Recommended ages: 6-11

Do you have an intermediate skier ready for the next step at Bridger Bowl? BSF's Introductory program (formerly called Youth Ski League) gives them access to great, U.S. Ski & Snowboard-certified coaches with an 8-week program that builds skills for both Alpine racing and Freestyle skiing and serves as a gateway into BSF's other Alpine and Freestyle/Freeskiing programs.

We use the U.S. Olympic Committee's Quality Coaching Framework. Through an eight-week progression with weekly objectives, skiers will develop new ski skills, as well as confidence, teamwork and personal skills. Of course, one of our objectives is that these kids love skiing for life.

Bridger Bowl offers fantastic terrain for sessions, and all athletes will be evaluated on the lower mountain before advancing to more difficult terrain. To maximize safety and FUN, participants will be placed into training groups comprised of skiers with similar technical skill and ability.

When you register, you'll choose an Alpine track or a Freestyle track. (More on that below.)

All skiers have the opportunity to participate in two fun jamborees during the season (cost already included in program fee).

This weekend program also pairs well with BSF's Introductory Nordic program; and we strongly encourage skiers 12 and under to participate in both.

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FOR PARENTS

Each skier will receive an evaluation at week 4 and week 8.

Every 4 weeks, parents can participate in a parent check-in meeting with coaches.

Weekly emails from the Intro Program Director will include a list of things skiers should be working on

Emails from BSF will provide parent-support articles and information to help you navigate the parent/athlete dynamic.

View the presentation from the Nov 30, 2021 Parent Info Meeting.

• 1 day a week: $590
• 2 days a week: $815

DATES

8-WEEK PROGRAM

January 14 - March 5, 2023

Saturdays and/or Sundays

9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

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REGISTRATION TIPS

For 2023, everyone will need to create a new account during registration. Be sure you go all the way through the account setup wizard and add the names of any child you will be registering. Then, go to "programs" and select the program you wish to register for. Processing fees apply. If a program is full, please sign up for the waitlist. Do NOT register your child for a program they cannot attend or do not have the skills for.

For assistance with registration, contact the BSF office: admin@bridgerskifoundation.org or 406 587-2445.

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READY TO MOVE UP?

Many skiers stay in Intro for a few years, and those who are ready can move on to the Development (aka Devo) team. Not sure? Just talk to a program director or coach. We also allow kids to try out a day or two with the Devo team.

Alpine Development Team

Freestyle Development Team

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9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and/or Sundays

Duration: 8 weeks

WEEK 1

8:15 a.m. Check in at (location TBA) to find out which group your child will start with. Then meet coaches slope-side of the Jim Bridger Lodge. (Plan on arriving earlier this first week so we can get through the organized chaos of sorting groups and getting onto the lift.)

9:00 a.m.  – 2:30 pm  Ski. Lunch with team.

2:30 p.m. Skiers will be released from the program slope-side outside of Jim Bridger Lodge.

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WEEKS 2-8

9:00 a.m.  – 2:30 pm  Ski. Lunch with team.

2:30 p.m. Skiers will be released from the program slope-side outside of Jim Bridger Lodge.

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If parents are not present to pick up children upon release, please make sure you communicate with our Intro Director or one of the other coaches to let them know exactly where you will meet them after we release them.

Make-up days: If there are any weather cancellations, we will offer one extra weekend in March to make up missed days. If you cannot attend the make-up date, no refunds will be issued. If it’s below zero or extreme wind chills, we will likely cancel a ski day; look for a cancellation email.

Our Introductory program has a two-track approach: Alpine & Freestyle, with specialized coaches in each track. However, at this level, there is a large percentage of overlap with fundamental skill acquisition.  

When registering, please choose a track based on the participant’s initial interest. We encourage exploration; and at this level, the fundamentals we focus on are very similar. If you are not familiar with the sports of Alpine Ski Racing and Freestyle Skiing, please choose a track that best describes the skier’s interest. If the skier later shows more interest/aptitude in another track, coaches and directors can help facilitate a transition.

INTRODUCTORY FREESTYLE provides an introduction to the fundamentals that eventually progress into competitive Freestyle (moguls) and Freeskiing (terrain park/big mountain). The Intro Freestyle program focuses on basic turning techniques and familiarizes the athlete with catching air and build up to learning to jib rails. We explore Bridger Bowl's incredible terrain and its smaller park with emphasis on fun (and safety). As we work within our groups, athletes become well rounded in all-mountain skiing and learn what our upper-level programs have to offer. (Read more about the Freestyle & Freeskiing Program.)

