Welcome to Junior Alpine Racing! Our program provides FUN, team-based, age-appropriate training with a focus on mastery of fundamental skiing skills progressing to the development of racing skills over time. We are fortunate to have a long-term, dedicated team of highly qualified coaches, all of whom are expert skiers and many of whom are accomplished ski racers at the national and even international level. Most importantly, they all love working with kids. We ski, train and race at the Dartmouth Skiway, Whaleback, and at mountains throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. Our youngest athletes have zero ski racing experience. For these young skiers , the focus is on learning to love skiing all the fun terrain our mountains offer. Our older athletes develop racing skills and often find the podium at state and regional races. While some of our athletes go on to successful high school, college, and even international racing careers, our primary focus is on developing a love of skiing and ski racing as members of an energetic and supportive team. Come join us and be part of this terrific winter community of skiers and families!
Alpine Director: Kate Anderson kate.anderson@fordsayre.org
Volunteer Program Heads: Sarah Billmeier sbillmeier@gmail.com and Lindsay Coe lindsay.b.coe@gmail.com (both AlpineRace@FordSayre.org)
Registration Timing: Registration will open October 1, 2024 and will close at midnight (ET) on October 22, 2024. Please note the change in the Devo registration process.
Racing Development (Devo) – Birth Years 2016, 2017 & 2018
For the past 20 years, the Ford Sayre Alpine Racing Development team (Devo) has given enthusiastic young skiers the ability to reach the next level in the sport by emulating the technique of the best skiers on the hill. All Devo skiers become proficient enough to have a lifetime of fun in the sport, whether or not they choose to move on to competition as they grow older and stronger.
Devo is designed for self-motivated young skiers who love to ski, have a solid foundation of skills (turning, stopping, controlling speed) and are eager to do more. Because this is not a learn-to-ski program:
- participants are required to have at least one full season of skiing experience;
- participants should be eager to ski the full variety of terrain at the Dartmouth Skiway, including both the Winslow and Holts sides;
- participants should be willing to use ski poles;
- participants must be able to ride the chairlift with minimal assistance.
The Devo ski season includes miles and miles of skiing with coaches, age-appropriate free-skiing drills, 1-2 big mountain days and introduction to ski racing elements to promote solid technical fundamentals.
The primary goal of the program is to instill a love of skiing in our participants so they will continue skiing in whatever capacity that excites them. In addition, since this program is the entry-level of the Alpine Racing Program, we hope that many children will move on from Devo and give competitive racing a try.
**If this does not sound right for your child, please check out the snowsport programs offered through the Dartmouth Skiway!** The main differences between Devo and Skiway Snowsport School are:
- Devo is not a learn-to-ski program
- Devo is two weekend days from 9:30am to 12:30pm (The Skiway offers single day and afternoon options)
- Devo participants must be born in 2018 or before
- Devo parents are required to volunteer
Note for 2016 Birth Year skiers: Children born in 2016 have the option to enroll in Devo or the U10 team. Please contact the program heads or head coach if you need input on which choice would be most appropriate for your child. Factors to think about are skiing ability, maturity, and desire to learn to race.
Parents are required to volunteer as a lift riding helper for a minimum of two practices. If parents are not comfortable on skis they can volunteer for another Devo role. (A $400 fee will be assessed, if this volunteer requirement is not satisfied.)
Registration Process: To ensure that we can provide a quality program and avoid the mad rush to register on October 1st, we will be following a new process.
- August to mid-September – People interested in coaching should email kate.anderson@fordsayre.org.
- Mid September – Coach registration opens
- Late September – Devo registration opens for families of registered coaches
- October 1 to 7 – Regular registration opens and all Devo registrations go to a waitlist status
- October 8 to 11 – We will register remaining Devo spots* first to returning Devo athletes, second to returning Ford Sayre Alpine families (e.g., a new Devo athlete with older siblings in the program) and third to new Ford Sayre Alpine families. If there aren’t enough spots for all that are on the waitlist, the spots will be filled by lottery.
