U12 Team

The U12 program is organized to teach fundamental skiing skills and ski racing technique to young athletes. Emphasis is placed on free skiing in all variety of snow and terrain at Snow King and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort while practicing balance, edging, body position, and other essential technical elements, all while learning mountain safety and always having fun! Racing emphasis will be predominantly on modern giant slalom and slalom technique and tactics. Athletes will work with a team of coaches dedicated to the U12 group. For training purposes athletes will often be arranged in groups of 5-7 athletes per coach to facilitate a productive learning environment: groups are dynamic but are generally based on skill, speed, and social needs. Participants must be able to put on their own ski equipment, load and ride the lift alone, and ski at an advanced, intermediate level.
This program includes a physical conditioning program in the fall.

Age for 2024-25 Winter Season

Born 2013-2014

Skill Development Focus

All-Mountain Safety;
Work on balance, coordination, movement, and athletic stance on skis. Goal is that athletes can ski ALL terrains with adequate technique. Athletes should be adequate at carving, usage of upper and lower body separation, usage of all four edges, and pole plant. They should be getting adequate with cross blocking gates, maintain snow contact, course inspection, line choices, etc. They should start working on weight transfer, maintain turn shape and self-feedback.;
Tactical elements of a Giant Slalom & Slalom courses.

For more information on the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Training System model, click here.

Parent/Athlete Handbook

Training Schedule

Pre-Season Dryland:

September 24th until Snow King opens
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:00-5:30pm

On Snow:

December 3, 2024 - March 23, 2025
Saturdays, 8:45-2:30 pm @JHMR
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 4pm-6pm @ Snow King.

Recommended Summer Skiing

1-2 weeks JHSC Summer Training Camp info

Competitions and Events

U12 athletes are encouraged to compete in races over the winter at our Bank of Jackson Hole Club Series or the U.S. Ski & Snowboard sanctioned North Series. The Club Series is a local race series that serves as a fun introduction to ski racing. The Club Series is designed to provide the opportunity to race locally (day trips), very inexpensively, and is open to all. The North Series is a series of races in the Intermountain Division. U10 and U12 athletes will compete together in one race series but in their own age groups. At this age, athletes must be accompanied by a parent/guardian in order to travel to races.

The choice to travel to races is up to the individual athlete/family and is not a pre-requisite for participation in the program. For a given age group on an ‘away’ race weekend, there will be a group that travels to the race and a group that remains in Jackson to ski/train. Athletes will have the opportunity for full-time coaching and training (respective to their program) regardless of whether they choose to travel to races or not. And while competition is a stated goal of the program, athletic and personal development is the primary focus.

A "competition plan" should be discussed, for each athlete, with the coaches. The U12 program recommends somewhere between 10 and 20 race days - each athlete's "competition" plan should achieve the appropriate balance for racing vs. development depending on that athlete's (and his/her families') goals for participation in the program.

Bank of Jackson Hole Club Series (dates subject to change)
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Intermountain Division North Series (dates subject to change)

U12 Race Schedule 24-25:

Jan 11-12: North Series 2 GS at Grand Targhee Resort

Jan 31-Feb 2: North Series GS, SL, Jump/XC at McCall

Feb 22-23: North Series 2 SL at Rotarun by Sun Valley

Mar 14-16: IMD Champs SL,GS, & Panel SL at Snowbasin

Mar 22-23: IMD Finals SL & GS at Arrowhead/Sundance

Fees and Obligations

2024-2025 Program Fee

Through August 31	September 1 - October 31	After October 31
$4,600	$4,700	$4,800

Registration for the U12 Team is closed.

Payment plan

An installment plan of equal payments from the date of registration through December is available when you register.

Scholarships

Need-based scholarships available, learn more

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Membership

None required for Club Series participation
U12 & Under Competitor membership & Intermountain Division membership required for North Series race participation (purchase online)

Race Travel Expenses

• Bank of Jackson Hole Club Series races at Snow King & Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are $10 per race!

• Intermountain Division (IMD) North Series races - up to 3 away races:

estimate $200/race for lift ticket, race entry fees & coach expenses billed by the Club
lodging, meals & transportation are the family's responsibility
U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership required to participate in the IMD race series

• Off season training camps

Ski Passes

Athletes need a Snow King Mountain & Jackson Hole Mountain Resort season pass. Pass prices are not included in program fees and must be purchased directly through Snow King and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Purchase early for best pricing.

Work Deposit

There is a 16 point work deposit commitment with this program. What is work deposit? Learn about it here.

Team Meeting

November 6th at 6:00pm - Location in Snow King Lodge Room

JHSC Policies

Parent/Athlete Handbook

Equipment Recommendations

Recommended 1 pair of SL and GS race skis and 1 pair of freeskis. Helmets are mandatory.

Local opportunities to purchase new & used gear:

JHSC internal equipment exchange night (used gear)
Manufacturer’s Equipment Night (new gear)
JHSC Annual Ski & Gear Swap (new & used gear)

Academic Support and Early Release Program

U12 athletes must be enrolled in their school's early release program to leave school in time to attend training.

Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club staff works closely with the local schools to further develop the Early-Release Program for each academic year and summer programs. The Club and local schools are highly motivated to create educational program options for students that enable them to maintain a rigorous academic schedule while supporting athletic growth and development. Learn more.

See Calendar