Freestyle

INTRODUCTION:

Welcome to the Heavenly Foundation Freestyle Ski Team! Freestyle 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 Freestyle Team is in its 18th year and has been very successful. We have two members currently on the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team: Sho Kashima is a two-time National Dual Mogul Champion and a Junior National Mogul Champion; Hannah Curtzwiler has been recently named to the U.S. Ski Team. 

We have produced many other outstanding athletes including: Ryan Hickey, Junior World Champion in Dual Moguls; Hannah Curtzwiler, Chris Hernandez, Brooke Ballachey, Travis Ramos and Travis Cabral whom all made the U.S. Ski Team as graduates of the Foundation. Chris Hernandez was a National Aerial Champion. Brooke Ballachey was 3rd in the World in Dual Moguls. Travis Ramos was a National Mogul Champion and won a World Cup event. Travis Cabral won the Overall World Cup in Moguls, and placed 10th in the Olympics. Current coach Travis Woodcock was a National Combined Champion. Jake Hickman and Hannah Curtzwiler are current Far West Mogul Champions. Anna Park is the reigning J/4 National Champion. Marshall Curtzwiler, Jake Hickman, Hannah Curtzwiler and Anna Park all won at least one Far West event last year.

USSA 
The United States Ski and Snowboard Association is a national governing body for freestyle, snowboard, nordic, and snowboard competitions. It provides a pipeline for athletes to work their way up to the national teams. Virtually all mogul events are run by USSA. USSA also runs halfpipe, skiercross, and big air events.

AGE CATEGORIES:
Freestyle competition is divided into age classes set up by USSA (United States Ski and Snowboard Association).

Veteran 27 years and older
Senior 19 - 26 years of age
Junior 1 17 - 18 years of age
Junior 2 15 - 16 years of age 
Junior 3 13 - 14 years of age 
Junior 4 11 - 12 years of age
Junior 5 10 years of age and under

Class is determined by age as of December 31 of the current season. They are usually referred to as J/1's, J/2's, etc.

USSA FREESTYLE REGIONS: 
USSA Freestyle is divided into seven regions; 1) Eastern, 2) Central, 3) Northern, 4) Rocky Mountain, 5) Intermountain, 6) Pacific Northwest, and 7) Far West. We are in the Far West Division which includes California, Nevada and Arizona.

WHAT YOU NEED TO COMPETE: 
First, you will need to join USSA and Far West Freestyle. 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! You also will receive Ski Racing Magazine.

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 FREESTYLE

MOGULS: 
Mogul Competition consists of two runs on a steep, heavily moguled slope stressing technical turning, speed, and two different aerial maneuvers per run. There are judges at the bottom of the course who judge turns and jumps. Runs are timed as well. The skier's time is compared to a pacesetter to get a speed score. Turns account for 50% of the score, Speed is 25% and Air is 25%. There are 30 points possible.

DUAL MOGULS: 
Another mogul competition format is dual moguls. In this event, two skiers come down the slope side-by-side. Judges vote for the best skier with separate judges for air, speed and turns. The skier who wins a dual goes on to the next "round" until only one skier is left.

AERIALS: 
Aerial competition consists of two different acrobatic leaps from a prepared jump, stressing takeoff, height and distance (air), and execution of tricks and landing. Judges are placed at the side of the jump. Air is 20% of the score, Form is 50% and Landing is 30%. Upright aerials are jumps where the skier does not turn over. Inverted aerials involve one to three flips with one or more twists.

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

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.

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.

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.Coaches will make every effort to have courses prepared when athletes arrive for training so they can concentrate on their training. At times, athletes will be expected to help prepare courses.

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.

MOGUL TRAINING: 
We will try to have a mogul course available daily. This of course, will always depend on having sufficient snow coverage. It usually takes a few weeks into the season before we have enough coverage to build an adequate course. This does, however, work to our advantage since we will have time to train on smooth, easy terrain and get our technical turns dialed in. In the first part of the season, we often train on Waterfall as it has better snow at that time. In the latter half of the season, conditions are better on Gunbarrel, so we move our course there. Courses are roped off and only our athletes are allowed on them.

PARK AND PIPE TRAINING: 
The freestyle 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 also 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 course or park training is boring and actually will slow your progress. The emphasis here is on variety, fun, and enjoying the whole mountain. On snowy days when courses and 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 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 moguls and freeride. They are quick turning and durable. Freeride skis should have turned-up tails. For aerials you want very short skis with a stiff 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 sharp, 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 freestylers want them shorter, especially mogul 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

PROGRAMS

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 Part-Time program: Saturday, Sunday and Some School Holidays - 9:00am - 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.