freeski

A Day in the Life

FREESKI

Team Summit has produced athletes at the highest levels including X Games, Olympics, and World Champions!
Team Summit focuses on the skills required to create a well-rounded skier and offers specialized programs for Big Mountain, Moguls, Park and Pipe, Ski Cross, and Skimo.

Program Approach

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Training Systems have been designed to ensure that all athletes, coaches, and parent members of U.S. Ski & Snowboard have the best possible opportunity to fulfill their athletic dreams and talent. They are based on a long-term athlete development model (LTAD) for skiers and riders that emphasizes age-appropriate training and competition.

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Freeski Programs

Freeski Devo

The program develops skiing skills through on-mountain competitions and training, including in-house competitions in various disciplines.

Requirements:

Ages 7-13 (exemptions by Program Director)
Program Calendar: Dec – Mar (2-day Holiday Camp + 15 Weekend Sessions, no training on President’s Day)
Locations: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone
Competitions: 4 in-house (Big Mountain, Mogul, Park and Pipe, Ski Cross)
Optional external competitions (USSA, USASA, IFSA)
Equipment Provided: Jacket, Ski Swap
Costs:
- Freeski Devo $2,995
- Freeski Devo Plus $3,250 (Season Pass Required)

Freeski Devo Registration

Big Mountain

Requirements:

Age Requirements: Team Summit works with athletes who are 12 to 18 years old in the U13 and U19 weekend categories.
Minimum Skills Required: Ability to ski confidently on every run on the mountain, ability to self-arrest on 35°+ terrain, and ability to complete multiple hikes in a day. Contact the program director for skill inquiries.
Program Calendar: November to mid-April. Copper will be available until around holiday time, depending on when the Pali lift opens at the Basin. Then, Arapahoe Basin to April. Holiday camp option after the 25th of December through the first week of January.
Training Locations: Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain (very rarely Keystone and Breckenridge).
Competitions: They are governed by the IFSA. A Rocky Mountain Freeride series membership license is required for competition. Depending on the IFSA schedule, many competitions will be held mid-week.
Equipment: Team Summit jacket provided every two seasons. Properly tuned skis with appropriate bindings and boots. A back protector and helmet are required, and mouthguards are optional but highly recommended.
Costs:
- Academy – $7,000.00
- U19 – $4,350.00
- U13 – $3,700.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Discounted passes are available for A-basin, Copper Mountain, and Epic Local Pass. Vouchers will be distributed at the start of the season.

Big Mountain Registration

Park and pipe

Requirements:

Age Requirements: Park and Pipe is for athletes 8-19 years old.
Minimum Skills Required: PSIA Level 8. Skiers confident on black and off-piste terrain, with established baseline park skills from Freeski Devo. Contact program director for skill inquiries.
Program Calendar: December to Mid-April. 2-day per week program.
Training Locations: Exclusively at Copper Mountain.
Competitions: USASA Rocky Mountain Series events at multiple locations. Membership at usasa.org required. Online registration closes Wednesday before each event. Events include ski cross, halfpipe, slopestyle, and rail jam.
Program Cost:
- NorAm/FIS – $7,950.00
- Academy – $7,250.00
- Jr Academy – $5,450.00
- Part-time – $2,400.00
- U19 – $4,450.00
- U13 – $4,000.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Requires Copper Mountain Pass.

Skills: Per coach approval and completion of Freeski Devo.

Park and Pipe Registration

moguls

Requirements:

Age Requirements: Athletes 8-18 years old.
Minimum Skills Required: Comfortable on Black Diamond terrain, independent on chairlifts, and capable of hiking for aerial jumping skills.
Program Calendar: November to April. Three-day Holiday Camp in January. Two days per week program.
Training Locations: Moguls train at Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Breckenridge.
Competitions: Moguls events governed by US Ski and Snowboard. Membership required.
Program Cost:
- NorAm/FIS – $8,100.00
- Academy – $7,200.00
- U19 RMF – $4,500.00
- U13 Devo/RQS – $4,000.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Requires A-basin, Copper Mountain, and Epic Local Pass for training.