- October 12 (or earlier) – Families will be notified of their registered or waitlist status.
*The number of Devo spots depends on the number of commited coaches we have.
Program Fee: $850 + Dartmouth Skiway Ski Pass
November Team Building: November 17 @10am – Family hike at Velvet Rocks
On Snow Training:
- Weekends (Sat & Sun) at Skiway: 9:30am-12:30pm, beginning Saturday, January 4th and ending on March 9th. Groups take one snack break during the training session.
- Big Mountain Day: we will try to schedule at least one big mountain day with this group during the season. This will be a chance to ski some new terrain!
- Devo will NOT meet during the weekend of Feb 8 & 9, 2025. This is Dartmouth Winter Carnival so the Skiway will be busy and a great time to take a family weekend!
- We strongly encourage our “Little Rippers” to get out skiing before our Devo season starts.
Devo Parent Info Night – October 30th @7:30pm via Zoom
U10 Alpine Team – Birth Years 2015 & 2016
The U10 team creates a positive environment to further develop fundamental skiing skills that build on balance, agility, basic carving and coordination. We base the curriculum on US Ski Team age-appropriate progressions, which build on a race platform. We ski the entire mountain in virtually all conditions (and weather) to develop confidence through varied challenges and terrain.
Skiers in this team will participate in a range of events and competitions at other local mountains. There will also be big mountain days at other ski areas. While many of the U10 skiers will have participated in the DEVO program in prior years, it is not a requirement. Skiers who are new to Ford Sayre should have at least two years of skiing experience including at least one year in a structured program.
Note for 2016 Birth Year skiers: Children born in 2016 have the option to enroll in Devo or the U10 team. Please contact the program heads or head coach if you need input on which choice would be most appropriate for your child. Factors to think about are skiing ability, maturity, and desire to race.
Parents are required to work one home race during the season. Family max of 4. (A $400 fee will be assessed, if this volunteer requirement is not satisfied.)
Program Fee: $1225 + Dartmouth Skiway Ski Pass
Midweek Add-on Fee (optional): $350 + Regular Whaleback Youth Pass – Please scroll below for details on this pilot program.
Optional Memberships: U10 athletes interested in competing in USSA races should have a USSA and NHARA membership. We recommend all 2-year U10s to participate in one or more USSA races to get a feel for that style of event before becoming at U12.
- US Ski & Snowboard – Competitor membership required; early bird discount ends October 15
- New Hampshire Alpine Racing Association – This is included during the USSA registration process
November Team Building: Sundays, November TBD
On Snow Training:
- Informal Sunday Skiing – Starting 12/5 at locations TBD until Skiway opens. These are family ski days without formal coaching. It is a great opportunity for the kids to get some time on snow before Holiday Camp. Group lift tickets will be at a discounted rate whenever possible.
- Weekends (Sat/Sun) at Skiway – 9:30am-12:30pm, start date TDB when Skiway opens
- Holiday Camp at Skiway – 4 to 5 days TBD
- February Vacation at Skiway – 2 days TBD
U10 Parent Info Night – November 6 @7:00pm via Zoom
U12 Alpine Team – Birth Years 2013 & 2014
The U12 team is ideal for athletes who are excited to ski race and challenge themselves on the hill. The team accommodates many levels in a fun and supportive environment where children progress rapidly and enjoy the process of working through a ski racing year from early season dryland, to on-snow training, to the State Finals or Championships. Ford Sayre is known throughout New Hampshire for being the most spirited team and is always respected for the quality of its competitors and for their sportsmanship. This is the perfect program for those who want to progress quickly and who have an interest in competing.
Parents are required to work at two home races during the season. Family max of 4. (A $400 fee will be assessed, if this volunteer requirement is not satisfied.)