INTRODUCTORY ALPINE is designed to improve existing skiing skills through the fundamentals and to introduce the young athlete to the sport of Alpine ski racing.  We’ll acquire skills on a variety of terrain, combining freeskiing with drills and training courses. Skiers will be introduced to the technical and tactical elements of skiing/ski racing. We stress teamwork and FUN.  At this adventure stage, we still do a lot of freeskiing. As skills are acquired, athletes can move up into the Development and Competitive BSF racing programs. (Read more about Alpine.)

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• We are planning a 7 to 1 skier-to-coach ratio for the Intro programs
• We will follow Bridger Bowl Ski School protocols, BSF protocols, and Bridger Bowl's operating policies

• Equipment (see Equipment below)
• Bridger Bowl Pass/Ticket

Skiers eat lunch with their group in the upstairs of the Deer Park Chalet. Skiers can pack a lunch in their backpack (we'll drop it off near the Alpine Team Shack near the chalet in the morning) or bring money to purchase food.

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Parents are welcome to stop in and join us for lunch, but please don't take your child away from the group during lunch; this is an important time for team bonding.

Payment options:

At checkout, you can choose:

• credit card (pay in full)*
• payment plan* (credit card or bank transfer)
• payment in full via bank transfer
  

*See processing fees below.

Payment Plans

For invoices over $1500, payments can be made in 3 payments. IMPORTANT: If your family is registering multiple children, please be sure to register and checkout all in one transaction if you'd like a payment plan option. The newly updated system does not allow us to combine orders/create payment plans after the fact. If participants are registered in separate transactions, it will result in separate payment plans.

(*If you have extenuating circumstances with the $1500 starting point on payment plans, please contact us.)

How the payment plan works: When checking out in SkiClub Pro (our registration system) choose "payment plan." New this year: the SkiClubPro system will automatically charge you for each of the three payments.

Processing fees:

The following processing fees will be added to your total. These are the fees charged by the payment processor; BSF does not keep any of these fees.

Credit cards paying in full: 3% fee

Bank transfer paying in full: no fee

Credit cards payment plan: 3% fee and $1.50 per payment ($4.50 total)

Bank transfer payment plan: $2.50 fee per payment ($7.50 total)

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BSF offers a generous scholarship and financial aid program. Applications are due October 14.

Please note: If you need assistance, apply for it! These funds are meant to keep kids skiing. Applications are confidential, and we take into account all your circumstances, not just taxable income. (Too often, we see families assume they make too much money to qualify for help, and yet they are considering limiting participation in a program because of the cost. Apply! )

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EMAIL

When you register for the program, you will be added to an email list. Your coaches will send weekly emails with the full schedule, important notes, and info for parents. Last-minute changes may also be emailed. (It’s important that you do not unsubscribe to any BSF emails, as this is our main mode of communication in the winter.) If for some reason, you are not receiving emails from us, let us know!

Team Reach App:

We also use the Team Reach app, for schedules and last-minute communications.

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VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS FOR EACH FAMILY

• Intro Programs: 1 to 3 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $75 - $225) 
• Devo Programs: 3 to 5 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $225 - $375)
• Comp Programs: 5 to 7 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $375 to $525) 
  

(Suggested donation calculated based on an average volunteer session of 3 hours and the industry standard value of volunteer time ($25/hour).)

One of the ways BSF keeps program fees lower is through volunteer hours. Without your volunteer hours, we need to use additional paid staff to fill the void; this increases program costs significantly and impacts many families' ability to afford ski programs. When only a small percentage of BSF parents take on the brunt of volunteer hours, it leads to volunteer burnout. Let's keep the volunteer spirit alive and keep skiing accessible!

We have openings for help at practices, organizing ski and fundraising events, helping at the events themselves, as well as trail work and volunteering for our community trails. We encourage you to volunteer for ANY program--Nordic, Alpine, Freestyle, or trails. If you have a specific skill set you think would be helpful, please let us know. There are always little things we need, from photography, to database entry, to hanging up posters around town. 

We post signup sheets and volunteer needs throughout the year at: https://www.bridgerskifoundation.org/about/volunteers 

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LIFT TICKETS FOR VOLUNTEERS!

As an added incentive, Bridger Bowl provides lift tickets for Alpine race volunteers during our Jamboree races. And, you can earn more tickets by volunteering at the Devo/Comp team races; you'll get a ticket for the day, plus a voucher for another day of skiing. We always need a few more hands, and we provide race volunteer training early in the season, too. Many positions require little to no experience.

Please have your children fed (a warm, substantial breakfast is recommended), fully dressed, and ready for a full day of skiing.

