Competition Team
Contact: Ryan Zaczek
Ability Level: Advanced,Expert
Age Range: 9-17
If you have any specific questions about our teams, please contact the Competition Services Manager, Ryan Zaczek, at rzaczek@sierraattahoe.com.
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
FreeSki :
The Freeride Team is for advanced-expert skiers who have mastered the basics of the park and are looking for expert coaching to compete at their highest level. From From regional USASA competitions to the X Games, our comprehensive training program is consistently getting athletes on the podium.
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 who are ready to enter the competitive ski world in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Athletes will compete in The Tahoe Race Series, travel to competitions, and develop expert skiing technique training in the gates and alongside coaches certified at the highest level. Our staff has decades of racing experience at the US Ski Team 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.
Snowboard Team :
Sierra-at-Tahoe combines great parks with expert snowboard instruction to offer world-class training for our snowboard team members. Sierra-at-Tahoe champions like Jamie Anderson got her start on the Sierra Teams program under Brady Gunsch, and we have other coaches who work worldwide in other camps and resorts as part of our coaching team.
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.
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 + 22/23 team schedules – coming this Fall
- 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 + 22/23 team schedules – coming this Fall
- 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
2022/23 Rates
| Mid-Week Competitive Program | |
|---|---|
| Age Range | 9-17 |
| Rate | TBD |
| Weekend Competitive Program | |
|---|---|
| Age Range | 9-17 |
| Rate | TBD |
| Full Competitive Program | |
|---|---|
| Age Range | 9-17 |
| Rate | TBD |
*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.--
2022/23 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 2022/2023 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.
- 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
- Tahoe League Race Series
- Far West Skiing
- United States of America Snowboard Association
- US Ski and Snowboard
Contact Us
Questions can be directed to 530.543.3180 or rzaczek@sierraattahoe.com .
Skiing/Riding at Sierra has Many Perks
We love our passholders and show it often by offering Early Loads on select powder days through the season. Sierra's wind protected lifts and trails make Sierra-at-Tahoe your best bet on stormy days. Our hard-working crews know every minute on the hill counts and makes it their mission to open on time. All our passholders get hooked up with 20% discounts on lessons, food, drinks, new gear in retail, rentals + more! Sierra is the closest major resort to Northern California (ensuring you less driving and more skiing/riding). Sierra's blessed with natural snow from heaven, not hoses.
Events on Tap
Sierra offers a non-stop lineup of events throughout the season. From annual competitions, to community events and everything in between, there's sure to be something for everyone.
2023 Spring Only Season Pass
If you’re lookin’ to get in on the Sierra-at-Cabo action this Spring, score a Spring Season Pass for only $199. With over 400” of snow to enjoy, an event line-up that is busting at the seams, parks that are firing + enough chill vibes to fill a flabango, ski/ride everyday this spring + save yourself the plane ticket and Break Spring with a Sierra Season Pass.