Freeride

INTRODUCTION:

Welcome to the Heavenly Foundation Freeride Ski Team! Freeride skiing is a blast and our program is set up so that each athlete has an enjoyable experience in a safe setting and learns a lot about skiing and himself/herself as well. The Freeride team is geared to athletes who want to focus on competing in the very popular slopestyle, big air, halfpipe and skiercross events. We are very excited that both halfpipe and skiercross are now Olympic events. Our focus is to get our athletes to a level that will enable them to qualify for events such as the USSA Nationals, World Cups, X-Games and the Olympics. We will be filming frequently this season and doing video review to help aid the learning process. Hope your ready for another amazing ski season.

WHAT YOU NEED TO COMPETE: 


First, you will need to join USSA. This gives you a competitors license and a national ranking. You may opt for a youth license for un-scored events with no national ranking. USSA members must have valid, primary health insurance. USSA provides limited secondary insurance. Members also receive a competition guide with rules, schedules and contacts. Read it to learn about the sport!

TRANSPORTATION TO COMPETITIONS: 


Transportation to events is the responsibility of the athlete's parents. If you don't have a ride, we will try to arrange one for you, but cannot promise results. Do not wait until 8 o'clock the night before the event to make your arrangements! On overnight trips we travel and stay as a team. Transportation and lodging costs are the responsibility of the parents and will be collected prior to trips. Coaches will try to make the cheapest lodging and travel arrangements while still providing a level of comfort. So you probably won't be flying first class and have your own ski-in ski-out room on the mountain but you won't be hitchhiking to Vermont and sleeping in a tent! Athletes are expected to behave and observe curfews on road trips. Athletes are also expected to keep lodgings clean and undamaged. Any athletes who cannot adhere to these rules will have to travel and stay with their parents next time.

COMPETITION DAY: 


Have a checklist with everything you need for competing. Here is a sample: Skis, Poles, Boots, Helmet, Goggles, Gloves, Bib, (the single most forgotten item), Small pack, Extra clothes, Water, Sunscreen, Money. Make sure you arrive in time for plenty of training and warmup. Late skiers are stiff, stressed, don't know the course, and have to park a mile away.

THE DIFFERENT EVENTS OF FREERIDE

HALFPIPE: Halfpipe consists of several jumps or "hits" in a halfpipe run. Skiers are judged on execution of tricks and height or "amplitude". Halfpipe is now an Olympic event.

BIG AIR: Big Air consists of up to four jumps per run in the terrain park. Skiers are judged on execution, variety, and height. Competitions are usually two runs. Big Air is one of the main events in the winter X-Games.

SLOPESTYLE: Slopestyle consists of a run through the terrain park with jumps and rails. For more in-depth information on rules and regulations refer to your USSA Competition Guide or the USASA rulebook. Slopestyle is now an Olympic event.

SKIERCROSS: Skiercross consists of a run through a course full of banks, rollers and jumps. The first past the finish line wins. Skiercross is an Olympic event and is also in the X-Games. 

TRAINING 


Transportation to and from training is the responsibility of parents with the exception of bus transportation from South Tahoe High. Athletes may drive their own car but MAY NOT give rides to other athletes from South Tahoe High.

Training locations and times will be posted daily on the bulletin board and are always subject to change. It is important that athletes arrive on time each day for training to avoid mix-ups. Although athletes will often be divided into groups according to ability or age, we believe in having newer skiers training and interacting with the more experienced athletes as much as possible. We will use video analysis as much as possible, both in training and competitions.

PARK AND PIPE TRAINING: The freeride team will spend much of their time in Heavenly's terrain parks. The coaches will determine which park depending on conditions and what skills they want to emphasize. In the early season they will do a lot of freeskiing, rails and small jumps. This works to our advantage because athletes can work on the basics on small features. When we get more snow you can expect bigger jumps.

FREESKIING AND DRILLS: We will be spending a lot of time doing drills and freeskiing on every type of terrain. This is where athletes learn the basics of technique. Too much park training is boring and actually will slow your progress. The emphasis here is on variety, fun, and enjoying the entire mountain. On snowy days when parks are buried and the light is bad we will ski powder!

DRYLAND TRAINING: Our dryland training consists of gymnastics, track work, soccer and strength training (for athletes 14 years of age and older). All athletes not involved in scholastic sports are expected to show up for our dryland training sessions. The time to get in shape is BEFORE the snow falls. All athletes should be stretching daily, year round.