1. Ski Clothes. Appropriate ski clothing is important in Montana, so please have your skier dressed in proper ski clothing and prepared for our variable weather.
2. ‍Helmet. For safety purposes, we require your child to wear a helmet.
3. Poles. Also required. Please let us know prior to the ski day if you need help finding a helmet or poles and we will be glad to assist you.  
4. Skis. At this stage, a regular pair of all-mountain skis is adequate.  (BSF holds an Annual Ski Swap each November with thousands of skis available—it’s a great place to pick up a used pair.)
   
5. Small backpack. If you could also have each child bring a small backpack with a water bottle, extra set of gloves, neck gator, extra goggles if possible, sun block, extra layer of clothing, spare change in case of emergency, a healthy snack.  Backpacks will be taken up the Powder Park lift and dropped off at our team area by the timing shack at the top of Virginia City lift.
6. Food. Pack a snack and lunch. (Snacks of apples, dried fruit, jerky, carrot sticks, nuts, granola, raisins, string cheese and granola bars are great options.)
7. Lift ticket/pass.
8. Other suggested items: lip balm, hand warmers/toe warmers, tissues. (If you put these in a jacket pocket, it will help us take care of your child's needs.)

Note: We do NOT provide equipment, daily lift ticket, or lunch, but let us know if you need assistance with the aforementioned.

WHERE TO BUY EQUIPMENT

• New Equipment may be purchased at local retailers or online. Your BSF annual membership entitles you to discounts at participating retailers.

• Used Equipment: The Ski Swap, held each November at the Fairgrounds. Thousands of items. (It's also one of BSF's biggest fundraisers.) BSF members get in an hour early. If you volunteer at the event, you get in even earlier! BSF coaches will be around to advise on sizing.

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Bozeman kids are a hardy bunch, but we will cancel a session if temperatures are extreme--especially if paired with wind. If it's below zero, look for a cancellation notice via email and/or TeamReach.

Your best bet is to always bring lots of warm layers; weather changes quickly.

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While BSF will have a copy of each participant's medical release form noting any serious medical and/or dietary conditions, please consider this step 1.

Step 2: be sure to let your coach know personally if there are any major (or even minor) concerns, then we can follow your direction while working with you in providing the best environment for your child.

We have two Fun Races, called Jamborees, each year - one on Saturday and one on Sunday (U.S. Ski & Snowboard Licenses NOT Required). Jamborees are now included in your initial program cost. We typically also offer a venue for skiers to show off their freestyle and terrain park skills as well. Alpine races will take place on Hanton’s Hallow (under former Deer Park Lift). While races are not mandatory (we never require race participation at any level at Bridger Ski Foundation), they are highly recommended. If your child does not want to participate, we will have an alternate plan. Experience has shown that 99% of those who participate, even reluctant little ones, enjoy each race as it is meant to be an all-inclusive, fun event.

Kids often get nervous for their first races. See our Parent Corner articles for tips on how to talk about nerves and how you, as a parent, can create an environment where kids love the experience.

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On the first weekend we will work and ski together to find the appropriate groupings for athletes (be aware there may be some shuffling throughout the first days to make appropriate placements). Placement for your child is vital to us and may take a couple of ski runs for us to evaluate your children effectively.

Groups are generally assembled with similar skiing technical skills and coaching agenda. It is not guaranteed that friends will be paired up, but we will try to accommodate if skiing ability and goals are similar.

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Please make yourself familiar with our policies, the BSF Athlete & Parent Handbook, and other important information on the Resources Page.

BSF Newsletters contain regular "Parent Corner" articles to help you navigate the parent/athlete dynamic.

Intermountain Division (IMD) License

U.S. Ski & Snowboard License

FIS License

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Your child can remain in their age group in the Introductory program up through age 11 (we do make exceptions, on a case-by-case basis). However, they can also choose to progress on to our Development Programs with either Alpine or Freestyle/Freeskiing as early as age 8.

Talk to a coach to see if it's the right fit. We allow ski-up days, where an athlete can test out the new team before making the switch.

There’s a bigger picture to what BSF teaches skiers, when and why. BSF’s programs are consistent with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Systems.

What does that mean? We’re not focused on short-term success—and the hazards (and burnout) that often come with it. Instead, we follow LTAD plans that are individualized and based on science to make sure your child can maximize their long-term potential as a skier (should they wish to do so) and their enjoyment in the sport. We take into account a child’s development physiologically, cognitively and socially, as well as their experience skiing.

This makes it easy for your child to progress through our programs—from Intro to the Development Teams, to the Competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult Masters athlete.

The LTAD is a living document that changes frequently. View the most up-to-date LTADs:

FREESKI LTAD

ALPINE LTAD

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