The Snowbasin Freeride Program focuses on the International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association’s (IFSA) five fundamentals of freeride: Line Choice, Control, Technique, Fluidity, and Style and Energy. The Freeride Team develops skills in foundational ski techniques, air awareness, terrain assessment, risk assessment, decision making in regards to ability, decision making in a competition setting, goal setting, and snow safety awareness. You will find our Freeride athletes skiing about 80-90% off piste and 10-20% on piste. 

Athletes are expected to have at least an intermediate to advanced all-mountain skiing ability, an excitement for developing their freeskiing abilities and have skied most of the terrain at Snowbasin. Generally athletes are graduates of our Devo, Devo+ or All Mountain Ripper Programs with a coach recommendation for our Freeride Program. Any member or non-member may submit a Freeride Skier Ability Questionnaire to request a discussion about an athlete’s freeride team fit with our Freeride Program Director, Wynter McBride.

For training purposes, athletes will usually be arranged in groups of approximately 5-7 athletes per coach to facilitate a productive learning environment.  Groups are dynamic but are generally based on skill, speed, and social needs. The comp team is expected to compete in at least 2 IFSA Jr. competitions locally, with the opportunity to compete in more if they choose.

Athlete Ages 10–11 (birth years 2014 – 2013, available for 2015s with Program Approval)

Required Athletic Experience:

• Be an intermediate all-mountain skier 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:

• Snowbasin Ski Team Jacket, t-shirt and beanie

• Dryland 1x week for 8 weeks Sept – Nov

• Holiday Camp – 7 days over school winter break (Dec 21-23 and Dec 27-30)

• On-snow training: Dec 1st or Resort Opening – March 30th

• 6 Days Week Option available as an Alpine/Freeride Combo (see below)

Competitions:

• Required 2 sanctioned IFSA 2* competitions. Recommended 4-6 IFSA competition. 

• Summer Skiing: Recommended 10 days (May periodization rest period) June Mammoth Camp June 4-10th

• U12 Events: These fun and low-pressure events are designed to introduce riders under the age of 12 to competitive Freeriding with an emphasis on safety, community, and sportsmanship. They are unseeded, meaning registration is first come, first served. Further, they award no points towards any ranking system.

  U12 IFSA Junior Freeride Championship: All U12 athletes who have participated in at least one IFSA-sanctioned event in the current season will receive an invitation to the U12 Championships. The U12 Freeride Championship is a celebration of these young athlete’s efforts and progression, and not part of an annual ranking system. 

Skill Development Focus

Mountain safety and snow safety awareness will be stressed and reinforced throughout the season. Athletes will work on the fundamentals of proper all-mountain technique, terrain and line assessment, steep-ski skill building.  The emphasis, as always, will be on having fun!  We are excited to provide a structured environment from which athletes can have a great time while nurturing a lifelong love of skiing.