer(s) Registration Packet with SRT. The registration package (form) is lengthy! This is due to the extraordinary liability challenges facing the sport in US legal system.  Make no mistake, ski racing is an amazing sport, but it's also dangerous! Your kids will be skiing downhill, on snow and ice, good weather and bad, day and night, around other racers, free skiers, trees, jumps, and other immovable objects that line each trail. 

      The registration package includes the following pages: 
      1. Racer Information, (enter up to five children on this page).
      2. Emergency Contact Form.
      3. Liability Waiver for SRT.
      4. Concussion Waiver.
      5. Volunteer Job Selection.
      6. Checkout with Venmo.
         
    6. Volunteer Page: Note, you'll have to pick out two parent volunteer jobs. Go ahead and pick some options that work best for you. If you are unfamiliar with the sport, don't worry we can work with you, and educate you on the tasks.
    7. Register with WIJARA.

    Follow the step-by-step instructions below to go ahead and register for SRT.. Or to learn more go ahead and create a new account and login. We have lots of resources for new parents, including FAQ and introduction documentation.
    See out on the hill soon!
    Coach Mya

     

    Step-by-Step Registration Instructions for New Families

    Step1: Send email to Team Tracker: srteamcoordinator@gmail.com
    Include the in the email...

      • Parent or Guardian Contact Information
      • Child's Information, include: Name, DoB, Gender, & Information about Skiing Experience...
      • Do they have a Sundown Season Pass?
      • Do they have their own ski equipment?
      • Are they able to safely ski a black diamond trail in control?
      • Can they load and ride Sundown Mountain's quad chairlift by themselves?

    After you hear back from the team tracker, with your child's bib number you may continue to register with SRT and WIJARA.. ​​

    Step 2: Next, if you haven't already, create a SRT Online user name and password for this site, New User ID & Password *Be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder for automated emails from SRT Online. 

    Step 3: Next, read the directions below to be prepared to fill-out the Racer(s) Registration Packet.

    The Racer Registration Packets require a lot of data, you will need:

    • New Bib Number, from the SRT Tracker.
    • Venmo Account to Checkout Online, (or will need to bring a check to first practice).
    • If you are new to Wijara select "New" under Wijara Status field.
    • Are You Transfering Racers from another WIJARA Club? If you've previously raced in Wijara for another team, please enter your old bib number, and select "Transfer" under Wijara Status field.
    • Gather Second Parent, Guardian, or Emergency Contact info, you can enter as many as you'd like.
    • Volunteer Job Selection, ALL Parents must volunteer for two jobs annually: 1 for the SRT Home Race, 1 at a Wijara Away Race.
      If you have questions regarding volunteering please read Parent Volunteer Page under Team Resources.

     

    Click Here to Open a New Registration Packet
     

    Step 4: After joining SRT and receiving a bib number from the SRT Tracker you will be able to register with the race league, Wijara.  https://www.wijara.org

    Once You've Registered -- Congratulations -- You did it!!!  
    See you out on the hill!!!
    Coach Mya

     


      Learn to coach
      Coach Mya with daughter Annalise, 2023/2024 Ski Racing Season.

      Junior Coaching Spots Open for 2024/2025

      Senior SRT Athletes may apply to become a Junior Coach.  To apply you'll need to login to SRT Online and fill out the SRT Coach Application, located under the Home button, Click Here.

      Junior coaches receive the following benefits...

      • Learn about the ski industry & coaching Alpine Ski Racing!
      • Job Experience --  Build your resume!
      • Hourly Wages!
      • Sundown Season Pass!
      • Function as the SRT Team Captian at Wijara Races!

      The Sundown Race Team is a non-profit club linked to Sundown Mtn Ski Resort, in Dubuque, Iowa. The team primarily trains and hosts races on Andrew's and the Snow Devil trail, to the left side of Sundown's terrain park.

      Coaching Opportunities  

      If you're a former ski racer either from SRT or another team, and interested in coaching please contact SRT.  You can access SRT Online by signing up for an account.

      Full-Time Coaches Receive...

      • A Sundown Season Pass
      • Expense Reimbursement
      • Hourly Wage

      To apply create an SRT Online account, login, then Click Here to apply.

      About SRT Coaching Staff  

      SRT Coaches are some of the most experienced coaches in the country.  To learn more about our coaching staff click here.

       

      At Wijara races SRT Athletes have the benefit of experienced coaches located at the top of the race hill and in the finish area. Before racing starts SRT team members inspect the course with a coach or team captin. Coaches are on hand thru out the race day to help with the pre-race jitters, talk race strategy, and make sure issues are mitigated.

       About SRT Online  

      Site Contents:

      • Practice times and updates
      • Race schedule and information
      • Team events and updates
      • Volunteer Management & Opportunities
      • Ski racing tutorials and FAQs
      • Media library for race results, videos, and team photos

      Anybody who was or is part of the Midwest ski community is welcome to apply for an account.

       New User ID & Password * 
      If you already have an account, but forgot your password click here. *
      *Be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder for automated emails from SRT Online.

       

      Become a Junior Coach!
      Interested in Coaching? Best place to start is as an SRT Junior Coach!

       

       

       

       

        Image
        Mya Schaefer (Profile Picture), Head Coach, SRT
        First Name
        Mya
        Last Name
        Schaefer
        SRT Relationship Type
        Coach

        Member for

        1 year 10 months
        Submitted by admin_myabe802 on Sun, 11/13/2022 - 06:24 PM