Development Programs

• Each athlete must be at least 8 years old by December 31, 2025. No exceptions.
• Program starts the weekend of January 3 and 4 and runs until March 7 and 8.
• The Development Program teams meet from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
• The day (Saturday or Sunday) your athlete signs up for will be the day they attend each week. We are unable to move athletes back and forth between days.

The Alpine Development Program’s goal is to improve all mountain skiing, build a lifetime passion for skiing, and be a responsible, safe skier. During our 10 weeks all groups will focus on the 7 Fundamentals of a Carved Turn: Basic Athletic Stance, Upper Body Discipline, Outside Ski to Outside Ski, Lower Leg Engagement, Snow Contact, Pole Plants, and Center of Mass and Drag.

Our coaches will strive to provide an all-mountain experience for the athletes. This program will focus on fun and all-around skiing skills. Participants will experience various terrain including groomers, moguls, and glades. At the beginning of the season the coaches will create groups based on the athlete’s age and ability. All participants will receive a schedule of planned activities from the head coach.

Athletes must have appropriate equipment which coaches will confirm (skis, boots, bindings, poles and helmet). Athletes are required to have a USSA general membership.

Participation by the second program day is strongly encouraged in order to maintain your athletes spot for the season. As well as a minimum participation of 80% for the season.

Program Requirements:

• Must be an independent skier. The ability to put on and remove their own equipment. Ride all lifts with other athletes and get up on their own if they fall.
• Know and following the Skier Responsibility Code
• Be able and willing to follow instructions from their coaches and to be respectful to their coach, mountain employees, other athletes, and skiers/riders.
• Have skied 10+ days per year and have 3-5 years of skiing experience.
• Turn in an open parallel stance on blue and some black terrain. Stop via a hockey stop.
• Ski with poles

One volunteer commitment day is required for all Development Programs.

The Alpine Director reserves the right, at any time during the program, to refund program fees if the athlete’s skills are not strong enough to take part in the program or if the athlete demonstrates a lack of commitment, safety, or respect to their coach, mountain employees, other athletes, or skiers/riders.

• Runs Saturdays, January 3, 2026 - March 7, 2026
• This Program will ski from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

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.

The 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 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.

• This program must have 4 athletes registered to run 
• Runs Saturdays, January 3, 2026 - March 7, 2026
• The athletes will ride from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

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.

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.