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Freeski Team

 

 

 

The Mad River Glen Freeski Team has established itself as one of the preeminent freeski programs in the nation. MRGFT alumnae have gone on to compete on the Freeride World Tour and have, to put it mildly, performed pretty darn well. The highlight to date was certainly in 2011 at the US Extremes when MRG skiers swept the podium. ESPN commented, “Maybe it shouldn’t seem as surprising as it did. After all, Vermont’s Mad River Glen is a hard place to ski. But still. Three kids from the same Vermont ski area monopolizing the podium at the vaunted Crested Butte Extremes, the holiest of big-mountain ski competitions?”

The Mad River Glen Freeski Team is designed for skiers ages 10 to 18 (as of January 1st) who want to improve their all-mountain skiing, bringing their talents to the next level. Team members will work daily on bumps, jumps, steeps, cliffs and trees in various snow conditions. The team also has a strong focus on mental skills development such as goal setting, teamwork, concentration, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Junior athletes who join the Mad River Glen Freeski Team will strengthen their self-confidence and cultivate a life-long camaraderie with their fellow teammates.

The Freeski Program at Mad River Glen offers young skiers an opportunity to develop their skiing skills in various terrains and conditions while also focusing on mental attributes. It’s a program designed for athletes who are capable of skiing independently and managing basic tasks on their own. MRSC membership is a requirement in order to participate in the program, with dues supporting various skiing-related initiatives.

The Freeski Team season long program is offered in 4 different formats. Athletes can elect to train one day a week choosing between Saturday or Sunday. There are also options to join the “Weekend” program which meets both Saturday and Sunday or for the competitive athlete we offer Full Season training.

Full Season training is available and designed for those athletes who wish to compete in IFSA-sanctioned events. Full Season training will cover coaching both at home and away at competitions on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season beginning on opening day and running through NorAm’s in April.

Competitive athletes are expected to participate in IFSA sanctioned Regional and National level competitions during the season. In order to compete, athletes must have an IFSA membership. Program fees do not include MRSC membership, IFSA membership, competition registration fees, additional lift tickets, lodging, and transportation costs.

Program Focus: The program is intended for skiers who are 10 years or older as of January 1st. The Freeski Team is designed to help those skiers who want to take their skills to a higher level of expertise. This program option is designed for the “all mountain ripper” who enjoys skiing from first chair to last, in all conditions and any terrain who is looking to push their comfort and skill the next level.

Skills Development: Participants in the Freeski Program will work on a variety of skiing skills, including navigating bumps, jumps, steep slopes, trees, and different snow conditions. Additionally, the program emphasizes the development of mental skills such as goal setting, teamwork, concentration, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

Self-Sufficiency: Children in this program are expected to be self-sufficient. They should be capable of handling basic tasks on their own, such as getting lunch, going to the bathroom, and finding their parents after training. They should also be able to ride all the ski lifts, including the Single chair, without adult assistance.

Skiing Proficiency: To join the Freeski Program, kids must be proficient in skiing with a dynamic parallel technique on all types of terrain.

Schedule: The program is offered on Saturdays only.

Membership with Mad River Glen Ski Club (MRSC): The Freeski Team is part of the Mad River Glen Ski Club. The MRSC raises funds to support various aspects of skiing, including skier scholarships, on-mountain safety measures like netting and radios, training, coach and athlete development.

Club Dues: Families participating in the Freeski Program will have club dues automatically applied during registration. The annual dues amount to $100 per family if paid before the September 30th deadline. After this deadline, prices, including club dues, may increase.

Registration: Registration for the program opens on September 5th. It is advisable to register early, space is limited and may sell out before the September 30th deadline.

Competitive athletes are expected to participate in IFSA sanctioned Regional and National level competitions during the season. In order to compete, athletes must have an IFSA membership. Program fees do not include an IFSA membership, competition registration fees, additional lift tickets, lodging, and transportation costs.

The competitive focus emphasizes skiing to IFSA judging criteria, including line choice, control, technique, fluidity, as well as style and energy.

 

2023/2024 Schedule:

2023/24 regular program dates: December 30, 2023 – March 17, 2024

2023/24 full-season program dates: December 9, 2023 – April, 2024

December Vacation Week 2-Day Camp (Included in full-season program pricing)

January 28 – Friendly Freeski Competition

February 09 – IFSA Junior Regional

February Vacation Week 2-Day Camp (Included in full-season program pricing)

March 08-09 – Ryan Hawks IFSA Junior National

2024 IFSA Junior Competition Schedule

 

NOT Included in the program fee: MRG season pass, MRSC membership, IFSA membership (required for competition), competition fees, lift tickets, lodging, and transportation costs related to competitions. 

Please see the FAQs at the bottom of this page for detailed information regarding Freeski equipment requirements. 


Mad River Ski Club

Mad River Ski Club traces its roots back to the early days of ski racing in the Mad River Valley. Long before Glen Ellen became part of Sugarbush, Al Hobart and friends founded the Mad Academy (now the Green Mountain Valley School), and the Mad River Ski Club was born as the original downhill race program in The Valley.

Today, the Mad River Ski Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports its member athletes and their families, and others who have a vested interest in ski racing and freesking at Mad River Glen. It is a wonderful community that connects athletes, young and old, who share a love of competition and our home mountain. While not all athletes in the Mad River Glen Ski Club race or freeski competitively, everyone is welcome to join and become part of the Mad River Ski Club. Memberships are by family and dues are collected at the beginning of each season.

