Development Programs
Development Programs
Our Development program consists of either a Saturday Development Program or a Sunday Development Program. Whichever day you sign up for will be your day. We will be unable to move athletes back and forth between days.
Each year the program hosts The Development Challenge ski off the week before the program starts. The Challenge is required for all new athletes to any of the Development Programs. The Challenge is to ensure that each athlete has the skills to be able to be part of the program.
The Development Challenge ski off will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, on South Peak. This is mandatory for new athletes.
An informational meeting for families who have athletes in any of the three Development Programs will be held in our Competition Building on Saturday Jan. 11th and Sunday, Jan. 12th at 9:30am.
On February 8 and 9 the Development Teams will meet at Okemo, VT for our annual field trip to a new resort. All athletes are encouraged to attend.
All athletes are encouraged to attend The Alpine Director reserves the right to refund program fees if the athlete’s skills are not strong enough or have enough experience to take part in the program. Development and Race Development programs require a USSA general membership.
Questions? Please contact Beth von Beren, Skier Services Administrative Assistant 603-763-3500 ext. 3527 or bmvonberen@vailresorts.com.
Program Details and Requirements
- Each athlete must be at least 8 years old by December 31, 2024. No exceptions.
- The Development Program teams meet from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
- The day (Saturday or Sunday) your athlete signs up for will be the day they attend each week. We are unable to move athletes back and forth between days.
The Alpine Development Program’s goal is to improve all mountain skiing, build a lifetime passion for skiing, and be a responsible, safe skier. During our 10 weeks all groups will focus on the 7 Fundamentals of a Carved Turn: Basic Athletic Stance, Upper Body Discipline, Outside Ski to Outside Ski, Lower Leg Engagement, Snow Contact, Pole Plants, and Center of Mass and Drag.
Our coaches will strive to provide an all-mountain experience for the athletes. This program will focus on fun and all-around skiing skills. Participants will experience various terrain including groomers, moguls, and glades. At the beginning of the season the coaches will create groups based on the athlete’s age and ability. All participants will receive a schedule of planned activities from the head coach.
Athletes must have appropriate equipment which coaches will confirm (skis, boots, bindings, poles and helmet). Athletes are required to have a USSA general membership.
Participation by the second program day is strongly encouraged in order to maintain your athletes spot for the season. As well as a minimum participation of 80% for the season.
Program Requirements:
- Must be an independent skier. The ability to put on and remove their own equipment. Ride all lifts with other athletes and get up on their own if they fall.
- Know and following the Skier Responsibility Code
- Be able and willing to follow instructions from their coaches and to be respectful to their coach, mountain employees, other athletes, and skiers/riders.
- Have skied 10+ days per year and have 3-5 years of skiing experience.
- Turn in an open parallel stance on blue and some black terrain. Stop via a hockey stop.
- Ski with poles
One volunteer commitment day is required for all Development Programs.
The Alpine Director reserves the right, at any time during the program, to refund program fees if the athlete’s skills are not strong enough to take part in the program or if the athlete demonstrates a lack of commitment, safety, or respect to their coach, mountain employees, other athletes, or skiers/riders.
- Runs Saturdays, January 4, 2025 - March 8, 2024
- This Program will ski from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
The Race Development Program is a recreational race program. All athletes are required to have successfully completed the Development Program for at least one year. The program will develop fundamental skiing and racing skills.
The program offers a strong foundation for middle and high school ski racing. Mount Sunapee and U.S. Ski & Snowboard recommend that all athletes wear helmets with hard earflaps.
Athletes are required to have a USSA general membership.
All participants will be sent a schedule of planned activities.
One volunteer commitment day is required for all Development Programs.
The Alpine Director reserves the right to move the athlete into the Development Program or refund the fee if the athlete’s skills are not strong enough.
- This program must have 4 athletes registered to run
- Runs Saturdays, January 4, 2025 - March 8, 2024
- The athletes will ride from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
To begin with this program will provide an “all mountain experience”, focusing on improving fundamental snowboard skills and then moving onto more technical areas as appropriate (slopestyle, slalom, etc.).
Snowboard Development athletes will have opportunities to compete in local and USASA events if coaches feel they are ready. All athletes are required to have intermediate skills as a requirement – athletes should be able to comfortably ride down blue trails and have some experience on black trails as well. Mount Sunapee and USASA require that all athletes wear helmets.
Athletes are required to have a USSA general membership.
One volunteer commitment day is required for all Development Programs.
Terrain off Designated Trails and Slopes:
During program hours athletes, guided by their Coach, may ski and board on terrain that is off the designated trails and slopes at Mount Sunapee, but within the ski area boundary.
Parent Information
We want to extend a warm welcome to the Mount Sunapee Alpine, Freestyle & Development Program!
We teach/coach our young athletes to be the best skiing and snowboarding athletes possible. We focus on having them build their self-confidence and practice good sportsmanship. We ensure that every child who has the desire to participate in our Program is given that opportunity.
Development Club of the Year
Introduced in 2019, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Club of the Year Award is an award presented to a U.S. Ski & Snowboard member Club which has distinguished itself in providing outstanding youth development programs. Selection is managed by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletic management team from nominations by each respective sport committee. There will be one award annually based on nominations from all sports under U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
Congratulations!
Gear Up For Winter
Bob Skinners Ski & Sport offers the best race tune in the industry by Edgewise. Check them out right off the traffic circle at the base of the mountain.
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Our Mission
The Mt. Sunapee Area Ski Club is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1954. Through volunteer efforts and fundraising, the club supports a variety of winter programs for area youth.