Explorers

Ages 10-15
Mon (4:00-5:30) / Wed (2:15-4:00) or Tues / Thurs, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM November 30 – March 11

The Explorers Program is for athletes interested in an encompassing winter sports program where uphill skiing, winter fort building, backcountry touring, avalanche awareness and other winter survival skills are all explored. Nordic Skiing is a part of the program with much less emphasis on technique and “training” and more on exploring different aerobic winter activities. This athlete should be comfortable on all types of skis.

Challengers

Ages 8 – 15
Mon (4:15 – 5:45) / Wed (2:30 – 4:00),  or Tues / Thurs, 4:15 – 5:45     December 7 – March 11

The Challengers Program is for athletes who have had some experience on skis and are looking to improve their technique and fitness, and who may also want to give racing a try while always having fun. Appropriate challenges, games and exciting relays will be the vehicles through which these athletes develop skills and improve their physical fitness. If the comp team seems a little too much at this point, this is the right program for you. Athletes will have multiple opportunities to try racing in a fun environment here in the Gunnison Valley.

Challengers Race Prep

Ages 8 – 11
Tues / Thurs, 4:15 – 5:45 PM

December 8 – March 11

The Challengers Race Prep Program is for athletes who are self motivated and excited to race. The program will focus on challenging the skiers and creating a cohesive team environment. The Challengers Race Prep Program will work on developing the athletes’ fitness, technique, speed and race tactics. It is the feeder program for the Comp Team and these athletes will train and ski with the Comp Team athletes occasionally throughout the season. These skiers will have many opportunities to race as well as travel if they are interested.

Biathlon

Add on to Tues/Thurs Challengers or Explorers
Wednesdays, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
December 9 – March 10

Biathlon athletes will learn the sport of biathlon racing through shooting technique, stadium etiquette, relays and other drills that simulate real biathlon. This program does include some skiing instruction, it is NOT just shooting. These athletes will have the opportunity to simulate real biathlon races and learn the skilled art of target shooting and skiing.

Daytime Challengers/Explorers

Ages 9 – 14
Tues and Thurs, 2:15 – 3:30
December 1 – March 11

The Daytime Challengers/Explorers Hybrid Program is for athletes who have had some experience on skis and are looking to improve their technique and fitness as well as learn practical backcountry skills. This program will combine elements of the Challengers Program, where athletes learn Nordic Skills in a fun game based fashion, and the Explores Program, where athletes learn backcountry skills, winter survival and avalanche awareness. Appropriate challenges, games and exciting relays will be combined with snow fort building, safe backcountry tours and avalanche rescue skill building to create an ideal program for kids who want to spend the afternoon outside being active.

Comp

Ages 12 – 18
Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri, 4:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Saturdays not on race weekends, November 5 – March 13

The Competition team is for self-motivated athletes who are looking to improve their technique, fitness, and race mindset to become better racers and athletes. These students will receive individualized coaching and training plans, and race support and waxing at all races. Video analysis, technique development, mental training, and strength conditioning are part of this program as well as on snow training. Traveling to races is not required and does cost extra but we highly encourage it. Practices will involve interval training, drills and distance skiing but throughout the season we always find room for powder runs and a few games of speedball!