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 Competitive Team Members are expected to compete in at least 2 IFSA Jr. competitions locally, with the opportunity to compete in more if they choose. Most U15 athletes compete in 4-8 competitions during the season. U15 athletes can qualify for Junior Championships if they rank high enough in events throughout the season

Athlete Ages 12–14 (birth years 2012 – 2010)

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

Competitions:

•  Required 2 sanctioned IFSA 2* competitions.

• Recommended 4-6 IFSA competition

• Can participate in IFSA 3* events with adequate ranking.

• 2* Regional Series Events: These are the backbone of the IFSA Junior Tour. 2* events provide competitive opportunities to a variety of athlete types: new unseeded athletes, dedicated regional freeriders, and highly seeded local rippers. These events award points to Region 2 seeding and ranking systems, and use a hybrid seeded-timestamp registration process.

  3* National Series: In 2024, the IFSA will sanction ~16 3* events. 3*’s have been designed to provide high-level competitions for experienced athletes looking for the opportunity to compete with out of Region freeriders. These are multi-day competitions, held on more demanding venues fitting the performance level of the athletes involved. Registration is run entirely by seeding.

  IFSA Junior Freeride Championship 4*: An invitation only championship held each April - it’s the largest freeride event in the world. Invitations to JFC’s are based on an athlete's IFSA Ranking.  The points awarded at JFC’s will be used to calculate the overall IFSA Junior Champions in each U15 and U19 division.

Summer Skiing:

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

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.