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Youth Development

U10 Skiing (3- and 4-day) ages 8-10

U10 Skiing Programs (ages 8-10)

These SSWSC programs help young alpine, mogul and freeride skiers develop a comprehensive set of skiing skills that better prepare them to further their skiing career in whichever discipline they desire. Taking advantage of Steamboat’s unique diversity of training environments, the teams will explore bumps, powder, trees, jumps, gates, steeps and terrain parks. Training venues include the SSWSC Stevens Family Alpine Venue, SSWSC mogul courses, terrain parks, nordic jumps and the SSWSC air bag jump.

While other programs start to narrow their focus into disciplines at this age, the SSWSC continues to develop a broad base of fundamental skiing skills that aligns with the athlete development models of U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Kids can choose from programs that do not include competition, to groups that are geared toward preparing kids to sampling competition. However, at this age, competition is not a primary focus at any level. Skiers participate in the Steamboat Cup Series. U.S. Ski & Snowboard Rocky Mountain Division and USASA competitions (racing, moguls or park & pipe) are optional. To maximize training volume, this group does not travel to all available competitions and will only send coaches to select events.

U10 Dryland Option: October FunFit

U10 fall dryland training will be offered as a separate strength and conditioning program that is another session of our successful summer program called FunFit. FunFit is a program designed around developing sound fundamental skills in body movement, kinesthetic awareness, strength, and improving cardiovascular endurance for aspiring athletes. During these sessions, the focus will be to keep the FUN in fundamentals! By providing games that allow athletes to move in multi-planar motions, interact with other athletes, and develop confidence, all while learning the underlying themes of movement patterns, proper form and technique. Better movement quality during childhood prepares young athletes to better manage the growth disruptions during puberty. This can in turn help avoid injuries and keep athletes playing safely.

2023-2024 DATES & TIMES:

Monday OR Tuesday, 4:00-5:30pm, October 2-24 at Howelsen Hill

2023-2024 PROGRAM FEE: $95

U10 On-Snow Programs

U10 4-Day (U10 4D)

This signature program is for those kids that are passionate about continuing in the sport of skiing and prepares kids for a competitive track after U10 in either alpine ski racing, freestyle, or freeskiing. It requires dedicated attendance and enthusiasm for skiing. Three days will be focused on skiing fundamentals using a variety of training environments all over the mountain and in skills courses. On the fourth day, athletes will ski on cross country (XC) skate equipment incorporating games, poma rides, jumps, balance work, skate technique and adventures with the goal of developing a broad range of balance, strength and movement skills that form the foundation of optimal athletic development. In simple terms, the fourth day uses cross country equipment to develop incredibly balanced, strong and agile skiers. This does require athletes to have two sets of equipment: alpine gear and XC skate gear. Skiers will be with a consistent coach and group through the program. Local competition opportunities are included, and a few sanctioned competitions will be offered that may include travel in Colorado, but the focus remains on training at this age. This combination of training on alpine and cross country ski gear sets the athletes up to excel at any skiing discipline.

  • Minimum requirement: Comfortably ski blue runs, no XC ski experience needed
  • Participants will need a season pass to Steamboat Ski Resort and a Howelsen Hill All-Access pass
  • We encourage families to take advantage of seasonal rental opportunities that the club coordinates with local shops:
  • Alpine Skis - There will be a U10 alpine fit night at the beginning of October to size your athlete for rental packages available at a few local shops. Please make sure you clear your equipment with the head coach before purchasing or renting gear.
  • XC Gear - Athletes should rent a cross country skate ski package with skis, boots and poles. Please get your seasonal XC rentals by September. The Steamboat Touring Center is recommended, and they do run out of equipment.
  • The local Steamboat Cup Series entries are included and do not require any additional memberships
  • U.S. Ski & Snowboard or USASA membership is required for U.S. Ski & Snowboard (alpine and moguls) or USASA (freeskiing) competitions
  • Register by September 1 to ensure a place in this program

2023-2024 DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS:

Dryland Training:  Monday and Tuesday,  Nov. 13, 14, 27 and 28, 4:15-5:30pm at Howelsen Hill.

On-Snow Training: December 2-March 16
Monday and Tuesday: Ski (alpine), 4:15-6:00pm at Howelsen Hill
Thursday: XC Ski (skate ski): 4:15-5:45pm at Howelsen Hill
Saturday Ski (alpine): 8:30am-2:00pm at Steamboat Resort (exact times may change due to drop-off/pick-up locations)
*No Regular Training December 23 - January 5; February 19 - 24

2023-2024 PROGRAM FEE: $3,675 plus $300 work deposit

See the Scholarships page for information on program fee scholarships, including the one-step EZ Scholarship for local families.

For more information on the SSWSC work deposit program, click here.

U10 3 Day (U10 3D)

The traditional 3-day a week option for skiers interested in alpine racing, mogul skiing, freeskiing and big mountain, this program will train on alpine skis only. The program is focused on skiing fundamentals using a variety of training environments all over the mountain and in skills courses. It is a good fit for the U10 that has a passion for skiing, but is unable to participate in the U10 4-day program. Consistent attendance is important for skiers to keep pace with their group. Local Steamboat Cup competition opportunities are included, and a few travel competitions will be offered, but the focus remains on training at this age.

  • Minimum requirement: Comfortably ski blue runs
  • Participants will need a season pass to Steamboat Ski Resort and a season pass for Howelsen Hill
  • We encourage families to take advantage of seasonal rental opportunities that are coordinated by the club with local shops. There will be a U10 alpine fit night at the beginning of October to size your athlete for rental packages available at a few local shops. Please make sure you clear your equipment with the head coach before purchasing or renting gear.
  • The local Steamboat Cup Series entries are included and do not require any additional memberships
  • U.S. Ski & Snowboard or USASA membership is required for U.S. Ski & Snowboard (alpine and moguls) or USASA (freeskiing) competitions
  • Register by September 1 to ensure a place in this program

2023-2024 DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS:

Dryland Training: Monday and Tuesday,  Nov. 13, 14, 27, and 28, 4:15-5:30pm at Howelsen Hill

On-Snow Training: December 2 - March 16
Monday and Tuesday: Ski (alpine), 4:15-6:00pm at Howelsen Hill
Saturday: Ski (alpine) 8:30am-2:00pm at Steamboat Resort or Howelsen Hill (exact times may change due to drop-off/pick-up locations)
*No Training December 23 - January 5, February 19-24

2023-2024 PROGRAM FEE: $3,050 plus $300 work deposit

See the Scholarships page for information on program fee scholarships, including the one-step EZ Scholarship for local families.

For more information on the SSWSC work deposit program, click here.

Questions about this program?
Email Ali Givnish, Youth Programs Director