- All program options run from November 29, 2025 through April 19, 2026.
- All program options include training on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Weekday training is included in the FIS Elite option and is an extra-cost upgrade to the U16 and U16 options:
- Tuesdays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Fridays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Junior Development Program
The Junior Development (“Devo”) program is for athletes ages 14 to 20 (as of December 31st) who are focused on Alpine ski racing. Instruction emphasizes strengthening fundamentals and developing racing techniques and tactics. New for 2025-26: U16, U18, and FIS Elite options (see descriptions below).
27 in stock
- Training Schedule
- U16 Option
- U18 Option
- FIS Elite Option
- Age Classes
- Competition
- More Program Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
Designed for U16 athletes building their foundation in Alpine ski racing. The program centers on Northern Division/USSA events with a streamlined race calendar that prioritizes technical and tactical skill development. This structure ensures steady progress, keeps academics and other interests in balance, and lays the groundwork for higher-level competition.
Designed for U18 athletes who want to hone their technical and tactical skiing skills without the demands of a full race calendar. The program concentrates on Northern Division/U.S. Ski & Snowboard events and up to three Western Region FIS series (about 12 FIS starts). Athletes are welcome—and encouraged—to join mid-week training while following a limited racing schedule. This approach gives them the time they need to improve on snow, stay competitive, and devote more attention to academics or other interests.
Designed for podium-driven athletes eyeing college or pro racing, the FIS Elite program centers on Western Region FIS events and select out-of-region, national, and NORAM races that suit each athlete’s development. It leverages WR camps plus shoulder-season training and racing to help athletes reach their full potential. BSSEF staff add higher-pace workouts and top-level competition throughout the season. Participants must be self-motivated and able to balance academics with their training and racing schedules.
Participation in competitions is expected. Athletes who wish to participate in U.S. Ski & Snowboard-sanctioned ski races must be a Competitor member of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership, race fees, lift tickets, lodging, and transportation costs related to races are not covered by the program fee.
As BSSEF has become active year-round, we’ve been compelled to push the Early Season pricing deadline earlier in the year for planning and cash flow purposes. However, we recognize that taking advantage of Early Season pricing might cause a cash crunch for some families. So, we offer installment payment options on a limited basis.
Here’s how installment plans work:
- Choose the Partial.ly Payment Plan option at check out.
- Select your down payment amount.
- Select your payment frequency.
- Your scheduled payments will be calculated based on the final due date of February 15th.
- Select your payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account ACH).
- Read the terms carefully.
- “Sign” the payment contract electronically.
- Click Process Down Payment.
Installment payment terms are subject to change.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard points – like a golf handicap – are a measure of relative performance over time. The better one’s performance in ski races, the lower one’s points. Low points translate into preferred start numbers and improved chances to be selected for elite competitions and regional and national championships.
There are a number of resources related to Alpine and Freeride competitions:
- Start with the events calendar. We do our best to keep information on the event pages up-to-date, relevant, and complete.
- The definitive source of information for Northern Division Alpine races is the Northern Division website. The race calendar there includes links to race announcements and results.
- The IFSA website includes information regarding Junior Freeskiing competitions.
- During the course of a competition, coaches will send updates and communicate with parents and athletes via the TeamReach mobile app.
- Subscribe to email notifications.
- “Like” the team’s Facebook page.
With appropriate clothing, kids can ski and train in below zero weather. Sometimes, however, the start of training will be delayed in order to allow the temperature to rise a bit. In all cases, coaches will bring kids into the lodge for warm-ups as necessary. As always, check the TeamReach app for the latest updates regarding training.
The team typically eats lunch between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Timing can be a bit flexible, depending on conditions and the day’s training agenda. Coaches accompany the athletes, but athletes are responsible for getting their own lunches. Athletes will have lunch in the BSSEF Team Room.
The head coaches of each program are responsible for posting and updating training schedules to each program’s respective TeamReach group.
- Subscribe to our email newsletter.
- Share photos and informal information on the team’s Facebook page.
- Download and install the TeamReach mobile app for up-to-the-minute training information.
We feel your pain. We’re helped immensely by our sponsors, and we do our best to keep our overhead low in order to keep program prices in check. Nevertheless, program fees, equipment, and travel conspire to make skiing and ski racing expensive.
To make it less so, take advantage of early season program pricing and multi-program purchase discounts. Installment payment plans may be available on certain transactions.
Purchase used equipment via Montana Ski Racing Classified on Facebook and area ski swaps. (Bridger Ski Foundation hosts a great swap every Fall in Bozeman.) Last but not least, apply for a scholarship!
U.S. Ski & Snowboard assigns athletes to age classes based on their age on December 31 of the competition season. All disciplines use birth-year brackets (e.g., U12) to define eligibility and scoring categories.
