Freeride Big Mountain Team at Winter Park Resort

Winter park Freeride Team

The Winter Park Big Mountain Team is geared towards focused Big Mountain skiers who have a strong interest in fine-tuning the skills necessary to compete at a high level.

The U12 Competitive Development Team is for athletes ages 11 and under who have previous experience in an All Mountain, Alpine, or Freestyle program and who have coach approval to travel to IFSA U12 competitions.

For the more experienced athletes who plan on competing and traveling to most regional and national-level competitions, the Competitive Team is offered as a part-time (2-3 days per week) or full-time program (5-6 days per week).

U12 Competitive Development Team

Freeride Big Mountain U12 COmpetitive Development (DeVO) Team

The U12 Competitive Development (Devo) Team is for athletes ages 10-11 (U12 age category, age determined on December 31) who have previous experience in an All Mountain, Alpine, or Freestyle program and who have a strong desire to compete in IFSA U12 Big Mountain competitions. Coach recommendation is required to travel to select IFSA events to compete in the U12 category. Typically, one season on the Big Mountain U12 Competitive Development Team is required prior to joining the Big Mountain Competitive Team.

If you do not wish to compete or need to continue to develop big mountain fundamentals prior to joining the Big Mountain Team, the All Mountain Team is the best option for skiers who want to ski advanced and big mountain-style terrain without the expectation that you intend to compete.

2023-24 Tuition

Program Options Days Offered	1 day Sat or Sun	2 day Sat&Sun
Tuition	$2550	$3400
Parent Volunteer Deposit	$300 Learn More
Event & Volunteer Calendar	View All Comp Center Events
Season Pass	Comp Center WP Pass Info Ikon Pass Info
Dates*	Dec. 2, 2023 - Mar. 24, 2024
No Training	Dec. 23-24, 2023
Times**	9 am - 3 pm

*Day is selected at the time of registration. You will attend the same day each week. Actual start date depends on the day of the week chosen. Programs must meet enrollment minimums to run.

**Training times are subject to change as communicated by the program director and/or head coach.

2023-24 Details

Ages	10-11 based on year of birth
Ski Locker	1 slot (2-day program participants only); Pending capacity and availability
Team Jacket	Yes: Visit the Team Jackets section on our Registration, Resources, and FAQ page for jacket details.
Lunch	Not provided
Competitions*	IFSA U12 competitions
Camps**	Dec. 26 - 28, 2023 tentative
More Information	General Competition Center information can be found on our Registration, Resources, and FAQ page.

*Competitions listed are only shown as an example. Athletes will work with their coach to determine competition opportunities. All competition entry fees, registration, licensing, and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian.

**Camp dates are subject to change as communicated by the program director and/or head coach.

Competitive Team

Freeride Big mountain Competitive Team

The Competitive Team (ages 12+) is a 2-3 day per week program for more experienced athletes who plan on competing and traveling to most regional and national level competitions. It is geared towards Big Mountain skiers who plan to compete at a higher level, with the goal of qualifying for the North American Championships (NorAms). Athletes in this program typically compete in three regional (within Colorado and New Mexico) one-day competitions and three national (within the U.S. and Canada) four-day competitions in order to earn points to qualify for NorAms.

Athletes must purchase an IFSA license to be eligible for competitions. Athletes on the Competitive Team compete in IFSA events. IFSA events are for 12 to 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds who are still in high school. IFSA divisions are based on the athlete’s age as of December 31 of the current/upcoming ski season.

ABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Athletes should have participated in previous competitions, and be familiar with Big Mountain terrain and high alpine elements such as weather, snow types, snow safety, avalanche awareness and line selection. Athletes should participate in year-round dryland training to be in condition for intensive training. In addition to the basic equipment, athletes should be prepared with an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel.