Program Fee: $1950 + Ski Passes
Required Memberships:
- US Ski & Snowboard – Competitor membership required; early bird discount ends October 15
- New Hampshire Alpine Racing Association – This is included during the USSA registration process
Pre-Season Conditioning: Nov 2 to mid-December, Wednesdays and Sundays (location & times vary)
On Snow Training:
- Thanksgiving/Colorado Camp (optional) – November 22 to 29
- Sunday Skiing – Starting 12/7 at alternative locations TBD until Skiway opens
- Weekends (Sat/Sun) at Skiway – 9:00am-1:00pm, start date TDB when Skiway opens
- Holiday Camp at Skiway – December 22 to January 2 (details TBD)
- February Vacation at Skiway – February 17 to 21
- Midweek Training at Whaleback – 3:30 to 5:30pm (Tue/Wed/Thur) starting January 7
U12 Parent Info Night – October 29 @7:00pm via Zoom
U14 Alpine Team – Birth Years 2011 & 2012
The U14 team is ideal for experienced young skiers who are ready to push themselves in the competitive arena. No previous racing experience is required, but participants must be able to comfortably ski all types of terrain, and a desire to race is a must. Similar to the U12 team, the U14 team introduces new challenges including an introduction to speed events. Racers train together and grow to be a supportive team.
Parents are required to work at two home races during the season. Family max of 4. (A $400 fee will be assessed, if this volunteer requirement is not satisfied.)
Program Fee: $2150 + Ski Passes
Required Memberships:
- US Ski & Snowboard – Competitor membership required; early bird discount ends October 15
- New Hampshire Alpine Racing Association – This is included during the USSA registration process
Pre-Season Conditioning: Nov 2 to mid-December, T/W/TH 3:30-5pm and Sundays (location & times vary)
On Snow Training:
- Thanksgiving/Colorado Camp (optional) – November 22 to 29
- Sunday Skiing – Starting 12/7 at alternative locations TBD until Skiway opens
- Weekends (Sat/Sun) at Skiway – 9:00am-1:00pm, start date TDB when Skiway opens
- Holiday Camp at Skiway – December 22 to January 2 (details TBD)
- February Vacation at Skiway – February 17 to 21
- Midweek Training at Whaleback – 3:15 to 5:15pm (Tue/Wed/Thur) starting January 7
U14 Parent Info Night – October 29 @7:00pm via Zoom
Midweek Only Training – Birth Years 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014
The Midweek Only Training team is open to racers who participate in sanctioned race programs on the weekends and are looking to get some extra time on snow during the week. Participants will train with our U12 and U14 team (see U12 and U14 descriptions above for more information). Program includes Whaleback training, fall conditioning sessions and pre-season skiing, including optional Thanksgiving/Colorado Camp (supplemental fee). We strongly encourage our Midweek Only athletes to participate in fall conditioning sessions to help them build relationships with coaches and teammates. Program is limited to 10 participants. If the program is full, please sign up to get on the waiting list as we will try to accommodate all skiers.
Note: Christmas Camp and February Break Camp are NOT included in the Midweek Only Program Fee. Athletes who wish to participate in either or both of these camps should register as full U12 or U14 team members.
Program Fee: $850 + Whaleback Training Ski Pass
U10 Midweek Add-On Pilot – Birth Years 2015 & 2016
We are piloting a midweek option for U10 skiers interested in focusing on alpine race techniques and skills. The program will take place on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm at Whaleback starting in January. Since this is our first time offering this program and training space is limited, participation will be limited to 15 athletes. If there are more than 15 athletes interested, priority will be given to second year U10s (e.g., 2015 birth years). Athletes must be registered in the Ford Sayre U10 core program to participate and must be comfortable riding the Whaleback chair lift without an adult.
Program Fee: $350 + Whaleback Youth Pass
Pathway to Coaching Program
This program is designed for students ages 14+ who wish to volunteer and gain first-hand coaching experience. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their skills through observation of and collaboration with experienced staff. This is a great opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills under the tutelage of knowledgeable and well-seasoned staff!
Fee: $60 to cover administrative costs and comply with USSA requirements (e.g., paid junior coaches must be at least 15 years old). Space is limited and acceptance by application and interview. Email kate.anderson@fordsayre.org, if you’re interested.
*Participant is responsible for Skiway pass
Refund policy
See the refunds section of the registration information page.
