TEAMS
BEAR VALLEY TEAMS
The Bear Valley Teams Program provides an opportunity for skiers and snowboarders who desire to improve their recreational or racing skiing/boarding skills in a team environment. The program focuses on developing and improving the fundamental skills necessary for a strong skiing/boarding foundation. Bear Valley’s coaching staff strives to provide individual training so each athlete may reach their full potential with the goal of being able to successfully navigate all terrain and snow conditions in a safe, confident manner.
Our Teams Program curriculum is based on the Professional Ski instructors of America (PSIA), American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI), and U.S. Ski and Snowboard (USSS) Training Systems. These systems are focused on age appropriate content based on cognitive and physical stages of development.
2025-2026 Program Dates & Training Times - All Teams
December 13-14, 27-30 (Holiday Camp)
January 10-11, 24-25
February 7-8, 21-22
March 7-8, 21-22
Training Times:
Morning session: 9:00-11AM
Afternoon session: 12:00-2:00PM
Race team trains every weekend during the Winter, starting Dec. 13th, or earlier if conditions allow.
ALL MOUNTAIN TEAMS
Kodiak Team: This team is a ski and snowboard development program for children 4-5 years of age that are at a minimum of strong beginner level with successful chairlift loading and unloading experience. Kodiak Team members train for 2 hours per day on Saturdays and Sundays, every other weekend, including a holiday training camp between Christmas and New Year’s. This schedule allows parents who are snow enthusiasts an opportunity to get a few hours of skiing or boarding while their kids are safe and learning new skills in a team environment. Parents are also welcome to join trainings, especially early in the season, to provide additional support for the chairlift loading and unloading procedure. For effective instruction, student/coach ratios are from 4-5:1.
Youth All-Mountain Teams (Ski & Snowboard): All-Mountain Teams are for skiers and riders between 6-17 years of age who are excited to improve their ski/boarding technique in a team setting. All-Mountain Teams train four hours per day on Saturdays and Sundays, every other weekend, including a holiday training camp between Christmas and New Year’s. Participants work on a variety of skill development in all snow conditions and terrain, building skills and confidence under the direction of a professional instructor. The emphasis is on fun, while developing mountain safety and teamwork skills. Team members will also be introduced to Freestyle features and elements, skier/boarder cross course techniques, and running gates. All-Mountain Teams require a minimum skill level of advanced beginner to intermediate skiing or riding ability and all members must be capable of riding a chairlift without assistance.
Adult All-Mountain Teams (Ski & Snowboard): The Adult All-Mountain Team is the best and most affordable way to improve your skiing and riding technique in a friendly and supportive environment. Open to strong beginner through advanced skiers, teams focus on improving specific skills with Bear Valley’s professional and friendly coaching staff. Adult All-Mountain Teams train two hours per day on Saturdays and Sundays, every other weekend, including a holiday training camp between Christmas and New Year’s. Participants work on a variety of skill development in all snow conditions and terrain, building skills and confidence under the direction of a professional instructor. The emphasis is on fun, while developing mountain safety and teamwork skills.
Free Ride Team:
The Bear Valley Freeride team is a program focused on developing highly skilled athletes ready for freeride competition in International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association (IFSA) sactioned events. Our goal is to travel, compete, and obtain rankings in the regional freeride tour. Freeride athletes will utilize the technique and fitness gained through other Bear Valley instructional and team programs. Freeride teams train for four hours per day, with a morning and afternoon session in the steep, big mountain terrain of Grizzly Bowl. To join the Freeride Team, athletes must progress through the Bear Valley Resort All Mountain Team program or qualify through open tryouts. Tryouts are held in the last week of December and the first week of April. The Freeride team also offers a non-traveling option, for athletes who desire to work on freeride skills at Bear Valley. For tryout information, please contact jeffm@bearvalley.com
RACE TEAMS
Race Team: This is a competitive ski race team for strong intermediate to advanced skier athletes aged 8-19 years old who are looking to improve their racing skills, have a passion for racing, and are ready to compete at a top level. Ideal for committed athletes that want to train and compete with the support of a solid team and enthusiastic coaches, the team trains for four hours each day during every weekend of the winter season and includes a holiday training camp between Christmas and New Year’s. The Race Team participates in Bear Valley’s Rasmussen Classic race and travels to other Central Sierra resorts for 3 other races during the season along with the championships typically hosted in Lake Tahoe or Mammoth Mountain. The focus of this team is on developing fundamental technical skills to improve racing technique. This team requires a minimum skill level of intermediate skiing.
Development Race Ski Team: The Development Race Team is for skiers aged 8-17, who are interested in ski racing while enjoying the Mountain and improving their technique. This program introduces the technical skills needed to transition to the Bear Valley Race Team. The program includes drills, free skiing, race techniques and an introduction to giant slalom and slalom race courses, while emphasizing skill development in all snow conditions and terrain in a safe environment. This team requires a minimum skill level of intermediate skiing: athletes that are not at this level will be referred to the All-Mountain Team. Development Race Team members may race in the Central Series and Far West races at Bear Valley and other resorts with the agreement of the Head Race Team Coach.
