Freeride Program

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

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.

For everyone’s safety, prospective first-year Freeride program participants must pass an on-mountain skills assessment before they will be allowed to join the Freeride team. The Freeride Head Coach will determine the sufficiency of an applicant’s skills at his or her sole discretion. Those athletes who aren’t yet ready for the Freeride program will be encouraged to participate in one of BSSEF’s Alpine programs (e.g. Youth Ski League or Buddy Werner) or Big Sky Resort’s Rippers program.

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.
• Check the hotel reservation page for information about accommodations for out-of-area races.
• 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.
• Check the events calendar frequently.
• 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!