A Day on the River

Our U16 and FIS athletes traded the gym for the river for a day of stand-up paddleboarding with Aaron Pruzan and Rendezvous River Sports. I got to draw on my background teaching kayaking and SUP and join Aaron as an instructor for the day. It was fun getting back on the river and sharing the Jackson Hole Kayak Club motto with the athletes: “Catch every eddy and surf every wave.”

And that’s pretty much what we did. The athletes worked their way down the river, learning new skills, challenging themselves in a different environment, and having a lot of fun together.

Days like this are another way we can build athleticism and give our athletes different opportunities to move and learn outside of their normal training.

Fall Dryland Update

Dryland is well underway for our U12 through FIS athletes, with lots of time in the gym, out on the fields, and up on Snow King. Our U16 and FIS athletes have also spent time at Axis working on gymnastics and body awareness, while Turner and the U12 team recently took their training outside for a hike up Snow King.

Our U16 and FIS athletes also recently completed another round of SkillsQuest Fitness testing, with 5–10% improvements across strength, endurance, and power tests over the past four weeks. Over the next five weeks, the focus will shift toward building top-end maximal strength as the group prepares to get back on snow at Big Sky.

With U10 beginning October 13, we'll soon have all of our Alpine age groups underway with fall training.

JHSC Alum Mattias Wilson Joins Dryland

JHSC alum and current U.S. Ski Team athlete Mattias Wilson stopped by and jumped into a game of speedball with the U14 and U16 dryland group this week. It's always great to have former JHSC athletes come back and spend time with the next generation. For our athletes, it's pretty cool to be running around and competing alongside someone who came through the same program they are in today.

And that invitation extends to all of our JHSC Alpine alumni. If you're back in Jackson this winter, we'd love to have you come join us for a dryland session or get out on snow with one of our groups. Please reach out—we'd love to have you back!

Thanks to Mattias for coming out and spending some time with the group.

Coach Spotlight: Al Clausen

U14 Head Coach Al Clausen has spent more than 20 years coaching ski racing, but his path into coaching hasn't always been a straight one.

After a 10-year racing career, Al began coaching at Bear Valley, California, where he had grown up racing. He later attended Cal Poly, where he became president and coach of the club ski team. After college, Al stepped away from ski racing and spent eight years teaching community college in Seattle before moving to Teton Valley in 2005 and eventually returning to coaching at Grand Targhee.

“What keeps me involved after 20+ years is being a part of a community that allows me the opportunity to help young athletes grow as citizens and skiers.”

That idea carries directly into what Al wants athletes to get out of their U14 years. Strong skiing fundamentals matter, but they're only part of the picture.

“Even more importantly I want to see athletes gain confidence and take ownership over their training while building a lasting love of the sport.”

Al describes his coaching style as structured, direct, and athlete-centered, with an emphasis on strong fundamentals, varied training environments, and consistent effort. He sees progress coming from athletes who are willing to try things that may be difficult, learn from their mistakes, and take ownership of improving.

This season, Al is excited to build a team culture where athletes support their teammates, take ownership of their development, and grow into confident, independent skiers who love the sport.

Austria Training & a Trip to the Sölden World Cup

Our U16 and FIS fall glacier camp was moved later in October due to snow conditions, but the change in schedule has created a pretty exciting opportunity.

After training on October 24, the group will head to Sölden for the men's World Cup weekend. Athletes will have a chance to take in the World Cup atmosphere, watch the bib draw, and see some of the best ski racers in the world compete in person.

Our athletes had the opportunity to attend the Sölden World Cup during a previous Austria trip three years ago (pictured below), and we're excited for this year's group to experience it as well.

Wes Barron Scholarship Scramble

We couldn't have asked for a better day for the 4th Annual Wes Barron Scholarship Scramble. Blue skies, warm temperatures, and the Tetons made for a pretty incredible afternoon at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis.

Thanks to everyone who played, donated, sponsored, and helped make the event possible. Together, we've raised more than $26,000 for the Wes Barron Scholarship Fund, providing need-based scholarships for JHSC Alpine athletes.

A special thank you to Blue Spruce Cleaners, Prugh Real Estate, FCExcavation, MTZ Construction Inc., High Country Linen, JH Still Works, and Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis for supporting the event.

If you'd still like to contribute to the Wes Barron Scholarship Fund, you can support it through JHSC.

Support the Wes Barron Scholarship Fund

Know a Young Skier Who Wants to Join JHSC?

Registration is still open, and we have space available in our Rockchuck Racers, 2 Day Race Team, and U10 Race Team programs.

If you know a young skier who might be interested in building their skills, confidence, and love of skiing with JHSC this winter, we'd appreciate your help spreading the word.

Getting Ready for Winter

The annual JHSC Ski Swap is coming up, with equipment drop-off October 23 and the Ski Swap on October 24. It's a great opportunity to find equipment for the upcoming season or pass along gear your athletes have outgrown.

Our Alpine Gear WhatsApp group has also been a helpful way for families to buy, sell, and pass along used race equipment. If you're looking for gear—or have equipment your athlete has outgrown—it's worth checking there as we head into winter.