Professional coaching, fun dynamics, and a sport you can love for a lifetime.
Soar into BSF. This is the place for intermediate-level skiers to build their fundamentals. This 8-week program builds skills that apply to both ski racing and freestyle/freeskiing in a fun, no-pressure environment. Skiers can choose either Alpine racing or Freestyle (includes learning moguls & park). There's significant crossover and similar skill development at this stage if your child doesn't know which one to choose. To start, skiers need to be competent lift riders, able to ski with poles, and able to ski mid-mountain at Bridger Bowl. The program starts in early January, and goes for 8 weeks. We recommend one day a week for U8 and up to 2 days a week for U10 and U12/U13.
Know that you like the moguls and jumps? The Development Team does it all! Skiers will spend time in the terrain park and in the moguls, catching air off of every little jump they discover. They'll learn how to properly use a transceiver and hike the ridge. Have fun shredding while building the ski skills that will transfer to BSF Freestyle (moguls) or Freeskiing (park) Competitive and Full-Time Teams in the future.
For the avid freestyle skier who wants to compete and train one or two days a week. Freestyle focuses on perfecting their skills to progress in moguls and aerials. Separate trampoline camps available in September and October.
For the avid freestyle skier who is ready to train five days a week. During the academic year, these athletes get early release from school to train in the afternoons. In the off-season, athletes take part in agility and conditioning programs, along with trampoline sessions.
Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) is the managed developmental progression for an athlete that will maximize both their long-term potential and enjoyment in the sport.
What does that mean? We’re not focused on short-term success—and the hazards (and burnout) that often come with it. Instead, we follow LTAD plans that are individualized and based on science to make sure your child can maximize their long-term potential as a skier (should they wish to do so) and their enjoyment in the sport. We take into account a child’s development physiologically, cognitively and socially, as well as their experience skiing.
This makes it easy for your child to progress through our programs—from Youth Ski League, the Development Teams, to the competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult Masters athlete.
The BSF Alpine LTAD follows the guidelines of the USSA LTAD.
Ages 2-6
Years in sport: 1-4
Train 1 day per week; ski for play as much as is enjoyable.
95% freeskiing
Begin to develop fundamental movement skills through play, fun, novel activities.
Participate in many physical activities. Introduction to formal gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling is beneficial.
Ages 6-10
Years in sport: 2-5
Train 2 days per week; ski for play as much as is enjoyable.
80% freeskiing
Increase play to enhance specific elements of physical fitness in open environments.
Play many sports. Participation in formal gymnastics, trampoline, and tumbling training is beneficial.
(Pre puberty; before growth spurt)
Girls ages 9-13
Boys ages 10-14
Years in sport: 4-7
Train 2 days per week; 50-80 days/year.
Continue trampoline, tumbling, and gymnastics. Water ramp training 10-15 days per year.
60% freeskiing.
Start to incorporate focused dryland training 1-2 days per week. Enhance body awareness, balance, and spatial anticipation through games and drills.
Continue to participate in many activities and sports, and begin to identify with primary vs. complementary sports (late in this phase). Participation in formal gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling training with emphasis on technique and proper movement patterns.
(puberty and growth spurt)
Girls ages 11-15
Boys ages 12-16
Years in sport: 5-8
Train 3-5 days per week; 80-100 days per year.
Water ramp training 15-25 days per year.
30% freeskiing.
Physical fitness is becoming an integral part of the season (1-3 sessions per week). Increase hours of training with varied volumes and intensity. Continue to participate in complementary sports while identifying clear goals in primary sport. Continue formal gymnastics or trampoline and tumbling. Workouts should consist of dryland, gymnastics, and trampoline.
(post puberty/after growth spurt)
Girls ages 12-17
Boys ages 14-18
Years in sport: 6-11
Train 4-5 days per week; 120-140 days per year including off-season, on-snow camps.
Water ramp training 30-50 days per year.
20% freeskiing
Implement periodized training with varying volumes and intensity. Training is now essential to seasonal programming with 2-3 sessions per week and off-season fitness plans. Use complementary sports and activities for variety and to enhance aerobic conditioning by increasing training volume in all activities. Gymnastics or trampoline/tumbling 3-5 days a week. Sport-specific trampoline training focusing on air awareness and consistency.
(Full maturation)
Girls ages 16+
Boys ages 17+
Years in sport: 10+
Train 4-5 days per week; 130-150 days per year including off-season, on-snow camps.
15% freeskiing.
Year-round, periodized training plans with varying volumes and intensity are essential to prepare for full competition and training loads. Use complementary sports and activities for injury prevention, avoiding burnout, and to maintain all aspects of physical fitness. Focused trampoline training 4-5 days a week.
Ages 2-6
Years in sport: 1-4
Train 1 day per week; ski for play as much as is enjoyable.
95% all-mountain skiing.
Begin to develop fundamental movement skills through play, fun, novel activities.
Participate in many physical activities. Explore individual coordination or balance-based sports. Team sports to build teamwork, ethics and fair play.
Ages 6-10
Years in sport: 2-5
Train 2 days per week; ski for play as much as is enjoyable.
90% all-mountain skiing
Increase play to enhance specific elements of physical fitness in open environments.
Play many sports. Active participation in coordination or balance-based sports. Participation in team sports build teamwork, ethics and fair play.
(Pre puberty; before growth spurt)
Girls ages 10-13
Boys ages 11-14
Years in sport: 4-7
Train 2 to 4 days per week; 50-70 days/year.
60% all-mountain skiing.
Start to incorporate focused dryland training 1-2 days per week. Enhance body awareness, balance, and spatial anticipation through games and drills.
Continue to participate in many activities and sports, and begin to identify with primary vs. complementary sports (late in this phase).
(puberty and growth spurt)
Girls ages 11-14
Boys ages 12-15
Years in sport: 5-8
Train 3-5 days per week; 70-90 days per year, including 7-10 days of off-season, on-snow camps.
30-50% all-mountain skiing
Physical fitness is becoming an integral part of the season (1-3 sessions per week). Increase hours of training with varied volumes and intensity. Continue to participate in complementary sports while identifying clear goals in primary sport.
(post puberty/after growth spurt)
Girls ages 12-16
Boys ages 14-17
Years in sport: 6-11
Train 4-5 days per week; 100-120 days per year, including off-season, on-snow camps.
30% all-mountain skiing.
Implement periodized training with varying volumes and intensity. Training is now essential to seasonal programming with 2-3 sessions per week and off-season fitness plans. Use complementary sports and activities for variety and to enhance aerobic conditioning by increasing training volume in all activities.
(Full maturation)
Girls ages 16+
Boys ages 17+
Years in sport: 10+
Train 4-5 days per week; 140-160 days per year including 20-30 days of off-season, on-snow camps.
30% all-mountain skiing.
Year-round, periodized training plans with varying volumes and intensity are essential to prepare for full competition and training loads. Use complementary sports and activities for injury prevention, avoiding burnout, and to maintain all aspects of physical fitness.
Mike Papke
(406)-581-8598 or mike.papke@bridgerskifoundation.org
