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The handbook for current families. Everything below is a permanent reference — bookmark it, or paste a section link straight into TeamSnap.
What to Expect
A season runs November to March. Here is the shape of it.
- November: Dryland
Off-snow conditioning on Mondays and Wednesdays. Nothing technical, no skis, no experience needed. This is where the team comes together before the hill opens.
- Late November to December: On snow
Monday practice at Mt. Brighton, 4:00 to 6:00 PM, from the end of November, with Wednesday dryland continuing until the hill opens. Athletes learn to run gates. Newer racers spend these weeks getting comfortable, not fast.
- January to February: Racing
Two races a week, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, plus Monday practice. Every athlete races every week; there is no bench in ski racing.
- February to March: Postseason
Regionals for the whole team, then the SEMSL Championship and the State Finals for qualifiers, then the March banquet. The season ends on a high note regardless of results.
Key Facts
The details people look up more than once.
- Team
- PCEP Canton United — one varsity alpine team across Plymouth, Canton, and Salem.
- League
- Mt. Brighton High School Ski Association (MBHSSA). The SEMSL Championship is a separate qualification-only event, not our regular season.
- Venue
- Mt. Brighton, 4141 Bauer Road, Brighton, MI 48116 — about 30 minutes from Canton.
- Head coach
- Rob Turmell
- Practices
- Dryland is on Mondays and Wednesdays from mid-November. On-snow practice starts at the end of November and is on Mondays, 4:00 to 6:00 PM, through mid-February, with Wednesday dryland continuing until the hill opens. No practice over winter break. Exact dates are on the schedule.
- Races
- League races are Tuesday and Thursday evenings through January. The postseason follows in February. Exact dates are on the schedule.
- Volunteering
- Each athlete's family is expected to take part in two team volunteer activities per season.
- Competitions
- Four each season: the MBHSSA league, the KLAA Championship, MHSAA Division 1 Region 3, and the SEMSL Championship for qualifiers.
- Postseason
- MHSAA Division 1, Region 3 for the whole team, then the SEMSL Championship and the State Finals for qualifiers. Both venues rotate year to year; check the calendar.
- Communication
- TeamSnap for day-to-day scheduling and carpools.
Key Documents
- One-page season schedule, 2026-27 PDF · Race dates are the league's tentative schedule and may change.
- Subscribe to the team calendar Practices, races and events in Google, Apple or Outlook. Updates automatically.
Costs & Gear
Full cost breakdown, what the team provides, what you bring, and where to buy used.
Race Day
What Does a Race Night Look Like?
Arrive 90 minutes early, inspect the course, and warm up. Racers take two runs, and combined time decides your finish. Plan on 2.5-3 hours.
What Is Slalom?
Short, quick turns through tight gates. A run takes 25-40 seconds.
What Is Giant Slalom?
Longer carving turns through wider gates, with more speed.
How Does Team Scoring Work?
The top four individual times score for varsity. JV races for times and experience.
Forms & Registration
- 01Team Info Night: Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM, Canton High School, Room 305 (Phase III). Skiers from all three schools welcome — bring your family.
- 02Complete Canton Athletics FinalForms, including the sports physical.
- 03Register with the booster club.
- 04Get fitted for equipment.
Questions Parents Ask
Is ski racing safe?
Our coaches prioritize progression and safety — athletes learn gates at a pace matching their skill. Helmets are required for every practice and race. Injury rates in high school ski racing are lower than in many contact sports.
What if my kid has never raced?
Perfect. Most of our athletes start with zero racing experience. We have a full JV program for newer racers, and our coaches meet every athlete where they are. If they can ski a blue run, they can learn to race.
What's the time commitment?
Two dryland sessions a week in November, then Monday practice plus Wednesday dryland until the hill opens. Once racing starts in January, expect one practice and two race nights a week. Weekends are generally free.
How does transportation work?
Families handle transportation to Mt. Brighton for practices and races. Carpools are organized early in the season via TeamSnap. Brighton is about 30 minutes from Canton.
Does this earn a varsity letter?
Yes. This is an MHSAA-sanctioned varsity sport. Athletes who meet participation minimums earn a varsity letter. Standard MHSAA academic eligibility rules apply.
Can I volunteer as a parent?
Yes, and we need you! Race-day gate judging, timing, and course setup are all parent-powered. Training is provided. Typical commitment: one 2-hour shift per race night.
Are there volunteer requirements?
Yes — two team volunteer activities per season. The first is the Miracle League volunteer night on October 29; the second will be announced for December.
Is there extra training available outside team practice?
Yes — XLR8 Alpine Racing, a 501(c)(3) race program based at Mt. Brighton, the same hill we train on. Their high school program runs Saturday and Sunday mornings, 9am to noon, which roughly doubles an athlete's weekly training time.
It is optional, but we recommend it — every racer on our team has trained with XLR8 for the past three seasons.
Fees and registration are handled by XLR8 directly, not by the booster club. Details at skixlr8.com.
Still stuck?
Email pcepskiboosters@gmail.com. Someone on the board reads it.