Coach's Guide to Alpine Canada U14-U16 Ski Racing 2026-27

From Alpine Canada's LTAD 3.0 Train to Train stage and its parent guide:

• Growth: the stage is tied to the adolescent growth spurt, which starts at different times for each athlete. Peak height velocity occurs on average at age 14 in boys and 12 in girls. Growth can cause temporary skill regression. Track the start of the growth spurt, peak height velocity and menarche, and monitor growth and training response closely.
• Strength training: for boys, start only after growth is well along, about 12 to 18 months past peak height velocity.
• Fitness: make fitness a priority, with emphasis on stamina and endurance. Match aerobic, anaerobic, strength and power training to each athlete's maturation level, begin sessions with physical literacy movement preparation, and address gaps and muscular imbalances.
• Specialization: racers begin focusing on a couple of disciplines, but it is "still too early to specialize in a single discipline." Formal speed and ski cross progressions begin.
• Mindset in competition: the primary focus is on applying what was learned in training, "not on winning at all costs."
• Equipment: professionally fitted boots; racers on the competitive pathway should begin learning to tune their own equipment.

Sources: ltad.alpinecanada.org/stages/train-to-train and ltad.alpinecanada.org/parents/train-to-train-parents.

From the ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 equipment table (specifications for alpine competition equipment), for men and women:

• Giant slalom, ski length: 188 cm maximum for both U14 and U16.
• Giant slalom, radius: 17 m minimum for both U14 and U16.
• Giant slalom, waist width: 65 mm maximum for both U14 and U16.
• Slalom, ski length: 130 cm minimum for both U14 and U16.
• Ski length tolerance is plus or minus 10 mm. The table lists no slalom radius or waist width.

The table notes PTSOs may have further U18 specifications. A PTSO may publish its own rules provided they do not go beyond the limits of international and national rules and do not set a lower standard of security or fairness.

Source: ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 (alpinecanada.org/official/resources/documents).

From the ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 equipment table (U16 column, men and women):

• Ski length: 183 cm minimum (the table lists no super-G ski length for U14).
• Radius: 30 m minimum.
• Ski length tolerance is plus or minus 10 mm.
• The table notes PTSOs may have further U18 specifications.

Course safety: all competition courses used for U16 and U14 super-G should be homologated for SG or GS. If the course is not homologated, a safety inspection is required by a Technical Delegate appointed by the PTSO or the PTSO's designate.

The events at ACA U16 Regional Championships are slalom, giant slalom, super-G training and super-G, and a fitness and skills combine (team parallel and ski cross are optional).

Sources: ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 (1002.3-CAN, 609, specifications for alpine competition equipment), alpinecanada.org/official/resources/documents.

Under the ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 (specifications for alpine competition equipment):

• Helmets: alpine skiing helmets are compulsory at all events, with no spoilers or protruding parts. Helmets for U14 and older must comply with FIS Specifications for Alpine Competition Equipment.
• Back protectors: recommended for U14 and older.
• Chin guards: recommended for SL only.
• Other protectors: competitors may protect all parts of the body with protectors complying with FIS specifications.
• Cut-resistant undergarment pants: recommended as supplementary protection (not infinite cut protection), correctly sized and worn per manufacturer instructions. Implementation requires a minimum protection level of 3 stars under the FIS-DITF test standard between the iliac crest and the onset of the ski boot. Cut-resistant shirts or full body suits are strongly recommended.

Alpine Canada's Train to Train equipment guide adds that all skiers should use protective gear when training in gates: shin guards, mouthguard or helmet chin guard, pole and arm guards, and a back protector.

Sources: ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 and ltad.alpinecanada.org/stages/train-to-train/equipment.

Alpine Canada's Policy for Coach Accreditation (last revised September 1, 2022, so older than the 2026-27 rules) places Development Level (DL) coaches with U14 and U16 athletes, who are at the "Learn to Train" and "Train to Train" stages. All coaches must be licensed annually by ACA-CSC.

• First-time hire: DL Trained or EL Certified (or Level 2 Certified under the old system). An EL Certified coach has a maximum of 12 months to attain DL Trained.
• Re-hire: DL Certified (or Level 2 Certified with a history of relevant professional development). A coach must attain DL Certified within 24 months of completing the DL course; provincial bodies may shorten this.
• Best practice: DL Certified Advanced.

Coach in charge at major competitions:

• U14 Provincial Games: DL Trained or Level 2 Certified
• U14 Provincial Championships: EL Certified, DL Trained or Level 2 Certified
• U16 Provincial Championships: DL Certified, PL Trained or Level 3 Certified
• U16 Nationals, Whistler Cup, Canada Winter Games and Topolino: DL Certified, PL Trained or Level 3 Certified

Sources: Alpine Canada Policy for Coach Accreditation (alpinecanada.org/coach/resources/documents); alpinecanada.org/coach/pathway/development-level.

