September Freeride Newsletter
Freeride Program Update: September 2026
- Intro
- Registration Information
- August Recap
- September Happenings
- Intro:
Just like that another summer has come and gone! We hope you enjoy back-to-school time, and the last few warm days before winter returns to the Tetons.
At Freeride, we’ve been busy with registration, returning coaches, and all of the planning that goes into ensuring each season runs smoothly.
Coaches:
We’re lucky to have a strong staff of returning coaches for the upcoming season! Coming back are:
Ski:
- Sydney Ricketts
- Riis Wilbrecht
- Max Wilbrecht
- Toby Koekkoek
- Morgan Kilmain
- Erica Bowditch
- Forrest Jillson
- Andrew Kominak
- Sam Cheek
- Will Cavallaro
Snowboard:
- Roslyn Cordell
- Adrian Ballard
Registration:
Registration is currently open for all teams. At this time, we also have availability in all teams. If you or a friend are interested, please sign up sooner than later to ensure we have adequate coaching staff for the season.
Prices will increase monthly from now until registration closes in November.
Information about our teams is available HERE.
Registration is available HERE.
If you’ve got any questions, please drop me a line at collin@jhskiclub.org.
- August Re-Cap:
Andes Camp:
This August was a busy one! Freeride spent the first two weeks in the central Andes outside of Santiago, Chile.
We arrived in the midst of a blizzard and were lucky to make it up the mountain on arrival day after some delays due to weather. After a 30 hour plus travel day (all the way to WINTER!), we were very excited to arrive in El Colorado in one piece.
Knee deep on Arrival!
After that it was GO time. We were blessed with excellent conditions, and a couple sunny powder days between storm cycles for the first week of the trip.
Sol y SudAmerica POW!
During our time in Chile, the athletes had the opportunity to compete in IFSA sanctioned Jr. 2* and 3* competitions. The 3* in El Colorado was first. Conditions were perfect for finals day with fresh snow and sun on the venue. Check out the Livestream HERE.
The JHSC team had some great runs with some tragic crashes on finals day. In the end, Porter Farren ended up in 4th place. Congrats to Porter!
Cuatro Lugar!
Thanks to Freeride Chile and the staff at El Colorado, who consistently put on AMAZING events year after year, and continue to build an incredible South American scene!
After El Colorado, we attended the Jr. 2* at La Parva. La Parva is much more exposed to wind than El Colorado, and makes for some really fun wind features all over the mountain. The venue at La Parva took full advantage of the wind and was a series of parallel windlips, unlike anything I’ve ever seen at a Freeride event.
Coach Syd and the boys at the La Parva finish
The comp was held on a beautiful sunny day with excellent conditions. Payne Confer ended up in 4th place. Congrats to Payne!
Cuatro Lugar!
After the competitions, we went into an extended storm cycle with high winds, and really tough conditions. We used breaks in the weather to ski some really cool hike-to terrain high in the Andes. Before we knew it, it was already departure day and time to head home! As we left, sure enough, another giant storm rolled into the Andes. We had to leave early in the morning on departure day to get down the road before it closed! We spent the day (trying to) entertain the kids in Santiago.
The boys are unsure of Cerro San Cristobal
40 hours of travel, a mystery illness, a couple of missed connections, a customs snafu, and some lost bags later, we all made it back home to Jackson safe and sound and with all bags accounted for! It's safe to say these kids are all now ALL seasoned travelers.
Near FOLDING, hour ~36
Chile is the Freeride trip of a lifetime. The mountains, the snow, the community, the culture. All of it combines to create one of the best places in the world to ski. Each and every one of the kids who came on this trip grew in leaps and bounds, overcame difficult situations, and returned as better people than when they left.
We can’t wait to run this trip again next season, and continue to make it better and better year after year!
3) September Events:
Fall is here, with it, we’ve got some great events coming up!
Sept. 12th - Old Bill’s Fun Run:
Come say hello during Old Bill’s giving season! We’ll have a booth set up at the Run.
If you’d like to give, you can do so at the link HERE.
Sept 17th - Internal Club Swap - 5-7PM SK Lodgeroom:
This is the time to swap gear with your teammates/friends.
Sept. 19th - Teton Gravity Research World Premiere:
Freeride will be in attendance before the early show and late show. Come stop by and say hello!
Sept. 21st - Rep Night - 6-8PM SK Lodgeroom:
Reps from major brands will be in attendance. This is the best time to purchase new gear for the upcoming season.
Sept 28th - 1st Day of Fall Dryland Training:
New this year, both Middle School and Highschool groups meet at SK from 4:30 - 6:00. Fall training is included for COMP Team. Optional for REC Team.
REC Team add on cost is $650. Available HERE.
That’s all for this month! Thanks all for tuning in. We’ll see you next time.
Quote of the Month:
“NEVER FOLD” - Sarah Verst