Freeride u12 - Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation

FREERIDE (u12)

Winter Session, 16 Weeks – $1,180*
December – MARCH: Fri, Sat, and/or Sun

* Does not include volunteer deposit and other competition fees.
Rate is per day of program participation.

Freeride is designed for strong skiers who wish to focus on all-mountain skiing and learn skills in the terrain park.

The Freeride Team, U12 Program, provides an opportunity for young athletes the fundamental skills gained from participating in our Alpine Devo Team. Athletes on this team have goals to learn safety while expanding their abilities as big mountain skiers, and to want to explore the Tetons through hiking and skiing more challenging lines. This team will have more focus on off-piste skills, competition, and air awareness. Freeride athletes will develop a love for skiing while learning to ski all-mountain terrain and snow conditions. Athletes may also be interested in trying a competition or two. Training will be conducted in and outside of the terrain park, however, our program focuses on big mountain, freeride, and terrain park skiing. Coaches will emphasize proper skiing technique and consistency when executing maneuvers in the air, on rails, and boxes in and out of the terrain park. Additionally, coaches work on good decision-making, positive self-talk, work ethic, perseverance, task-oriented skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. They will encourage the use of imagery and visualization. This program is designed to help athletes find a focus in skiing. Athletes must graduate with coach approval from Ski Rec and Devo in order to register for this program.

Skill Development & Focus

Emphasis will be on responsible and realistic decision-making in big mountain scenarios and technical focus in the terrain park. Focus on technique and proper movement patterns. Ability to execute a carved turn and explore off-axis trampoline skills.

Athletes should be comfortable in terrain parks and all-mountain skiing.

Races

Introduction to competitions at local and travel events. Athletes are encouraged to compete in fun-focused local and travel events. Local Events offer lots of comp experience, are inexpensive to enter, and an excellent way to meet new peers.

IFSA Schedule is here.
Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club events information is found here.
Grand Targhee events are here.
Snow King events here.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort events here.

Equipment

Skis: One pair of all mountain skis, potentially another pair of pow skis.
Boots: Proper fit with good flex. There is no extra space in the shin area.
Poles: GS standard length. SL-pole guard for blocking and protection, the pole may be slightly shorter.
Protection: Helmets are required. Head, arm, hand, shoulder, shin, back, and teeth (mouth guard) protection is highly recommended. Back protection (back protector) is required for competition practice and event days.
Avalanche Equipment: A beacon*, probe, shovel, and a board carry backpack.
All Avalanche Equipment is required for out-of-bounds or slack country travel. Coaches have no discretionary options for athletes with either missing or improperly maintained AVY equipment.
*Ortovox avalanche kits are available for rent through GTSSF. Contact GTSSF if you need to rent a beacon.

Competition Licenses

IFSA Rules & Handbook is here.
IFSA competition membership sign up is located here, IFSA Competition Membership
* see Freeskiers.org for current pricing information

Academy Program

Riders can participate in the mid-week Academy Program offerings.

Dryland Schedule

Riders are highly encourage to participate in the GTSSF Trampoline sessions at Teton Indoor Sports Academy. Workouts include: gymnastics, trampoline and tumble track.

Athletes are also highly encouraged to attend the Strength Training Program.
*One session of each Trampoline and Strength Training are included in this program

ALPINE WINTER SESSION

SKI FUN’DAMENTALS	14 Weeks	Dec 8-March	9:00am-12:30pm	Sunday
ALPINE	16 Weeks	Dec 8-March	8:30am-2:00pm	Sunday
ALPINE RACE	16 Weeks	Dec 6-March	8:30am - 12:30pm	Fri-Sun

ALPINE RACE WEEKDAY TRAINING - Tues, Thurs, & Fri 1:00pm-4:00pm
SKI FUN'DAMENTALS ONLY - No Training 12/29 & 2/16

