SKI TEAM FAQs
I've never skied before, can I still be on the team?
Unfortunately, no. We require all athletes to have prior ski experience. They must be able to navigate a black diamond run in a timely manner. The team already encompasses a wide range of skill levels and we do not have the coaching staff to safely accommodate a beginner.
I've never raced before, can I still be on the team?
Yes! The majority of athletes on the team have no race experience prior to joining.
What are the academic eligibility requirements?
Student athletes must be enrolled in and passing 5 classes at all times. With block scheduling, the equivalent of 5 out of 8 semester classes is required. The student athlete must be making satisfactory progress toward graduation. See OSAA rule 8 and the LOSD Student/Parent Athletic Handbook section 6 for more information.
Who are the coaches?
Jacqui Monahan - Head Coach
10th year coaching, 6th year with Lakeridge
USSS Level 100 certified
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Steve Lantz - Assistant Coach
8th year coaching at Lakeridge
USSS Level 100 certified
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Maggie Settle - Assistant Coach
4th year coaching at Lakeridge
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Dean Fagan - Assistant Coach
2nd year coaching at Lakeridge
2023 Three Rivers Ski League Race Referee
Prior University of Oregon Ski Team Coach
What does dryland look like?
Dryland is mandatory and will run from mid-November until the last race. Not attending dryland during the week may mean you are not allowed to join the team for training on Thursday night. It can also impact your seed order for races. We have implemented a testing program that will inform how we build each work out. It will also help us set benchmarks and goals for strength and endurance improvement throughout the season.
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For the 2025 season, the dryland schedule is:
Monday 4:45 - 6:15 PM (starting November 18 - February 10)
Wednesday 3:45 - 5:15 PM (November 20 - February 19)
Friday 3:45 - 5:15 PM (November 22 - December 13)
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Dryland will be in the Lakeridge weight room and on the field/track.
How do training nights work?
All racers are granted early release on Thursdays at 2:30 PM. The bus arrives at 2:30 for loading and will leave at 2:45 PM. A list of athletes who are granted early release will be sent to all teachers. It is the responsibility of the athlete to communicate with their teacher, keep an eye on the time, and quietly excuse themselves from class at 2:30 PM.
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Pre-season training will focus on skill development with a combination of coached free skiing and drills. Once we get into January, the team will primarily be training in a course. The discipline that we are training will be confirmed earlier in the week.
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Coaches will already be on-hill when the bus gets to Meadows. The lane location will be communicated out via TeamSnap. We will train until approximately 8 PM. The team will help tear down the course, slip in the ruts, and carry gear to the coach car.
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Typically the bus will stop in Sandy for food. It is recommended that you bring either a sack dinner or money to purchase something.
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Anticipate the bus arriving back at Lakeridge around 10:30 PM.
How does the Hoodoo overnight work?
This year (2025), the Hoodoo race falls on Presidents' weekend. Midday on Saturday, the team will meet at the school to hop on the bus and head to Black Butte. The team has rented out a handful of large houses. There will be a chaperone in each home. Breakfast and dinner meal options will be provided as well as snacks that athletes can grab to hold them over on the mountain. (Food is available for purchase at Hoodoo as well).
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
12:00 PM: Depart for Black Butte Ranch on bus
4 PM: Check in and make dinner at houses
7 PM: Waxing and tuning skis in 2 of the houses
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
8 AM: Depart Black Butte Ranch for Hoodoo
9 AM – 3 PM: Team ski day at Hoodoo (athletes, coaches)
3 PM: Depart Hoodoo for Black Butte Ranch
Team dinner
7 PM: Waxing and tuning skis in 2 of the houses
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
7 AM: Pack up houses
7:45 AM: Depart Black Butte Ranch for Hoodoo
9 AM – 3 PM: Race day at Hoodoo (athletes, coaches)
3 PM: Depart Hoodoo for Lakeridge
6 PM: Arrive back at Lakeridge
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The cost of the Hoodoo overnight is included up front in the team fee. Money for lift tickets and additional lunch items (if desired) will be needed. Once the lift ticket price is confirmed, info will be sent out. The times listed above could change. Any changes will be communicated as soon as they are known.
How do the buses work?
A bus will pick up the team for each league race and each training night / day throughout the season. The team will be picked up and dropped off at Lakeridge High School unless otherwise noted. There is a 15 minute window to load all gear and people on the bus once it arrives at the school. It is very important to not make the bus (or your team) late - please arrive on time! The bus will leave the mountain once all athletes are accounted for. The bus departure times are estimates and may change day of depending on the race/training schedule. It is important for athletes to keep an eye on StudentSquare in case something changes. There is always one parent chaperone on the bus.
What if my athlete is taking the bus to the mountain, but not going home on it?
This is fine as long as it is clearly communicated with the bus chaperone, the head coach, and a team captain that will be riding the bus.
Why can't my athlete drive themselves to/from on-snow training and races?
This is a Three Rivers Ski League and OISRA rule. Athletes caught driving to/from training or races could be disqualified. If you have any additional questions regarding this, please contact Coach Jacqui.
What is the helmet rule?
You must have a hard-eared helmet for GS training and races. These helmets must be "FIS RH 2013" compliant. Without this certification sticker on the helmet, you will not be able to race or train.
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For more information and to see what the sticker looks like, check here.
How do I qualify for State?
Should Lakeridge qualify for State as a team on either the boys or girls side (or both), the coaches will make the decision regarding who will be on the State team and which discipline those racers will participate in. It is possible that a racer is invited to compete in the slalom but not the G.S. or vice versa. These are brutal decisions every year and the following are some of the items taken into consideration (in no particular order):
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Race results, finish rate, and attendance
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Training results and effort
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Dryland and training attendance
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Ability to race in ruts
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Contribution to the team time throughout the season
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Attitude and leadership
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Sportsmanship
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Seniority
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Academic eligibility
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Progression over the season
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Effort put into fostering a supportive team atmosphere
It has happened in the past where a racer with the “better” overall results from the season was not invited to State because another racer had significantly progressed over the season and at that point was a better racer and a more supportive teammate. This means that a racer who has been on Varsity all season is not guaranteed an invite to State. These decisions are not always cut and dry. We are willing to explain our reasoning but at the end of the day you must accept the decision that has been made.
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If either the boys team or girls team (or both) do not qualify for State as a team, it is possible that racers could qualify individually. If the league is allowed to send 4 teams to State, then they will also get to send 4 individuals for each discipline. This is determined by overall discipline standings. For example, if West Linn, LO, Lincoln, and Central Catholic qualify as teams, you would look at the overall GS individual standings and remove every racer associated with one of the qualifying teams. Then, you take the top 4 racers left and those are your GS individual qualifiers. This would be done for slalom as well.
What is the difference between the State season and the League season?
The Lakeridge Ski Team separates the “State season” from the “league season”. Membership on the team means that you are encouraged/welcomed/required to be at team trainings and events from November 13 until the last league race. For the 2024 season, that is February 25th. Starting February 26th, apart from the Three Rivers League end of year awards and the Lakeridge end of year team banquet, all dryland and on-snow training will be considered part of the “State season” and will only be open to the individuals that have qualified for the State Championship race.
How do I earn a Varsity letter?
Letters are awarded to individuals who start in at least half the Varsity races. If you are named to the State team, you will receive a letter. In specific situations, the head coach may use discretion in awarding a letter.