Ever Been Skiing?
You Can Race.
No gate experience needed. No club team required. If you can ski, you belong on PCEP Canton United.
- Boys & Girls
- JV & Varsity
- Grades 9–12
Come Meet the Team
Team Info Night: Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM, Canton High School, Room 305 (Phase III). Skiers from all three schools welcome — bring your family.
Meet the coaches and the team, see the season schedule, and find out what racing involves. Bring your questions.
Season Schedule (PDF)You'd Be Joining a Competitive Program
Canton United has sent at least one athlete to the MHSAA Division 1 State Finals in every season of the program's existence. In 2025 our girls qualified as a team and finished 7th in Michigan; in 2026 three athletes qualified individually. We're four seasons old and already racing against the best in the state. You don't need experience to start here — but the ceiling is high.
One Team Across Three Schools
Any student at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park. One team across three schools.
What a Year Looks Like
- November Dryland
Monday and Wednesday off-snow conditioning. No ski experience needed yet.
- Late Nov to Dec On-Snow
Monday practice at Mt. Brighton, learning gates, plus Wednesday dryland until the hill opens.
- Jan to Feb Race Season
Two races a week, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, plus Monday practice. Every athlete races every week.
- Feb to Mar 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.
What It Costs
No surprises. Here is everything a season actually costs.
The 2026-27 athlete contribution is $800, set by membership vote in September. Mt. Brighton season pass pricing and a full-season estimate will be posted once confirmed. Questions: pcepskiboosters@gmail.com.
What You'll Need
The Team Provides
- Team jacket loaner.
- Gates, timing, and race bibs.
- Coaching and practice structure.
- Mt. Brighton team training access.
You Bring
- Skis — racing preferred, but any modern shaped ski works year one.
- Boots — fit matters more than brand.
- Helmet — required.
- Goggles — low-light lens for night races.
- Warm layers.
Buying gear for the first time? Check area ski swaps, Facebook Marketplace, and Play It Again Sports. Ask current parents — we've all been there.
How a Race Works
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.
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.
How to Sign Up
- 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.
Ready to Join?
We can't wait to meet you on the mountain.
Tell us your athlete's name, school and grade, and how much skiing they've done. No experience is fine — that's most of our team. We reply within 48 hours.
Team Info Night: Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM, Canton High School, Room 305 (Phase III). Skiers from all three schools welcome — bring your family.