Crystal Freeride Teams

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Crystal Mountain Resort is pleased to offer its comprehensive Freeride Sports Programs that are accessible to a wide variety of athletes, from kids looking to develop their freeriding skills to driven athletes.  Crystal Mountain offers various levels of participation beginning with weekend Junior Development programs to full-time, competitive based programs.

Mission:  Crystal Mountain Freeride aims to inspire and provide life-long practices of safe, fun, and successful skiing and snowboarding for young freeriders in an encouraging and positive environment. We utilize the best mountain playground in the world to help teach core principles of excellent riding technique, mountain safety, good decision-making, competition freeriding, and mountain skills that in turn encourage good life skills beyond the mountain.

Our primary goal for all of our athletes is to set them up for great success. With this in mind, we have created a developmental pipeline for our participants. This approach aids in creating an environment that allows coaches to focus on athletes’ development and skill level in a similar age range. They move through a system that teaches fundamental skills in technical skiing and riding and progresses them towards tactical skills within their specific discipline.

Freeride Development Team – Ski & Snowboard (Ages 7-15)

The Freeride Development Team is designed to introduce kids to the Crystal Freeride Teams. Many participants will have grown into this program through the Mountain Sports Teams programs offered in the Snowsports School. The Freeride Development Team is designed to increase the commitment of young athletes interested in Freeride. Participation introduces these kids to the concepts of tactics, technical skiing, mountain awareness and an introduction to traveling safely in off-piste conditions. This introduction allows the athletes to become exposed to another alpine discipline that will broaden their snowsports skills.

  • Directed through the Mountain Sports Teams Program in conjunction with our Freeride Coaches, the Freeride Development Team provides a bridge program for kids between contemporary Snowsports School lessons and Freeride.
  • 4-week program beginning January 7th and running for 4 consecutive weeks.
  • For kids 7-15 years old, with solid skills and an interest in Freeride, but who need some technique work and additional time on the snow along with coaching and repetition in order to get to the All Mountain Freeride level. Focusing mainly on off-piste skiing, this program emphasizes solid technique for off-piste skiing on steeper terrain and challenging snow conditions. The end goal is to coach kids to be able to link turns without stopping down Powder Bowl or a run of similar steepness with solid foundational skills and technique. There will be strong emphasis on safely learning the protocol for launching and catching air & landing jumps.
  • Our Freeride Ambassador Drew Tabke will ski with each group at least once over the course of the 4-week program. All of our Freeride Development Team Coaches complete an intensive Freeride training program to stay current with IFSA Freeride coaching goals and the latest Freeride techniques.

The following program is offered for Alpine and Snowboarding.

  • 4-Week program
  • Sundays Beginning January 7th through January 28th
  • Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
  • Price: $600
  • Price Includes lunch
  • Price does not include lift tickets.  Choose from a season pass, daily lift tickets or a 5-pack of tickets for lift access this winter. 

Note: This is not a “learn to ski program.” Children must be able to confidently ski or board the runs serviced by the Green Valley Chair, including linking turns in both directions, stopping safely and riding the lift without slowing the chair for help from an adult.

All Mountain Freeride Team – Ski & Snowboard (Ages 11-18)

The All Mountain Freeride Team is designed to continue to allow our athletes to grow in their specific discipline, with the goal to compete in local competitions. The All Mountain Freeride Team program provides more time on the hill with a 8-week program offering. Dryland training may be required throughout the season as directed by the coaches.

  • 8-week program, beginning January 6th through February 24th  (no holiday break). Program runs Saturdays only.
  • For kids 11-18 who are high- level off-piste skiers and snowboarders with solid technique who want to improve their skills, mountain awareness and snow safety, air awareness, tricks, and have fun in an encouraging, friendly environment. Coaches reserve discretion on entrance to the program.
  • All-Mountain Freeride Team members choosing to participate in local competitions will have coaching available for a nominal fee.

The following program is offered for Alpine and Snowboarding.

  • 8-Week program
  • Saturdays beginning January 6th through February 24th
  • Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
  • Price: $1,200
  • Price Includes lunch
  • Price does not include lift tickets.  Choose from a season pass, daily lift tickets or a 5-pack of tickets for lift access this winter. 

Competition Freeride Team – Ski & Snowboard (Ages 11-18)

The Competitive Team Program is designed to support athletes in their specific discipline throughout the winter, with individual coaching for athletes during the winter competitive schedule. Coaches and athletes will work together through tactical drills to focus on personal abilities as well as outline the competitive schedule in order to balance training around the success of competition season. Dryland training will be required throughout the season as directed by the coaches.

8-week program beginning January 6th and running consecutively for 8 weeks. This program is designed for the athlete who is ready to compete in local and regional competitions. The athletes are required to select from 2 of the 4 regional events.

  • Coaches reserve discretion to decide who may participate in this program.
  • For the highest-level athlete with prior contest and/or Freeride experience.

The following program is offered for Alpine and Snowboarding.

  • 8-Week program (Saturdays): $1,300
  • Saturdays beginning January 6th through February 24th
  • Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
  • Price includes $100 deposit towards coaching fees for up to 2 events
  • Price Includes lunch
  • Price does not include lift tickets.  Choose from a season pass, daily lift tickets or a 5-pack of tickets for lift access this winter. 

General Information

Online Registration

Early registration is recommended and encouraged for all Freeride Team sessions.  If you need to cancel, registrations must be cancelled no later than 14 days prior to the scheduled session. If a cancellation is made within 14 days of the session, a cancellation fee equaling 50% of the session price will be charged.  No-shows are non-refundable.

Contact Us

For questions regarding lessons email lessons@skicrystal.com or call 360.663.3037 (phones lines staffed during winter season only).