Cross Country U16/U18/U20 and Post Graduate

Athletes and alumni interested in summer-only cross country training and strength and conditioning can contact Brian Tate, Cross Country Program Director for more information.

Cross Country U16/U18/U20 (high school)

This comprehensive, year-round program offers a high level of training for motivated athletes who love the sport and want to pursue their full potential in cross country ski racing. Each athlete works with the coaches to develop goals and an annual training plan. Training begins the first week in May with a focus on general conditioning training while school is in session, and then once public school is out for the summer, continues with seven training sessions per week, plus weekend training recommendations with a focus on the development of aerobic fitness, strength increases, cross country specific technique improvement, speed development, and gains in agility and coordination. Fall and winter training takes place five days/week once public schools are in session. All training is based out of Howelsen Hill. Skiers compete in local, regional, national, and in some cases, international competitions.

Requirements

• High School schedule requirement: SSHS students must register for the “0” hour school schedule to line up with weekday training times for the fall and winter.
• Middle School schedule requirements: SSMS may arrange an early release to line up with weekday training times for the fall and winter.
• Minimum skiing requirement: Some XC skiing experience is beneficial but not mandatory. There have been successful XC athletes who began skiing in high school.
• Equipment requirement: Cross country ski racing equipment for classic and skate on snow and classic, skate roller skis, classic roller skis, skate poles with roller ski tips, classic poles with roller ski tips, neon tops, chest-high poles for ski bounding, running shoes, water pack, road/gravel bike, helmet (must be worn biking and roller skiing), heart rate monitor.
• Trail pass information: Purchase a Youth Premier Valley Pass.
• Competition information: Participants compete in Rocky Mountain Nordic (RMN) Junior National Qualifiers, Junior National championships (by qualification) and other events including Senior National Championships, Super Tour events and Super Tour Finals, if deemed appropriate.
• Licensing requirements: Participants will need a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Competitor Membership. RMN membership is a required add-on to the USSS membership and is automatically added on to USSS Membership Annual Fee. Some athletes will also need a FIS license depending on their competition plan. Check with the coaches.

 

Training Schedule

DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATIONS:

SPRING SESSIONS: May 2 - June 4

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

SUMMER SESSION: June 5 - August 16

Monday, 7:30-10 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 7:30-11 a.m.
Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. - afternoon (depending on travel requirements)
Thursday, 7:30-10 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30-10 a.m.

BEND, OREGON CAMP: Snow/grooming dependent - Bend Camp dates are approximately June 5 - 13.

There is a scheduled break from August 3-18 for families to plan a summer vacation.

FALL DRYLAND SESSIONS: Detailed schedule will be updated July 1, 2024. Five days/week.

WINTER ON-SNOW SESSIONS: Detailed schedule will be updated July 1, 2024. Five days/week.

Program Fee

Residents and non-residents are required to pay an additional $600 refundable work deposit.

Scholarships are based on a two-step EZ Competitive Program Scholarship.

• Resident Requirements: To be eligible for the resident program fee, athletes must be full-time residents of Routt or Moffat County or full-time participants of SSWSC for two years or more. See the Member Handbook for full details on resident fees.
• Required Work Deposit: Residents and non-residents are required to pay an additional $600 refundable work deposit. For more information on the SSWSC work deposit program CLICK HERE.
• Scholarships: Check out all SSWSC’s scholarship opportunities, including the two-step EZ Competitive Program Scholarship and Winter Program Fee Scholarship HERE!. Non-residents are not eligible for EZ Scholarships but may apply for the Winter Program Fee Scholarship.

Cross Country Post Graduate, ages 18+

This program is designed for motivated athletes taking time off between high school and college to pursue competitive cross country skiing at a high level. Athletes have the opportunity to train and compete for two years before they begin to impact their NCAA eligibility, and this program has served as a successful stepping-stone to advance athletes to NCAA programs. Athletes in the Post Grad program also have the opportunity to further their education by taking classes at Colorado Mountain College (CMC) and/or to find employment in Steamboat Springs.

Requirements

• Minimum skiing requirement: Participants in this program should be accomplished XC racers and can expect to compete in regional, national and potentially international competitions.
• Equipment requirement: Cross country ski racing equipment for classic and skate on snow and classic, skate roller skis, classic roller skis, skate poles with roller ski tips, classic poles with roller ski tips, neon tops, chest-high poles for ski bounding, running shoes, water pack, road bike, helmet (must be worn biking and roller skiing), heart rate monitor.
• Trail pass information: Purchase a Premier Valley Pass.
• Licensing requirements: Participants will need a U.S. Ski & SnowboardCompetitor Membership and a FIS Competitor License. RMN membership is a required add on to the USSS membership and is automatically added on to USSS Membership Annual Fee.

Training Schedule

DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATIONS:

SPRING SESSIONS: May 2 - June 4

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

SUMMER SESSION: June 5 - August 16

Monday, 7:30-10 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 7:30-11 a.m.
Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. - afternoon (depending on travel requirements)
Thursday, 7:30-10 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30-10 a.m.

BEND, OREGON CAMP: Snow/grooming dependent - Bend Camp dates are approximately June 5 - 13.

There is a scheduled break from August 3-18 for families to plan a summer vacation.

FALL DRYLAND SESSIONS: Detailed schedule will be updated July 1, 2024. Five days/week.

WINTER ON-SNOW SESSIONS: Detailed schedule will be updated July 1, 2024. Five days/week.

Program Fee

Residents and non-residents are required to pay an additional $600 refundable work deposit.

Scholarships are based on a two-step EZ Competitive Program Scholarship.

• Resident Requirements: To be eligible for the resident program fee, athletes must be full-time residents of Routt or Moffat County or full-time participants of SSWSC for two years or more. See the Member Handbook for full details on resident fees.
• Required Work Deposit: Residents and non-residents are required to pay an additional $450 refundable work deposit. For more information on the SSWSC work deposit program CLICK HERE.
• Scholarships: Check out all SSWSC’s scholarship opportunities, including the two-step EZ Competitive Program Scholarship and Winter Program Fee Scholarship HERE!. Non-residents are not eligible for EZ Scholarships but may apply for the Winter Program Fee Scholarship.

Questions?
Email Brian Tate, Cross Country Program Director
or
Email Josh Smullin, Cross Country Head Coach

Steamboat Mountain School: For decades, numerous SSWSC student-athletes have attended Steamboat Mountain School—an independent college-preparatory school with day and boarding opportunities. SSWSC partners with SMS offering a coordinated and world-class educational and athletic experience.

For more details about Steamboat Mountain School and its collaboration with the SSWSC, visit the SMS website or email Pearson Alspach, Upper School Director of Admissions.