Freeride skier catching air

Freeride Program

Scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional program and scholarship information.

The Freeride program is tailored for skiers and snowboarders aged 11 to 18 (as of December 31st) who aim to enhance their big mountain riding skills. This program focuses on training for and competing in freeride competitions sanctioned by the International Freeskiers Association (IFSA). Prospective athletes should be able to safely and confidently navigate most of the terrain on Lone Mountain before joining.

Freeride Options

Participants can choose from one, two (midweek or weekend), or four training days per week, based on their personal interests and goals. Athletes in the weekend program have the option to train with the Slopestyle Team on Sundays.

Team members will develop a wide range of skills, including:

  • Foundational ski techniques
  • Air awareness
  • Risk vs. reward tactics
  • Terrain feature assessment
  • Avalanche safety
  • Airborne trick progressions

The Freeride Program is structured around the IFSA judging criteria: line, control, technique, fluidity, style, and energy.

Slopestyle Option

New for 2024-25! Big Sky Resort offers some of the best terrain parks in the country, and we are excited to introduce a Sundays-only Slopestyle program. This program is dedicated to enhancing slopestyle-specific skills. Athletes will focus on:

  • Safely and efficiently building their airborne trick progressions
  • Developing rail feature skills

The program emphasizes FIS judging categories: amplitude, trick difficulty, execution, variation, style, and combination.

Christmas Camp

The Christmas Camp is included with all program options.

First-Year Participants

First-year participants must obtain approval from the Freeride head coach after completing their initial training sessions with the team. This ensures that each athlete will have a positive experience and meets the necessary skill requirements.

Essential Equipment

For details on essential gear, please refer to the Freeride Equipment Requirements section under the FAQs.

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  • Volunteer Deposit - $250.00

Program Dates

  • Full Freeride: 12/7/24 – 3/23/25; Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun
  • Weekend Freeride: 12/7/24 – 3/23/25; Sat/Sun
  • Saturday Freeride: 12/7/24 – 3/22/25; Sat
  • Midweek Freeride: 12/11/24 – 3/31/25; Wed/Fri
  • Sunday Slopestyle: 12/8/24 – 3/23/25; Sun

Training Times

  • Saturdays and Sundays: 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Wednesdays and Fridays: 12:30 PM to 4:00PM

Freeride World Tour Qualifier athletes interested in coaching support should contact Wallace Casper

All participants in the Freeride program are expected to participate in at least two (2) competitions during the season. Freeride athletes who do not wish to compete are encouraged to consider the Big Sky Resort Rippers program.

In order to compete, athletes must have an International Freeskiers Association (IFSA) membership/license or a United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) membership for the current season. In addition, a helmet and back protector are required.

IFSA/USASA memberships, competition fees, lift tickets, lodging, and transportation costs related to competitions are not covered by the program fee.

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Freeride Equipment Requirements

Freeride Team members are required to have certain equipment including, but not limited to, a ski helmet, back protector, and avalanche backpack.

Required Equipment
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How do installment payment plans work?

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 15, 2024.
  • 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.

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How do I get information about competitions?

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.
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The temperature is below zero. Will there be training today?

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.

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When and where do the kids eat lunch?

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.

Team Room Information
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How do I get information about each day’s training agenda with TeamReach?

The head coaches of each program are responsible for posting and updating training schedules to each program’s respective TeamReach group.

Learn About TeamReach
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How can I stay informed about what’s happening with the team?
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Skiing is expensive! How can I get a break?

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!

Learn About Scholarships

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