2023-24 Tuition

Program Options Days Offered		2-day Sat. & Sun.	3-day Fri. Sat. Sun.
Tuition		$3625	$4125
Parent Volunteer Deposit		$300	$600
Event & Volunteer Calendar	View All Comp. Center Events
Season Pass	Comp Center WP Pass Info Ikon Pass Info
Dates*	Nov. 24, 2023 - Apr. 7, 2024
No Training	Dec. 22-24, 2023
Times**	9 am - 3 pm

**Training times and camp dates are subject to change as communicated by the program director and/or head coach.

2023-24 Details

Ages	12+ based on year of birth
Ski Locker	1 slot; Pending capacity and availability
Team Jacket	Yes: Visit the Team Jackets section on our Registration, Resources, and FAQ page for jacket details.
Lunch	Not provided
Competitions*	IFSA Regional and National Competitions
Camps**	Dec. 26 - 28, 2023 tentative
More Information	General Competition Center information can be found on our Registration, Resources, and FAQ page.

*Competitions listed are only shown as an example. Athletes will work with their coach to determine competition opportunities. All competition entry fees, registration, licensing, and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian.

**Camp dates are subject to change as communicated by the program director and/or head coach.

Full-time Academy

Freeride Big Mountain Full-Time Academy

REGISTER NEW ATHLETE

Register Returning Athlete

The Freeride Big Mountain Full-time Academy is geared towards focused Big Mountain skiers/athletes who demonstrate strong commitment to and passion for skiing, the mountains, Big Mountain terrain, and competing at a high level. Athletes in this program will have the option to travel to regional, national and potentially international competitions.

Athletes have strong knowledge of, and are continually educated on, Big Mountain terrain and high Alpine elements such as weather, snow types, snow safety, avalanche awareness and line selections. We also weigh heavily on goal setting, video analysis, sports psychology, and all-around love for the sport. There is an emphasis on skill development: developing general freeride techniques and skills, with focused freeride drills and intensive on-mountain training.

There will be some off-snow training available where we use trampolines to focus on air awareness skills and basic acrobatics in relation to Freeride Big Mountain skiing. We emphasize fun, practice good sportsmanship, infectious energy, and a special camaraderie between the athletes not found on any other team.

Competitions: Athletes must purchase an IFSA license to be eligible for comps. Athletes in this program compete in regional and in some national IFSA events. IFSA events are for 12 to 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds who are still in high school, and a U-12 division that starts at 8 years old.

Competition Travel: Generally, the Big Mountain program attends 10+ weekend-long competitions per winter as a team. All competition registration fees and travel are an additional expense to each athlete who travels. The Winter Park program offers the best value in the Rocky Mountain region.

General Full-time Academy Info

About the WPCC Full-time Academy

The Winter Park Competition Center (WPCC) Full-time Academy is a year-round, highly intensive program dedicated to the serious, motivated and experienced snow sport competitors. Our program offers a place where dedicated athletes can achieve their highest aspirations in the sport; while at the same time achieving our program philosophy to achieve ones’ highest potential as an athlete, person, and competitor.

Application and Registration Process

Admittance to the WPCC Full-time Academy is through an application process. Commitment and attitude are the most important attributes we're looking for. Applications are due July 1 for middle and high school age applicants (7-12 grade) and are due August 1 for post-graduate applicants. Late applications and registrations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Once accepted to the program, registration must be completed in order to finalize your status in the WPCC Full-time Academy. Interested applicants should also directly contact the specific discipline director. Please reference the contact chart below for the appropriate contact.

For general application or registration questions, contact the Competition Center, office at 970-726-1590 or ccenter@winterparkresort.com.

New Academy Athlete - Application Checklist

Returning Academy Athlete - Application Checklist

Commitment

Full-time Academy athletes train 5-6 days per week during the ski/snowboard season. During the off-season, they participate in specialized training camps and are expected to consistently participate in the year-round sports performance program. This commitment to athletic excellence ensures that they stay fit and are physically and mentally prepared to achieve peak performance each season.

Winter
The information below provides the general winter training schedule for all WPCC Academy athletes. Specific dates and training times vary by discipline and age group. Please refer to the program tuition and details table for more comprehensive and specific training information for your discipline.

