Development Programs

Program Fees do not include the price of a season pass

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 30, 2023, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, on South Peak. This is for new athletes only.

An informational meeting for new families who have athletes in any of the development programs, will be held in our Competition Building on Saturday Jan. 6, 2023 and Sunday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 9:30.

The Development teams will host a trip to Okemo, which will take place in early February.

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

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Development (ages 8-14)

Each athlete must be at least 8 years old by December 31, 2023. No exceptions.

Athletes must have 3-5 years of skiing experience and have skies 10 days per season. Intermediate skills are required. Athletes must be comfortable on Blue trails.

The Development Program will run from 9:00am to 1:00 pm with a coach. Our coaches will strive to provide an all-mountain experience for the athletes. This program will focus on fun and all-around skiing skills with less competitive emphasis. Participants will experience various disciplines including slopestyle, moguls, racing and jumping. At the beginning of the season the coaches will create groups based on the children’s age and ability. The children are required to have strong skiing skills and be able to ski intermediate (Blue) trails comfortably. All participants will receive a schedule of planned activities from their head coaches. Mount Sunapee recommends that all athletes wear helmets with hard earflaps.   Athletes are required to have a USSA general membership.

One volunteer commitment day per family is required for all Development Programs.

The Alpine Director reserves the right to refund the fee if the athlete’s skills are not strong enough.

Saturday Development: Runs Saturdays, January 6, 2024 – March 9, 2024
Sunday Development:
Runs Sundays, January 7 2024 – March 10, 2024 

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Race Development (ages 10-16)

Race Development: Runs 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturdays, January6, 2024 - March 9, 2024

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. This 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 per family 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.

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Snowboard Development (ages 8-12)

Snowboard Development (ages 8-12)

This program must have 4 athletes registered to run.

The athletes will ride from 9:15 am to 1:45 pm with a coach. 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.

Snowboard Development: Runs Saturdays, January 6, 2024 – March 9, 2024

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.

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