This team is comprised of U12s who have been skiing with a coach for years, have at least three years in the sport, and experience with ski racing. The Alpine Race Team will spend at least 60% of the time all-mountain skiing and 40% training in gates and developing race skills. This team will follow the USSA Training guidelines for athlete development.
Training Options
Available tracking: 3 Days, 4 Days, and 5 Days
- Skill Development & Focus
Continued development of sound ski and race fundamentals by skiing a variety of terrain and through drills that refine linked carved turns. Athletes will hone tactical race skills such as gate blocking, line selection, course inspection, and terrain anticipation.
Coaches will use a variety of course sets, conditions, and terrain to teach athletes to adapt to different situations. Athletes will ski all areas of the mountain, including hike-to areas and the terrain park.
- Races & Competitions
Athletes are strongly encouraged to compete in at least 3 races per winter.
- Local Club Series Races: Offer lots of race experience and are inexpensive to enter. More information can be found here.
- USSA Races: The next step up and require a competitor’s license. Athletes compete in the North Series. The USSA Race Schedule can be found here.
Competition Licenses: Not required for Club Series races. USSA Competitor Membership U12 is $100. Please check ussa.org for current information and schedules.- Skiing Equipment Requirements
- Skis Proper ski choice is required for performance. Equipment must align with USSA guidelines relative to athlete height and skill level.Boots Proper boot fit and flex are critical for performance. The boot flexes and responds as it interacts directly with the ski plate.Poles GS standard length is required. SL-pole guards are needed for blocking and protection; the pole may run slightly shorter.
Protection: Head, arm, hand, shoulder, back, teeth (mouth guard), and shin protection are recommended, based on the specific event parameters.
Beacons: Avalanche safety beacons are only required when free skiing out of bounds.
- Dryland Schedule & Conditioning
Riders are highly encouraged to participate in the GTSSF Trampoline sessions hosted at the Teton Indoor Sports Academy. Workouts include key fundamentals across gymnastics, trampoline, and tumble track environments.
Athletes are also highly encouraged to attend the club Strength Training Program.
- Schedule
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* ** * Discounted add-on days are available.
** The program has times adjusted for daylight, and the full schedule is available online, below.
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 are available.
- 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.