Competition Team

Contact: Ryan Zaczek
Ability Level: Advanced,Expert
Age Range: 9-17

2024/25 Season Pricing Coming Soon!

 

Sierra-at-Tahoe offers a ladder of programs with expert coaching along each progressive team. It all starts with the Rippers Program then onto the Development and Competition Teams. From there, Sierra has produced and coached all the way to the X Games, US Ski Team and collegiate level athletes.

Whether your child has a goal of skiing in college, getting on the podium in the X Games or simply developing skills for a full life skiing and riding in the mountains, the Sierra-at-Tahoe family of coaches and athletes are here to support your goals.

Our competition teams are tailored to advanced-expert skiers who are looking to compete in events or races put on by Tahoe Race League, Far West Race League, USASA; Halfpipe, Slopestyle, Rail Jams, Boarder / Skier Cross, GS and Slalom. TJFS and IFSA Big Mtn events. Memberships, competition entries, travel costs, and travel coaching fees are not included in the price of our teams (feel free to contact us for further info.). Athletes are not required to but may compete in any discipline they have been cleared to enter and compete in safely by their coach.

Sierra Education Foundation Website

Sierra Foundation Scholarship Application

Competition Teams + Skills

Freestyle Ski Team :
The Competition Freestyle Ski Team is for advanced-expert skiers (ages 9-17) who have mastered the basics of the park and are looking for expert coaching to compete at their highest level.  From regional USASA competitions to the X Games, our comprehensive training program is consistently getting athletes on the podium.  Sierra-at-Tahoe Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist, Maddie Bowman, got her start on Sierra’s Ski Team program.

The minimum skill requirement for the Competition FreeSki Team is the ability to comfortably ski any terrain at Sierra at Tahoe (on and off piste). They must also be comfortable sliding boxes, skiing switch on green terrain, and landing small to medium jumps.

Alpine Race Team :  
The Alpine Race Team is for advanced-expert skiers (ages 9-17) who are ready to enter the competitive ski racing world. Athletes will compete in The Tahoe Race Series and Far West events, travel to competitions at other mountains, and develop expert skiing technique training in the gates and alongside coaches certified at the highest level.

The minimum skill requirement for the Competition Alpine Team is the ability to comfortably ski any terrain at Sierra at Tahoe (on and off piste), and the desire to spend time training in a race environment.

Freestyle Snowboard Team :
Sierra-at-Tahoe’s Competition Freestyle Snowboard Team combines top-tier terrain parks with expert snowboard instruction to offer world-class training for our snowboard team athletes (ages 9-17).  Sierra-at-Tahoe Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist, Jamie Anderson, got her start on Sierra’s Snowboard Team program.

The minimum skill requirement for the Competition Snowboard Team is the ability to comfortably ride any terrain at Sierra at Tahoe (on and off piste). They must also be comfortable sliding boxes, riding switch on blue terrain, and landing small to medium jumps.

Skier/Boarder Cross Team:

Sierra-at-Tahoe’s Competition Ski Cross Team focuses on taking advanced-expert skiers (ages 9-17) from USASA regional skier/boarder cross competitions up through National Competitions including events like USASA Nationals, Futures Tour, and Rev Tour.

The minimum skill requirement for the Cross Team is the ability to ski or ride any terrain at Sierra at Tahoe (on and off piste), and the desire to spend time training in a cross environment.

Big Mountain Ski/Snowboard Team:

Sierra-at-Tahoe’s Big Mountain Ski/Snowboard Team is a competition level team for advanced-expert skiers/riders (ages 9-17) that is not specifically competition focused.  While we support athletes at Tahoe Junior Freeride Series and Freeride Tour events, athletes are not obligated to compete.  This team focuses on making athletes into the best skiers and riders on every part of the mountain.
 
The minimum skill requirement for the Big Mountain Ski/Snowboard Team is the ability to ski or ride any terrain at Sierra at Tahoe (on and off piste), and the desire to spend time training in an off piste environment.

Not sure what team to choose? Take a look below to help guide you in choosing which team best fits your skiing/riding goals. Each table below, lists each Sierra team's corresponding skills or abilities.

