The SVSEF 2013- 2014 Cross Country Ski Programs

The SVSEF U25 Team is a new program designed to assist young seniors aged 25 and younger who might not yet qualify for Gold Team yet are committed to a path of athletic preparation that will lead to top national level results and eventual international competition. As part of the Gold Team this program offers all participants the same level of coaching and team support such as technical ski service and sports science as the Gold Team. U25 team members however are required to cover all training and competition travel costs. Support based on win bonuses is also available to U25 team members. Competitive focus will include the US Super Tour and depending on results may include opportunities to participate at Scandinavian or OPA Cup Series. Athletes who have just completed their NCAA athletic career or are taking a year away from college are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be required to provide their training history as well as meet with team staff to discuss their goals in ski racing and to better understand the methods and expectations of the SVSEF program.

Regular local training sessions, generally 4-6 per week, are conducted from spring through the winter in Sun Valley as part of the regular Gold Team Schedule and all U25 team members are also welcome to attend all Team Training Camps including on snow training at Mt Bachelor at the Eagle Glacier. Athletes will have access to our Lake Creek training facility that includes strength gym, lockers and waxing room.

The SVSEF Post Grad (PG) Team provides participants with a comprehensive program that assists junior competitors in their efforts to advance their fitness and competitive capacities. The PG program offers a unique experience for juniors as they continue to mature in their skiing. A Post Grad year in Sun Valley provides participants the opportunity to develop their sport knowledge and capacities but also serves to help older juniors with a life learning year where they experience travel, working with high level coaches, building confidence and life competency (gotta do that laundry!). SV PG’s have the unique opportunity to be training shoulder to shoulder with some of the best seniors in an amazing training and skiing setting. For those participants focusing on World Juniors, the SVSEF program is in the very advantageous position of being located in the West where we are virtually guaranteed early snow and immediate access to the always competitive early season Western Super Tours as well as the Canadian Nor-Am series.

The SVSEF Post Grad Team Head Coach is Chris Mallory. Chris, a product of the UNH, has led the SVSEF PG Team for the past four years and has served as a USST Staff member at World Juniors for the past two seasons. The SVSEF PG Team has regularly assisted skiers qualify for WJC’s and all SVSEF PG’s show significant growth in their skiing often resulting in selection to elite NCAA programs. Contact Chris Mallory directly at Mallory_chris@hotmail.com if you are interested!

Regular training sessions are conducted weekly on year round basis in Sun Valley and the team takes advantage of regular training camps help on snow at Mt Bachelor OR, The Haig and Eagle Glaciers , Frozen Thunder in Canmore and at the annual US season opener in West Yellowstone, MT. Competitive opportunities include participation at US Nationals and World Junior/Scando Selections held in Soldier Hollow in 2014, the US Super Tour, Canadian Nor-AM, the Intermountain Selection Series, RMISA NCAA Competitions and Super Tour Finals.

Post Grads who are interested in maintaining their academic studies are able to tailor a Post Grad academic program through the Sun Valley Community School. Post Grad studies that include an array of course offerings that allow PG’s to still meet their athletic goals. We will connect interested PG’s with the Community School Academic Director for further information.

The SVSEF offers to college age skiers, the opportunity to join our training group as a Summer Guest skier. The Sun Valley area affords an exceptional training environment with top quality rollerskiing terrain, hundreds of miles foot and mountain bike trails and a limitless backcountry wilderness. Skiers train alongside our Gold Team athletes ensuring a top level training group and have access to the Lake Creek Training Center that includes a full strength gym, lockers, shower and wax room. In addition to the great training situation, the Sun Valley area is a very convenient place to live and train. Summer guests are able to easily access all training venues on their townie, can rollerski from their front door and walk to the grocery store. The makes for an ease of blending training with a summer job. Summer coaching tuition is handled on a month by month basis so participants can tailor their visit to suit the summer schedule. All guests must be current USSA members. Contact Chris Mallory chris@svsef.org or Rick Kapala rick@svsef.org for details additional details.

The SVSEF Junior Academy team provides participants the opportunity to be part of Sun Valley’s Comp program while attending school at the locally based Community School. The Sun Valley Ski Academy offers promising athletes access to world-class coaching, training, and competition together with an established college-preparatory program in an unparalleled mountain setting. Open to student-athletes aged 13-years and older, the Sun Valley Ski Academy combines the strength of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation training and coaching with Community School’s proven academic program, scheduling flexibility, and both day student and boarding options. Community School and SVSEF have worked together for decades, producing top snow sport athletes who excel regionally, nationally, and internationally. Now combined under the banner of the Sun Valley Ski Academy, we are taking our opportunities for excellence to new levels. Academy student-athletes are fully integrated into the life of Community School — in academics, the Outdoor Program, and extracurricular and social activities. At the same time, they can rely on the flexibility and support necessary to pursue their winter-sport passions.

Ski Academy participants will train and travel as part of SVSEF’s Comp team including training camps and competitions and will have access to SVSEF’s training center which includes strength, wax and locker facilities. Many of the Academy students live locally but the Ski Academy’s residential program offers student- athletes from outside the area the chance to experience all that Sun Valley has to offer, living in a comfortable and convenient residence hall at the base of Mt. Baldy. Academy students may choose to arrive at the beginning of the academic year or may arrive earlier to participate in dryland and on snow camps and training with the SVSEF comp team. For information regarding the Sun Valley Ski Academy contact program director Rick Kapala rick@svsef.org, or Jonna Mendes, Director of Recruitment jmendes@sunvalleyskiacademy.org.

SVSEF Information and Background:

• The SVSEF and Sun Valley area has recently been designated by the United States Olympic and Para Olympic Nordic Training Site. This designation was award to Sun Valley on the basis of the areas exceptional nordic facilities and programming.
• The SVSEF is one the most successful winter sports club in the United States having been recognized several times as USSA Club of the Year. The SVSEF offers programming in cross country, alpine, freestyle and snowboarding and brings almost 50 years of commitment to winter sports.
• The Sun Valley area , also known as Nordic Town USA is recognized as one of the premier nordic communities in the world. Over 200km of ski trails are groomed by pisten bully and offer a complete array of trail profiles for all training needs
• Our community organizes numerous cross country ski races including US Super Tours, IMD Divisional Races and the ever popular Boulder Mountain Tour along with a comprehensive summer event schedule that includes mountain and road bike races and running events.
• Our local populace embrace cross country skiing as a core cultural value. Each year we host a week long Nordic Festival and over 3000 locals annually purchase trail passes in support of our trail system