August Spines - Cajon del Maipo - Chile

Freeride Program Update: May 2026

1. Intro

2. April Re-Cap
   1. IFSA JFCs
   2. USASA Nationals 

3. Summer Happenings
   1. Skate Camps
   2. May 7th - Village Road Cleanup
   3. SPKN Leadership in Sport Conference June 12-14
   4. 4th of July 10K   

1. Intro:

Happy Springuary! Per usual, as soon as the resort closes, it seems we often get the biggest snowfall of the year. I sure hope everyone is enjoying and getting some bonus pow-days in the high-country. Warm and sunshine will be here soon enough.

It was an incredible end of the season with athletes qualifying for both Freeride (IFSA JFCs) and Slopestyle/Railjam/Skiercross (USASA Nationals) championship events. We’ll talk a lot about those athletes later in the newsletter. I’d also like to take a moment to thank all the other athletes who finished out the season strong and showed commitment throughout the season to themselves and to the team. We see you!! Keep it up and the championship events are coming soon!

Here at JHSC Freeride, season planning for the 26/27 Season is well underway. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to fill out our Program survey HERE. Your responses are important in directing the Program into the future! 

I’d also like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the support during a very difficult time in life. It’s safe to say that Cervical Spine Fusion was not on the Bingo card for my 30th year of life. I’m absolutely blown away by the amount of love and support received from our coaches, athletes and families over the last couple months. It’s truly been eye opening and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of such an incredible community. Thank you.

I’m currently 9 weeks Post-Op, out of my cervical collar (cone of shame!!), and beginning physical therapy (Thanks Kilter!!). Slowly but surely, I can feel my strength returning. The anticipation of returning to normal activity is growing stronger each day!

This newsletter will begin with a Re-Cap of our championship events in April, as well as a look forward to what’s coming down the pipeline this summer. 

Thanks for tuning in!

• Collin

2. April Re-Cap

Coach Adrian with the JHSC Freeride Team Athletes: Alex, Owen and Nico.

1. IFSA JFCs:

This season, JFC’s was held at Kicking Horse in Golden, BC. Kicking Horse is a favorite with athletes and coaches and has some of the best terrain you’ll find anywhere! It’s got high quality venues and has hosted Freeride events all the way to the level of the Freeride World Tour.

Congrats to the following athletes for qualifying:

Nico Santelices: 18th 

Owen Smith: 21st

Alexander Crenshaw: 18th 

Qualification for JFC’s is no joke! It’s the culmination of years of training and dedication to sport. Athletes from Canada, the United States, Argentina and Chile come together for the culmination of each season’s Freeride competition series.

“JFC’s at the glorious Kickikg Horse Mountain was such a treat! Our athletes Nico Santelices, Owen Smith, and Alex Crenshaw all persevered and qualified for Junior Freeride Champs. Qualifying is no easy feat- over 2,000 athletes compete in North and South America, with only about the top 3% making it to championships. We are so proud of our athletes! 

We lucked out with conditions, as most of the west had had a VERY unfortunate winter. Kicking Horse provided some great conditions and venues, with nice chalk and good weather. Nico ended up qualifying for finals in 12th and ended up 18th overall! A huge feat, the competition in all age categories is at such a high level at JFC’s! Nico had to compete on new-to-him skis, as in his qualifying run he broke his last pair of good sticks. We are so proud of him for persevering and succeeding despite new skis and tough conditions. 

JFC’s is always a great time, and is so special! The athletes get to ski with the best of the best, see their friends from all over, and ski in an amazing place. Also a great time for the governing body and coaches to get together and have some constructive feedback and plan for bigger and better events!”

• Coach Syd 

Coach Syd & Nico plus Coach Space & Lucille from JH Evo

Inspection on qualifiers day!

2. USASA Nationals 

Each April, athletes from all over the United States head to Copper Mountain, Colorado for National Championships in the disciplines of Railjam, Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Skier/Boardercross. 7 athletes and 3 coaches from the JHSC Freeride Program attended USASA Nationals Freeski week in Copper Mtn., Colorado. We're very proud of these kids for the hard-work and dedication it takes to qualify for National championships. 

These are some of the strongest finishes we've ever seen from JHSC athletes. In the words of coach, Mike Decker, "The team definitely hit above its weight this week.”