  • Ski Competition Teams
    (Alpine, Freeride)
  • Desire to learn and compete
  • Aggressive athletic posture on all terrain
  • Pivot slips on all terrain
  • Hips and knees over toes
  • Dynamic feet and hands
  • Swivel hips
  • Registration information + pricing +  team schedules 
  • Snowboard Competition Teams
  • Desire to learn and compete
  • Aggressive athletic posture on all terrain
  • Symmetrical turns in intermediate bumps
  • Comfortable riding switch
  • Straight air jumps
  • Perform a 360 anyway you choose
  • Registration information + pricing + team schedules 
  • Ski Development Teams
    (Alpine, Freeride, All Mtn)
  • Attitude to Learn and Grow
  • Flex your Boot to Engage the Ski Tip
  • Functional Pole Plant
  • Symmetrical Turns on Intermediate terrain
  • Controlled Hockey stops (L+R)
  • Effective use of Blending Skills E/P/R
  • Learn More
  • Snowboard Development Teams
  • Attitude to Learn and Grow
  • Twist the Board
  • Pivot Slip
  • Symmetrical Turns on Intermediate Terrain
  • Flat Base Run
  • Blending Skidded & Carved Turns as Conditions dictate
  • Learn More
  • Rippers Ski Teams
  • Desire to Learn
  • Linked Turns on Beginner Terrain
  • Learn More
  • Rippers Snowboard Teams
  • Desire to Learn
  • Linked Turns on Beginner Terrain
  • Learn More

 

2023/24 Rates

Mid-Week Competitive Program
Age Range 9-17
Rate 2024/25 Season Pricing Coming Soon
Weekend Competitive Program
Age Range 9-17
Rate 2024/25 Season Pricing Coming Soon

 

Full Competitive Program
Age Range 9-17
Rate 2024/25 Season Pricing Coming Soon

*The Competitive Teams are designed for upper intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 7-17 who are interested in training and competing against their peers. --*The Full Time Competition (Comp) Team trains five days a week; Wednesday afternoon from 1-4pm, Thursday and Friday from 10 – 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 – 2:30pm. The mid-week Comp Team meets on those same Wednesday, Thursday and Friday time slots. The Competitive Teams are designed for upper intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 7-17 who are interested in training and competing against their peers.--

2023/24 Competition Team Calendar

Full Competition Team

The Full Time Competition Teams train five days a week; Wednesday afternoon from 1-4pm, Thursday and Friday from 10 – 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 – 2:30pm. Athletes must be all geared up and on the snow 15 minutes before their meet time as teams will be leaving at their scheduled time.

Weekend Competition Team

The Weekend Competition Teams train 2 days a week; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Athletes must be all geared up and on the snow 15 minutes before their meet time as teams will be leaving at their scheduled time

Mid-Week Competition Team

The Mid-Week Competition Teams train three days a week; Wednesday afternoons from 1 p.m. – 4 pm, and Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Athletes must be all geared up and on the snow 15 minutes before their meet time as teams will be leaving at their scheduled time. 

Download 2023/2024 Comp Team Calendar .

Good to Know

  • Teams will be on-snow between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the weekends each day with a break for lunch. Athletes must be geared up and on snow prior to 8:30 a.m. check-in as the teams will head up the mountain for their warmup run.
  • Coach Consistency: Each team will benefit from the dedicated coaching team both on Saturdays and Sundays for improved consistency and long-term skill development.
  • Lunch is not included. Please remember to pack a nutritious lunch and snacks or provide lunch money for your athlete.
  • Coaches will not be available to eat lunch with your athletes. Please talk to your coach in the morning to see when to meet your athlete to take them for lunch.
  • If you would like your athlete to be responsible for finding their own lunch and returning to their team after the lunch period, then please sign our “Lunch Waiver”
  • Drop-off and pick-up will take place on the snow in front of the Plaza next to the Easy Rider Charlift.
  • Participation in competitions is not mandatory
  • All teams are coached by PSIA, USSA or USASA certified instructors (or international equivalent) who are trained to coach competitive skiers and riders
  • Tuition does not include membership in Far West/USSA/USASA, race fees, travel coaching fees, travel costs or lift tickets at other resorts.
  • Coaches travel to events when 5+ athletes are participating

Helpful websites

Contact Us

Questions can be directed to 530.543.3180 or rzaczek@sierraattahoe.com .

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