The Comp Cross Country Ski Team is designed for athletes who want to refine their skills, improve their aerobic ability, and compete. Training is more structured and includes aerobic, anaerobic, and strength training. Cross-training opportunities are presented that include balance, coordination, endurance, and speed activities. Athletes will learn to use both low-intensity aerobic training, high-intensity aerobic training, and anaerobic training to improve race fitness.

Skill Development & Focus

Focus is placed on establishing good body position, balance, and complete weight shift. Athletes must build the ability to maintain appropriate balance and stance while skiing in all terrain types and under a variety of winter conditions.

Athletes will develop an understanding of changing tempo to suit changing conditions and terrain, and will actively discuss race strategy and pacing parameters with their coach. Skill requirements include, but are not limited to, basic cross country ski fundamentals.

Races & Competitions

Athletes are encouraged to race in at least two Junior National Qualifiers (JNQ), local events, inter-club competitions, and as many races as desired across January and February.

Division Note: GTSSF Nordic competes explicitly within the Intermountain Division. You can view regional ski clubs and reference complete event details directly at IntermountainXC.com.

Competition Licenses: No licenses are required for local races. A USSA Cross Country Athlete license is strictly required for Junior National Qualifier (JNQ) races for all athletes ages 13+. Please visit usskiandsnowboard.org for current tracking and pricing information.

Equipment Requirements

Skis One set of classic skis and one set of skate skis that are strictly appropriate for your athlete's height and weight.

Boots One pair of classic boots and one pair of skate boots are required. Dedicated combi boots are acceptable.

Poles One set of classic poles sized to fit cleanly just under the armpit. One set of skate poles sized to fit precisely between your athlete’s chin and nose.

Ancillary Equipment: Hill bounding poles, along with appropriate dryland footwear and training clothing, are required for all structured activities.

GTSSF Rentals: We maintain a wide range inventory of boots, skis, and poles to fit most club athletes for a nominal seasonal rental fee.

Dryland Schedule & Conditioning

Athletes are highly encouraged to participate in the GTSSF Trampoline sessions hosted at the Teton Indoor Sports Academy. Training workouts target air awareness through gymnastics, trampoline technique, and tumble track progressions.

Athletes are also highly encouraged to attend the formal club Strength Training Program.

Note: One full session of each Trampoline and Strength Training program is fully included within this specific program registration fee.

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 – 4:00pm
FREERIDE 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 – 4:00pm
SNOWBOARD 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 – 4:00pm
CROSS 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.

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