Like many booster clubs, this club raises funds to support skier scholarships, on-mountain safety (like netting and radios), training, coach and athlete development, social events, charitable work that benefits and preserves the natural environment around Stark Mountain, and many other endeavors to benefit kids who are lucky enough to grow up skiing in the seasonal race or freeski programs at Mad River Glen. Club dues will be automatically applied at checkout when registering for the season. Annual dues are $100 per family before the September 30th deadline, after the deadline prices will increase, including club dues. Registration opens on August 15th. Please register early, following the September 30th deadline registration may be closed and/or sold out for the season.

 

Mission of MRSC: 

“Our goal is to support amateur athletics by fostering a love of skiing and the outdoors as a lifelong pursuit. Mad River Glen provides an exceptional experience with regard to its powerful natural beauty and unique terrain. Partnering and supporting the Mad River Glen Competitive Ski programs, the MRSC is uniquely positioned to help the Race and Freeski Programs deliver training, skiing opportunities, coaches, and teammates while providing time to experience the pure joy and adventure of skiing Mad River’s rugged terrain. The club also recognizes the importance of Mad River Glen as a place where family and community come together and strives to financially support all Mad River Glen race and freeski athletes by helping programs and other competitive opportunities remain accessible. The club strives to reflect the unique aspects, traditions and philosophies associated with the Mad River Glen Cooperative.”

 

Role of MRSC: 

The Mad River Ski Club is a booster organization that supports the Mad River Glen Junior Race and Freeski Programs. It raises funds that benefit the mountain’s junior competitive athletes and programs, while also providing support and the Mad River Ski Club name for USSA and IFSA competitions as needed. The Mad River Ski Club also hosts social functions for both race and freeski families to further build and support the community.

The Board of the Mad River Ski Club is comprised of the following members. They meet regularly throughout the year.

  • Jeannie Nagle, President
  • Rick Schiffmann, Treasure
  • Lisa Healy Lacey, Secretary
  • Anne MacWilliams Killian
  • Kim Hall
  • Stephen Sands
  • Sarah Pashby
  • Donna Liparulo
  • Sam Ruback

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation mission revolves around the belief that self-identity driven by internally composed core values answers the question “Who am I?” and stimulates a sense of ownership and responsibility for subsequent behavior. Core Values Matter. This is the central focus of the Decisions Program; EXPOSING people to Ryan’s core principles, INSPIRING them to explore and compose their own set of core values, and ACTING on the core principles they have composed. We have developed programs that explore and promote these principles in two targeted sectors, education and athletics.

Every time our young athletes strap on a pair of skis and head for the steeps, they begin a journey navigating through a maze of important choices, routinely making critical decisions that have the potential to affect their short-term and long-term health and fitness. With the Flyin Ryan Decisions Program, athletes begin to build the tools required to make smart decisions. Understanding our unique core values as individuals is key to developing good decision-making skills in every area of our lives.

The Flyin Ryan Decisions Program for Athletes and Coaches has the backing of the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA).

Flyin’ Ryan Decisions Program

 

 

 

 


MEET OUR STAFF:

José Darias

 

José grew up skiing at Mad River Glen, learning from friends and family he cut his teeth on the slopes of General Stark Mountain from a young age. In 2014 José joined the coaching staff of the Freeski Team. José competed in Ski The East Freeride Tour events since its inception; many of those same events are now part of the IFSA competition circuit. In 2019 José placed 2nd at the Ryan Hawks Memorial Freeride World Qualifier event held here at Mad River Glen. Jose’s coaching goals include showing young skiers of all levels what they are capable of learning and accomplishing on snow. Skiing, coaching and competing are his passions and José is proud to call Mad River Glen his home mountain. José currently holds his L200 IFSA coaching certificate. José & his wife Larissa live in Waitsfield with their son Javi and dogs Paco and Viper.

 

 

 

Edie Doemland

 

Edie Grew up on the Race Team at Mad River Glen following in her family’s footsteps. She left the Mad River Race Team to attend GMVS where she raced competitively for five years before retiring from racing. After hanging up her race hat she quickly put on her coaching hat and began her career as a race coach, starting at Sugarbush for the GMVS junior race program. After a year at Sugarbush, Edie returned to her roots and coached the Mad River Glen Race Team for five years before becoming a Freeski Coach. Edie says, “I love that I get to ski and learn from some of the coolest kids and coaches around”. Currently, Edie is certified in CPR and as a IFSA L100 coach. Edie’s favorite food is avocado, she has a 1.5-year-old dog named Frank. During the week Edie works at Four Quarters Brewing in the marketing department. 

 


 

Frequently Asked Questions;

What equipment is required for a Freeski Team athlete?

Freeski Team athletes are required to wear a helmet and goggles at all times, a back protector and mouth guard are highly recommended but not required.  Freeski Team athletes need to have at least one pair of all-mountain skis.  Check with program director Ry Young (802-496-7935 or [email protected]) or head coach Jose Darias (802-496-3551 ext 116 or [email protected]) for recommendations.

How do I get involved with Freeski competitions?

Stepping into a start gate can be intimidating in any sport, fortunately for freeskiers the competition lies between the athlete and the mountain which breeds a special camaraderie. With a host of IFSA sanctioned events both locally and throughout New England freeskiers are offered a host of opportunities to get involved. We strongly encourage those who are interested in trying competitive freeskiing for the first time to register for one of our home events here at MRG. For more information on the IFSA and first-time memberships click here.

MRG Freeski Team in the media: