Freestyle & freeskiing
JUNE 18-24: Red Lodge On-Snow Camp
JULY 9-15: Water Ramp Camp #1
AUGUST 16-20: Water Ramp Camp #2
September: Dryland begins
December: On-snow training begins
2 days a week: $960
3 days a week: $1250
5 days a week: $2880
Fall Trampoline (Tramp) Camps: additional cost
Registration will open August 15.
2, 3, or 5 days a week
The Freestyle Comp team will focus on perfecting their skills to progress in moguls. Full-time athletes train during the summer months with agility and mobility programs. Trampoline sessions occur weekly, and load-based exercises are performed to prepare athletes for on-snow training.
Skill development, “best use practices” of our training facilities, and quality coaching ensure athletes the opportunity to develop their craft. This program also focuses on and educates athletes about nutrition and sports psychology.
2, 3, or 5 days a week
For the avid competitor who is dedicated to their sport of Freeskiing. The Freeskiing Comp Team will focus on perfecting their skills to progress in the park and natural terrain. Athletes train during the summer months with agility and mobility programs. Trampoline sessions occur weekly for full-time athletes, and load-based exercises are performed to prepare athletes for on-snow training. Skill development, “best use practices” of our training facilities, and quality coaching ensure athletes the opportunity to develop their craft.
Typically this is for U17 - U19 (ages 15-18), but our programs are based more on ability than age--please contact us if you have a question about which program is best. Built for athletes who are dedicated to Freestyle or Freeskiing.
For full-time athletes doing 5 days a week, balancing academics and athletics with good time management skills is a must. BSF enjoys a unique relationship with local schools, allowing for early release for conditioning and training. Students should be in good academic standing to make this work
Fall Full-time: Monday-Friday 1:00-2:30 pm
Winter: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-3 pm; Sat & Sun 9:30 am-3 pm at Bridger Bowl.
2 days a week: $960
3 days a week: $1250
5 days a week: $2880
Primary competitions are Northern Division/U.S. Ski & Snowboard, U.S. Junior Champs, National Championships and FIS/NorAms (freestyle).
BSF has a van that picks up full-time athletes at the High School and provides transportation to practice.
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.
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.
A pair of all-mountain skis is required.
Helmets are required.
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.
Given the terrain and requirements for certain areas at Bridger Bowl, rescue beacon and confidence in its use is recommended.
When you register for the program, you will be added to an email list. Your coaches will communicate weekly details to you through email, as well as any last-minute changes. (It’s important that you do not unsubscribe to 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!
Please make yourself familiar with our policies, the BSF Athlete & Parent Handbook, and other important information on the Resources Page.
Competitions: Parent/volunteer assistance with competitions is needed and is a fun place for parents to learn about freestyle. No experience necessary; we typically provide lift tickets for volunteers who don't have a season pass. Look for info in emails.
Other chances: BSF is a traditional nonprofit, relying on donations and fundraisers to cover approximately 50% of our operating costs. Volunteers donate thousands of hours each year. We couldn’t do it without you! We’re always looking for volunteers to help with our fundraisers, serve on committees, or help at Nordic, Alpine, and Freestyle/Freeskiing competitions.
Baseline testing recommended but not required. In the event an athlete does have a head injury, having baseline testing results on file allows BSF and your doctor to evaluate the injury and also accurately determine when an athlete can safely return to activity. Click here for info.
There’s a bigger picture to what BSF teaches skiers, when and why. BSF’s programs are consistent with the USSA 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 Youth Ski League, the Development Teams, to the competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult athlete.
(View the entire LTAD for all skiing disciplines HERE.)
Here's a brief look at the development phases.
Girls ages 11-15
Boys ages 12-16
Years in sport: 5-8
Training: 3-5 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.
(post puberty, after growth spurt)
Girls ages 12-17
Boys Ages 14-18
Years in sport: 6-11
Training: 4-5 days 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.
(Full maturation)
Girls: 16+
Boys: 17+
Years in sport: 10+
Training: 4-5 days 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.