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The D-Team (also known as Junior Race) program is a youth ski program (ages 6 to 18) that teaches alpine skiing skills and race technique.

Our typical practice includes 1/2 the time working on skiing fundamentals and honing skills by doing skiing drills on the snow and 1/2 the time applying these skills in practice race courses with coaching feedback.    

The D in D-Team stands for Development because we develop skills and children do not need ski racing experience to join the program.  They do need to be able to ride all lifts independently and ski with confidence on all the hills at Hyland.     

Also, the team members must be able to participate in a group setting and for safety reasons, they must stay connected with their groups during practice times and at races.   

A few of the great things about this program are:

  • Kids have FUN
  • Kids get to be really good skiers by virtue of the racing aspect - this creates more precise skiing skills.
  • Kids make friends from areas outside of their school.
  • Kids get introduced to ski competition in a friendly environment which adds to the FUN.
  • Kids get to ski at other ski areas with new terrain and bigger hills.
  • Did we say FUN?  Yes, it's all about FUN.

Updated Ski Skill Requirements for Participation

Attention returning and incoming families please review our clarified statement on ski requirements for joining the D-Team. 

Due to the reality of the terrain available to us for practice it is imperative that racers joining Lake State Alpine Racing have adequate ski experience that enables them to do the following independently: 

  • Put on and take off skis and poles
  • Load and unload the chairlift safely
  • Ski the North Side of Hyland Hills in control with turns (Big Moe, French Cliff, Skyline)

Adequate ski experience may look like 1 year of dedicated ski lessons with another program or ski school, or 2 years of ski experience with family and friends. If you have questions or concerns regarding your racer's experience please reach our via email: ethan@lakestatealpineracing.com or feel free to call (608) 514-4980


Practices

During registration  families will identify which practices they plan to attend. This question is not a final commitment, but a way for us to get an estimate of how many racers could attend each night.

  • ALL racers can attend ALL practices. 
  • Tuesday Night, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
  • Thursday Night, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
  • Saturday Morning 8:00 - 10:00 AM

Races

Beginning in January our team will attend races at several Minnesota Ski Areas including:

  • Afton Alps (Afton, MN)
  • Coffee Mill (Wabasha, MN)
  • Detroit Mountain (Detroit Lakes, MN)
  • Hyland Hills (Bloomington, MN)
  • Mt. Ski Gull (Nisswa, MN)

The majority of races are held on Saturdays with exception for Sunday options at Afton Alps and our Friday night home race at Hyland Hills held in February. Races are attended by other regional DTeams which creates a positive and uplifting environment focused on personal improvement and fun rather than social comparison. All racers are encouraged to attend races regardless of prior race experience. Families may elect to attend any and all races throughout the season as their schedule and needs permit


Register Here

Before you register, please:

  • Have your insurance information and  emergency/medical contacts ready
  • Know that you can register multiple kids in one session
  • An approximate 3.4% registration fee will be added by Sports Engine to cover credit card processing and service fee.  
  • season pass at Hyland Hills and lift tickets at race venues are required but NOT included in the pricing below. Kids can ski all season long at Hyland with their season passes!


after you register


Additional resources

Gear West

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Gear West is your headquarters for outfitting families in the finest alpine gear and equipment!  Gear West also offers tuning and mounting services.   Ask about special discounts for Lake State Alpine members!

Sun & Slope

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Their goal is to provide customers with a fun and unique shopping experience. Robin and Jim plan to provide a great selection of quality merchandise at fair prices to satisfy a wide range of customers. The Sun & Slope staff is friendly, fun, knowledgeable and plan to provide the best customer service available anywhere.

Wayzata Pet Hospital

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Wayzata Pet Hospital is a full service veterinary hospital that has been taking care of pets in the Wayzata, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Long Lake and surrounding area for over 30 years.  We are here for all your pet's needs including preventative and wellness care, surgeries, dental care and house calls.

Network Print Authority

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Putting a project into print may be the last step in a creative process but it’s also the first step to permanence. Network Print Authority has 30 years’ experience making your newest statement ready for consumption. We think about the right tools for the job, matching equipment to project, maximizing efficiency and lowering prices.

Pierce Skate and Ski

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Pierce Skate and Ski has been serving skiers and skaters in the Twin Cities since 1936.  Pierce has full lines of race/recreational equipment, skiwear and mounting/tuning services to meet the needs of the entire family.  Ask about member discounts when visiting their store in Bloomington!

Luther Bloomington Subaru

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Looking for a new Subaru dealership near St. Paul, MN or the Minneapolis, MN area? If so, it is likely that our team at Bloomington Subaru is the answer. As a member of the Luther family of dealerships, our team benefits from over 65 years of experience in the automotive industry. Better yet, we are also still family-owned. So, whether you are shopping for a new Subaru for sale in Minnesota or are in need of another automotive service, we have you covered.