Development Programs
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.
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
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.
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.
Parent Information
We want to extend a warm welcome to the Mount Sunapee Alpine, Freestyle & Development Program!
We teach/coach our young athletes to be the best skiing and snowboarding athletes possible. We focus on having them build their self-confidence and practice good sportsmanship. We ensure that every child who has the desire to participate in our Program is given that opportunity.
Development Club of the Year
Introduced in 2019, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Club of the Year Award is an award presented to a U.S. Ski & Snowboard member Club which has distinguished itself in providing outstanding youth development programs. Selection is managed by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletic management team from nominations by each respective sport committee. There will be one award annually based on nominations from all sports under U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
Congratulations!
Gear Up For Winter
Bob Skinners Ski & Sport offers the best race tune in the industry by Edgewise. Check them out right off the traffic circle at the base of the mountain.
Mount Sunapee Area Ski Club , opens in a new window
Our Mission
The Mt. Sunapee Area Ski Club is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1954. Through volunteer efforts and fundraising, the club supports a variety of winter programs for area youth.