Full-time Academy Middle School
Tuesday and Thursday: afternoon training
Friday through Sunday: full day training; times vary by discipline and age.

Full-time Academy High School and Post-Graduate (PG)
Tuesday through Thursday: afternoons for high school athletes; PG athletes may full day training.
Friday through Sunday: full day training; times vary by discipline and age.

Summer
Each discipline offers off-season training programs to maximize fitness and progression to maximize competitive edge. Camp offerings and training venues will vary by discipline, and may change year to year. While specific opportunities vary by discipline and by year, some examples of summer training opportunity include:

·Participation in our year-round sports performance program, including our spring and fall fitness assessments.
·May on-snow camps held at Winter Park Resort.
·Sand Dunes Fitness Camp in September.
·Based on discipline*, athletes may attend technical progression and on-snow camps held at locations such as Mt. Hood, Mammoth Mountain, Steamboat Springs, and the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah.

*Camp offerings vary by discipline and camp locations may vary year to year.

Academic Excellence

Academic excellence is a core value for members of the Full-time Academy. Most of our middle and high school athletes enroll in the East Grand School District (EGSD). East Grand is on a 4-day school week, so skiers have a full day of training on Friday!

Schedules are arranged for core classes to take place in the morning, and students/athletes are transported to the ski area at lunch time for afternoon training. Those who do not enroll in EGSD are able to make arrangements for alternative or online education programs. Regardless of schooling choice, grade eligibility is verified weekly throughout the season.

Year-round Sports Performance

Our Sports Performance Program provides full-time athletes with year-round conditioning, strength training, fitness assessment, mental skills training, and return-to-sport support to build a strong mental, physical, and technical base going into and throughout the competitive season. Participation is required for full-time athletes and we work with athletes to navigate scheduling conflicts for those who may also participate in other sports.

2023-24 TuitioN

Program Options Days Offered*	Middle School Tues., Thurs. - Sun.	High School and PG Tues. - Sun.
Tuition	$6850	$7450
Parent Volunteer Deposit	$600 Learn More
Event & Volunteer Calendar	View All Comp. Center Events
Season Pass	Comp Center WP Pass Info Ikon Pass Info
Dates*	September - April. Exact Dates given by Coach
No training	Dec. 22-24, 2023
Times**	9 am - 3 pm

*Actual start date depends on whether the athlete is enrolled in the Middle School or High School/Post-Graduate program. Programs must meet enrollment minimums to run.

**Training times and camp dates are subject to change as communicated by the program director and/or head coach.

2023-24 Details

Ages	Middle School (MS): Grades 7-8 High School and Post-Graduate (HS/PG): Grades 9+
Ski Locker	2 slots and 1 full locker; Pending capacity and availability
Team Jacket	Yes: Visit the Team Jackets section on our Registration, Resources, and FAQ page for jacket details.
Lunch	Not provided
Competitions*	IFSA Regional and National Competitions
Camps**	Dec. 26 - 28, 2023 tentative
More Information	General Competition Center information can be found on our Registration, Resources, and FAQ page.

*Competitions listed are only shown as an example. Athletes will work with their coach to determine competition opportunities. All competition entry fees, registration, licensing, and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian.

**Camp dates are subject to change as communicated by the program director and/or head coach.

Contact Information and Resources

Contact Information

For program questions, contact Laurie Mooney, Freeride Director, at lmooney@winterparkresort.com

Kayla Riker, Big Mountain Head Coach - riker.kayla@gmail.com

For registration questions, contact the Competition Center office at 970-726-1590 or ccenter@winterparkresort.com

To view the complete Competition Center Staff Directory, visit the Important Information and FAQ section of our Registration, Resources, and FAQ page.

Freeride Resources and Policies

IFSA Website

Key policies such as the Code of Conduct are signed on the Member Portal during registration.