Skills: Per coach approval and completion of Freeski Devo.

Moguls Registration

Ski Cross

Requirements:

Age Requirements: Ski Cross is for athletes 13-19 years old.
Minimum Skills Required: Skiers should be advanced all-mountain skiers, with competition experience preferred.
Program Calendar: December to mid-April. Includes a 2-day per week program and a three-day Holiday Camp in January.
Training Locations: Keystone Resort and Copper Mountain
Competitions: USASA and Rocky Mountain Series events require licenses, entry fees, and waivers. Aim for USASA Nationals.
Program Cost:
- Academy – $7,100.00
- U19 – $4,225.00
- U13 – $3,825.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) $400.00.
Season Pass: Copper Mountain

Skills: Per coach approval and completion of Freeski Devo.

Ski Cross Registration

Ski-Mountaineering

Requirements:

Age Requirements: Team Summit Skimo works with athletes aged 12 to 18. Athletes 12-14 focus on short course, sprint, and vertical races; athletes 15 and older compete in long course, sprint, and vertical races in ISMF Cadet (15-17) and Junior (18-20) categories.
Minimum Skills Required: Athletes must sustain 30 minutes of aerobic activity and ski at an intermediate level. Cadets and Juniors need independence to ski solo at training venues.
Program Calendar: Mid-November to mid-April, with additional Dryland Training from October. Program days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Training Locations: Primary training at Copper Mountain, with sessions at Arapahoe Basin and Breckenridge. Includes two 4-6 hour backcountry ski days and an end-of-year hut trip.
Competitions: USSMA and ISMF governed events, including COSMIC Skimo series, national qualifiers, and championships.
Program Cost:
- Complete – $2,945.00
- Saturday Only – $1,945.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Uphill passes for Abasin, Copper Mountain, and Breckenridge. Mandatory season pass for Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin.

Skills: Per coach approval.

Ski-Mo Registration

FREESKI ACADEMY PROGRAMS

The Team Summit Academy program is a comprehensive, full-time training option for dedicated Freeskiers. It includes dryland training three days a week (pre-season) and on-snow training five days a week. Athletes leave school early to train at any of Summit County’s four ski areas. While fundamentals remain crucial, the program also emphasizes equipment preparation, nutrition, and physical training.

Team Summit Academy Info

powder skier big mountain in the background in a blue sky

big mountain academy

Team Summit Big Mountain produces elite athletes competing in the Freeride World Tour and Freeride World Qualifiers, encouraging a unique approach to skiing. The Big Mountain Academy enhances skiing skills while helping students balance academics and athletics. Athletes aged 13-19 develop all-mountain skills, compete in regional and international events, and train five days a week. Our program focuses on carving, line selection, control, risk management, and aerial skills. We work with local schools to support academic and athletic success using the US Ski and Snowboard model for long-term development. Contact the program director to sign up.

Requirements:

Minimum Skills Required: Comfortable on“extreme” terrain—high level of independence to ski solo at the training venue. Comfortability hitting cliffs and being on exposed terrain.
Program Calendar: September to April, with a holiday camp option after the 25th of December through the first week of January.
Training Locations: Primarily at Arapahoe Basin and Copper, with occasional sessions at Keystone and Breckenridge. There are Woodward sessions every week as well.
Competitions: Governed by IFSA with a Rocky Mountain Freeride series membership required.
Program Cost:
- Big Mountain Academy – $7,000.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Athletes should have passes for Abasin, Copper Mountain, Woodward, and Epic Local for local training.

