ALPINE/FREERIDE COMBO U12 - U14

Comprised of U12 and U14 (birth year 2011-2014)  athletes, this program is an immersive 4 or 6 day/week winter program that encompasses the passions of both alpine & freeride.  It is designed to teach fundamental skiing skills, ski racing techniques, as well as proper all-mountain technique, terrain and line assessment, and steep-ski skill building.  The South Series Alpine Races, one non-sanctioned inter-team competition and one sanctioned IFSA 2* event required.

For training purposes, athletes will usually be arranged in groups of approximately 5-7 per coach to facilitate a productive learning environment. Groups are dynamic but are generally based on skill, speed and social needs.

Athlete Age: 10 – 13 (Birth Years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) Birth year 2015 with approval.

Required Athletic Experience:

  • Be a competent skier on all blue terrain and in variable conditions.

  • Be able to manage their own equipment both on and off the hill. This includes:

    • Being responsible for and keeping track of equipment during practice.

    • Walking/hiking with equipment without adult support.

    • Dressing appropriately for variable weather.

  • Be a supportive and strong teammate.

Program Includes:

  • SSEF Team Jacket, t-shirt and beanie

  • Dryland 1x week for 8 weeks Sept – Nov (as weather allows)

  • Holiday Camp – 5 days over school winter break

  • On-snow training, Dec 1st or Resort Opening  thru March 30th

  • 6 Day Team: Trains T/TH/Sat Freeride and W/F/Sun Alpine

  • 4 Day Team: Train T or Th/Sat Freeride and W or F/Sunday Alpine

  • Approval for this program must be obtained from both the Freeride Head Coach Wynter McBride (wynter@snowbasinskiteam.org) and Alpine Program Director Craig Haaser (Craig@snowbasinskiteam.org)

  • Training at Nordic W & Fri (as conditions permit & requires a Nordic Season Pass)

  • Coaching at South Series Races (NOT included: Race starts, Lift tickets & Coach Travel race expenses)

  • Coaching at Freeride Competitions is dictated by the total number of freeride athletes attending a specific comp

Skill Development Focus:

All-Mountain Safety: developing a consistent balanced athletic position on skis, proper weight distribution on skis, a consistent stance while maintaining balanced athletic position on skis. Athletes also learn timing,  upper body discipline and upper-lower body separation, upper body stability through the use of a single pole plant; and tactical elements of a giant slalom, slalom courses and freeride competitions.