PROGRAM FEE INCLUDES:

• On-snow training
• Christmas Camp included
• Fall Dryland training
• Local transportation to training venues (variable)

‍

ADDITIONAL COSTS

• U.S. Ski & Snowboard or IFSA license (optional - needed if competing in sanctioned events)
• Bridger Bowl ski pass
• Individual race fees (dependent on how much skier competes)
• Travel costs (dependent on amount of individual travel)
• Coaching travel expenses for competitions and camps (also dependent on participation)
• Summer dryland training (optional)
• Summer camps (optional)
• Summer & fall trampoline sessions (optional)
• Thanksgiving Camps (optional)
• Team apparel (optional)

‍

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)

‍

BSF offers a generous scholarship and financial aid program. Applications are due mid-October each year.

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! )

‍

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.

‍

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 would need to use additional paid staff to fill the void; this would increase program costs significantly, which would also make it more difficult for some families to afford BSF. When only a small percentage of BSF parents take on the brunt of volunteer hours, it leads to volunteer burnout.

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 highly encourage BSF athletes to volunteer as well, not just parents!

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

We know—purchasing equipment is daunting and often expensive. BSF is here to help you through the process and find the best gear for your athlete.  There are lots of resources. Please contact us with any questions.

WHERE TO BUY EQUIPMENT

Since skiing is not an inexpensive sport to participate in, we make every effort to help parents and athletes secure gear in a variety of ways. BSF coaches will be available at all swaps to help answer questions.

• Team night at Round House & Chalet 2nd week in November with a discount for athletes and parents.
• Local retailers or online. (Your BSF membership gets you discounts at several local shops.) Also, keep your eyes out for the team BSF emails—occasionally retailers will sponsor team nights with discounts.
  
• 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!

SKIS

A pair of all-mountain skis is required.

HELMETS

Helmets are required.

CLOTHING

Select clothing that will meet your need for health, safety, comfort, and function.  Layering is a good way to ensure proper warmth.  Layers can be added or removed as outside and body temperatures fluctuate.  Gloves, helmets, and goggles deserve special consideration, as the extremities get cold very fast.  On cold days, neck warmers are a great way to keep drafts out and protect the face from frostbite.  An extra pair of goggles on powder days is a smart idea.  Team coats are available: your coach will be in touch about orders.

RESCUE BEACON

Given the terrain and requirements for certain areas at Bridger Bowl, rescue beacon and confidence in its use is recommended.

‍

BSF has a van that picks up full-time athletes at the High School and provides transportation to practice.

‍

BASE-LINE CONCUSSION TESTING

Baseline concussion testing recommended but not required. In the event an athlete does have a head injury, having baseline testing results on file allows your doctor to evaluate the injury and more accurately determine when an athlete can return to activity. Click here for info.

‍

Bozeman kids are a hardy bunch, but we will cancel a session if temperatures are extreme--especially if paired with wind. Whenever possible, an email or TeamReach message will be sent out notifying everyone as soon as it is determined to be too cold to train.

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

‍

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

‍

‍

There’s a bigger picture to what BSF teaches skiers, when and why. BSF’s programs are consistent with the U.S. Ski & SnowboardLong-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 Youth Ski League, the Development Teams, to the competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult athlete.

The LTAD is a living document and is updated frequently. Click here to view the most up-to-date version.

‍

Here's a brief look at the development phases.

PHASE 4

Girls ages 11-14

Boys ages 12-15

Years in sport: 5-8

Training: 4-6 days per week

‍

Training focus

30% all-mountain skiing. Continue to participate in complementary sports while identifying clear goals in primary sport. Physical fitness is becoming an integral part of the season. 1-3 sessions per week. Increase hours of training with varied volumes and intensity.  

Technical

This is the tactical stage where skiers apply technical skills to mogul-course-specific tactics.  

Tactical

Begin event-specific technical and tactical skills. Maintain technical skills through the growth spurt and refine tactical skills.

PHASE 5

(post puberty, after growth spurt)

Girls ages 12-16

Boys Ages 14-17

Years in sport: 6-11

Training: 5-7 sessions per week

‍

Training focus

20% all-mountain skiing. Use complementary sports and activities for variety and to enhance aerobic conditioning by increasing training volume in all activities. Implement periodized training with varying volumes and intensity. Training is now essential to seasonal programming with 2-3 sessions per week and off-season fitness plans.

Technical

Both a Technical and Tactical Stage. We focus on refinement of application of technical skills to mogul-course-specific tactics.  

Tactical

Refine event specific technical and tactical skills (takeoffs, landings, stance, angulation, etc.) to achieve desired outcome. Begin advanced aerial skills in a controlled environment.

‍

PHASE 6

(Full maturation)

Girls: 16+

Boys: 17+

Years in sport: 10+

Training: 5-7 sessions per week

‍

Training focus

15% all-mountain skiing. Use complementary sports and activities for injury prevention, avoiding burnout, and to maintain all aspects of physical fitness.  Year-round, periodized training plans with varying volumes and intensity are essential to prepare for full competition and training loads.

Technical

Mastery and Innovation stage.  Event/discipline-specific technical and tactical mastery. Innovative in discovery of new techniques and tactics.

Tactical

Mastery  of technical and tactical skills based on the individual's freestyle  discipline of choice. Consistency of training and progression of advanced  skills will be mastered in a competition environment.

‍