Big Mountain Registration

park and pipe academy

Team Summit Freestyle Skiing Park and Pipe program has produced top athletes competing in events like US Jr Freestyle Nationals, USASA Nationals, Rev Tour, Dew Tour, X Games, and the Olympics. The Park and Pipe Academy, for athletes aged 11-19, offers a five-day-per-week program focused on USASA and US Ski and Snowboard Park and Pipe competitions. Athletes compete in Halfpipe, Slopestyle, Rail Jam, and Ski Cross, mainly in the USASA Rocky Mountain Series, with a chance to advance to USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain. Training takes place on Summit County’s world-class terrain parks and includes off-hill sessions at Woodward Copper. For more details on USASA or the Rocky Mountain Series, visit Rockymountainseries.com or USASA.org. Team Summit uses the US Ski and Snowboard model for long-term athlete development.

Requirements:

Minimum Skills Required: Skiers should demonstrate baseline terrain park skills for medium features in Central Park at Copper Mountain.
Program Calendar: September – Mid-April, including a 3-day Holiday Camp in January.
Training Locations: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone.
Competitions: Park and Pipe athletes compete in the USASA Rocky Mountain Series. Membership at usasa.org is required for entry.
Program Cost:
- Academy – $7,045.00
- NorAm/FIS Academy – $7,725.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Abasin, Copper, and Woodward Barn passes are required. An Epic Local pass is recommended.

Park and Pipe Registration

mogul academy

Team Summit’s Mogul program has produced top athletes competing at regional, national, and international levels. Athletes aged 11-19 refine their skills to compete in Devo, RQS Comp Series, National, and FIS events, with support for qualifying to higher-level competitions. Training includes a variety of courses and environments throughout the season to develop well-rounded competitors. We use the US Ski and Snowboard model for long-term athlete development.

Requirements:

Minimum Skills Required: PSIA Level 9: Comfortable on Black Diamond terrain. High level of independence to ride chairlifts and lap the training venue solo. Desire to train basic to complex aerial jumping skills hiking at times. Contact the Program Director for skill level inquiries.
Program Calendar: November – April, including a 3-day Holiday Camp in January.
Training Locations: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone.
Competitions: Moguls events governed by US Ski and Snowboard. Membership required at usskiandsnowboard.org. Regional event information at www.rockymountainfreestyle.com.
Program Cost:
- Academy – $7,085.00
- NorAm/FIS Academy – $8,100.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Athletes should have an Abasin, Copper Mountain, and Epic Local Pass for training at all local areas.

Moguls Registration

Ski cross academy

Athletes aged 13-19 develop Alpine, Park and Pipe, and all-mountain freestyle skills to compete in USASA Ski Cross events. The Ski Cross Academy is a five-day-per-week program that supports athletes in USASA and US Ski and Snowboard competitions. Training occurs on Summit County’s world-class mountains, as well as at Frisco Adventure Park and Ski Cooper, utilizing appropriate courses and features. Team Summit follows the US Ski and Snowboard model for long-term athlete development.

Requirements:

Minimum Skills Required: Skiers should be proficient in parallel skiing on all blue and easy black terrain. High level of independence to ride chair lifts and ski solo at the training venue.
Program Calendar: November to April, including a 3-day Holiday Camp in January.
Training Locations: Keystone Resort and Copper Mountain
Competitions: Governed by USASA and Rocky Mountain Series for Ski Cross events. Competitors require a license, entry fee, and waivers to participate, aiming for USASA Nationals.
Program Cost:
- Ski Cross Academy – $6,900.00
- +Volunteer Service Fee (VSF) – $400.00.
Season Pass: Athletes should have passes for Abasin, Copper Mountain, and Epic Local for local training.

Ski Cross Registration

SIGN UP FOR COMPETITIONS

USASA

Park and Pipe and Ski Cross, the athlete will need to obtain a membership at usasa.org. Sign up for all regional events online at rms.usasa.org. Registration usually closes the Wednesday before the contest at 11:59 pm.

IFSA

Big Mountain, the athlete will need to obtain a membership at freeskiers.org also a rocky mountain freeride membership at rockymountainfreerideseries.com.