Registration, Resources, and FAQ
Parent Volunteer Program
Sports Performance Program
History of Excellence
Freeride Big Mountain History of Excellence
2022 NorAm Team Qualifiers: Tommy Branon and Ben Leifer
2021 Regional Champs Team qualifiers: Sean Balfe, Tommy Branon (10th place), Cooper Branon (8th place), Curran Bunnell, Bethanne Droll, Hannah Hammond, Ellie Huff, Fisher Kintz (3rd place), Natalie Knowles, Charlie Koehler, Holden Krizek, Alex Krupka, Alex Kruzel, James Lafferty, Keagan Lafferty, Ben Leifer, Casey Myers (5th place), Rowan Renzelman, Gage Robinson, Bryce Rundell, Oliver Search, Luke Walter (8th place), Lucy Wettersten, Zach Young, Mason Lipscomb, Charlie Milverstedt (6th place), Max Pacocha, Matthew Shapiro (7th place)
2019 NorAm Team qualifiers: Keely Monkouski, Lucy Wettersten, Ben Leifer, Lawson Douglas, Casey Myers
2018 NorAm Team qualifiers: Lucy Wettersten, Casey Myers, Owen Zirk, Tommy Branon, Lawson Douglas, Ben Leifer, Cole Wettersten, Megan Reilly (9th place), Keely Monkouski
2017 NorAm Team qualifiers: Georgia Winkler, Owen Zirk, Quinlan Monkouski, Oakley Bookless, Nolan Whitmore, Megan Reilly (6th place), Jakob Rundell (8th place), Leo Whitmore, Grady Forsyth, Greg Lund, Jacob Dorn, Jerod King, Carson McGowan
2016 NorAm Team qualifiers: Oakley Bookless, Morgan Westfall, Zach Kasica, Finn Mahoney, Bobby Eckles, Ryan Tagawa
2015 NorAm Team qualifiers: Megan Reilly (6th place), Ryan Tagawa
Cliff Bennett, Head Coach . 2006 FWT Red Mountain, 1st place and only American to ever win. Crested Butte US Extremes 2008 2nd place, 2009 1st place, 2010 2nd place. FWT Taos 2008 2nd place, 2009 1st place. FWT Jackson Hole 3rd place. FWT Squaw Valley 3rd place. 2008 FWT Telluride 1st place. FWT Overall 2nd place. 2007 FWT Sickbird award
Freeride World Tour Judge.Rachel Croft, coach. 2017 FWQ Overall Champion. 2018 FWT, Fieberbrunn 3rd place, Kicking Horse 5th place, Vallnord-Arcalis 6th place, Hakuba 7th place, Verbier 7th place. 2018 FWT Overall, 6th place.
Jeremie Livingston, Head Coach. Berthoud Badass Winner. 2017 USSA Freeskiing Coach of the year. 2018 USSA Freeskiing Rookie Coach. 2019- Present USSA Freeskiing Assistant Head Coach
Taylor Merritt, athlete and Head Coach. 2010 US Extreme Freeskiing Championships, 3rd place. 2019 Spencer Nelson Memorial Coach of the Year. IFSA Executive Director
Bobby Eckles, athlete. 2017 FWQ Taos 2*, 4th place
Morgan Westfall, athlete. 2016 Junior Nationals, 1st place. 2017 Junior World Championships, 6th place. 2020 Crested Butte 4*, 1st place.
Megan Reilly, athlete. 2018 IFSA Junior World Championships, 2nd Place. 2018 Sportswomen of Colorado Award. 2018 Spencer Nelson Memorial Athlete of the Year. 2021 IFSA 2*, 2nd place, 3rd place, 3rd place. 2020 IFSA 2*, 5th place. 2019 IFSA 2*, 3rd place
Ryan Tagawa, athlete and coach. 2015 Mayor of Freeride. 2018 FWQ Grand Targhee, 1st place. 2019 FWQ Revelstoke, 2nd place. 2020 FWQ Taos Sickbird winner.
Cole Wettersten, athlete and coach. 2018 Mayor of Freeride. 2020 FWQ Kicking Horse 2*, 2nd place. 2019 FWQ Kicking Horse 2* 3rd place, Crystal Mountain 2* 4th place