FREERIDE WINTER SESSION

SKI FUN’DAMENTALS	14 Weeks	Dec 8 - March	9:00am-12:30pm	Sunday
FREERIDE DEVO	16 Weeks	Dec 8 - March	8:30am-2:00pm	Sunday
FREERIDE	16 Weeks	Dec 6 - March	8:30am-2:00pm	Fri - Sun

SKI FUN'DAMENTALS ONLY - No Training 12/29 & 2/16

SNOWBOARD WINTER SESSION

BOARD FUN’DAMENTALS	14 Weeks	Dec 8 - March	9:00am-12:30pm	Sunday
SNOWBOARD DEVO	16 Weeks	Dec 8 - March	8:30am-2:00pm	Sunday
SNOWBOARD TEAM	16 Weeks	Dec 6 - March	8:30am-2:00pm	Fri - Sun

BOARD FUN'DAMENTALS ONLY - No Training 12/29 & 2/16

CROSS COUNTRY WINTER SESSION - Register now with a full refund until the second week of programming.

XC FUN’DAMENTALS	11 Weeks	January - March	2:30pm - 3:30pm	Saturday
XC Devo	14 Week	December - March	Afternoons**	Thursday / Saturday
XC Prep	16 Weeks	December - March	Afternoons**	Tuesday / Thursday
XC Comp	16 Weeks	November - March	Afternoons**	Monday / Friday

*Register now with a full refund until the second week of programming.
**The program has times adjust for daylilght, and the full schedule is available online, below.
If groomed track is not available on the first day of practice due to snow conditions, practices will be varied until groomed track/on snow activities are available.

Detailed Nordic Schedule

Ages for Alpine & XC Teams

Ages: You are under the listed age number as of Jan 1. A U8 athlete would need to be 7 by January 1.

Ages for Freeride & Snowboard Teams

Ages: You are under the listed age number as of Dec 31. A U8 athlete would need to be 7 by December 31.

Volunteer Work Deposit

Each family is required one refundable work deposit each season.
Purchase your Volunteer Work Deposit before your complete your athlete registration. Positive parental support is core to our program. Families are encouraged to get involved with activities and volunteer. The deposit is credited at the end of the year if volunteer hours are fulfilled.

Volunteer Opportunities Include any of our events. Events, including: Golf Tournament, Movie Night, Ski Swap, Donor Functions & Events, Races, Competitions, Fun Events such as Surf Classic. You may not be able to find an event coorealted with your athletes current program, that is ok.

Program Coach to Athlete Goals

Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation follows the recommended PSIA, US Ski & Snowboard, and USSA guidelines. Our goal is to have an athlete to coach ratio that does not exceed 7 athletes per coach.

Ski Passes

Pass prices are not included in GTSSF program fees. Grand Targhee Resort passes must be purchased directly through Grand Targhee Resort. Athletes participating in Nordic are required to have a Teton Valley Trails & Pathways Nordic Sticker. A Grand Targhee Resort, Nordic pass is encouraged.

GTSSF will not be hosting programs on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day, so our coaches and families can enjoy that time with their family and friends. We do intend to provide make-up days for all participants for those three days based on coaches' and athletes' schedules. Look for an email from our coordinator with opportunities for make-up sessions.

Event Transportation

GTSSF vans will be available for the winter season. Shuttles or other rides will be coordinated by coaches and race parents based on where athletes attend school and the needs of other teams. Transportation is never 100% guaranteed. Travel expenses are not included in program fees.

Payment Plans

If an athlete anticipates participation in multiple competitions over the course of a single season, that family may prefer to set up a payment plan monthly or bi-weekly to cover the estimated costs. An additional invoice will be sent after each event for any balance owed to account for the difference between the deposit and the actual cost. GTSSF does not mark up any event costs.

Payment Policies

GTSSF payment policies can be found in our Parent Handbook, available online here.

Refund Policies

GTSSF refund policies can be found in our Parent Handbook, available online here.