• Collin Rehm

Sally Decker, on the Podium (3rd Place)

Results Below:

Charlie Kail: Menehune Freeski Boys  (11-12): 16th Skiercross

Sally Decker: Menehune Freeski Girls (11-12): 3rd Slopestyle, 9th Halfpipe, 4th Skiercross

Skye Patridge: Breaker Freeski Boys (13-14): 16th Slopestyle 

James Kail: Breaker Freeski Boys (13-14): 75th Slopestyle,14th Railjam

Taz McBride: Youth Freeski Boys (15-16): 4th Railjam, 4th Slopestyle

**Taz is the first JHSC Freeride Freeski Athlete to ever qualify for Futures Tour, this is a huge accomplishment**

Cormac Healy: Junior Freeski Boys (17-18): 6th Slopestyle 

**This is the best result I can remember from JHSC for this age group, 17-18 is when they go from the medium line to the pro-line (60+ foot jumps). Nice job Corm!**

Cooper Melanson: Junior Freeski Boys (17-18):  30th Slopestyle

Coaches Mike, Andrew and Toby with Athletes James, Charlie and Sally!

Coaches Mike + Toby with athletes Taz and Coop!

On the snowboard side, a huge congrats to Bennet Hultman!

Bennet Hultman: Youth Snowboard Boys (15-16): 4th Slopestyle

**Bennet also qualified for Futures! He’s the 2nd SB athlete to ever qualify for Futures out of Jackson**

“USASA Nationals was a huge success for our entire team, with outstanding results from all of our athletes. Competing on challenging courses that we don’t often have access to during winter training, everyone rose to the occasion. Cormac took on the big jump line, while Sally competed in the 22-foot superpipe. Taz and James delivered strong finishes in both slopestyle and rail jam, in highly competitive age groups. We couldn’t be prouder! Rounding out the team, Skye and Charlie also posted impressive results in slopestyle and skier cross. Thank you to all athletes and parents for your commitment—your hard work truly paid off.”

• Coach Andrew

3) Summer Happenings:

1. Skate Camps

We’re excited to offer another summer of Skate Camps! Toby Koekkoek will once again be acting as Skatecamp coordinator for the upcoming summer season. Check out the JHSC website HERE for more skatecamp information. Please contact Toby (tkoekkoek@jhskiclub.org) with any questions.

Dates:

June 24-25 

July 15- 16

July 29 - 30

August 12-13

2. May 7th, Village Road Cleanup Day:

Join Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club for Town Clean Up Day as we take care of our sponsored section of the road. This is a great opportunity for student-athletes and families to give back to our community and take care of a road that we utilize all winter long. Bring your own gloves; we provide the bags!

Meet at Calico Restaurant

Thursday - May 7, 2026

 4:30–6:00 PM

Bring your teammates, family, and JHSC enthusiasm. These small efforts make a big impact in caring for our community and is a great way to live out our values of teamwork and commitment off the snow. 

3. SPKN Leadership in Sport Conference June 12-14

SPKN, the Sport Professional Knowledge Network, has been working with the Freeride Program coaches to strengthen coach leadership and elevate the athlete experience.

Throughout the weekend, guests will experience meaningful conversations, memorable Jackson Hole experiences, and access to some of the most respected voices in sport, including Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, Jack Harbaugh, Jay Harbaugh, Bill Tierney, and Kit DesLauriers, along with other remarkable leaders helping shape the future of sport.

Kit DesLauriers and I will be part of a featured speaking panel sponsored by The North Face, focused on leadership, development, and the lasting impact coaches have on athletes, families, and community. It should be a truly powerful conversation and a meaningful part of what promises to be a very special weekend.

You can learn more and reserve your place here:

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/spkn-excellence-in-sport-leaders

4. 4th of July 10K:

Join us for the annual Skinny Skis 4th of July 10K Run!

REGISTER HERE!

Saturday, July 4th @ 8am

Race Location: Owen Bircher Park in Wilson! Start from Owen Bircher Park and turn onto Fish Creek Road for an out and back on the flat to gently rolling terrain of Fish Creek Road, a paved maintained road. A water station is at the 5km turn around point and "MILE" markers are displayed. Families, friends, strollers, dogs on leashes and donations are welcome! 

7:00 am - Bib pick up - Owen Bircher Park - Wilson, WY

8:00 am - 10km running race start

8:05 am - 5km walk start

9:30 am - Awards and raffle at Owen Bircher Park - Wilson, WY

That’s all for now, we’ll see you next month!

Quote of the Month:

“The strongest skiers are made in the summer!”- Matt Newton (Probably?)