EQUIPMENT

HOW TO GET YOUR GEAR AT THE BEST PRICE: We work through several local shops which support our athletes by selling gear at very low prices. This is the best way to actually see the gear you need and get it quickly without the hassles of shipping. We can also order equipment directly from manufacturers.

Boots: Boots are by far the most important piece of equipment you will own. Often junior skiers are fit in to boots that are too large in the hope they will "grow" into them. To find the proper fit, the liner and shell should be tried on separately. The liner should fit the foot snugly with only one thin ski sock on. The foot should then be slid to the front of the shell so that the toe is just touching the front of the shell. The skier should then bend his/her knee forward slightly, while the fitter checks the distance between the shell and the back of the heel. For a good fit, there should be 3/8" to 1/2" maximum. The flare of the calf should be just above the top of the shell. Kids boots have a thinner gauge plastic and the youngster should be able to flex the boot easily. This means that each year athletes with growing feet might need new boots! Don't be a cheapskate and risk potential injury by buying boots that are too big!

Skis: There are quite a few skis on the market that are especially made for freeride. They are quick turning and durable. Freeride skis should have turned-up tails. Skiers under 120 pounds should opt for junior skis. The length should be from the eyes to four inches over the head. The brand is the skier's preference. They need to keep their edges dulled down in the middle for rails and have another pair of skis for pipe and skiercross with sharp edges, bases smooth and flat, and keep them waxed. The easiest way to do this is to have a ski shop do it for you. It is cheaper, however, to buy your own file, clamps, stone, p-tex, wax and learn how to do it yourself. Your coaches can show you how. You should also have an old pair of "rock skis" for early season when there is limited snow coverage.

Bindings: It is pretty much a matter of opinion which brand of bindings are the best. The main thing is to get the right model for the skier's weight and ability. They should be mounted and adjusted by a reputable ski shop. DO NOT try to mount them yourself.

Poles: Poles need to be the right size. To find the right fit, stand holding the pole upside down with your hand under the basket and the handle on the ground. Your forearm should be parallel to the floor. This is where you want to start. Most freeriders want them shorter, especially slopestyle skiers. Remember, you can always cut them shorter, but you cannot make them longer!

Helmets: Approved helmets are required for all events and training. Any time you walk out of our locker room door you must wear a helmet.

Goggles: Goggles are absolutely necessary for bad weather days. Remember, sunglasses can cut your face or eyes. Get goggles with double lenses.

Clothing: Use the layering system! Wear something water resistant but breathable for outer layers. Use fleece or wool for an insulating layer (avoid cotton it soaks up water). Wear something thin and comfortable next to your skin. Thin, wool socks are best. At competitions you may be waiting quite awhile for your run. Bring a small backpack with more clothes than you need.

Important Phone Numbers and Addresses

Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation:

Office: (530) 541-7354
        Fax: (530) 541-7329


Mailing Address: P.O. Box 483 Zephyr Cove, NV 89448


Director/Head Mogul Coach: Jere Crawford, (530) 542-2505

Head Freeride Coach: Brad Scott, (530) 721-7171
, BradS@heavenlyfoundationteam.org

PROGRAMS

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation programs are designed to stimulate and maximize your child's ability, interest and enthusiasm for skiing, snowboarding and, life in general. Our top priority for each child is to create a fun and healthy environment, wonderful memories and develop successful team and individual experiences.

Sessions will begin in November and continue through mid-April, or at the end of competition for individual groups. No training is held on Christmas or New Year's Day.

All programs are available either as a full time or weekend (holiday) training. Every program includes an unlimited season pass and applicable dry land training. Dry land training begins in the Fall and includes track and field, rollerblading, Gad gym, weight lifting (for athletes 14 years and older), and various other dry land training activities.

HSSF Full-Time program: Monday - Friday afternoons until 3:30pm* (exact times will be determined when current school schedules are available)

Saturday, Sunday and School Holidays - 8:30am - 3:30pm

HSSF One-Day program: 18 days pre-arranged with the Head Coach

*Athletes should be picked up from the building no later than 4:00pm or as soon as possible if not on the hill. These times and dates are subject to change due to school scheduling conflicts, weather and mountain conditions.