Is my child good enough to attend the race training?
Kandahar Racing provides race training, not a ski school service. Therefore children are expected to be capable of independently skiing around the mountain. They should be able to ski on a variety of terrain types including; steep, bumpy, powder, icy or slushy pistes, and should be capable of using all kinds of ski lifts on their own, including chairlifts. They do not need to have previous race experience and they do not need to have great technique, that’s our job to improve! Nor do they need to be super fast, all we ask is that they have a willingness to learn and want to ski fast! We recommend contacting the Mürren Ski School if you have a child who is not quite at the required standard for race training.
Is my child old enough to attend the race training?
We typically offer junior race training to children aged 8-18 years. In exceptional circumstances we can accept children as young as 7 years. The determining factor is whether your child is mature enough to look after themselves (as part of a group) for a day of race training on the mountain from 0900-1530hrs. Can they be trusted to use chairlifts unassisted? Can they be trusted to ‘loop’ around a lift with a buddy while their coach is giving feedback to the group on the training course? Are they good at following coaches instructions? Are they able to look after all their own kit and equipment? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you can consider your child old enough to join the training. We recommend contacting the Mürren Ski School if you have a child who is not quite old enough to join our race training.
Am I as an adult good enough to attend race training?
If you are able to confidently ski on a variety of types of terrain and snow conditions (steep, undulating, icy, bumpy, powder etc), if you have a desire to improve your skills and technique, and if you’re keen to ski faster - then you are good enough to join our race training. There’s absolutely no need to have any prior race experience, nor do you need to have great technique. Our coaches are here to help you improve, and give you the exhilarating opportunity of training in the gates. The adult training is ideal for those keen to train ahead of the Inferno or AICC race weeks, for Mums & Dads who want to keep up with their kids, for anyone who wants to improve their overall skiing ability, or simply for those who just want to ski fast in a safe environment!
What does the weekly programme look like and what are the timings?
Typically, the weeks training programme includes 6 days of on-snow race training from Sunday until Friday. The week kicks off with welcome drinks at the Kandahar Clubhouse on Saturday evening where participants and families already in Mürren can get to know each other and meet the coaching team. The training days begin at 0900hrs when groups meet their coaches at the bottom of the Allmendhubelbahn. Race training happens from 0900-1530hrs each day, with a break for lunch from 1200-1300hrs (please provide money or packed lunches for junior trainees). The training programme depends on the standard of the trainees and the snow/weather conditions at the time, but it will typically include; technique, skills, drills, all-mountain free-ski (not off piste), GS gates, SL gates, stubbie gates, Pro SL training (head-to-head), race simulation (electronic timing), and an end of camp race day if there are enough trainees to justify it. Parents are asked to collect their children from the Gondelbar (beside Hotel Jungfrau) at 1530hrs at the end of each day. There are also family friendly afternoon/evening activities that include; curling, tobogganing, clubhouse drinks, video analysis and ski prep lessons.
Do I need to be a member of Kandahar Ski Club to attend?
No. Our training is provided for the benefit of KSC members, but it is open to anyone and is an excellent introduction to the club should you want to consider joining in future.
What qualifications do the coaches hold?
All our coaching staff hold a minimum of UKCP or BASI level 2 qualifications. These ski qualifications include first aid, enhanced DBS and child protection requirements. Safeguarding information and policies can be viewed here.
What kit and equipment do I need?
The full recommended kit list can be viewed here. Helmets are mandatory for all trainees. Ideally trainees should have SL and GS skis, but if you only have one pair that’s no problem. There’s no need to have K team jackets, but we do encourage all trainees to wear any Kandahar kit they may own. If you’d like to buy Kandahar kit please see this link here. You can also hire all the kit you might need from a variety of ski hire shops in the village, including Abegglen Sport and Intersport.
How do I get to Mürren?
The Jungfrau Region has excellent public transport connections for whichever mode of transport you want to use. Mürren is a car-free village that can only be reached from Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg by cable-car. More travel information can be viewed here, and a map can also be found at the bottom of this page.
Where are the best places to stay?
We have a summary of the best hotels in Mürren here, but for a more in depth overview of the accommodation options please visit the Mürren tourist information website accommodation page.
Where can I buy lift passes?
Mürren is part of the Jungfrau Ski Region. Tickets can either be purchased upon arrival at the cable car stations, or online here.
What insurance do I need?
Anyone attending our training camps must have comprehensive winter sports insurance that covers ski racing, ski race training and mountain helicopter recovery. Snowsport England, MPI Brokers and Ski-Insurance all provide this level of cover.
Do I have to complete the medical consent form?
Yes. Please make sure you have completed an online medical consent form. Also, please don’t forget that you’ll need a valid passport and a valid GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card).
What is ‘inlier’ and ‘outlier’ training?
We currently operate outlier training camps that require parents/guardians to arrange all travel, accommodation, meals and lift passes for their children. K Racing staff have responsibility for children during training hours only (usually 0900-1530hrs + any afternoon activities). Parents/guardians are agreeing to their children being bound by K Racing’s full T&C’s, our athletes code of conduct, our parents code of conduct, our anti-bullying policy and our disciplinary procedures during training hours and activities. Outside these hours parents/guardians have full responsibility for their children. Parents/guardians of outliers must ensure that children are dropped off at the agreed meeting time/location each morning and must ensure that they are present at the agreed collection time/location each afternoon to pick up their children. Late drop-offs and collections negatively impacts the training of others in the group.
Inlier training camps are what K Racing used to operate in the past. We do aspire to again offer inlier training camps in the future, however this isn’t an option at present. Inlier training camps are where K Racing offer a package that includes; training, accommodation, meals, lift passes, and airport transfers. Flights are not included, but specified flights where staff can accompany trainees are identified in advance.