Under the ACA-CSC Licensing Policy (revised August 2024), a Development Level coach (Trained, Certified or Advanced Certified, or Level 2 under the old system) must:

• Pay the annual renewal dues
• Complete 4 ongoing education credits (ED) and 1 risk management credit (RM)
• Sign off on the ACA Code of Conduct (annually)
• Have a current criminal background screen on file (every 2 years)
• Sign the release waiver (annually)
• Complete Safe Sport training (every 2 years)
• Sign the Rowan's Law acknowledgement form (Ontario coaches only)

Credits: 1 ED credit is a half day (four hours) on snow or indoors, or one hour of online eLearning or webinar. 1 RM credit is at least one hour of ski-racing-specific risk management content, including safe sport or UCCMS 5.1 training.

Timelines: the licensing cycle runs September 1 to August 31. Credits earned February 1 to August 31 count for both the current and next cycle. Coaches working with athletes must be "Licensed" by January 31 at the latest to stay in good standing. Suggested earlier deadlines include November 30 for seasonal part-time coaches (earlier if on snow before December 1).

Source: ACA-CSC Licensing Policy, August 2024 (alpinecanada.org/coach/resources/documents).

Under the ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 (215 Entries):

• FIS Children (CHI) races: the PTSO submits the FIS Entry form, completed FIS athlete declarations and copies of passports to raceentries@alpinecanada.org. The intent deadline is 21 days before the first Team Captains' meeting.
• Non-FIS races: PTSOs submit one FIS Entry form to raceentries@alpinecanada.org. The deadline is five days before the first Team Captains' meeting. Competitors should have a maximum of 120 national points on the current points list in at least one discipline; entry for athletes with more than 120 national points in all disciplines is at ACA or PTSO discretion.
• Entries abroad: only ACA can make entries for competitions out of Canada. Canadian athletes who enter, or attempt to enter, a race without valid permission from ACA face disciplinary action that can include financial sanctions, suspension from racing and revoking of the FIS licence.
• National points: a NAT codex can be assigned to a race for U14 and older; races with a REC codex give no national points.

Source: ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27 (alpinecanada.org/official/resources/documents).

The National Competition Rules 2026-27 (Officials section) set these qualifications for non-FIS races:

• Non-FIS technical races: Referee must be CSC Entry Level (Trained) and a Level 2 Official, or a PTSO Technical Delegate. Technical Delegate is a PTSO Technical Delegate. Chief of Race, Start Referee and Finish Referee are Level 2 Officials.
• Non-FIS speed races: Referee must be CSC Development Level (Trained) and a Level 2 Official, or a PTSO Speed Technical Delegate. Assistant Referee has the same requirement except CSC coach certification is not mandatory. Technical Delegate is a PTSO Speed Technical Delegate.

To be recognized as a certified official, a person must be registered as a member of a PTSO and maintain that registration every year, and must meet the safe sport standards for their certification level. Level 1 and 2 certification lasts three years initially. Level 2 needs 4 race days in a 3-year period and an update every 2 years (the update is at the discretion of the PTSO Officials Chair).

Source: ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27, Officials (alpinecanada.org/official/resources/documents).

Alpine Canada's Concussion Safety Policy (May 2024; board approved December 2022) sets these rules:

• Immediate removal: once a suspected concussion or concussion symptom is reported, the athlete is immediately removed from competition or training and evaluated by medical or paramedical staff (physiotherapists, athletic therapists, physicians) following the latest SCAT form.
• Return: an athlete suspected of a concussion or traumatic head injury cannot take part again until evaluated and cleared by an Alpine Canada physician trained in concussive head injuries. Where the athlete, parent, coach, other staff or outside medical professionals disagree, the final decision rests with the team's lead physician.
• Duty to report: all staff, volunteers and athletes must report suspected concussions. Athletes report to coaches and support staff, and coaches report to the medical staff and Alpine Canada head office.
• Red flags: any red flag on the Concussion Recognition Tool activates the Emergency Action Plan.
• No concussion found: staff, coaches and the athlete share responsibility for monitoring for delayed symptoms for up to 48 hours.
• Education: staff must complete concussion training relevant to their role, and athletes receive recognition and treatment training at their first pre-season camp or on joining.

The policy refers to a separate Concussion Treatment and Return to Sport Protocol for the return steps, which it does not set out.

Sources: Alpine Canada Concussion Safety Policy (alpinecanada.org/safe-sport).

No. Alpine Canada's Policy on Smelling Salts (ammonia inhalants), dated May 2026, prohibits the possession, distribution or use of smelling salts by athletes, staff, volunteers or service providers during all Alpine Canada business, activities and events, including competitions, practices and training camps. The National Competition Rules 2026-27 (205.2.1-CAN) point to this policy.

The policy also says:

• Smelling salts must not be used for any athlete with a suspected head or neck injury or altered consciousness. Immediate removal from activity and medical assessment under the Concussion Policy is required.
• They must not be used as a performance or arousal aid in any circumstance.
• They are not to be stocked in first aid kits, medical rooms, service vehicles or athlete luggage.
• Coaches must enforce the prohibition, remove any products found and escalate suspected concussion per protocol. The product must be confiscated and the incident documented.
• Violations may lead to disciplinary action under the Code of Conduct.

Sources: Alpine Canada Policy on Smelling Salts, May 2026 (alpinecanada.org/safe-sport) and ACA National Competition Rules 2026-27.