This team is comprised of U10s who have been skiing with a coach and/or have some experience with ski racing. If an athlete meets the age requirement but has no prior racing experience, we recommend enrolling in the Intro or Flow programs. Coaches will transition skiers between groups as determined by ability and general mountain awareness.
The Alpine Race Team will spend at least 80% of the time all-mountain skiing and 20% training in gates and developing race skills. This team strictly follows the USSA Training guidelines for athlete development.
Training Options
Available tracking: 3 Days, 4 Days, and 5 Days
- Skill Development & Focus
Our curriculum focuses on the continued development of sound ski and race fundamentals by skiing a variety of terrain and utilizing targeted drills that refine linked carved turns. Athletes will hone tactical race skills such as gate blocking, line selection, course inspection, and terrain anticipation.
Coaches use a wide variety of course sets, snow conditions, and terrain structures to teach athletes to adapt dynamically to different situations. Athletes will actively ski all areas of the mountain, including hike-to areas and terrain parks.
- Races & Competitions
Athletes are strongly encouraged to compete in at least 3 races per winter season.
- Local Club Series Races: Offer an abundance of race experience and are highly inexpensive to enter. More information is found here.
- USSA Races: The next progression tier for athletes. These competitive events require a competitor's license. Athletes on this track compete in the North Series. The USSA Race Schedule can be found here.
Competition Licenses: Licenses are not required for local Club Series races. A USSA Competitor Membership for U10 is $100. Please visit ussa.org for current fee information and schedules.- Skiing Equipment Requirements
- Skis & Tuning One pair of dedicated race skis and one pair of powder skis are required. Athletes should begin to actively develop tuning skills at this stage.Ski Boots Proper boot fit and appropriate flex are absolutely critical for performance. The boot must flex cleanly and respond accurately as it interacts with the ski plate.Ski Poles GS standard length is required. SL-pole guards are needed for blocking and impact protection. SL poles may be run slightly shorter than GS lengths.
Safety Protection: Head, arm, hand, shoulder, back, teeth (mouth guard), and shin protection are highly recommended, dictated by the specific race event parameters.
Avalon Safety Beacons: Avalanche safety beacons are strictly required only when free skiing out-of-bounds / out of the ski resort boundary lines.
- Dryland Schedule & Conditioning
Riders are highly encouraged to participate in the GTSSF Trampoline sessions hosted at the Teton Indoor Sports Academy. Structured workouts include gymnastics, trampoline training, and tumble track work to maximize spatial awareness.
Athletes are also highly encouraged to attend the formal Club Strength Training Program
- Schedules
* Discounted Add-On Days: Discounted add-on days are available where marked.
** Daylight Schedule Adjustments: Program times are adjusted for seasonal daylight. The full daily schedule is accessible online below.
Track Conditions: If a groomed track is not available on the first day of practice due to snow conditions, practices will be varied until a groomed track or on-snow activities become available.
Program & Discipline Duration Season Days Hours ALPINE WINTER SESSION Alpine Flow (U6 & U8) 14 Weeks December – March Sunday* 9:00am – 12:30pm Alpine Flow 16 Weeks December – March Sunday* 8:30am – 2:00pm Alpine Race 20 Weeks November – March Fri – Sun 8:30am – 12:30pm
Weekday Training: Tue, Thu, & Fri @ 1:00pm – 4:00pmFREERIDE WINTER SESSION Freeride Flow Same parameters as Alpine Flow Freeride Team 16 Weeks December – March Fri – Sun 8:30am – 2:00pm
Note: Fridays run from 11:00pm – 4:00pmSNOWBOARD WINTER SESSION Snowboard Flow (U12) 16 Weeks December – March Sunday* 9:00am – 12:30pm Snowboard Team 16 Weeks December – March Fri – Sun 8:30am – 2:00pm
Note: Fridays run from 11:00pm – 4:00pmCROSS COUNTRY WINTER SESSION XC Flow (U6 & U8) 11 Weeks January – March Saturday 3:00pm – 4:00pm XC Flow (U8 & U12) 14 Weeks December – March Thursday / Saturday Afternoons* ** XC Flow (U14 & U18) 14 Weeks December – March Tues / Wed / Thurs Afternoons* ** XC Prep 16 Weeks December – March Tues / Wed / Thurs Afternoons* ** XC Comp 16 Weeks November – March Monday / Friday Afternoons* ** Registration Notice: Register now for Cross Country programming with complete flexibility. A full refund is available up until the second week of scheduled practices.- Participant Details
Age Classifications
Alpine & XC Teams: You must be under the listed age number as of January 1. For example, a U8 athlete would need to be 7 by January 1.Freeride & Snowboard Teams: You must be under the listed age number as of December 31. For example, a U8 athlete would need to be 7 by December 31.Volunteer Work Deposit
Each family is required to purchase one refundable work deposit each season before completing athlete registration. Positive parental support is core to our program, and families are encouraged to get involved and volunteer. The deposit is credited at the end of the year if volunteer hours are fulfilled.
Volunteer Opportunities Include: Golf Tournament, Movie Night, Ski Swap, Donor Functions & Events, Races, Competitions, and fun events such as the Surf Classic. It is perfectly fine if the event does not directly correlate with your athlete's current program.
Coach to Athlete Goals Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation follows recommended PSIA, US Ski & Snowboard, and USSA guidelines. Our goal is to maintain 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 the resort. Nordic participants are required to have a Teton Valley Trails & Pathways Nordic Sticker; a Grand Targhee Resort Nordic pass is encouraged.Holiday Schedule & Make-Up Sessions 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 friends and family. We intend to provide make-up days for all participants based on schedules. Look for an email from our coordinator with make-up session opportunities.Transportation
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, and travel expenses are not included in program fees. Please review the Grand Targhee Shuttle page for travel options.
Payment, Plan, & Refund Policies
If an athlete anticipates participation in multiple competitions over the course of a single season, that family may prefer to set up a monthly or bi-weekly payment plan to cover 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.