The West Mountain School (WMS), West Mountain's recently re-organized 501(c)(3), carries on a long and proud tradition of supporting ski racing and education through ski racing for the kids on West Mountain Racing's team. WMS plays a multifaceted roll engaging in fundraising and promotion of ski racing at West Mountain providing many of the supporting elements such as equipment safety and technica
l, financial scholarships and fostering a sense of community and volunteer service. WMS believes a child who participates in athletics is more likely to be happy and healthy while becoming well-rounded and acquiring many skills and disciplines that will allow she or he to realize their goals and dreams throughout their lifetime. WMS's belief and mission is rooted in the following facets and nuances of the sport of ski racing: Ski racing unlike many other sports is one that requires the athlete to stand up alone in the start gate while looking down a gauntlet of twists and turns that occur at a high rate of speed, challenging that racer mentally and physically and finally emotionally as their time is announced and posted for everyone to see. These characteristics of the sport of ski racing develop competitiveness, instinct, courage, toughness mental and physical, introspection and self reflection as well as coping skills for dealing with the emotional swings of success and failure in ski racing and life. Ski racing with its individualism also has a strong team element with the support the kids give each other and the friendships and memories that last a lifetime. Ski racing also helps families grow and spend time together as the parents and child deal with the big commitment to the sport from equipment preparation to training and of course results. Lastly and certainly not least is the bond of racer and coach that emphasizes a never give up tenacity, physical and mental preparedness, learning the skill of how to listen and learn and how one's success and improvement comes incrementally with hard work, focus and time. In closing, WMS's mission through ski racing is to create a venue and opportunity for our kids that fosters fun, growth, challenges and self-worth, developing tomorrow's leaders and contributors.
