Ski lessons is a big business, and every ski resort in the world has one or more ski schools which offer a variety of lessons at varying levels. However, ski race training is a totally different kettle of fish. It is very rare to find a ski school which truly offers race training: this is a very specialist skill which most of the ski school's staff will not have. Race training is typically offered by specialist clubs or divisions of the ski school which are not usually available to visitors.

The Whistler Mountain Ski Club is a good example of how a ski racing club operates. It is a private members club in the top ski resort of Whistler-Blackcomb. It is open to anyone with a child who is already a highly proficient skier. Membership is on an annual basis. The Club employs more than a dozen ex-racers as coaches, and offers specialised race training throughout school holidays and at weekends during term time

So if you do not live in or near a ski resort, how can you get your children into a race training programme. Here's the secret: these private racing clubs also sometimes accept casual visitors, as long as they are proficient skiers. In the case of Whistler, all you have to do is call up the club ahead of time, convince them that your son or daughter will not

hold up the group, pay them around $100 a day for the privilege and your progeny can participate in one of the world's leading race training programmes. You will never find this option on the website of Whistler-Blackcomb, which runs the resort; you just have to know that it exists. Even on Whistler Mountain Ski Club's own website you won't find this option available: it is an informal arrangement which is not publicised.

So, if you are looking for a holiday in which your child can get some serious race training, think about Whistler. You can find great accommodation deals at a number of suppliers, notably Holiday Whistler, where the owner is also a member of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club (his son is a K1 racer) and will give you all the contact information you need.

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